RETRACTION: “Operation Epstein Fury” letter to the editor on Friday, April 17
By Galen Kusic, Editor, The Benicia Herald, April 22, 2026
The Benicia Herald extends a sincere apology to the Jewish community and all Benicia residents for printing a letter to the editor, “Operation Epstein Fury” by Jake Pickering in the Friday, April 17 edition in the Forum section. Antisemitism should never be tolerated in any form. We are truly sorry for the pain and hurt this letter has caused to the Jewish community and beyond. As editor, this was an egregious oversight and I take full responsibility on behalf of the Herald and staff.
Allowing a platform for baseless conspiracy theories and hateful stereotypes is both dangerous and irresponsible. Benicia celebrates a diverse Jewish community and no one of any ethnic or cultural background deserves to be subjected to these baseless attacks or false generalizations and stereotypes.
Antisemitism is on the rise worldwide, especially in the United States. Let this be a moment to denounce bigotry and hate in all forms. It is my hope that through this editorial blunder, education and awareness can be brought to this issue that unfortunately still largely persists in our society. By drawing attention to the problem, it is my goal that this type of thinking and behavior will one day be eliminated altogether.
Providing a safe space for a robust political discourse is a crucial component of the Herald’s service to the community. Exercising First Amendment rights and free speech is greatly encouraged. The Forum page serves as a vital place for community dialogue and discussion, allowing differing views and opinions.
Unfortunately when this turns to hate, generalized stereotypes and bigoted rhetoric, it ceases to serve that purpose. The Herald failed miserably in this respect on Friday, April 17 by violating its own letter guidelines and printing this hateful letter. I graciously thank all those that have written, called or reached out to share their concerns and point out this bigotry and hate.
Let us all work together to better educate each other and expose hate when it appears. Together, through unity, equality and love we can all help make the world a better place.
The Herald apologizes for any harm caused and prints this retraction and apology on behalf of all those affected.
Benicia Black Lives Matter invites you to a dynamic Black poetry event celebrating the depth, resilience, and brilliance of Black voices across generations, highlighting powerful works from lesser-known poets spanning the Reconstruction era to today.
Blending history with living artistry, the evening also features original performances by a diverse lineup of presenters:
Myla J., a compelling youth artist and orator
Devin Thomas, a passionate student leader and poet
Valdez Hill, a multifaceted poet and musician and host of Voices at the Table
Simone Nia Rae, an evocative artist and musician
Jacalyn Eyvonne, Vallejo’s Poet Laureate for 2024–2025 and
Brandon Greene Esq., a civil rights attorney whose artistry bridges music, poetry, and justice.
Together, they create a rich intergenerational experience that honors legacy while amplifying fresh, contemporary voices.
BLACK POETRY CELEBRATION WED. APRIL 29 2026, 6-8PM
In the Library’s Doña Benicia Room [Map]
Also on Zoom: bit.ly/blackpoetrycelebration
Response to “Operation Epstein Fury” (April 17, 2026)
Terry Scott, Benicia
By Terry Scott, Benicia Resident, April 19, 2026
The letter published in last Friday’s Benicia Herald under the title “Operation Epstein Fury” must not pass without a direct response from this community and the Benicia Herald Editor or Publisher.
Did you read the letter before publishing it?
The letter is antisemitic. It’s not edgy. It’s not provocative.
It’s the same old antisemitic crap I’ve put up with all my life.
I usually just shrug this antisemitism off. But this writer had gone too far. I simply can’t take the blatant in your face antisemitic commentary published in a newspaper in my little city.
This virulent LTTE deploys centuries-old tropes: Jewish people as shysters, blackmailers, and puppet masters manipulating governments. It uses a Bible verse from Revelation that has been weaponized against Jewish people throughout history to brand us as agents of Satan.
This is not political commentary. It is hate speech.
Benicia is a community that prides itself on civility, inclusion, and honest debate.
We can and should discuss vigorously U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Those are legitimate conversations. But wrapping policy disagreement in ethnic hatred is not debate — it is plain old bigotry, and it will poison public discourse.
The Benicia Herald has every right to publish letters reflecting a wide range of views.
But publication implies a minimal editorial standard. This letter fell way beneath it.
I would ask the editors to reflect on that, and I would ask our community not to let it stand unanswered.
Hatred thrives in silence.
Use your voice and join me in calling out antisemitism and all forms of hatred when you see it.
March 26 refinery “material release” remains under investigation…
A black plume erupted from a flare tower at the Valero Benicia Refinery March 26, prompting a voluntary shelter-in-place order from the city. Photo taken in the Hillcrest neighborhood by Benicia resident and small business owner, Jamie Jang.
