2023 in review: Stormy start, historic ending

Jan. 2 — Lodi saw a stormy start to 2023, but ended the year with some history-making appointments. In between there was political drama, major shakeups in the city’s highest ranks, a spike in homicides, a long-awaited opening and much, much more. Winter storms pound Lodi Area The year started with heavy rains blanketing the Lodi area, with 3.8 inches falling between 6 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2022 and 6 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2023. City of Lodi officials said winds reached as high as 51 miles an hour, and some 6,000 residents lost power. The high winds caused several trees to topple, including 12 at Lodi Lake. The storms lasted through much of January, causing flooding along northbound Highway…