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 […]
Library gallery seeking artists, committee members
Staff Report The Benicia Public Library’s Marilyn O’Rourke Gallery is accepting applications for its 2019 schedule of exhibitions, according to a news release by the library. Applications are open to all artists, and the deadline is Sept. 28. Applications and information about the exhibits are available on the library’s website at benicialibrary.org/gallery/submissions. Applications should be […]
Electric vehicles return to farmers market for Drive Electric Week
It is that time of year when one can expect to find electric vehicles at the foot of First Street during the Benicia Certified Farmers Market. For those who have been considering buying an electric vehicle, this is the week to learn more. Benicia is currently in the midst of National Drive Electric Week, a […]
Bob Livesay: The state of the Democratic Party in Benicia
By Bob Livesay Special to the Herald I have been following politics for many years. The first election I voted in was 1954. My first presidential election was 1956. I voted for Eisenhower, and he won. You had to be 21 then, and I was not 21 for the 1952 presidential election. So as you […]
Pat Toth-Smith: Birdseye puts safety first
It’s been two years since the 2016 crude-by-rail permit for Valero was denied, but a strong memory of it remains for me and probably for a lot of Benicians. It’s because of that experience that I’m urging Benicians to vote for Kari Birdseye for the Benicia City Council. Birdseye was a new Planning Commissioner […]
Fire Department receives $15K grant for vegetation management
Staff Report The Benicia Fire Department was recently awarded a $15,000 grant to expand the use of goats grazing in high risk, overgrown vegetation areas, according to a news release by the city. The grant was the result of a partnership between the California Fire Foundation and Pacific Gas & Electric, which have […]
City attorney to leave in March
After having a presence at Benicia City Council meetings for more than 20 years, City Attorney Heather McLaughlin will be exiting the dais in March. McLaughlin said after nearly 22 years in the position and numerous health issues over the years, it was time to move on. “I love this position,” she said. “I […]
BUSD survey results presented to school board
Results from the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) and Relationships Effort Aspirations Cognition and Heart (REACH) Survey were presented at Thursday’s school board meeting. Dr. Carolyn Patton, Benicia Unified School District’s special services director, presented a quick overview of the two surveys’ results. The reports come out publicly in November, so Patton initiated a preliminary […]
School board approves tentative agreement with teachers union
Following nearly a yearlong impasse over contract negotiations with the Benicia Teacher Association (BTA), the Governing Board of the Benicia Unified School District voted to ratify a tentative agreement with a 2.5 percent salary increase at Thursday’s meeting. Throughout the 2017-18 school year, the BTA and BUSD’s bargaining teams met for several negotiation sessions. In […]