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Rich Ibarra
Contributing Central Valley/Foothills Reporter

Rich Ibarra calls Sacramento and Stockton both his hometown. Akin to a Tale of Two Cities, Rich was born in Stockton but raised in Sacramento.
He attended All Hallows Elementary School in Sacramento, St. Pius X Seminary, and Hiram Johnson High School,.
After graduating from Hiram Johnson, Rich joined the U.S. Navy for four years as a Communications Technician and served in Vietnam in 1968-69.
Rich then attended Sacramento Community College and CSU Sacramento where he majored in History. At the same time, Rich started working for KXTV 10 as a studio camera operator and later started working on weekends as a general assignment reporter, the first Hispanic reporter on the air for KXTV.
In 1977, Rich began reporting from Stockton for KXTV as the bureau chief, and in 1978 went to KOVR 13 as a reporter.
Rich joined KCRA 3 in 1980 and stayed with the station for 31 years until he retired in December 2011.
During his lengthy career, Rich reported on countless major stories including the Laci Peterson murder case, the Jaycee Dugard story, the Sandra Cantu murder case, the Loma Prieta Earthquake, major floods, forest fires, and other disasters.
Rich has the nickname of Mr. Mayor, the unofficial mayor of Stockton, by his colleagues because he is so well known in the area.
Rich is married to Deedee, and has a daughter and two grandchildren.
Predicted July Heat Could Damage Central Valley Crops
June 26, 2020
Harvest is approaching for many crops including plums, peaches and cucumbers, and some, such as leafy vegetables, have already been affected by recent high temperatures. Forecasters predict July will be even hotter.
Stockton Unified School Board To Discuss Defunding Its Police Force
June 23, 2020
A new resolution calls for removing police officers from Stockton Unified schools and reallocating funds to expand ethnic studies programs and hiring more mental health professionals.
Watch: In State Of The City Address, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs Says No Layoffs In Budget
May 28, 2020
Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs presented his speech online from the Haggin Museum due to the pandemic. The mayor said while many cities may be tightening their belt, Stockton and its budget are in good shape.
Nurses At San Joaquin General Hospital Strike Over Salary And Working Conditions
March 6, 2020
Hundreds of clerical and other staff members with the county worker’s union SEIU have joined them in solidarity. Hospital CEO David Culberson says, in spite of the walkout, the hospital is open for business.
Results Still Coming In For San Joaquin County Mayoral, City Council Races
March 5, 2020
Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs currently leads the vote for the mayoral race, but may face a runoff in November.
Following Newsom Announcement, Trailers To House Homeless Residents Arrive In Stockton
February 24, 2020
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last week that trailers would be sent to cities across California to house homeless families.
California Is Providing Funds to San Joaquin Valley To Target Air Pollution
February 19, 2020
South Central Fresno and Shafter are the first two cities to receive funds.
Newsom Proposes A New Approach To Reach Agreements With Water Agencies
February 10, 2020
Part of the governor’s plan would increase the water flow through the Delta during dry years.
Stockton Named The Most Racially Diverse City In America
January 28, 2020
A new study by U.S. News and World Report lists California as home to 7 out of 10 of the most diverse cities.
Stockton And South Lake Tahoe to Develop Affordable Housing On Excess State-Owned Land
January 23, 2020
Governor Newsom issued an executive order for the two cities.