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Changes to JohnGlidden.com

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | Oct. 8, 2021 Hi, everyone! I’m pleased to announce that JohnGlidden.com has expanded into the Vallejo Sun, an independent news publication covering the city of Vallejo and Solano County. The Vallejo Sun is owned and operated by myself and regional reporters, Scott Morris and Brian Krans. I started JohnGlidden.com…

Two Boogaloo Bois plead guilty to destroying records related to murder of police

by Scott Morris | OakMorr@protonmail.com | Sept. 13, 2021 SAN FRANCISCO– Two admitted members of the right-wing Boogaloo Bois pleaded guilty in federal court in San Francisco on Monday to destroying records relating to the murder of police officers in Oakland and Santa Cruz County by an active-duty U.S. Air Force sergeant who was stationed…

Few Solano cops vaccinated for COVID-19

by Scott Morris | OakMorr@protonmail.com | Sept. 3, 2021 VALLEJO – Few law enforcement officers in Solano County have confirmed with their employer that they have been vaccinated for COVID-19, despite the agencies placing restrictions on employees who do not confirm their vaccination status, according to data obtained through public records requests. Overall, only about 25%…

UPDATE: Vallejo council backs plan to name Malone as interim city manager

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | Sept. 1, 2021 VALLEJO – Multiple sources have confirmed to JohnGlidden.com that the Vallejo City Council has directed staff to open negotiations with Mike Malone for possible appointment as interim city manager. The council voted 5-2 during a special closed session Tuesday night to begin the process of naming Malone,…

Vallejo council doesn’t name new interim city manager – yet

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | Aug. 31, 2021 VALLEJO – A new interim Vallejo city manager wasn’t named Tuesday night as the Vallejo City Council instead gave direction to city staff about filling the position. Vallejo City Attorney Veronica Nebb didn’t specify what that direction was after she reported out about what happened in the…

Sources: Vallejo’s water director in contention for interim city manager position

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | Aug. 30, 2021 VALLEJO – Multiple sources have confirmed to JohnGlidden.com that Mike Malone, the city’s water director, is a top choice to be Vallejo’s next interim city manager. The Vallejo City Council is scheduled to meet in a special closed session Tuesday to discuss naming the next interim city…

Solano supervisors to discuss possible new oversight of sheriff’s office

by Scott Morris | OakMorr@protonmail.com | Aug. 30, 2021 VALLEJO – The Solano County Board of Supervisors will have a discussion in September or October about possibly instituting a new oversight board of the Solano County Sheriff’s Office. Such a board would be authorized under new state legislation passed last year that allows the supervisors to…

Prosecutor alleges DA of retaliation, discrimination over request to work from home

by John Glidden | Bay City News Foundation | Aug. 28, 2021 This article was first published for the Bay City News Foundation. VALLEJO – A veteran Solano County prosecutor has filed a lawsuit claiming her boss, District Attorney Krishna Abrams, retaliated against her after she requested to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sharon…

Former Vallejo councilwoman says she has no interest in being interim city manager

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | Aug. 28, 2021 VALLEJO – Marti Brown, a former Vallejo councilmember, and current interim city manager with the city of Willows, has no interest in serving as Vallejo’s interim city manager, she confirmed to JohnGlidden.com on Friday. Brown declined to comment when asked if she would be willing to serve…

Solano sheriff’s deputies beat Black woman unconscious for no reason, lawsuit alleges

by Scott Morris | OakMorr@protonmail.com | Aug. 19, 2021 SACRAMENTO – A woman who was dragged from her car and beaten unconscious by Solano County Sheriff’s deputies last year sued the department on Wednesday, alleging excessive force and that the department covered up the deputies’ conduct. Nakia Porter, 33, said that she pulled over in Dixon…

Vallejo mayor gives early monetary support to potential council candidates

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | Aug. 16, 2021 VALLEJO – Mayor Robert McConnell has thrown his support behind two potential Vallejo City Council candidates by giving each $500, according to campaign forms submitted to the Solano County Registrar of Voters. Former Vallejo school board Trustee Ruscal Canyangyang is eyeing a run to represent District 4,…

