Rich Ibarra

Stockton

Reporter, Capital Public Radio at KXJZ-FM (Sacramento, CA)

Reporter Capital Public Radio

Articles

World’s largest water balloon fight? Stockton event hopes to set the record this weekend.

Jul 12, 2024 | capradio.org | Rich Ibarra

Stockton hopes to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest water balloon fight this Saturday. Temperatures are expected to hit around 102 degrees, and Splash Fest organizers hope it’ll be a way to cool off while grabbing a claim to fame at the same time. DeMar Johnson is with Balloons Over Bullets, which is sponsoring the event to help stop gun violence and provide a safe space for kids. “The record that’s set right now is just under 9,000 people with 176,000 balloons,” he said.
Aw, Nuts: Modesto minor league baseball team playing its final season

Jul 11, 2024 | capradio.org | Rich Ibarra

Modesto’s minor league baseball team is playing its final season after 78 years. The city and the team could not reach home on an agreement for a long-term lease and so the team’s history is coming to an end. The current lease at John Thurman Field will expire at the end of September. The Modesto Nuts' beginnings in the city date back to 1946. The team was named the A’s, the Colts and the Reds in years gone by.
Stanislaus County declares emergency over tomato pest

May 21, 2024 | capradio.org | Rich Ibarra

Roughly 90% of all processed tomatoes grown in the U.S. come from California — but this year’s crop is being threatened by a tiny bug in the San Joaquin Valley. The beet leafhopper transmits a disease called curly top virus as it feeds on a variety of crops including melons, cucumbers and squash, but the main concern is tomatoes. Emergency proclamations have been declared in Kings, Kern, Fresno, Madera and Merced counties.
San Joaquin, Sacramento officials prepare for mosquito season

May 14, 2024 | capradio.org | Rich Ibarra

There’s a buzz in the air in Northern California. If you can hear it, chances are likely that it could be a mosquito. As warmer weather returns to the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, local vector control agencies are gearing up for mosquito season and the fight against West Nile Virus. Aaron Devencenzi with San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District says traps have been placed around the county to gauge mosquito activity.
Latest Northern California storms allow lower-elevation ski resorts to open

Jan 5, 2024 | capradio.org | Rich Ibarra

Dodge Ridge Ski Resort in Tuolumne County opened Friday, nearly two months after its opening date last year. The lack of snow has resulted in a later start of ski season for the lower elevation resort, with a base of around 6,600 feet. A storm this past week put 19 inches of snow on the summit of Dodge Ridge and 14 inches at the base. That’s about half of the total snow they’ve received this season.
Stockton Kings’ home court renamed to Adventist Health Arena

Oct 25, 2023 | capradio.org | Rich Ibarra

The Stockton Arena will be going by a new name. The city announced on Tuesday the arena, which is the home of the NBA G League’s Stockton Kings, will now be known as the Adventist Health Arena. The city started taking bids for the arena’s naming rights in April. There were multiple offerings and Adventist Health came out as the winner. City Manager Harry Black said the naming rights deal will mean an even better venue to come.
If national parks close during a government shutdown, California tourism could take a hit

Sep 27, 2023 | ijpr.org | Rich Ibarra

Yosemite sees about 3.5 million visitors a year, which translates to millions of tourism dollars to Tuolumne and Mariposa counties. In 2013, a government shutdown lasted 16 days and all national parks closed completely, resulting in an estimated $500 million loss in tourist dollars. Between 2018 and 2019, another shutdown lasted 35 days but Yosemite stayed open with many areas closed off and a skeleton staff.
If national parks close during a government shutdown, California tourism could take a hit

Sep 25, 2023 | capradio.org | Rich Ibarra

A possible government shutdown by Congress by the end of the month could completely or partially close national parks, including Yosemite. That could lead to cancellations and a major impact on tourism. Yosemite sees about 3.5 million visitors a year, which translates to millions of tourism dollars to Tuolumne and Mariposa counties. In 2013, a government shutdown lasted 16 days and all national parks closed completely, resulting in an estimated $500 million loss in tourist dollars.
Invasive mosquito species found in San Joaquin County

Sep 12, 2023 | capradio.org | Rich Ibarra

A mosquito breed known for carrying yellow fever and other diseases has been spotted in portions of the San Joaquin Valley. Last week, the San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District said high numbers of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have shown up in traps around South Stockton, Manteca, Escalon and Ripon. The mosquitoes have also popped up in Butte and Glenn counties this summer. Like the majority of other mosquitoes that live here, Aedes aegypti are not native to the state.
Modesto ends 33-year ban on cruising

Jul 16, 2023 | capradio.org | Rich Ibarra

The Modesto City Council unanimously voted last week to lift a 33-year-old ban on cruising in city limits. Director and Modesto native George Lucas created “American Graffiti” in 1973 as an homage to his hometown and its cruising culture. After the film saw success, people from all over the country came to Modesto to participate in cruising events.