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Grayson, Dew rescind endorsements of Brown’s mayoral campaign

by John Glidden | Oct. 18, 2020 VALLEJO – Councilman Hakeem Brown received more bad news over the weekend as both Assemblyman Tim Grayson, and Vallejo Councilwoman Pippin Dew pulled their support for Brown’s mayoral run after news about his criminal past surfaced this week. The San Francisco Chronicle and the independent newsroom Open Vallejo released separate articlesContinue reading “Grayson, Dew rescind endorsements of Brown’s mayoral campaign”

Vallejo Chamber of Commerce pulls support of Brown’s mayoral campaign

by John Glidden | Oct. 16, 2020 VALLEJO –The fallout from a recent report outlining Vallejo Councilman Hakeem Brown’s troubles with domestic violence continued Friday when ValPAC, the political arm of the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, pulled its endorsement of Brown’s mayoral campaign. “As a public official, a candidate’s past conduct matters. Our city deserves andContinue reading “Vallejo Chamber of Commerce pulls support of Brown’s mayoral campaign”

Vallejo committee fined for campaign disclosure violations

by John Glidden | Oct. 15, 2020 VALLEJO –A committee opened to support passage of a Vallejo school bond has been fined $6,500 by the state’s election watchdog after two committee officials failed to disclose campaign information in a timely manner. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) issued the fine on Thursday against the Committee forContinue reading “Vallejo committee fined for campaign disclosure violations”

Brown still running for mayor amid fallout about criminal past

by John Glidden | Oct. 15, 2020 VALLEJO – Days after a scathing report was released detailing a history of alleged domestic abuse, Vallejo Councilman Hakeem Brown issued a statement on Thursday addressing his past transgressions and to confirm he wouldn’t be dropping out as a mayoral candidate. The independent newsroom Open Vallejo reported Tuesday thatContinue reading “Brown still running for mayor amid fallout about criminal past”

City staff pushes back council vote on stingray policy

by John Glidden | Oct. 14, 2020 VALLEJO – The Vallejo City Council agreed Tuesday night to delay a highly anticipated vote on a policy regarding the city’s use of a cell-site simulator following concerns the public didn’t have enough time to review the policy. Councilors were originally scheduled to review the usage and privacy policyContinue reading “City staff pushes back council vote on stingray policy”

[Brief] Benicia official says ballot boxes are only located in two places across town

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 14, 2020 BENICIA – With less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 election, there have been reports of unauthorized ballot boxes popping up across the state. Benicia City Clerk Lisa Wolfe took to social media this week to remind locals that there are only two official ballot boxes in theContinue reading “[Brief] Benicia official says ballot boxes are only located in two places across town”

Council asked to approve cell-site simulator usage and privacy policy

by John Glidden | Oct. 12, 2020 A privacy and usage policy regarding a controversial piece of technology will go before the Vallejo City Council on Tuesday. The seven-person council will be asked to consider adopting the policy on use of a cellular-site simulator, also known as a stingray, two weeks after a Solano CountyContinue reading “Council asked to approve cell-site simulator usage and privacy policy”

[Brief] Vallejo playgrounds reopen under new state guidelines

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 12, 2020 Kids rejoice as the Greater Vallejo Recreation District has reopened the city’s playgrounds under new health guidelines. On Sept. 28, the California Department of Public Health issued guidance outlining how outdoor playgrounds and other recreational facilities can be used amid COVID-19. Under the new rules, everyone 2 yearsContinue reading “[Brief] Vallejo playgrounds reopen under new state guidelines”

[Brief] Congressman Thompson to hold virtual town hall meeting on election security

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 9, 2020 NAPA – Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, is scheduled to host a virtual town hall meeting about election security, from 7 to 8p.m. PST on Tuesday, his office announced in a press release. Thompson will be joined by Napa County Registrar of Voters John Tuteur. All constituents of California’sContinue reading “[Brief] Congressman Thompson to hold virtual town hall meeting on election security”

William Spalding named new Vallejo school district superintendent

by John Glidden | Oct. 7, 2020 A familiar face is returning to the Vallejo City Unified School District. On Wednesday, the Vallejo school board officially hired William Spalding as district superintendent – more than 20 years after he was part of the district staff to open Jesse Bethel High School. “Coming to Vallejo isn’tContinue reading “William Spalding named new Vallejo school district superintendent”

