2016: Year in review
Tragedy and economic promise
This year had its mix of tragedy and surprises for the Lodi community as we reflect back on some of the major happenings of the year. Several unexpected incidents led to the deaths of a beloved comic book store owner and the Stockton Lyft driver who transported him, and two people died after their parachutes failed to deploy. Lodi also experienced a housing and retail business boom as potential signs of economic recovery in the area. Readers voted, and the following are numbers six through four as we count down your Top 10 stories of the year:
6. Lodi Avenue crash kills two
It was a tragic day on April 25 when a two-car crash on Lodi and Pleasant avenues left two Stockton men dead. Before the crash, 43-year-old David Solon Phillips, one of the owners of the comic book store The Launchpad, had called for a ride and was traveling in the Nissan Sentra of 62-year-old Lyft driver Anthony Pena.
Two suspects in a reportedly stolen Nissan Altima failed to stop at the intersection of Lodi and Pleasant avenues, colliding with the Sentra and sending both cars careening into the wall and parking lot of the Lodi House Thrift Store. Both Phillips and Pena died soon after the crash, while the driver and passenger of the Altima attempted to flee the scene. A 16-year-old police said was the driver of the vehicle was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, driving under the influence, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a stolen firearm.
Phillips’ fellow owners closed the shop temporarily following the crash.
Locals, teens and others who were connected by a love of comics and tabletop games, gave tribute to Phillips in the days after the crash, leaving messages and memories in a makeshift altar outside of The Launchpad on Lodi Avenue.
5. Lodi Parachute Center tandem jump kills two
Hundreds of people have made jumps at the Lodi Parachute Center — the multi-colored fabric can be seen drifting down from Highway 99. But when two men did a tandem jump in August this year, the parachute did not open properly. First-time jumper, 18-year-old Tyler Turner of Los Banos, and an uncertified skydiving instructor, Yong Kwon, 25, of South Korea, both died.
Since the crash, Ed Scott, the executive director of the United States Parachute Association, revealed to the Stockton Record that Kwon had been trained by Rob Pooley, a man whom the association accused of forging instructor applications. Pooley’s examiner rating was suspended by the association in July 2015. In response to an investigation, the association suspended parachute center owner Bill Dause’s membership and instructor rating in September. He is now prohibited from instructing students and jumpers.
This wasn’t the only incident that took place at the parachute center this year. In May, a small plane carrying 18 people crash-landed upside down in a nearby vineyard.
The plane had began having engine trouble just after takeoff. However, passengers suffered only minor injuries in that crash.
4. Lodi experiences a housing and retail business boom
Many new homes and businesses sprouted on the outskirts of Lodi in 2016. One of the most notable changes to local retail was the grand opening of the new Walmart Supercenter in July. The business was completed this year after nearly a decade of legal battles to garner its final approval. With the Walmart Supercenter came a slew of new shops and restaurants on the corner of Lower Sacramento Road and Kettleman Lane including Ulta Beauty, Panda Express, Blaze Pizza, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Fantastic Sams Cut and Color and Buffalo Wild Wings. On the way soon to the old Walmart shopping center across the street are Party City, Hobby Lobby, Petco and Farmer Boys.
Lodi also saw new businesses in the Reynolds Ranch shopping center with the completion of Dick’s Sporting Goods and Boot Barn.
Downtown Lodi’s empty storefronts filled in, as well, with the introduction of Sheryl Giles Bridal Couture, Fenix, Flakos Tacos, Brix and Hops and Scotto’s Wine & Cider. An Ace Hardware opened up in the Lakewood Mall in November.
Although the housing bubble crash halted construction of new homes for several years, Lodi saw continued work on homes in the Rosegate neighborhood off of Sargent and Lower Sacramento roads. Several other housing developments were approved this year. Work is already underway on senior apartments on Tienda Drive. Two subdivisions from Grupe Investment company have been approved. One called The Vine has been approved for Lower Sacramento and Taylor roads, while the other is Harvest Crossing near Turner and Lower Sacramento roads.
In April, plans were revealed for a multi-family apartment complex, Rubicon at Reynolds Ranch, which would include 156 units, with plans for a single-family housing development called Orchard Lane in that same area. Lodi City planners also approved the Camper Subdivision of 28 single-family homes along Sacramento Street south of Lodi Avenue.