At the Oct. 19 school board meeting, the principals of Benicia Unified School District’s three secondary schools delivered the Single Plans for Student Achievement for their schools, which were unanimously approved by the board. Now the board is in the process of hearing from the elementary school principals, but unlike in past years where all […]
Photo: And the Scarecrow winner is…
Interim public works director settles in
Randy Murphy, a journeyman public servant, looks to settle his roots down in Benicia. He was recently hired as the interim public works director, succeeding Graham Wadsworth who is now an engineering supervisor for Napa County. Murphy began working for the city two weeks ago, and working in Benicia is a homecoming of sorts for […]
HPRC OKs resolution laying groundwork for Historic Conservation Plan updates
The Historic Preservation Review Commission (HPRC) approved a resolution to support updates to design guidelines for the Downtown Historic Conservation Plan (DHCP) and appointed chair Tim Reynolds to serve on the project’s Community Advisory Group at Thursday’s meeting. The presentation was delivered by Benicia’s new principal planner, Suzanne Thorsen. Thorsen previously served in associate and […]
Student clubs advocate for gender-neutral bathrooms at BHS
Two of Benicia High School’s most prominent student activist clubs have been working to promote a more inclusive campus. To further this, the club’s student leaders have been promoting the establishment of a gender-neutral, single occupancy restroom. The Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) and Intersectional Gender Equity and Feminism (IGEF) clubs have joined forces to craft a […]
Solano County Environmental Health report details meetings over Valero flaring incidents
No violations found in refinery outage A report released by Solano County environmental health investigators found that Valero Benicia Refinery did not violate any Certified Unified Program Agencies regulations when more than 74,000 pounds of sulfur dioxide were released into the air following a flareup back in May and at least two other release incidents. […]
Library exhibit brings tribes together through artwork
It is a family affair at Benicia Public Library’s art gallery. The new exhibition “Gathering Tribes” features the work of not one, not two but three artists who are all related either by blood or through marriage. The artists showcased are Vicki Byrum Dennis, a Gallerie Renee Marie member; her sister and HQ Gallery member […]
Art & Culture Commission to support public art project with classic horror movie screening
Frankenstein’s monster returns in search of a bride in a one-night screening of “The Bride of Frankenstein” at the Majestic Theatre on Friday, Oct 27. This showing of the 1935 Universal classic horror picture starring Boris Karloff is a part of Spooktacular, a Halloween event put on by the by Benicia’s Arts and Culture Commission […]
Local cemetery being pushed for state landmark status
With the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot now on the National Register of Historic Places, another local landmark is looking to get listed as a statewide historic site. An ad hoc group called the Cemetery Historical Listing Group is attempting to garner city support to have the Benicia City Cemetery placed on the California Register of […]
BHS Panther Band hosts first golf tournament fundraiser over weekend
Benicia High School’s Panther Band Boosters held the program’s first-ever golf tournament fundraiser at Hiddenbrooke Golf Club on Sunday where money was raised and fun was had by all. Benicia High School’s band program– including its jazz band, Color Guard, drumline and two concert bands– remains one of the school’s proudest organizations. The program has […]