Stockton came together in a powerful way on Thursday, November 20, 2025, as the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce hosted its highly anticipated 2025 ATHENA Awards Luncheon at the historic Stockton Golf & Country Club. The room was filled with applause, inspiration, and more than a few happy tears as three extraordinary women were honored for their leadership, service, and commitment to empowering others.

Stockton is welcoming a familiar face into one of its most important leadership roles. After a nationwide search that drew more than 67 applicants, the Stockton City Council has unanimously approved the appointment of Johnny Ford as the city’s next City Manager. The 7–0 vote affirms broad support for a leader who has spent decades serving communities across the country—and most importantly, the one he calls home.

In a season built on gratitude, community, and coming together, the Emergency Food Bank of Stockton is once again stepping up to ensure local families don’t just get by this Thanksgiving—they get to celebrate it.

Get ready to grab your putters and unleash your wild side—Micke Grove Regional Park’s brand-new zoo-themed mini golf course officially has a name, and it’s AWESOME. After weeks of imagination, creativity, and dozens of clever ideas from local students, San Joaquin County has crowned the winners of its Mini Golf Naming Contest… and the results are pure safari-themed perfection.

One of the most heartwarming events of the year returns to downtown Stockton this weekend. On Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., the Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin, will host its 26th Annual Adoption Day, celebrating local families who are opening their hearts and homes to children in need.

A group of innovative young minds from Venture Academy has earned national recognition for their creativity, compassion, and commitment to solving real-world challenges. The school’s student InvenTeam has been awarded a prestigious $7,500 Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams® Grant, becoming one of only eight high schools in the entire country selected for the 2025–26 cohort. Their mission: to design a new invention that helps older adults retain or regain the ability to stand up from a seated position, a vital component of independence and quality of life.

A Stockton neighborhood with a long history of resilience is getting a special boost this Thanksgiving. Vice Mayor Jason Lee will join the Sierra Vista Resident Council on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, for their beloved Annual Thanksgiving Giveaway — and he’s bringing a meaningful gift with him.

After years of grassroots organizing and community persistence, Midtown neighbors are celebrating a major victory for pedestrian safety: the long-requested HAWK (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk) signal at Pershing Avenue and Rose Street will officially be activated Wednesday, November 19 at 1 PM.

The Superior Court of California, County of San Joaquin, announced it has completed an extensive investigation into unauthorized activity discovered on its computer network, confirming that an outside individual accessed certain court systems late last year.

Caltrans will present a major update on the long-running Interstate 5 Stockton Channel Viaduct Project to the Stockton City Council’s Community Improvement and Crime Prevention Committee on Wednesday, November 19, at 3:30 p.m. The briefing is expected to give residents and city leaders the clearest look yet at how the multi-year bridge replacement project is progressing and what comes next.