[Brief] Solano County voter guide mishap impacts Benicia and Vallejo

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 7, 2020 October hasn’t been kind to the Solano County Registrar of Voters as the department announced that for the second time this month candidate information was omitted from the voter guide. Election officials discovered that about 70,600 guides were impacted when candidate statements from either Tim Grayson, or JanellContinue reading “[Brief] Solano County voter guide mishap impacts Benicia and Vallejo”

[Brief] Vallejo Education Association endorses Gardner and Young for school board

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 7, 2020 The 600-member Vallejo Education Association (VEA) announced recently that it has endorsed incumbent Christy Gardner and long time educator Latyna Young for Vallejo school board. “This was not an easy decision,” said Steven Quinlan, political action chair of the VEA, in a statement released by the union. “OurContinue reading “[Brief] Vallejo Education Association endorses Gardner and Young for school board”

Vallejo police union calls proposed public safety emergency an ‘illegal power grab’

by John Glidden | Oct. 5, 2020 The Vallejo Police Officers’ Association (VPOA) is calling a proposed move by the city of Vallejo to declare a local public safety emergency as an “illegal power grab,” according to a statement issued by the union on Monday. The seven-person Vallejo City Council will be asked Tuesday toContinue reading “Vallejo police union calls proposed public safety emergency an ‘illegal power grab’”

Vallejo school board to name new superintendent on Wednesday

by John Glidden | Oct. 3, 2020 Three months after superintendent Adam Clark left the Vallejo school district to take a similar position in a nearby school district, the Vallejo school board is poised to appoint a new superintendent. The board is expected to name the new superintendent and approve a contract with the individualContinue reading “Vallejo school board to name new superintendent on Wednesday”

Council asked to declare local public safety emergency on Tuesday

by John Glidden | Oct. 3, 2020 Faced with increasing crime, scandal within the Vallejo Police Department, and more than two dozen use-of-force lawsuits, the Vallejo City Council will be asked to declare a local public safety emergency during a special meeting Tuesday. The unusual move will give Vallejo police Chief Shawny Williams the powerContinue reading “Council asked to declare local public safety emergency on Tuesday”

Judge issues tentative ruling blocking Vallejo’s use of cell-site simulator; final decision due in 30 days

by John Glidden | Oct. 3, 2020 A Solano County judge issued a tentative ruling on Thursday in support of a lawsuit blocking the city of Vallejo’s use of a controversial piece of technology. However, a final ruling is expected within the next 30 days. In his tentative ruling, Judge E. Bradley Nelson said theContinue reading “Judge issues tentative ruling blocking Vallejo’s use of cell-site simulator; final decision due in 30 days”

[Brief] Benicia City Hall to be a ballot drop-off location starting Monday

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 3, 2020 BENICIA – Beginning Monday, a secure ballot box will be available in City Hall giving residents the opportunity to drop off their vote-by-mail ballots, Benicia City Clerk Lisa Wolfe announced. Benicia City Hall is located at 250 East L St. Vote-by-mail ballots can be dropped off from 9 a.m.Continue reading “[Brief] Benicia City Hall to be a ballot drop-off location starting Monday”

[Brief] Benicia City Council and mayoral candidates’ forum set for Oct. 5

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 1, 2020 BENICIA – Most of the Benicia City Council and mayoral candidates have confirmed they will be participating in a Zoom candidates’ forum hosted by the Benicia Good Neighbor Steering Committee (GNSC) on Monday. The forum will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. as candidates will be asked questionsContinue reading “[Brief] Benicia City Council and mayoral candidates’ forum set for Oct. 5”

Vallejo police officer fired for violating policies

by John Glidden | Oct. 1, 2020 A Vallejo police officer was fired this week after he violated several departmental policies during a fatal officer-involved shooting in February 2019. In a Thursday press release, the Vallejo Police Department announced McMahon was served with a notice of termination on Wednesday following an internal affairs investigation whichContinue reading “Vallejo police officer fired for violating policies”

Benicia City Council to approve new employment agreement with Upson

by John Glidden | Oct. 1, 2020 BENICIA — The City Council is expected to approve a new $239,977 employment agreement with interim city manager Erik Upson on Tuesday. Upson, who serves as the city’s police chief, was appointed interim city manager a week after Lorie Tinfow resigned from the position on Sept. 8. HeContinue reading “Benicia City Council to approve new employment agreement with Upson”

