stephanie gomes

Marti Brown, the only non-incumbent to emerge victorious in Tuesday's City Council races in Vallejo and Benicia, said Wednesday she wants to begin work as soon as possible on Vallejo's behalf. A day after her election, Brown said the city can use a fresh pair of eyes to prepare for when the economy turns around, rather than "waiting for the time when we have the money to do it." Brown, an urban planner for the city of Sacramento, drew 18.8 percent of the vote, placing second in the battle for three co

We don't always agree, but we work together   -Mark Hughes

 

As she stood across the street watching flames engulf the roof of her hotel, Erin Schuette, who was drenched from the rain, tried to hold back tears. "I was inside when it happened," said Schuette, 26, general manager of the Holiday Inn Express. "This hotel is my life. It's what I do. ... Everybody's safe. That's the main thing."

Basically, the entire roof is gone   -Kurt Nelson

 

A man placing traffic counters on the highway early Thursday was struck and killed by a car about a mile east of Farmington. David Kim, 28, of Chicago was working alone in the westbound lane of Illinois Route 116 when he was struck by an eastbound car driven by Donald Young Jr., 41, of 28633 N. Manley Road in Avon. Authorities said Young crossed into the westbound lane as he drove past Kim's vehicle, which was parked with a flashing light on the eastbound shoulder near Downs School Road. Kim, a subco

He probably didn’t even see it coming   -James Pearson

 

Under a makeshift wooden hut, members of the Jewish faith gathered Monday to celebrate the third day of the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot. For eight days of the Biblical holiday, Jews eat under a four-sided structure covered by bamboo or palm branches to remember the 40-year period when the children of Israel wandered the desert and lived in temporary shelters, said Rabbi Eli Langsam, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Peoria. God protected them with "clouds of glory," which are represented  

With rain falling lightly Saturday, a group of tour guides dressed in 19th-century garb led its audience to its first stop inside the Springdale Cemetery gates. It might have seemed like an eerie stage for the eight local actors stationed among the tombstones, but they were part of the seventh annual tour of the cemetery founded in 1854. Presented by Prairie Folklore Theatre, the show titled "Abraham Lincoln's Friends & Rivals" portrayed locals who were connected to the 16th U.S. president and are bur

I didn't even realize he had been here   -Mary Nelson

 

A petting zoo, Nerf gun wars and giant inflatables. While these attractions may sound like a childhood dream, all were offered to Bradley University students in an attempt to steer them away from potential nights of alcohol abuse. "Late Night BU" was started last October as part of the university's comprehensive alcohol awareness plan.  

Bradley University freshman Garrett Byerley came to the school all the way from Alaska and is about to embark on his first college homecoming. "It's still a new place for me," Byerley said Wednesday while lounging on the Olin Quad during a homecoming kickoff barbecue. "I'm just trying to see everything I can, and homecoming is one way to do that."  

Vallejo's community access television programming may soon see a boost in cash to buy new equipment, following a Vallejo City Council vote Tuesday. The council unanimously voted to update city law regarding revenue coming from cable companies that serve Vallejo residents, over fears that those costs would be passed on to consumers. Senior citizen Bill Haynes said it seemed inevitable that Vallejo customers will see yet another hike in their bills.

Consider for a senior citizen how much of our time is spent watching television -- it's our window into the world   -Bill Haynes

 

When Vallejo Mayor Osby Davis scopes out which candidates to focus on in the Nov. 3 City Council race, he takes the assignment literally. Councilmember Tom Bartee, seeking re-election, was the only contender to receive a reported donation - $180 - from Davis in campaign financial forms filed Thursday. Davis said Friday that he was attending fundraisers for all the incumbents, and donations for the others might show up before the election.

It shouldn't be interpreted as I'm endorsing (Bartee's) campaign   -Osby Davis

 

latest financial disclosure statements filed Thursday. Brown's nearest fundraising competitor is incumbent Hermie Sunga with $29,804 in cash and non-monetary contributions. Brown's campaign war chest is larger than the combined total of Benicia's four city council candidates, who also filed financial statements Thursday.