Police Reform: Summary of findings

Complex problems in Vallejo suggest myriad solutions by John Glidden | Bay City News Foundation | Aug. 14, 2021 This story was first published on LocalNewsMatters.org, an affiliated nonprofit site supported by the Bay City News Foundation. VALLEJO – There is no magic solution to reforming a police department. The city of Vallejo is learning that the hard…

Police Reform: Technology Assist

by John Glidden | Bay City News Foundation | Aug. 13, 2021 This story was first published on LocalNewsMatters.org, an affiliated nonprofit site supported by the Bay City News Foundation. VALLEJO – As cities struggle with tight budgets, many police departments are turning to technology to leverage law enforcement efforts. Technological assists come in many different forms, from…

Police Reform: ‘Defunding’ the police

As calls for reform intensify, Vallejo and other cities struggle with proper role, budget for police by John Glidden | Bay City News Foundation | Aug. 12, 2021 This story was first published on LocalNewsMatters.org, an affiliated nonprofit site supported by the Bay City News Foundation. VALLEJO – Following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis over a…

Police Reform: Federal monitor

In extreme situations, communities like Vallejo look outside for police oversight by John Glidden | Bay City News Foundation | Aug. 11, 2021 This story was first published on LocalNewsMatters.org, an affiliated nonprofit site supported by the Bay City News Foundation. VALLEJO – By all accounts, Carl Edwards was having an ordinary day in July 2017 as the…

Police Reform: Police commission

Civilian oversight offers one tool for keeping police accountable in Vallejo by John Glidden | Bay City News Foundation | Aug. 10, 2021 This story was first published on LocalNewsMatters.org, an affiliated nonprofit site supported by the Bay City News Foundation. VALLEJO – As protests against police violence swept across the country following the death of George Floyd…

Police Reform Measures: Walking a beat

Could community patrols help build relationships and overcome distrust of Vallejo law enforcement? by John Glidden | Bay City News Foundation | Aug. 9, 2021 This story was first published on LocalNewsMatters.org, an affiliated nonprofit site supported by the Bay City News Foundation. VALLEJO – Before George Floyd, there was Michael Brown Jr., an 18-year-old Black man shot and…

Police Reform Measures: A look at four Bay Area Communities and past reform efforts

by John Glidden | Bay City News Foundation | Aug. 6, 2021 This story was first published on LocalNewsMatters.org, an affiliated nonprofit site supported by the Bay City News Foundation. VALLEJO – Just around the corner from the Vallejo Police Department, the black-and-white portrait of a young Latinx man looks over the street, his warm eyes…

Ferrara’s re-election campaign brings in $9,000 during first half of 2021

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | Aug. 3, 2021 VALLEJO – Solano County Sheriff Thomas Ferrara raised more than $9,000 in cash and non-monetary contributions in his bid for another term as the county’s top cop, according to campaign records submitted to the Solano County Registrar of Voters this week. The contributions were all received during…

Investigation into Vallejo police ‘blood death ritual’ to conclude soon

A Vallejo city attorney told a Solano County judge that the independent investigation into so-called ‘badge bending’ should be done by mid-September. by Brian Krans | July 30, 2021 VALLEJO – An attorney for the city of Vallejo says an outside investigation into allegations that some officers in the department celebrated fatal on-duty shootings by bending…

City of Vallejo settling excessive force lawsuit

by John Glidden | glid24@protonmail.com | July 20, 2021 VALLEJO – The city of Vallejo has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit alleging three of its officers used excessive force while attempting to take a man into custody during a May 2017 confrontation. The terms of the agreement, however, have yet to be made public. Vallejo…

Wife blocks release of Vallejo man accused of plotting to bomb Democrat HQ

by Scott Morris | OakMorr@protonmail.com | July 20, 2021 VALLEJO – A federal judge was prepared to release a Vallejo man accused of plotting with a Napa mechanic to blow up the Democratic Party headquarters in Sacramento, but then ordered the man to remain in jail after his wife declined to act as his custodian. In…

Vallejo man tied to Three Percenters charged in bombing plot with Napa mechanic

by Scott Morris | July 16, 2021 VALLEJO – A Vallejo man accused of being a co-conspirator in an alleged plot to blow up the Democrats’ headquarters in Sacramento was arrested this week and charged in federal court with conspiracy and destruction of evidence, federal prosecutors said. Jarrod Copeland, 37, was arrested in Sacramento on Wednesday,…

