After issuing Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for cannabis-related businesses in town, City Manager Lorie Tinfow announced that nine proposals had been received for cannabusinesses in the city’s weekly newsletter. In early 2018, the Benicia City Council approved ordinances related to cannabis business related operations. The council limited the number of retail businesses no more than […]
Candidate Spotlight: EDB Chair Lionel Largaespada taking another shot at council seat
A defeat in 2016 did not deter Lionel Largaespada from running again for the Benicia City Council. If anything, he says it has made him more energized. “Friends, residents, voters asked me to keep at it,” he said. “Momentum was on our side, and that really inspired and motivated me to stay in the race.” […]
Planning Commission narrowly OKs use permit for digital billboard at Bayshore Road
By a slim margin, the Planning Commission approved a use permit to modify a conventional billboard on Bayshore Road into a digital LED billboard at Thursday’s meeting. Associate Planner Charles Enchill presented a history of the project. In 2012, applicant Bruce Qualls of Clear Channel Outdoor proposed converting two static billboards— one on Park Road […]
Thompson’s disaster relief amendment rejected
By Donna Beth Weilenman Martinez News-Gazette Special to the Herald A bill amendment written by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson to provide targeted tax relief for victims of natural disasters, was rejected by the House Committee on Ways and Means, and the Napa Democrat said he isn’t happy about it. Thompson, who represents Benicia, said in […]
BHS nabs 13 Arty nominees apiece for 2017-18 productions; BOTTG nets 5
The Performing Arts Network (PAN-Arts) announced its nominees for the 34th annual Arty Awards, which honor theatrical productions at all levels in the counties of Solano, Napa and– for the first time this year– Yolo, this morning. Once again, Benicia High School and Benicia Old Town Theatre Group are well-represented among the nominees. Benicia High […]
Board, commission appointments will go before council Tuesday
Some citizens may continue serving their community on various boards and commissions, others will be seeking seats for the first time. All will be voted on by the Benicia City Council at its Tuesday meeting. After a lengthy process that included interviews by a council subcommittee and Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, the council will be voting […]
Arts Benicia goes ‘dark’ for curated exhibit
Although most would rather not think about it, the Halloween season is starting to creep in. Just look at all the Halloween decorations in stores, advertisements for pumpkin spice lattes and emergence of Halloween specialty stores— all in the middle of September. Arts Benica’s curated exhibition, “After Dark,” is not Halloween-themed, but it is still […]
New exhibit to light up Plein Air Gallery
Judy Feins is bringing light to the Benicia Plein Air Gallery. Specifically, the light is in her paintings which capture the luminous elements of nature. Feins has exhibited at the gallery before— local art aficionados might remember last year’s show “Luminous”—, but those who want to get a further understanding of the East Bay artist’s […]
City Council candidates discuss issues at Chamber of Commerce forum
Viewers of Wednesday’s Candidate’s Night forum, sponsored by the Benicia Chamber of Commerce, had an opportunity to ask questions of the City Council candidates and learn their perspectives on hot-button issues facing the city. The forum was held in the Council Chambers of City Hall and moderated by James Cooper, the president of the Vallejo […]
Planning Commission to vote on downtown design guidelines
After nearly a year of discussions at various commissions, amendments design guidelines in the Downtown Historic Conservation Plan (DHCP) will go for a second round of votes at Thursday’s Planning Commission meeting. The guidelines were previously adopted at a Historic Preservation Review Commission meeting, and— if approved by the Planning Commission— will go before the […]