By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News Gazette Special to the Benicia Herald Two U.S. Representatives, including Mike Thompson in whose district are both Benicia and portions of Martinez, are leading the bipartisan call for funding to strengthen the nation’s background check system. Joining Thompson (D-CA-05) is Pete King, a Republican from New York’s District 2 […]
Congressional bill would allow John Muir Site expansion
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News Gazette A new bill introduced into both houses of Congress would pave the way to add 44 acres in the Alhambra Creek watershed to the John Muir National Historic Site. U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-11), in whose district is a portion of Martinez, and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) […]
‘Matthew Turner’ ship launching Saturday
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News Gazette A labor of love that began nearly four years ago with the laying of a brigantine’s keel will take an important step forward Saturday when the “Matthew Turner” is launched in Sausalito. Named for the famous shipbuilder who constructed record-setting vessels in Benicia, the Matthew Turner is patterned […]
Former bombardier returns to old WWII position in B-17
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News Gazette William Hermann has been Chevron’s chief economist, and at 92, he’s an honored Golden Gate University professor. But Monday, he returned to a position he held back when he was 20 – seated in the nose of a B-17. Hermann was a lead crew bombardier during World War […]
Liberty Foundation’s Madras Maiden B-17 arrives in Bay Area
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News Gazette One of the few surviving and flying B-17 bombers that were instrumental in the Allied victory in World War II is now stationed at Hayward Executive Airport, where the public not only can view the plain but also take flights over the Bay Area. The Liberty Foundation’s “Madras […]
Descendant of World War II co-pilot flies aboard B-17
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette William Binzen knew about his father’s accomplishments as a B-17 co-pilot during World War II through the collection of letters and other papers the veteran assembled as a legacy for his children. But Binzen will never read those letters the same way again. For about a quarter hour Thursday […]
B-17 flights available today on historic ‘Flying Fortress’ in Concord
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette Whether the “Aluminum Overcast” is on the ground or taking to the air, the silvery body of the mighty “Flying Fortress” lets observers see how the warbird got its name. One of only 13 surviving B-17s that are still flying, the Aluminum Overcast, operated by the Experimental Aircraft Association […]
Ship named after Matthew Turner under construction
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News Gazette During the California Gold Rush, wooden sailing vessels arrived in San Francisco to the point that from the docks, bay waters looked like a forest of leafless trees had risen up above the waves. Many were abandoned, and others were dismantled and recycled. After gold rush mania subsided, […]
Woman jumps from Benicia Bridge after car crash; Jumper reportedly ran down pedestrians at family law center
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News Gazette A woman who apparently deliberately ran down three pedestrians Monday morning at Court and Main streets jumped to her death from the Benicia-Martinez Bridge after crashing her car about midspan, Martinez Police Commander Eric Ghisletta said. “Her name is being withheld until positive identification from the Contra Costa […]
To ease overcrowding, ferry service extended
The Water Emergency Transportation Authority Board of Directors has increased the 2015-16 operating budget that will extend the added Bay Area ferry service that began earlier this month. Those extra rides have been extended to Oct. 30, said Jen Gainza, spokesperson for the board.