Solano cops should monitor for extremist infiltration, oversight body report finds

by Scott Morris | July 12, 2021 VALLEJO – An oversight body recommended that Solano County law enforcement officials monitor officers’ social media postings for extremist support, something that none of the six agencies polled currently do. The Solano County Civil Grand Jury’s most recent report, released June 30, also found that while each law enforcement…

Cardwell dodges questions about her future in Vallejo city manager position

by John Glidden | July 10, 2021 VALLEJO – Acting City Manager Anne Cardwell evaded questions on Friday about her future plans as the city’s CEO. Cardwell declined to answer if she is interested in serving as Vallejo’s interim city manager following the recent resignation of City Manager Greg Nyhoff. “The City Council will be taking…

Vallejo police captain retires, says crime ‘a systemic problem’ for city

by John Glidden | July 7, 2021 VALLEJO – Vallejo Police Capt. Joseph Iacono sent a department-wide email last Friday announcing his retirement, while also taking time to call crime in Vallejo a “systemic problem.” “It is often a generational and structural force that, in my opinion must be confronted,” Iacono wrote about crime in Vallejo.…

City Manager Greg Nyhoff to leave Vallejo; walk away with $577,536

by John Glidden | June 30, 2021 VALLEJO – The Greg Nyhoff era in Vallejo is over. The Vallejo City Council will meet during a special meeting Thursday to approve a $577,536 resignation and separation agreement between the city of Vallejo and Nyhoff. The payment is the remaining balance owed to Nyhoff under his employment agreement…

How protests over police violence are changing a city where officers kill with near-impunity

As protests against racism and police violence were sweeping the country, a Vallejo, California detective shot and killed Sean Monterrosa. His death has galvanized a community. Editor’s note: This article was originally published by The Appeal on Sept. 21, 2020. by John Glidden VALLEJO – Late last year, Vallejo, California, hired its first Black police chief.  The city…

Vallejo City Council to meet in closed session about possible litigation regarding Nyhoff

by John Glidden | June 25, 2021 VALLEJO – The mystery surrounding the employment status of Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff continues as the city council is expected to meet in closed session next week about possible litigation involving Nyhoff. The agenda for the special closed session briefly states that the council will receive information about…

Vallejo seeking applicants for various city commissions

JohnGlidden.com staff report | June 16, 2021 VALLEJO – Want to give back to the city of Vallejo? Now is your chance. City Hall has extended the application period for a number of Vallejo commissions. To be eligible, an applicant must be a resident of the city. The following seats are currently open: Architectural Heritage &…

Vallejo’s city manager currently away from office; no reason given

by John Glidden | June 3, 2021 VALLEJO – Days before the Vallejo City Council is expected to review and ultimately approve its 2021-2022 fiscal year budget, Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff is out of his office with the city mum on when he will return. City Spokeswoman Christina Lee confirmed Wednesday night that Nyhoff was…

Sources: Vallejo’s housing manager placed on leave

by John Glidden | June 2, 2021 VALLEJO – Judy Shepard-Hall, Vallejo’s housing & community development program manager, was placed on leave sometime during the past few days, multiple sources confirmed to JohnGlidden.com. JohnGlidden.com attempted to email Shepard-Hall on Tuesday about a separate item. An auto message from Shepard-Hall’s city email address stated that “Judy Shepard-Hall…

Solano Sheriff to seek reelection, despite controversy

by Scott Morris | May 28, 2021 VALLEJO – Solano County Sheriff Tom Ferrara announced on Friday that he would run for reelection in 2022, seeking another four-year term after 10 years in the position. Ferrara has faced recent controversy after it was revealed that several deputies posted symbols of the Three Percenter anti-government militia on…

Vallejo school superintendent to be evaluated by board in closed session

by John Glidden | May 17, 2021 VALLEJO – Vallejo school district Superintendent William Spalding’s job performance will be reviewed during a special closed session of the Vallejo school board on Tuesday. The evaluation is built into Spalding’s contract which requires both the superintendent and school board meet before May 31 each year to “agree upon…

