NEWMAN – City officials and community members from Gustine, Newman and Patterson convened last week at the West Side Theatre in Newman for a summit on health care issues hosted by the West Side Health Care Task Force.

The event celebrated the first-year success of the Healthy Choices for Our West Side campaign to promote positive lifestyles and kicked off a second year of activities - which include a weight loss contest that started with weigh-ins at the Thursday summit.

The Newman FFA officer team gathered at Lake McClure during early June for their annual officer retreat to set goals and make plans for the upcoming school year.

The advisers scheduled many team-building and communication activities during the overnight venture  which started with working together to set up camp. As the day turned into night, the group went on a scary night trust hike before ending the night enjoying s’mores and telling stories around the campfire. The next morning the group fit in everything they could, from taking their last swim to participating in more team-building exercises.

NEWMAN - Charles Tallcott recently joined the Orestimba High School staff as the new music teacher and band director.

Tallcott brings extensive experience and education in performing arts as well as a youthful enthusiasm and energy for building the local program.

“I am excited to see what’s been here and what I can create,” said Tallcott, adding that he looks forward to a positive year.