Will Canadian Tar Sands Oil Ride the Rails to Benicia?

Approval of a project at the Valero Benicia refinery will mean 70,000 barrels of oil traveling to Benicia every day by train.

Benicia Reacts to DOMA and Prop. 8 Rulings

The buzz on social media is big and loud.

Supreme Court Ruling on Prop. 8 and DOMA Due Tomorrow

The high court has already issued its rulings on the Voting Rights Act and affirmative action in college admissions.

Solano County Unemployment Rates Drop

Benicia's jobless rate was 4.7 percent in May — the lowest in the county.

House Bill Requires Defense Department to buy American Made American Flags

The bill by Congressman Mike Thompson is headed to the Senate.

Bay Area Clerks' Offices Prepare for Supreme Court Decision on Prop 8

Local West Nile Virus Activity Spurs Reminder to Avoid Mosquitoes

Authorities warn those over 50 to be extra cautious.

Energy, Healthcare, Transportation Top 4-County Joint 'To-Do' List

Boards of Supervisors of Marin, Sonoma, Solano and Napa counties hold first joint meeting in 10 years.

Survey: Californians Support Brown Budget, Same Sex Marriage & Gun Laws. Do You Agree?

How Safe Are Benicia's Bridges?

More than 17 percent of bridges in Solano County are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, experts say.

Local Veterans Face 1 Year, 6 Month Wait for VA Benefits

As our armed forces come home from the Middle East, the regional Oakland Veterans Affairs benefits office is being stretched.

Economic Development Victories and Initiatives Comes to Council

The city council will meet nest Tuesday. Among the agenda items is a review of economic development initiatives.

Solano Meals on Wheels Could Lose $18K to Sequester Cuts

Cities, Counties Can Ban Marijuana Dispensaries, Court Says

Benicia has the right to ban or allow medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits, the California State Supreme Court rules.

Pay Cuts for City Employees & Cops Could be Extended to 2014

Pay cuts to city employees save Benicia $2 million each year.

Which Benicia Businesses Need Social Media Training?

A free training session will be offered.

Should Background Checks be Required at Gun Shows, Online and Through Classified Ads?

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) is pushing for expanded background checks.

How Bad is Pollution in Benicia? See What New State Figures Say (Map)

State officials have released figures on every zip code in the state showing which communities are most at risk from pollution. See how each Patch town ranks using the interactive map below.

Residential Solar Program Launched

A workshop about the program will be held Thursday night.

Divided Council Approves Even-Year Elections, One-Time Term Extension

The Benicia City Council moved to hold city elections in even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years. The county must still approve the switch.

New Stop Sign Coming to Military East, Adams and Grant

Benicia officials will install the stop sign on an interim basis.

City Staff Recommend Approval of I-680 LED Billboard Conversion

City Council staff have given their recommendation to adopt a resolution upholding Planning Commission action approving a request by CBS Outdoor to modify an existing billboard sign at 4850 Park Road.

What Did Your Congressman's Seat Cost?

Find out how much Rep. Mike Thompson had to raise to win the 5th District seat.

New Law to Address Cancer Detection for Women with Dense Breast Tissue

Dense breast tissue makes cancer more difficult to detect on a mammogram, and it increases a woman's risk of cancer, according to cancer specialists.

Moving Benicia Elections to Even Years: A Decision Will Be Made on April 2

"The next city council member election would be moved from November 2013 to November 2014. Should it be?

Letter: $90K of Taxpayer Money to Lock in Benicia High Schoolers in at Lunch?

"How can a school district abruptly strip it away, intrusively playing 'Big Brother' at a point when students need to learn how to progressively manage their personal development for school, college and the work world?"

As Sequester Shrinks Budgets, Solano Economy Facing Uncertain Future

Federal agencies will have fewer funds beginning Friday if Republicans and Democrats can’t avoid the sequester deadline.

New State Laws Would Toughen Penalties for Refineries & Other Major Polluters

These laws target Chevron specifically, but would affect others as well.

Valero Applies to Build 'Crude by Rail Project'; Up to 70K Barrels Would Come to Benicia by Train, Daily

The tracks would extend from Union Pacific rails into the refinery and construction would begin in mid-2013 and they’d begin using the rail-offloading facility in 2014.

The Benicia Area Mapped by Wealth, According to Census Data

Check out the map to compare income levels in neighborhoods around Benicia, and the rest of the country.

Benicia's Fire Captain is Retiring After 37 Years With the Department

Captain Lunsted has served the City of Benicia for 37 years, 7 as a volunteer and 30 as an employee of the department.

Council Not Unanimous, But Supports Gun Control Task Force

The Benicia City Council will send a resolution in support of the Congressional Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

Benicia Council Moves Closer to Pushing Elections to Even Years

A formal discussion on the proposed change, which would extend the terms of every council member by one year, is scheduled for Feb. 19.

Should Benicia Council and School Board Support Gun Control Legislation?

The Benicia City Council and school board may send letters supporting stricter gun control laws.

State Supreme Court Hearing On Pot Dispensaries Could Affect Benicia

Benicia is one of many cities whose dispensary ban on medical marijuana facilities will be affected by the ruling.

Benicia Racial Discrimination Complaints Settled by Fair Housing Authority

The audits revealed the housing providers consistently offered white people better terms and more attractive conditions than to blacks.

Benicia Could Move Election Date to 2014, Extending Council Terms

Moving the 2013 election to 2014 would save money and could increase voter turnout, according to city staff.

Part of West K Street to be Closed for Water Line Repairs

Officials are warning motorists to expect delays in traffic.

Council Plans to Use Reserves, Not Raise Taxes, to Close Budget Gap

The Benicia City Council said raising taxes would be a last resort.

Benicia Could Raise Taxes to Close $1 Million Budget Gap

The Benicia City Council will consider long-term plans to increase taxes as a way to stabilize the city's budget.