Vallejo school board asked to approve $1 million in salary increases

by John Glidden | May 16, 2021 VALLEJO – The Vallejo school board will be asked Wednesday to approve more than $1 million in combined salary increases with two different unions which represent non-teachers in the Vallejo City Unified School District. The increases represent a two percent pay bump and are retroactive to July 1, 2020.…

Local businesswoman announces bid to represent District 5 on Vallejo City Council

by John Glidden | May 12, 2021 VALLEJO – Local businesswoman Tara Beasley-Stansberry kicked off her campaign for Vallejo City Council on Monday, becoming the first to announced plans to run for the 5th District during the upcoming 2022 election. “I love my district,” Beasley-Stansberry told JohnGlidden.com this week. “I’m in a place in my personal…

New Vallejo cannabis dispensary not a done deal as appeal is filed

by John Glidden | May 10, 2021 VALLEJO – Approval of a new 17,000 square foot cannabis storefront inside the old Food 4 Less building in North Vallejo isn’t a done deal – after all. California Collective Care (CCC), a cannabis dispensary along Lewis Brown Drive, filed an appeal blocking a March 15 decision by the…

Vallejo police lieutenant with history of excessive force allegations gone from department

by John Glidden | May 7, 2021 VALLEJO – A Vallejo police lieutenant with a long history of excessive force allegations, including allegedly pointing his gun at a man’s head outside an Oregon bar while off-duty, is no longer with the Vallejo Police Department. Lt. Michael ‘Kent’ Tribble officially separated from the police department on Feb.…

Numerous police-related items before Vallejo City Council on Tuesday

by John Glidden | April 26, 2021 VALLEJO – Several police-related items will go before the Vallejo City Council for approval on Tuesday, including a request from the city’s police chief to add an in-car camera system for all 39 of the Vallejo Police Department’s patrol vehicles. The proposal with Axon Enterprises includes installing two cameras…

Vallejo City Council to get update on excessive force lawsuit filed against officer who held man at gun point while off-duty

by John Glidden | April 24, 2021 VALLEJO – The Vallejo City Council will receive an update on the status of two different lawsuits filed against the city including an excessive force lawsuit alleging an off-duty Vallejo police officer repeatedly slammed a man’s head against the pavement following a verbal argument outside a Walnut Creek pizzeria…

Vallejo councilwoman hosting monthly meeting with residents

JohnGlidden.com staff report | April 15, 2021 VALLEJO – Newly elected Vallejo Councilwoman Mina Diaz announced this week that she will begin to host a ‘Coffee with Mina’ event with residents every month – starting in April. The first event will be held from 9 to 11 a.m., April 24, at the La Michoacana Bakery, located…

Council to get update on city’s negotiations with developer regarding Blue Rock Springs revitalization project

by John Glidden | April 12, 2021 VALLEJO – The Vallejo City Council will meet during a special closed session Tuesday to discuss three different items, including getting an update about the city’s negotiations about the price, terms of payment and conditions of 10 city-owned parcels associated with the Blue Rock Springs revitalization project. Vallejo City…

Vallejo fire chief suddenly resigns on Monday

by John Glidden | April 12, 2021 VALLEJO – Fire Chief Daryl Arbuthnott suddenly resigned on Monday after more than two years with the city. In a phone interview with JohnGlidden.com, Arbuthnott said the decision to leave was made on his own. “It’s something I’ve been contemplating for some time,” he said. “At least the last…

Vallejo searches for new HR lead, while former director is accused of ignoring complaints

by John Glidden | April 7, 2021 VALLEJO – City officials have begun the process of finding a new human resources director following the departure of Heather Ruiz, who left Vallejo last month amid allegations she failed to investigate racial discrimination and bullying complaints that were brought to her attention. The city released the job announcement…

Vallejo city manager confirmed Tonn as shooter days after Monterrosa was killed, emails show

by John Glidden | April 6, 2021 VALLEJO – Five days after Sean Monterrosa was shot dead by Vallejo police detective Jarrett Tonn outside a local Walgreens, City Manager Greg Nyhoff confirmed Tonn’s identity to at least two members of the Vallejo City Council, newly released emails show. In response to an email from then-Vallejo Councilman…

Fresh Air Vallejo wins environmental award for organizing against the Vallejo Marine Terminal and Orcem Cement factory

