By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette A 58-year-old Benicia man who has been identified as the “NorCal Rapist” has been arrested. Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton, Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert and Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn made the joint announcement Friday morning. They identified the suspect as Roy Charles Waller, […]
Hotrod Hoodlums, Chrysler of Fairfield event Saturday to help Las Juntas Elementary
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette A team-up event Saturday between a Fairfield Chrysler dealership and a Bay Area car club will help raise money for a Martinez elementary school during its annual PTA car show and barbecue. Chrysler of Fairfield is bringing its parent company’s “Cars 4 Classrooms” fundraising program to Las Juntas Elementary […]
International Talk Like a Pirate Day: British ‘pirate’ well represented in Bay Area
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette Belay yer deck-swabbing, ye scurvy dogs! Today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day. If ye dare be ignoring such a grand celebration of maritime linguistics, well, that won’t do twice, by thunder! Come lean on the capstan or take a seat on the deck hatch, and have […]
Thompson’s disaster relief amendment rejected
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette Special to the Herald A bill amendment written by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson to provide targeted tax relief for victims of natural disasters, was rejected by the House Committee on Ways and Means, and the Napa Democrat said he isn’t happy about it. Thompson, who represents Benicia, said in […]
Giant Osprey wins Obtainium Cup award
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette Special to the Herald Despite assaults by flying monkeys, robots, zombies, pirates and sharks, a giant Osprey handled by Tree Bartlett, Nick Busch, Dan Baron and Valerie and Michael Nelson won the Obtainium Cup trophy Sunday afternoon on Mare Island in Vallejo. In its seventh year, the Obtainium Cup […]
‘Obtainium Cup’ Contraptor Race Sunday On Mare Island
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette A road race will pit the drivers of some oddball vehicles against flying monkeys, robots and zombies Sunday on Vallejo’s Mare Island. The contest is called “The Obtainium Cup Contraptor’s Road Rally,” and this is the seventh year for the organized mayhem. It’s somewhat inspired by the three-day Kinetic […]
Thompson shares insight on those seeking asylum, entrance to US
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette The latest group of people who are trying to enter the United States through amnesty or asylum are coming from conditions that have made them desperate, said United States Representative Mike Thompson. “These folks are unsafe in their home spot,” he said. “They are appealing to the United States […]
Beaver Festival to be held at Susannah Park Saturday
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette The Martinez beavers are back, and so is the annual Martinez Beaver Festival that celebrates wildlife and their contributions to a healthy environment. Founded 11 years ago at a time a new beaver dam in Alhambra Creek might have exacerbated flooding in the city’s downtown business district, the first […]
Bright-sailed privateer to battle land-based cannoneers at Pirate Festival
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette The booms you may hear Saturday and Sunday will be cannonfire. But there’s no need to worry. It’s just pirates and their ship to shore battles at the Northern California Pirate Festival in Vallejo’s Waterfront Park. The Northern California Pirate Festival is one of the few entertaining events that […]
‘Rosie’ in audience at Betty Reid Soskin’s talk
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette Among those in the audience Saturday for Betty Reid Soskin’s book reading and talk was Agnes Moore, who came to California from Arkansas and worked at the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond during World War II as one of the female workers later called “Rosie the Riveters. But Agnes didn’t […]