Following approval by the Historic Preservation Review Commission at its May 24 meeting, the Planning Commission will be the next governmental body to take up the issue of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) at its Thursday meeting. ADUs, also called secondary or in-law units, are additional units added on the same property as regular residential units. […]
School board to vote on LCAP Wednesday
Following a public hearing at the May 31 school board meeting, a discussion on the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is up for the trustees’ approval for the last meeting of the 2017-18 school year Wednesday— a day earlier than when school board meetings are usually held. The LCAP is a tool for all school […]
Spirited Benicia High graduation ceremony celebrates accomplishments of 2018 class
“Many teachers have told me that we were the best class,” Shannon Sweeney, the outgoing Associated Student Body senior president, said in her remarks at Benicia High School’s Class of 2018 graduation Saturday. “I would have to agree.” Sweeney and her teachers were not alone in this opinion. As the speeches by graduating seniors and […]
Graduating eagles soar at Liberty High School’s graduation
In his message to the crowd at Liberty High School’s graduation ceremony, Principal Zachary Pless said he had asked staff upon starting his position what their favorite time of year was. Their answer was not the holiday dinners, field trips or other special events but rather Graduation Day. Traditionally, Liberty’s graduation ceremony has been an […]
Fine dining restaurant opens at Tannery
(This post has been updated.)After nearly a decade with hardly any use, the largest space in the Tannery Building is a dining destination once again. Bella Siena, the new Italian-American restaurant, is open for business. After nearly a decade with hardly any use, the largest space in the Tannery Building is a dining destination […]
Planning Commissioner Kari Birdseye announces council bid
The race for Benicia’s City Council is getting into shape, with Planning Commission Chair Kari Birdseye the latest candidate to throw her hat into the growing ring. She announced her bid Wednesday. “The Benicia City Council is the natural next step in my service to the city of Benicia,” Birdseye wrote in a news […]
Council OKs updates to noise ordinance
If there was one topic that dominated The Benicia City Council’s Tuesday meeting, it was noise, noise, noise! The council voted to amend the Benicia Municipal Code regarding noise regulations and outdoor entertainment. First, the council discussed changing and clarifying the regulations for amplified music and other noise sources. Community Development Director Shawna Brekke-Read noted […]
Gizzi elected to judgeship; Newsom, Feinstein, Thompson advance, plus how Solano voted in other races
With all precincts in Solano County reporting as of Wednesday, Benicia practicing attorney Steve Gizzi has won a victory over prosecutor John Coffer in the race for judge on the Solano Superior Court. Gizzi, who had served on the Benicia City Council from 1996 to 2002, had received 54 percent of the vote to Coffer’s […]
Library gearing up for 25th anniversary celebration
“It feels like the blink of an eye,” David Dodd, the director of library and cultural services for the Benicia Public Library, said of the institution celebrating 25 years at its current East L Street location. Although the library has been in Benicia much longer than 25 years, the current facility— with its bright colors, […]
Benicia High School top 2018 graduates ready for next big step
When Upraj Singh entered Benicia High School, he did not know he would be the top student in his class. “Freshman and sophomore year, I didn’t even have a concept of what the valedictorian was,” he said. “It was only junior year I was seeing people striving for this position and basically striving for academic […]