JohnGlidden.com staff report | March 22, 2021 VALLEJO – The nonprofit Fresh Air Vallejo has received a coveted environmental award for organizing against the Vallejo Marine Terminal, Orcerm cement project that was proposed for South Vallejo, the group announced Monday. Fresh Air Vallejo received the San Francisco Baykeeper 2021 Blue Rivet Award for making a significant…

Vallejo Planning Commission asked to approve cannabis business inside old Food 4 Less

by John Glidden | March 13, 2021 VALLEJO – A 50,000 square foot building which was on the city’s short list to become the next Vallejo police headquarters may be home to a new cannabis business instead. The Vallejo Planning Commission will meet on Monday to decide on a major use permit to transform the old…

Vallejo reaches tentative settlement with animal-rights protester

by John Glidden | March 8, 2021 VALLEJO – After making its way through the courts for nearly five years, a federal civil rights lawsuit brought by an animal-rights protester against the city of Vallejo and one of its police officers is coming to an end. Vallejo has reached a tentative agreement with Joseph Cuviello, of…

Ken Szutu: What is the plan to fix Vallejo’s finances?

Letters to the Editor | Match 6, 2021 An open letter to the Vallejo City Council: If I tell you that my personal finance plan is based on me winning the lottery, what would you say? That I’m doomed to failure? Headed toward bankruptcy? Unfortunately, this is how I see how our city finance are…

Vallejo skilled nursing facility fined $25,250 for not protecting staff from COVID-19

by John Glidden | March 5, 2021 VALLEJO — A skilled nursing facility in Vallejo was fined $25,250 by the state last December for not protecting its workers from the Novel Coronavirus, records show. The California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued four citations to Windsor Vallejo Care Center with three of the citations…

Former Vallejo man seeks $1 million in damages from city after he was tasered by officer

by John Glidden | March 5, 2021 VALLEJO – A former Vallejo resident is seeking $1 million in damages from the city after he was allegedly tasered by a Vallejo police officer outside his then-Nebraska Street home in August 2019. John Mark Raudelunas, who filed a federal excessive lawsuit through his attorney Vincent R. Maher on…

Council to get presentations from city departments; asked to approve facilitator for goal setting

by John Glidden | Feb. 27, 2021 VALLEJO – The city’s annual budget season officially begins Tuesday as the Vallejo City Council will receive presentations from various City Hall departments regarding accomplishments and challenges each department has faced over the past year. Updates will come from the police, fire, public works, information technology, planning & development…

Hearing set on proposed multifamily housing development for South Vallejo

by John Glidden | Feb. 25, 2021 VALLEJO – The city’s planning commission will hold a public hearing Monday to decide on a proposed development of 132 apartment units on nearly five acres of vacant land along Sonoma Boulevard and Magazine Street in South Vallejo. The project applicant, Randall Harris HDO Architects, is proposing to construct…

Ken Szutu: What is Vallejo’s plan to manage payout exposure?

Letters to the Editor | Feb. 23, 2021   An open letter to the Vallejo City Council:   Does the city have a plan to manage our insurance payout exposure? I’d like to know.   I spoke in 2018 at a Vallejo City Council meeting, held downstairs in the library when the council chamber was…

State Sen. Bill Dodd eyes run for Lt. Governor in 2026

by John Glidden | Feb. 20, 2021 VALLEJO – State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, has begun laying the groundwork for a possible run for California’s lieutenant governor seat in 2026. Dodd filed a 359-page disclosure statement with the Secretary of State in late January as he transferred $1.1 million from his senate campaign committee to his…

Vallejo City Council asked to approve $54,900 for citywide equity study

by John Glidden | Feb. 19, 2021 VALLEJO – In an attempt to understand racial disparities in the community, the Vallejo City Council is expected to approve a $54,900 contract on Tuesday with Management Partners for the creation of a city-wide equity study. Such studies focus on gathering information about equity indicators which a local government…

Deputy City Attorney Dylan Brady leaves Vallejo

by John Glidden | Feb. 17, 2021 VALLEJO – While City Manager Greg Nyhoff deals with the departure of Human Resources Director Heather Ruiz, newly hired City Attorney Veronica Nebb will need to fill a vacancy of her own. Nebb confirmed to JohnGlidden.com this week that Deputy City Attorney Dylan Brady left the city of Vallejo…