The Benicia Bridge, By Laura López González & Monica Vaughan, April 18, 2026
Valero delayed reporting the March 26 flare-tower “material release,” which remains under investigation by several agencies. The plant may not have reported the flaring to state authorities at all, had it not been for Solano County officials’ urging.
A distinctive black plume from one of Valero’s three flare stacks made local headlines in March. Unsure of what was being spilled into the air, Benicia Fire Chief Josh Chadwick issued a voluntary shelter-in-place warning for the city, as previously reported by The Benicia Bridge. NBC News reported that about two dozen Valero workers were sent to the hospital with chemical burns caused by cleaning chemicals involved in the incident. Company officials denied that happened.
Earlier this week, General Manager Lauren Bird said the black plume was a composition of steam and rust. Bird was speaking April 14 at the final meeting of the refinery’s community advisory panel.
And although Bird said that about a dozen contractors were given first aid onsite, he says no one was taken to hospitals. He and other Valero officials faced tough questions from the refinery’s community advisory panel about why the company waited a day to report the incident to state monitors. Valero reported the flare to the California Office of Emergency Services, but only after calls from Solano County environmental health officers.
Are you a Valero worker who saw what happened? The Benicia Bridge wants to hear from you. Reach out to us by text, call or use Signal at 530-755-7163.
Valero said emission was non-toxic
March’s incident, Bird said, occurred after crews, using a mixture of steam and industrial cleaner to clear pipes, released too much steam into the system, blowing a seal and sending water and rust into the air via the plume.
“There were some odors associated with it, likely from the corrosion products that are being cleaned out of the system,” said Bird, who added the release went on for about six minutes before it was brought under control. “We pulled a sample of the material. The actual constituent analysis indicates the material was non-hazardous, it was not an irritant, it was non-toxic… it was not a carcinogenic.”
Valero sampled 14 sites in Benicia for possible contamination.
Bird said that workers nearby who were sprayed with the mixture accessed emergency safety showers before accessing first aid.
Solano County officials urged Valero to report the incident
California regulations require companies to immediately report any significant release or threatened release of a hazardous material to the California Office of Emergency Services.
State public records show Valero had an open hazardous materials spill report February and March related to ongoing flaring and sulfur dioxide releases. On March 26, Valero informed state officials of “no additional release.” A March 27 note says, “For yesterdays update report …the correct update is that there was a release of water with residual cleaning material and residual iron sulfide, at an unknown quantity.”
Refinery community advisory panel member Cara Bateman is an environmental manager. During the meeting Tuesday, she questioned why Valero did not report the event to the state that day.
Bird responded that the plant chose not to report initially because they knew the substance was non-toxic.
“Initially, even as of that evening, it hadn’t been reported to the state,” Bateman said. “You go through the [Office of Emergency Services’] database, and there are scores of reports every year from us because it caused some sort of public nuisance.”
She continued: “You had kids who got picked up from school to go home and people with crap on their cars.”
Solano County Supervising Hazardous Materials Specialist Chris Ambrose interrupted discussions to say that his team called Valero to urge the plant to report the emissions.
“Given that there were odors and potential off-site consequences, the next day, we got on the phone with [Valero] and asked, ‘Why wasn’t this reported?’ Ambrose told Tuesday’s community advisory meeting. “I’m not sure what discussions took place off the phone… [but Valero] called into the state.”
Although Bird apologized for the emission, he reiterated that the plant had conducted sampling and downwind monitoring, which showed the release was non-toxic.
Valero, others under investigation
Several agencies are investigating the incident for potential illegal actions.
Cal/OSHA received complaints from workers about the incident and launched an investigation into potential worker safety violations. Valero and contracting companies are named in the investigation, including Refined Technologies, USA Debusk, T.R.S.C., and Specialty Welding and Turnarounds. The investigation is ongoing.
In addition, the Bay Area Air District is investigating and has already issued a notice of violation that states the March 26 incident was a “public nuisance caused by emissions.”
The March incident marked the eighth public notification issued by the City of Benicia regarding public impacts from refinery shutdown operations.
The plant has officially stopped refining, meaning that flaring is over, Bird said. Valero plans to continue importing, storing, and distributing gas and diesel at the location before likely exiting within the next two years.
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Reposted with permision, The Benicia Bridge Excellent reporting from Benicia’s newest award-winning journalism duo, Monica Vaughan and Laura López González. – Roger Straw Learn more and subscribe to the newsletter here.
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