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”
Author Archives: John Glidden
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] SolTrans offering free rides on Election Day
JohnGlidden.com staff report | Oct. 2, 2020 Need a ride to the polls on Election Day? Solano County Transit (SolTrans) has you covered. The transit agency announced Thursday that it will be offering free rides on all local and paratransit buses to help the community get to their respective polling locations on Nov. 3. “ExercisingContinue reading “[Brief] SolTrans offering free rides on Election Day”
[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”
[Brief] Benicia firefighter tests positive for COVID
JohnGlidden.com staff report | Sept. 18, 2020 BENICIA – A Benicia firefighter has tested positive for the coronavirus, the third positive test for a city firefighter and sixth city employee overall to be infected with COVID, according to a news released issued by the city of Benicia on Sept. 15. Officials said the source ofContinue reading “[Brief] Benicia firefighter tests positive for COVID”
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”
JumpStart facing $14,000 fine from state watchdog
by John Glidden | Sept. 9, 2020 JumpStart Vallejo is facing a $14,000 fine from the state’s election watchdog after the primarily formed committee was accused of failing to file multiple forms in a timely matter over a span of two years. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) will make a decision on the recommendedContinue reading “JumpStart facing $14,000 fine from state watchdog”
Tinfow resigns as Benicia city manager
by John Glidden | Sept. 8, 2020 BENICIA – After three years with Benicia, Lorie Tinfow announced her resignation as city manager on Tuesday, the city announced. The resignation came as the Benicia City Council was meeting in closed session Tuesday to discuss Tinfow’s performance; a normally routine practice which takes place annually. “Lorie’s threeContinue reading “Tinfow resigns as Benicia city manager”
[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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