Sutter Solano to close maternity ward in May

by John Glidden | Feb. 14, 2021 VALLEJO – Citing a low number of births at its facility, Sutter Solano Medical Center will close its maternity ward in May, according to a Feb. 9 letter sent by hospital CEO Abhishek Dosi to the California Department of Public Health. Dosi said the hospital averages about eight to…

Federal judge tosses Vallejo’s change of venue motion in Monterrosa lawsuit

by John Glidden | Feb. 12, 2021 VALLEJO – On Thursday, a federal judge denied a request from the city of Vallejo for a change in venue in a civil lawsuit filed by the family of Sean Monterrosa, the 22-year-old San Francisco man shot and killed by Vallejo police outside a local Walgreens last June. District…

Vallejo police lieutenant, who accused couple of faking 2015 kidnapping, leaves department

by John Glidden | Feb. 11, 2021 VALLEJO – A Vallejo police lieutenant who once accused a couple of lying about a kidnapping, when in reality the woman was sexually assaulted and held for ransom, has left the Vallejo Police Department. Vallejo Lt. Kenny Park officially separated from the department on Dec. 30, 2020, according to…

Vallejo losing its human resources director

by John Glidden | Feb. 9, 2021 VALLEJO – Once again, Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff will need to fill a vacancy in his senior leadership team after city officials confirmed to JohnGlidden.com Tuesday night that Human Resource Director Heather Ruiz is leaving Vallejo. Vallejo spokeswoman Christina Lee said Ruiz will become the human resources director…

Sources: Vallejo looking to terminate longtime police employee Lt. Herman Robinson

by John Glidden | Feb. 9, 2021 VALLEJO – Multiple sources have confirmed to JohnGlidden.com that Vallejo police Chief Shawny Williams is looking to terminate police Lt. Herman Robinson, who has been with the city’s police department for nearly 50 years. The Vallejo Times-Herald first reported on Tuesday that Robinson had been put on paid administrative…

Benicia Mayor Steve Young: Recalling school board trustees unwise

Letters to the Editor | Feb. 9, 2021 Recalls, to me, should be used in instances of bad behavior, malfeasance, or other serious offenses. Recalling someone because you don’t like their vote on an issue does not meet that test. That is what elections are for. And both board members, if they choose to, can…

Stratton drops commission application; city staff condemns her post

by John Glidden | Feb. 9, 2021 VALLEJO – A candidate for the McCune Collection Commission has withdrawn her application after she was confronted during a recent Vallejo City Council meeting about racial comments she made in a May 2020 social media post. The Vallejo City Clerk’s Office confirmed that Julie Stratton pulled her application on…

Mike Greene named Benicia Police Chief

by John Glidden | Feb. 9, 2021 BENICIA – A 30-year veteran of the Benicia Police Department has been tapped to serve as its permanent police chief, Benicia City Manager Erik Upson announced Monday. Police Capt. Mike Greene was made the permanent chief of police – nearly five months after he was picked to serve as…

Brendan Riley: Why is Vallejo ignoring its own General Plan?

Letters to the Editor | Feb. 8, 2021 Regarding the proposed use of the old State Farm building on the waterfront as a new police station, this is clearly at odds with Vallejo’s General Plan Update (GPU), adopted by the Vallejo City Council in 2017. A major focus of the plan was on improvements that…

Officials: Website issue shouldn’t affect Vallejo meetings

by John Glidden | Feb. 6, 2021 VALLEJO – A hardware issue with Vallejo’s website vendor, Intrado/West, won’t affect Tuesday night’s Vallejo City Council meetings, city spokeswoman Christina Lee told JohnGlidden.com Saturday night. Lee confirmed that upcoming meetings will be hosted on a temporary webpage the city has created in response to the outage. The outage,…

Vallejo City Council to mull purchase of 10 license plate readers for Mare Island

by John Glidden | Feb. 5, 2021 VALLEJO – The Vallejo City Council will be asked Tuesday to approve the purchase 10 automated license plate readers (ALPR) for use on Mare Island. In a written report to the council, Vallejo police Chief Shawny Williams said the readers will “enhance the security of Mare Island and add…

