The Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPRC) held a study session on interim design standards for multi-family housing proposals put forth by Senate Bill 35 at its Thursday meeting. The goal of SB 35 is to require cities to approve qualifying multi-family housing projects consistent and objective and design review standards when the California Department of […]
Benicia tour guide to play 150 holes of golf for charity
Proceeds will benefit fire victims The summer of 2018 has seen scores of fires throughout California, and fire season has not even started yet. Among the bigger ones are the Carr Fire, which has burned nearly 230,000 acres throughout Shasta and Trinity counties and is 90 percent contained, and the Mendocino Complex Fire, which has […]
Candidate Spotlight: Retired carpenter William Emes hopes to unify City Council
William Emes Jr., the newest candidate to enter the Benicia City Council race, sees his experience as different from anyone on the council. The 25-year resident and retired journeyman carpenter hopes to use that to his advantage to bring new ideas to the elected body. “What we’re witnessing in the world today is an incredible […]
Local labor group announces council, school board endorsements
The Napa/Solano Central Labor Council (NSLC), a labor collective representing Napa and Solano counties, announced its endorsements in local races via a Facebook post. According to the post, the NSCLC held 53 interviews with candidates in races throughout Solano and Napa counties over several days with a panel of more than 30 affiliate leaders. The […]
Council scrutinizes marina lease at Tuesday’s meeting
More than halfway through the Benicia Marina’s current lease period, the Benicia City Council received an overview and update on the property which prompted much discussion from councilmembers at Tuesday’s meeting. The history of the marina was delivered by Assistant City Manager Alan Shear, who said a marina has been on the minds of city […]
VOENA enrolling new students in September
Being a member of the local children’s choir Voices of Eve ’N’ Angels (VOENA) is a journey in a lot of ways. It can be a musical journey for youth who want to refine their singing talents, and ti can be a physical journey as members travel the globe to perform. Those who wish to […]
HPRC to go over interim design standards
The Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPRC) will be conducting a study session to review interim objective design standards for multi-family housing proposals eligible for streamlined permitting under recent state law at its Thursday meeting. Senate Bill 35, authored by Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), went into effect on Jan. 1. The goal is to […]
Benicia Heads Back to Class: What’s new, what to expect at Benicia Unified schools in 2018-19
Well, summer was fun while it lasted. Tomorrow, scores of students throughout Benicia will be heading back to class. No matter which school they are attending, every Benicia Unified School District site will have something different, whether it is new teachers, new administrators or new construction. The Herald caught up with the principals at the […]
Wait wait, there’s one more council candidate; William Emes files in City Council race
Staff Report By Aug. 13, it appeared the Benicia City Council election would be a three-person race between Planning Commission Chair Kari Birdseye, Economic Development Board Chair Lionel Largaespada and former Councilmember Christina Strawbridge. However, an 11th hour filing by William Emes, Jr. during the nomination period extension has turned it into a four-person race. […]
School board receives Measure S update to start off academic year
With a new school year ready to commence, the Governing Board of the Benicia Unified School District heard an update on the Measure S bond projects at Thursday’s meeting. Measure S is an initiative that was approved by Benicia voters in 2014 to provide $49.6 million in bond funding for renovation and upgrades of school […]