Back Where It Belongs

A replacement is on the way

About Town – TUESDAY, 8/12/25

Hale Park will be getting a new sign. The last one was stolen a couple years ago, according to Christina Jaromay, parks, rec and cultural services director. The missing sign was brought to our attention by former mayor Joanne Mounce, who lives on the eastside just down the street from the park. When this column inquired about the sign’s replacement a few months ago, Jaromay said there was no budget for it. Mounce worked with Mayor Cameron Bregman to find the necessary funds to get a new sign installed. Bregman says the city council approved $10,000 for such purposes at their meeting last week. When the sign is finally replaced it will be one down and several more to go. Turns out the Hale Park sign isn’t the only one missing. Jaromay says signs at Peterson, Lawrence, Vinewood, and English Oaks parks are also gone. Some were stolen and one was run over by a car.

UPDATE: Lodi was in the spotlight last week when a poor lady was found deceased in a donation collection box behind Lakewood Mall. A passerby reported seeing the woman’s feet sticking out of the pull-down opening, but by the time first responders arrived it was too late. The box was in a vacant field behind the mall and mall officials report they had not given authorization for the container to be there. The box is gone.

FACTOIDS GALORE: Interesting fact: there is a gaping