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 […]
Arts & Culture Commissioner Gethsemane Moss running for school board
With more than 20 years of educational experience and a child about to graduate high school in the spring, Gethsemane Moss is ready to serve Benicia and its youth in another big way. She wants to be a school board trustee. Moss is running for a seat on the Governing Board of the Benicia Unified […]
Benicia PD to raise breast cancer awareness through participation in Pink Patch Project
Staff Report Throughout October, the Benicia Police Department will be raising awareness of breast cancer through its first-ever participation in the Pink Patch Project (PPP), according to a city news release. The project is a collaborative effort between the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs’ Association and public safety agencies throughout the country. The […]
Council scrutinizes proposed accessory dwelling unit regulations
A discussion on proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulation amendments to the Benicia Municipal Code prompted a lot of feedback and even some recommendations by Benicia City Councilmembers at Tuesday’s meeting. An ADU, also known as an in-law unit, is a room or a set of rooms within a single-family home that has […]
Benicia gearing up for September Art Walk
Colorful balloons will highlight the eight galleries on First Street that are participating in the Benicia Art Walk this Saturday, Sept. 8. All eight galleries will be featuring new works by several artists and will be serving refreshments during their afternoon receptions. A map of all eight participating galleries is available at each location. They […]
Benicia High sophomore raising funds for volunteer trip to Africa
Olivia Andrade just started her sophomore year at Benicia High School, but she is already looking forward to the summer where she will be embarking on a volunteer trip to West Africa as part of Global Leadership Adventures (GLA). GLA is an organization that offers study abroad programs for high schoolers to provide them service […]
Candidate’s Night set for Sept. 12
Staff Report As election season begins and yard signs for candidates pop up all throughout town, many Benicians may be trying to decide which of the four City Council candidates to vote for. For those trying to get a sense of where the candidates stand on certain issues, the Chamber of Commerce will be providing […]
Council to vote on amendments to Accessory Dwelling Unit regulations
After receiving hearings from the Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Review Commission, an ordinance to amend the Benicia Municipal Code in regards to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations will go before the Benicia City Council for a vote Tuesday. An ADU, also known as an in-law unit, is a room or a set of rooms […]