3 El Sobrante residents arrested Benicia police broke up an illegal gambling operation Thursday, according to a news release. The Benicia Police Department had partnered with the California Department of Justice Bureau of Gambling Control for a four-month investigation into an alleged illegal gambling business operating in the 2000 block of Columbus Parkway. The business, […]
Benicia Letters Once More: Unseen Footprints
The following “letter” is part of the continuing series from the unpublished novel by James Garrett, “Benicia Letters Once More”.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 […]
Cannabis, Foundry and Office buildings back on council agenda
Two issues that have been hotly debated by the Benicia City Council in the past year– cannabis laws and the final decision of an emergency demolition permit for two historic buildings– are on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting. The council will introduce ordinances to allow personal cultivation and to regulate and allow commercial cannabis uses […]
Cannabis: Our future is here
Supporters of regulated cannabis activity in our town have referenced the convincing victory of Proposition 64 here in November of 2016. The will of the majority, plus science and evidence, is prevailing over incomplete knowledge and emotions. There is no common ground on the cannabis issue. You are either on the side of regulation or […]
Teachers rally for higher funding priorities
Several Benicia Unified School District teachers rallied outside City Park an hour before Thursday’s school board meeting to raise awareness of ongoing negotiations between the Benicia Teachers Association (BTA) and BUSD. On Jan. 24, BUSD and BTA held a negotiations meeting one day after a budget workshop which focused on providing information related to school […]
BUSD business chief: $800K needed for balanced budget
Benicia Unified School District would need to make $800,000 in ongoing adjustments for its budget to break even, Chief Business Official Tim Rahill reported at Thursday’s school board meeting. On Jan. 10, Gov. Jerry Brown announced his final January budget proposal. After gathering information from the proposal, Rahill said BUSD would need to make $800,000 […]
Wine, chocolate on tap for Benicia Main Street event tomorrow
Wine and chocolate connoisseurs should be delighted because Benicia Main Street’s Wine & Chocolate Walk returns tomorrow. The Wine and Chocolate Walk is an annual event which allows attendees over the age of 21 an opportunity to try wine and chocolate pairings at downtown businesses. Beginning in 2012, the walk is one one the most […]
Voice of the Village: What does it mean to be old?
By Lois Requist So many jokes and stories are told about old people and women—blondes in particular—that even if you’re old and/or blonde, you may buy into the assumptions that are made about you. Of course, racial stereotypes have been in our society longer than we have and getting rid of them isn’t easy. We […]
Letter: Reasonable approach to marijuana retail
Reasonable approach to marijuana retail An all-cash business dealing in a potentially intoxicating substance such as liquor or marijuana should do business fully in the public eye – not in some shadowy corner. The ideal location has lots of traffic, police patrols, good parking and bright lighting at night. This is best for both public […]
Bob Livesay: Potential revenue opportunity for the city
By Bob Livesay Special to the Herald I would like to talk about the mayor’s favorite subject: clean air. Gov. Jerry Brown just opened the door for a very big opportunity in Benicia. It is all about revenue to the city of Benicia, which is badly needed. Gov. Brown just signed a new initiative to […]