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, […]
Photo: Art on campus
Incumbent school board president seeking another term
As the only incumbent in the school board race, Board President Diane Ferrucci is looking to continue her experience not only on the school board but also her extensive education background. “I am well-qualified to continue in my position as a board member, having served multiple facets of education,” she said. “I’ve been a teacher, […]
Renowned local musicians join forces for Benicia Historical Museum concert
The Benicia Historical Museum will be bringing two highly accomplished Bay Area musicians together for an intimate concert next week. Peppino D’Agostino and Carlos Reyes will be bringing their unique styles together for what promises to be a very special evening for music lovers. D’Agostino, born in Sicily but residing in Benicia since the ‘80s, […]
Voice of the Village: A local heroine
By Judie Donaldson I recall a number of years ago when my friend Karen called to request a favor. Her father had died that morning, and she called to ask me to pass along a message to our friends. The message? She requested that we each honor her father’s life by living life––by doing something […]
The A Cappella Handyman: Songwriting
I never would have guessed when I was a senior in Mechanical Engineering Design at UC Berkeley back in 1965 that I would have an armload of songs on YouTube.com by the time I was 75. Or that Herb Caen would list all the lyrics to my “Laid Off American Man” in 1994. Such are […]
Council approves $18K grant for library literacy services
The Benicia City Council approved a grant by the California Library Literacy Services (CLLS) grant to the tune of $18,000 for the library’s Adult Literacy Services (ALS) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs at Tuesday’s meeting. In 1987, the Benicia Public Library established its ALS program, which provides 1:1 tutoring and […]
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 […]
Bocce ball art exhibit rolls into Benicia Library
The popularity of bocce, the Italian ball sport, only continues to grow. With its roots in ancient Rome, the game is huge in Europe and also has sprouted leagues in North America as well, especially in California. This includes Benicia, where a bocce court was constructed in Civic Park in 2006 followed by an additional […]
Candidate Spotlight: Christina Strawbridge seeking return to council
Following her defeat in 2016, Councilmember Christina Strawbridge knew exactly what she wanted to do: run again to get back on the City Council. “I really enjoyed being on the council,” Strawbridge, who had served from 2011 to 2016, said. “It was a progression as far as my involvement with the town, having been on […]