Officers teach Benicia Middle School students ins, outs of department Benicia police has 27 new graduates who have seen the inner workings of the department, experienced what it might be like to drive while impaired and tried to solve such crimes as car theft, vandalism and an interrupted burglary. Those graduates are all Benicia Middle […]
Benicia Biz Beat: Raley’s food drive to help local hungry
IN A FUNDRAISING EFFORT to pay for fresh fruits and vegetables for area food banks, Raley’s Supermarket in Southampton Shopping Center and others in the company are having a summer donation drive. Through July 31, all Raley’s, Bel Air and Nob Hill Markets in California and Nevada will collect donations to Food for Families. In […]
Police seek motorist who left scene after injuring pedestrian
A motorist driving an older-model sedan left the scene after hitting a pedestrian who was crossing the street at the intersection of East Fifth Street and Military East early Sunday morning, Benicia police Lt. Mike Greene said. The victim, a 23-year-old man, was taken to John Muir Medical Center, Walnut Creek, where he is being […]
Vietnam veteran finally receives military awards
It took 39 years and the help of U.S. Representative Mike Thompson for James Hilderbrand to receive the military honors he earned during the Vietnam War. In a Friday afternoon ceremony in front of the Benicia Veterans Memorial Building, Thompson pinned three medals to Hilderbrand’s chest, under the two rows of ribbons he also finally […]
Wright quits as principal of BHS
Damon Wright, who became Benicia High School’s principal at the start of the 2012-13 school year, is resigning to become the principal of American Canyon High School. In an email sent Friday, Wright said, “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of my plans to formally resign as principal of Benicia High […]
Morgan’s Companie likes ‘bad guy’ role at pirate festival
In a festival by and for pirates, sea rogues and other scalawags, who gets to be the enemy? At the Northern California Pirate Festival Saturday and Sunday at Vallejo Waterfront Park, that role is happily portrayed by Morgan’s Companie.
City to seek grant for Military West turn lane
Benicia City Council has authorized application for Highway Safety Improvement Program grants that could correct what one resident has called “the most dangerous intersection in the city,” and improve another area where a pedestrian was killed last year. Gretchen Burgess, speaking in April before the Benicia Unified School District Board of Trustees, gave that appellation […]
‘Silver Realm’ gives peek into authentic pirate times
Annual Vallejo festival to draw thousands Some of those going to the Northern California Pirate Festival Saturday and Sunday can point to such fictional characters as Long John Silver, Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow as having sparked their fascination with plunderers of the sea. But for some, the interest in pirates, buccaneers, cutthroats and […]
Benicia veteran to get overdue medals
A Benicia Vietnam war veteran is getting long-overdue service medals Friday, presented to him by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson. James Hilderbrand, who has lived in Benicia since 1989 when he moved here from Arizona, served in the Air Force, Thompson said. Hilderbrand worked for one year after his graduation from high school, then enlisted in […]
Sipping into summer
Main Street welcomes season with Saturday Wine Walk Summer’s nearly here, and Benicia Main Street is welcoming the new season Saturday with a Wine Walk. Participants will get 15 tastings, available from 22 different stores and offices along First Street, where employees will be pouring one-ounce samples into their glasses. Deborah Housman, event coordinator, called […]