Galen Kusic, Editor News broke Mon. in Rio Vista when it was revealed that Rio Vista Fire Battalion Chief Brandon Vaccaro was fired after using inflammatory language on social media toward Sacramento protesters in the wake of the police murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week. He wrote: “Start blasting!!!! They will go home. […]
Solano County issues Local Emergency and Curfew Order
SOLANO COUNTY – In cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, Solano Sheriff Thomas A. Ferrara has imposed a Countywide Local Emergency and CurfewOrder effective immediately, commencing this evening, June 2 at 8 p.m. The curfew requires people in the County of Solano to stay indoors from 8 p.m. through 5 a.m. The Local Emergency will […]
Benicia Council rejects mandate to wear masks in local businesses by 3-2 vote
Galen Kusic, Editor The issue of mandated face coverings in closed public spaces has been a contentious debate in Benicia. The City has received many emails requesting that the City mandate the wearing of face coverings. Currently, the shelter-at-home orders for Solano County and the State of California do not mandate face coverings, but it […]
County amends health order to include barbershops and hair salons to reopen with modifications
SOLANO COUNTY – Public Health Officials have amended the County’s stay-at-home health order and directive, giving barbershops and hair salons permission to reopen immediately if they meet specific guidelines as outlined in the updated health order. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) made the announcement this week, giving Counties that have attested to meeting […]
Council unanimously adopts Climate Emergency Resolution
Galen Kusic, Editor At the Sept. 3, 2019 council meeting, the City Council agreed to discuss a request from Mayor Elizabeth Patterson considering the adoption of a Climate Emergency Resolution. The request was discussed again on Feb. 4 at a Special City Council meeting, where a subcommittee was formed consisting of Councilmembers Tom Campbell and […]
Benicia planning to start reopening city facilities June 1
BENICIA – Benicia is beginning to reopen city facilities slowly but surely. “I’m very pleased to announce that we are planning to offer modified services to the community starting on Monday, June 1, 2020,” said Benicia City Manager Lorie Tinfow. The modifications include changes to program and service delivery and changes to the physical environment […]
Solano County COVID-19 deaths reach 20, but more businesses begin reopening in Phase 2
Galen Kusic , Editor At least 95,000 people with COVID-19 have died in the United States with over 1.6 million reported cases as of May 22. While the epicenter of the pandemic is in New York with over 362,000 cases and over 28,000 deaths, Calif. numbers have grown at a slower rate thus far, with […]
28th annual Benicia Farmers Market to open June 4
BENICIA – The 28th annual season of the Benicia Certified Farmers Market will open on Thursday, June 4 from 4-8 p.m. Best practices will be implemented to protect customers, farmers and staff to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, with guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California Department of Food and Agriculture, […]
Valero Benicia Refinery thanks Don Wilson for 36 years of service and welcomes back Josh Tulino as Refinery General Manager
BENICIA – Don Wilson, currently the Vice President and General Manager of the Valero Benicia Refinery, has elected to retire effective June 1. Don started as an operator at the refinery in 1984 and progressed through several roles during his tenure. In 2015, Don moved back to Benicia and served for five years as the refinery’s […]
Benicia mask making group pushes on: 70 makers have distributed over 6,000 masks to 62 health care facilities
Galen Kusic Editor It’s only fitting that during Nurses Week, the Benicia mask makers continue to step up and produce masks for health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The dire need for masks hasn’t gone away, and Bodil and Larnie Fox’s mask making group continues to deliver. The group of […]