🌱 Patch AM: How Valero’s Benicia refinery shutdown is fueling California’s record gas prices

Coffee in hand, Benicia? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

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In today's newsletter:

• How Valero’s Benicia refinery shutdown is fueling California’s record gas prices

Also on today's calendar: Dance Camps! and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What can you catch but not throw? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Monday: Increasingly windy, with a high of 69 and low of 51 degrees.
• Tuesday: Breezy in the afternoon, temps: high: 78, low: 54.
• Wednesday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 80 and low of 56 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• Drivers hit nationwide $4 gas milestone as summer surge points toward $5 (thecooldown.com) — Benicia drivers are feeling extra pain at the pump as the shutdown of Valero’s Benicia refinery helps push California gas prices to the nation’s highest, averaging over $6 per gallon. A global oil shock from war with Iran, refinery closures, and California’s fuel rules are driving prices toward a possible $5 national average this summer, squeezing commuters, vacation plans, and small businesses.    

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📸 Around Benicia

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Benicia

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Tuesday May 26

• Trivia Night at Mare Island First Street Taphouse →
  Mare Island Brewing Co. – First Street Taphouse, 440 First St, Benicia
  6:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Tuesday May 26

• Musical Theatre Showcase (PAB)
  Benicia High Benicia, CA 94510
  7:00 pm

Wednesday May 27

• In Harmony Music - Family Music and Movement Classes →
  In Harmony Music, 101 E H St Suite D, Benicia
  9:00 am
• City of Benicia Workshop: Business License Tax Update →
  Benicia Chamber of Commerce, 601 First St STE 100, Benicia
  12:00 pm
• 5-Week Hand-Building Clay Table (Adults), Wednesdays →
  Happy Life Pottery and Gallery, 632 First St, Benicia
  12:00 pm
• Band's "For Fun" Concert (Gym)
  Benicia High Benicia, CA 94510
  6:00 pm

Thursday May 28

• 5-Week Hand-Building Clay Table (Adults), Thursdays →
  Happy Life Pottery and Gallery, 632 First St, Benicia
  6:00 pm

Friday May 29

• In Harmony Music - Family Music and Movement Classes →
  In Harmony Music, 101 E H St Suite D, Benicia
  9:00 am

Monday June 1

• Dance Camps! →
  Sol Dance Academy, 1558 Fitzgerald Dr, Pinole
  9:00 am

Sunday June 7

• Hercules Cultural Festival →
  Hanna Ranch Park, 2480 Refugio Valley Rd, Hercules
  11:00 am

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📣 Benicia Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday May 26

• "We In Your City Tour" 2026 →
  Lucky Garden Peru, 860 Tuolumne St, Vallejo
  3:00 pm
• Billy Batts & The Made Men →
  Toot's Tavern, 627 2nd Ave, Crockett
  7:00 pm

Wednesday May 27

• Alphabet Storytime at Crockett Library →
  991 Loring Ave, Crockett
  6:15 pm

Saturday May 30

• Winnie the Pooh Puppet Show
  Crockett Library, 991 Loring, Crockett
  11:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Benicia Unified School District posted a job opening for Substitute Food Service Nutrition Manger - Benicia High School/Central Kitchen in Benicia. Apply here.
• Acosta, Inc. posted a job opening for Merchandising Specialist in Benicia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Benicia here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Vallejo

• Early morning blaze destroys long-shuttered Vallejo school (vallejosun.com)
• Tribal nation awards $75K grant to support Calif. firefighter, EMS youth academy (ems1.com)
• BottleRock is a culinary feast for festival attendees (timesheraldonline.com)

Martinez

• California cap-and-trade overhaul to lock in $1 billion for high-speed rail — and leave less for transit, housing (sfchronicle.com)

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Ok Benicia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A cold (Thank you Stanley G. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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