A car flipped over on the side of Interstate 780 Wednesday. Benicia Firefighters received a call at 8:14 a.m. that a car traveling east down Highway 780 had lost control and exited the freeway, flipping over one time. The car landed 50 yards south of the highway near the Benicia State Recreation Area. Firefighters rushed […]
Council takes next step in approving cannabis businesses in town
After several hours of listening to public input on both sides, the Benicia City Council voted 4 to 1 to allow cannabis businesses in Benicia at its Tuesday meeting. The topic of cannabis use in Benicia has been on several residents’ minds since the passage of the Adult Use of Marijuana Act in November 2016 […]
Benicians count birds in annual event
The Benicia Christmas Bird Count is, well, not just for the birds. It is an activity that many do year after year, some of whom inspire others to get in on the fun. Every year, a group of bird watchers choose a date in December to observe birds and tally how many they come within […]
Benicia mortgage company bestows client with replica of plaque lost in fire
Jim Ruddell worked for the San Rafael Bus transit system for 37 years. When Ruddell retired, he received a plaque honoring his nearly four decades of work. The plaque was a treasured item, and Ruddell was devastated when the Wine Country fires destroyed his Santa Rosa home and everything in it, including the plaque. However, […]
Council to resume cannabis discussion Tuesday
The Benicia City Council will continue to tackle cannabis at its Tuesday meeting, this time focusing on areas outside the downtown. Following the passage of Proposition 64 in November 2016, communities have been working to come up with their own rules regarding cannabis. The issue has been hotly debated at 14 public meetings throughout the […]
Benicians band together to save owl
Who, who’s gonna rescue an owl? A group of citizens, police and wildlife experts that’s who._ Midday Monday, Dave Vallejos, the owner of Dave’s Barber Shop & Shaving Parlor on First Street, noticed an owl walking down the road The owl stopped and laid down near his shop. Vallejos became concerned and began figuring out […]
Benicia Fire Department sends aid to So. Cal as fires rage
The fires ravaging Southern California have created images that many would describe as “apocalyptic.” So far, these fires have destroyed 96,000 acres in Ventura County and causes 100,000 people to be evacuated. During this time of overwhelming adversity, Benicia has sent firefighters to help the region in their hour of need. Five firefighters from Benicia […]
Diablo Regional Concert Band returns for winter library gig
Like Christmas itself, the Benicia Public Library’s Winter Concert– starring the Diablo Regional Concert Band–comes once a year. It’s a free event and all ages are welcome to enjoy some festive music played by a band with a long history. The Diablo Regional Concert Band was formed in 1910 when it was called the Martinez […]
High school business continues ‘Odd Jobs’ through holidays
The kids are all right. Well, at least the ones in Benicia. Last year, a group of high schoolers started a business where they do odd jobs for the community. We Do Odd Jobs was started by Benicia High School junior Chris Weldon and a group of his friends. This group was trying to figure […]
Council to hold cannabis vote on Tuesday
Next week’s City Council meeting is all about cannabis. The council will discuss amending several cannabis rules within Benicia at its regular meeting. First, on the cannabis-related agenda, the council has to decide if it will amend the moratorium prohibiting cannabis uses and adopting a resolution prohibiting such uses in the Downtown Mixed Use Master […]