Tag Archives: Benicia CA

BENICIA HERALD Editor Galen Kusic on Antisemitic Letter

April 22, 2026 Roger Straw

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.

Respectfully,

Galen Kusic
Editor, The Benicia Herald

Antisemitism, Benicia Herald, Israel

Antisemitic letter in the Benicia Herald

April 20, 2026 Roger Straw

Response to “Operation Epstein Fury” (April 17, 2026)

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.

Terry Scott
Benicia Resident

Benicia City Council, Cal/OSHA, City of Benicia, Valero Benicia Refinery, Valero's Community Advisory Panel (CAP)

Valero Benicia Refinery delayed reporting the March flare tower incident that caused shelter-in-place

April 18, 2026 Roger Straw

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 … [Continued on The Benicia Bridge…]

Reposted with permission, The Benicia Bridge
Excellent reporting from Benicia’s newest award-winning journalism duo, Monica Vaughan and Laura López González. – Roger Straw
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Benicia Fire Department, City of Benicia, Valero Benicia Refinery, Valero's Community Advisory Panel (CAP)

Valero laid off its Benicia firefighter crew, hopes for outside aid in case of tank fire

April 18, 2026 Roger Straw

Final Community Advisory Panel meeting: Who will respond if there is trouble?

The stacks at Benicia’s Valero refinery have gone cold but layoffs during company’s transition away from refining have also cost the plant its dedicated fire brigade.

The Benicia Bridge, by Laura López González, April 17, 2026

Valero laid off its refinery firefighters in Benicia. Now, company executives have said they hope to rely on the Benicia Fire Department, contractors, and neighboring refineries to provide the manpower needed to tackle a future fire.

Valero completed its latest round of layoffs this week, leaving about 70 employees, General Manager Lauren Bird said Tuesday at the refinery’s final community advisory panel meeting. About 20 employees will be left alongside contractors as the plant continues to import, store and distribute gas and diesel in the near future. The company will no longer import jet fuel through Benicia, citing easier routes to support airports, Valero Section Business Law Chief David Giles said at the meeting. Valero will use a fraction of its tanks for storage.

Among the layoffs were Valero’s own firefighters, leaving serious questions … [Continued on The Benicia Bridge…]

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