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.
A billion pounds of California almonds could be stuck in warehouses instead of being exported
May 9, 2022
Shipping companies are finding more profit bringing back empty containers than filling them with almonds and other American exports. Growers statewide are looking at hundreds of millions of pounds on hand.
Stanislaus County will pilot plan to put solar panels over irrigation canals
February 16, 2022
Project Nexus is a concept developed by UC Merced and funded with $20 million by the California Department of Water Resources. The goal is to produce renewable energy and reduce water evaporation.
Thousands pay tribute to Stockton firefighter killed while on duty
February 8, 2022
Max Fortuna was shot to death last Monday while responding to a fire. He served the Stockton Fire Department for over two decades.
Stockton fire captain shot and killed while responding to a fire
February 1, 2022
Captain Max Fortuna was shot and killed early Monday morning. A suspect was taken into custody at the scene of the shooting.
California drought making life harder for bees and the Central Valley almond growers who depend on them
January 26, 2022
California’s facing a shortage of bees, which are vital to pollinating almond crops. Drought and other factors are making it difficult to ensure the bees' survival.
New incentives for landlords could help low-income renters in San Joaquin County
November 15, 2021
The incentives range from guaranteed rental income to paying bonuses for leasing.
Drought Is Pushing More Saltwater Into The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. California Built A Wall To Keep It Out.
July 30, 2021
With California’s latest drought conditions, the state Department of Water Resources has constructed a barrier to keep saltwater out of the Delta’s fresh water supply.
Yosemite National Park May Hike Camping Fees By October
June 21, 2021
Hikers and campers looking to explore Yosemite National Park might find that there could be a price increase this coming fall.
‘Reopening’ In Sacramento: Excitement And Optimism, But Not Everyone Is Ready To Ditch Their Masks
June 15, 2021
From Sacramento and San Joaquin to Placer and Yolo counties, workers, customers and business owners celebrated the state’s easing of COVID guidelines — but not everyone was ready to take off their masks.
Treasure Trove Of Fossils Found In Sierra Nevada Foothills
May 30, 2021
Scientists have unearthed the remains of prehistoric species dating back five to ten million years.