Benicia deserves better Benicia is the only Bay Area refinery town that does not have the community protection of an Industrial Safety Ordinance, or ISO. In 1999, the city of Richmond and Contra Costa County adopted their interlocking ISOs. The Richmond ordinance mirrors the Contra Costa ISO, and Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Division is […]
Letter: Benicia deserves better
Photo: Flour power coming this summer
Proposed downtown mixed use development to go before HPRC
The Historic Preservation Review Commission will hold a study session discussion on a proposal to redesign a building at the corner of First and East H streets as a 2 ½ story mixed-use building at its Thursday meeting. Campbell-based firm GKW Architects is proposing to redevelop the building at 800 First St. with a new […]
Benicia Letters Once More: We Walked to the Movie
The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”. He does not plan to publish the book but instead is choosing to share the letters with the readers of the Benicia Herald. The letters continue the storyline of Garrett’s first novel “Benicia and Letters […]
Trivia Bee offers Benicians chance to test knowledge
Benicians have the chance to put their trivia skills to the test next Saturday at the Clocktower as the Benicia Public Library is hosting its annual Trivia Bee. The Trivia Bee has been a part of the library for 26 years, dating back to the institution’s previous location at East G Street. It is a […]
Dodd bill aims to triple fines for refinery air quality violations
Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) has introduced a new bill to prevent harmful emissions from oil refineries by increasing fines for serious violations of emissions standards that lead to sickness in individuals or forcing sheltering-in-place orders, according to a news release. Dodd represents Benicia and Martinez in the state Senate, which encompass the majority of the […]
Benicia Middle School campus modernization dominates school board meeting Thursday
A quarterly bond update was delivered at Thursday’s school board meeting. The biggest item discussed was the modernization of Benicia Middle School’s campus. BMS modernization One of the largest remaining items to be funded by Measure S is new construction at BMS to give the school more of a 21st century look. Lee Pollard of […]
Cannabis business applications, Foundry and Office buildings back on council agenda
Once again, cannabis and a final decision on an emergency demolition permit for two historic buildings are on the Benicia City Council agenda for Tuesday. The council will discuss requesting the Department of Justice (DOJ) to approve of conducting background searches of city employees would deal with applicants for commercial cannabis uses. At the Feb […]
Letters: School shootings and Chamber Players concert
How many more? I remember a quote from the movie “And the Band Played On.” I have used it with some changes over the years, and I’m using it again today. “How many school shootings do we need? How many students have to die to make it cost effective for the citizens, Congress, the Senate, […]