[Brief] Benicia plans to open cooling shelter during upcoming heat wave

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Sept. 24, 2020 BENICIA – As the Bay Area braces for another heat wave, the Benicia Senior Center will serve as a cooling center this weekend, the city announced Thursday. The cooling center, located at 187 East L St., will offer a space for residents who don’t have air conditioning. ItContinue reading “[Brief] Benicia plans to open cooling shelter during upcoming heat wave”

[Brief] McConnell picks up endorsement from Vallejo mayor

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Sept. 23, 2020 In his bid to be the next mayor of Vallejo, Councilman Robert McConnell announced Wednesday that his campaign has been endorsed by Mayor Bob Sampayan. “I support Robert because he is fiscally prudent, is supportive of all people, has no special interest groups, is progressive and understands VallejoContinue reading “[Brief] McConnell picks up endorsement from Vallejo mayor”

Vallejo chamber endorses Brown for mayor; says ‘no’ to Measure G

by John Glidden | Sept. 23, 2020 Vallejo Councilman Hakeem Brown received a boost to his mayoral campaign Wednesday after securing the official endorsement from the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee (ValPAC). ValPAC further announced it endorsed L. Alexander Matias for the Vallejo City Council District 1 seat; Mina Diaz for District 3;Continue reading “Vallejo chamber endorses Brown for mayor; says ‘no’ to Measure G”

New posters are plastered around Vallejo calling for city manager to be fired

by John Glidden | Sept. 22, 2020 Criticism against Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff continues to mount as a series of posters were plastered throughout Vallejo last week calling for Nyhoff to be fired. The unflattering artwork criticizes Nyhoff for failing to address badge-bending involving several Vallejo police officers. The independent newsroom Open Vallejo firstContinue reading “New posters are plastered around Vallejo calling for city manager to be fired”

Family of Eric Reason files wrongful death lawsuit against cities of Vallejo and Richmond

by John Glidden | Sept. 22, 2020 Almost a year after Eric Reason was shot and killed following a dispute over a parking space outside a Vallejo restaurant, Reason’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the cities of Vallejo and Richmond, court records show. Reason, 38, was shot in the back of theContinue reading “Family of Eric Reason files wrongful death lawsuit against cities of Vallejo and Richmond”

Tinfow receives $300,000 severance package from city of Benicia

by John Glidden | Sept. 17, 2020 BENICIA – Benicia has agreed to give more than $300,000 in severance pay to former city manager Lorie Tinfow, who announced her resignation earlier this month, according to a severance agreement obtained by JohnGlidden.com. Although she officially resigned on Sept. 8, Tinfow actually signed the agreement on Sept.Continue reading “Tinfow receives $300,000 severance package from city of Benicia”

Vallejo aims to create new position to address city’s housing needs

by John Glidden | Sept. 13, 2020 More than 600 people were homeless in the city of Vallejo last year. In an effort to address the city’s housing issues, the Vallejo City Council is expected to approve a new housing project developer position on Tuesday. The position will be tasked with implementing the city’s newContinue reading “Vallejo aims to create new position to address city’s housing needs”

Vallejo’s former veterans building may see new life as event venue

by John Glidden | Sept. 12, 2020 Vallejo may soon have a new venue for weddings, quinceaneras, and other events as the city’s landmarks commission will be asked Thursday to approve interior and exterior alterations to the Veteran’s Memorial Hall – giving new life to a building long closed to the public. The seven-person ArchitecturalContinue reading “Vallejo’s former veterans building may see new life as event venue”

[Brief] Benicia council to evaluate city manger performance

JohnGlidden.com staff report | Sept. 6, 2020 BENICIA – The city council will hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss Lorie Tinfow’s performance as city manager. The special meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and will be held via videoconferencing. Members of the public will be able to address the city council, however, the actualContinue reading “[Brief] Benicia council to evaluate city manger performance”

Special prosecutor named to investigate McCoy shooting

by John Glidden | Sept. 5, 2020 A former Southern California district attorney will receive up $25,000 to investigate the fatal 2019 officer-involved shooting of Willie McCoy, according to his consulting contract obtained by JohnGlidden.com. In July, Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams appointed Michael Anthony Ramos special prosecutor, tasked with determining if six VallejoContinue reading “Special prosecutor named to investigate McCoy shooting”

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