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”
Author Archives: John Glidden
Veronica Nebb expected to be named new city attorney
by John Glidden | Oct. 13, 2020 Veronica Nebb is expected to be named as the new Vallejo city attorney, multiple sources have confirmed to JohnGlidden.com. Nebb is currently employed with the law firm Walter & Pistole, serving as senior assistant city attorney for the cities of Novato and Martinez, according to her bio onContinue reading “Veronica Nebb expected to be named new city attorney”
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”
Allio out as interim assistant police chief
by John Glidden | Oct. 6, 2020 Nearly three months after he was re-hired to serve as the city’s interim assistant police chief, Joseph Allio has resigned, the city announced Tuesday night. Through multiple sources, JohnGlidden.com learned Allio had left the city. When asked for comment Tuesday morning, Vallejo police spokeswoman Brittany K. Jackson saidContinue reading “Allio out as interim assistant police chief”
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] 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”