City of Vallejo websites offline since Thursday afternoon; officials say outage not ransomware attack

by John Glidden | Feb. 4, 2021 VALLEJO – An unspecified hardware failure is being blamed for knocking the city of Vallejo websites offline for nearly two days. As of 10 a.m. Saturday, both http://www.cityofvallejo.net and vallejopd.net were still offline, more than 44 hours after they first became unavailable for use. Vallejo spokeswoman Christina Lee confirmed…

City of Vallejo hires third risk manager since 2018

by John Glidden | Feb. 3, 2021 VALLEJO – One of the city’s top administrative positions was recently filled for the third time since August 2018. City officials announced at the Jan. 26 Vallejo City Council meeting that Armond Sarkis has been hired as risk manager to oversee and manage the city’s liabilities. Sarkis replaces Erika…

Vallejo councilwoman speaks out against use of waterfront property as new VPD headquarters

by John Glidden | Feb. 2, 2021 VALLEJO – Councilwoman Tina Arriola took to social media on Tuesday to express her displeasure over a 2019 Vallejo City Council decision to purchase property along the city’s waterfront and transform it into the new police headquarters. In an interview with JohnGlidden.com, Arriola confirmed that her request to agendize…

Councilman Brown confronts commission applicant who posted racial slur about him

by John Glidden | Feb. 1, 2021 VALLEJO – Tensions boiled over during a special Vallejo City Council meeting Monday night after Councilman Hakeem Brown confronted a commission applicant who posted a racial slur about him on social media last year. Brown pressed Julie Stratton, who is white, to explain herself after she wrote in a…

Vallejo pays $52,500 to settle excessive lawsuit brought by man filming traffic stop

by John Glidden | Feb. 1, 2021 VALLEJO – The city has settled an excessive force lawsuit brought by a local man who was thrown to the ground and choked as he recorded his interaction with Vallejo police Officer Jarrett Tonn in April 2017, according to a settlement agreement obtained by JohnGlidden.com. Last September, Vallejo officials…

Benicia council to approve new contract with Upson

by John Glidden | Jan. 27, 2021 BENICIA – Two weeks after naming Erik Upson as the permanent city manager, the Benicia City Council will meet on Tuesday to approve Upson’s employment contract. Upson will earn a monthly salary of $19,952, good for a base salary of $239,424 per year, according to his employment contract. The…

Vallejo City Council OKs new flag policy

by John Glidden | Jan. 27, 2021 VALLEJO – The Vallejo City Council signed off on a new flag policy at its meeting Tuesday night codifying the process on how flags can be displayed on city-owned flagpoles. The new policy requires the council first adopt a resolution authorizing the display of any commemorative flags at either…

GVRD board to honor Karen Sims on Thursday

by John Glidden | Jan. 26, 2021 VALLEJO – On Thursday, the Greater Vallejo Recreation District Board of Directors will hold a moment of silence to honor former Director Karen Sims who died suddenly on Dec. 11. She was 67. A community activist, Sims was appointed to the board of directors in December 2019 Sims also…

Vallejo officers cleared of any wrongdoing in McCoy shooting

by John Glidden | Jan. 14, 2021 VALLEJO – A special prosecutor has determined that six Vallejo police officers were “legally justified,” when they shot and killed 20-year-old Willie McCoy outside a local Taco Bell in February 2019. Michael Ramos declined to bring charges against officers Anthony Cano, Ryan McMahon, Collin Eaton, Bryan Glick, Jordon Patzer,…

Rep. Thompson to hold webinar on Coronavirus Relief for Small Businesses

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Jan. 13, 2021 Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, will host a webinar on Coronavirus relief for small businesses this Friday, Thompson’s office announced. All constituents in California’s Fifth Congressional District are invited to join the webinar which will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST. Thompson’s office said this…

[Brief] Congressman Thompson gets COVID-19 vaccine

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Dec. 19, 2020 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The office of Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, announced that on Saturday the congressman received the first of two injections for the COVID-19 vaccine. The dose was received at the advice of the House Attending Physician for continuity of government purposes and he will receive…

[Brief] Vallejo closes city hall due to COVID-19 surge

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Dec. 19, 2020 VALLEJO – Due to a sharp increase in COVID-19 case, Vallejo City Hall and the Vallejo Police Department lobby are closed to the general public, city officials announced this week. Officials said city hall staff will keep “providing service to the public remotely, just as they did earlier this…

GVRD Director Karen Sims dies

by John Glidden | Dec. 11, 2020 VALLEJO – Activist, and Greater Vallejo Recreation District Director Karen Sims suddenly died Friday, Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan confirmed to JohnGlidden.com. It wasn’t immediately known how Sims died. The mayor praised Sims, who served as Sampayan’s campaign manager when he was elected mayor in 2016. “She was my friend,”…

[Brief] Vallejo police asking for public’s help to ID Peeping Tom

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Dec. 2, 2020 VALLEJO – Authorities are asking for the public’s help to identify a man accused of trying to record women using the bathroom at the Cardenas grocery market, Vallejo police said Wednesday night. The man is accused of entering a restroom stall, next to a stall occupied by a woman,…

Benicia council to say goodbye to outgoing mayor

by John Glidden | Nov. 30, 2020 BENICIA – Outgoing Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson will be honored on Tuesday by elected officials after nearly 20 years of public service on the City Council. Patterson, who was first elected to the City Council in 2003, began her run as mayor when she was elected to the position…

[Brief] Vallejo reaches 29 homicides in 2020

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Nov. 30, 2020 VALLEJO – With just a month left in 2020, the city of Vallejo recorded its 29th homicide of the year when a 20-year-old Sacramento man was shot and killed in north Vallejo over the weekend, the Vallejo Police Department announced on Monday. Vallejo police said they received reports of…

Vallejo settles excessive force lawsuit for $750,000

by John Glidden | Nov. 19, 2020 VALLEJO – The city has agreed to pay $750,000 to settle an excessive force lawsuit that alleges four Vallejo police officers assaulted a man as he worked on a fence outside his Tennessee Street workshop in July 2017, according to the man’s attorney. Carl Edwards sued the city of…

Council approves amended development agreement for permanent supportive housing project

by John Glidden | Nov. 19, 2020 VALLEJO – Attempting to make headway in addressing the number of homeless persons in town, the Vallejo City Council approved an amended disposition and development agreement with an East Bay housing developer on Tuesday. Hayward-based Eden Housing is proposing to build 75-units for Vallejo’s homeless, veterans and low-income residents…

[Brief] Williams to join other African American police chiefs in virtual town hall tonight

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Nov. 18, 2020 VALLEJO – Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams along with several other Bay Area African American police chiefs will participate in a virtual town hall meeting tonight to discuss racial profiling, use of force, and the Police Officer Bill of Rights, it was announced this week. Called the 2020 Achievement Week…

[Brief] Thompson to host town hall on surging COVID-19 cases

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Nov. 18, 2020 NAPA – Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, will be joined by health professionals on Thursday to discuss the increase in Coronavirus case rate, Thompson’s office announced this week. The virtual forum will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. George Rutherford, MD, professor of epidemiology & biostatistics at University of…

Council asked to approve plan to add two deputy police chiefs

by John Glidden | Nov. 16, 2020 VALLEJO – Faced with a depleted command structure inside the Vallejo Police Department, City Hall will ask the Vallejo City Council to approve a plan on Tuesday to add two deputy police chief positions to the beleaguered department. The plan includes creation of one deputy chief position to oversee…

Solano County supervisors to pick Solano360 preferred development team on Tuesday

by John Glidden | Nov. 15, 2020 FAIRFIELD – The Solano County Board of Supervisors will receive a verbal update Tuesday regarding the Solano360 project and contemplate naming Industrial Realty Group/Jones Land LaSalle as the preferred development team for the project. Supervisors will also be asked to authorize county staff to negotiate an Exclusive Right to…

New taskforce created to investigate fatal officer-involved incidents in Solano County

by John Glidden | Nov. 13, 2020 VALLEJO – A special Solano County interagency taskforce has been created to provide independent investigations following the use of deadly force by a law enforcement officer in the county, District Attorney Krishna Abrams announced Thursday. Staffed by detectives from law enforcement agencies throughout the county, the Solano County Major…

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