🌱 Patch AM: How soon could driverless robotaxis be cruising through Benicia streets?

Good morning Benicia! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How soon could driverless robotaxis be cruising through Benicia streets?
• Could a new cipher clue finally explain Benicia’s Zodiac murders?
• How will Valero Benicia’s shutdown reshape California’s gas prices and supply?

Also on today's calendar: New Creation/RG Academy — Koffee Krew and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: A few showers, with a high of 59 and low of 51 degrees.
• Thursday: Windy with occasional rain, temps: high: 57, low: 47.
• Friday: Windy with occasional rain, with a high of 52 and low of 43 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Waymo to begin tests in several Solano County cities (thereporter.com) — Benicia is one of seven Solano County cities where Waymo has just been cleared by the state DMV to test fully driverless robotaxis, potentially bringing self-driving cars to local streets soon. The company still needs a separate utilities commission permit before offering paid rides, and community voices are split between hopes for better late-night transportation and worries about safety, potholes, and lost gig-driving jobs.
   

• Zodiac Killer Tied To Black Dahlia Murder By FL Sleuth: Report (patch.com) — A new cold-case theory again puts Benicia in the national spotlight, tying the 1968 Zodiac killings on Lake Herman Road to the infamous Black Dahlia murder through decoded ciphers and decades-old clues. Retired detectives and former NSA codebreakers say a West Virginia sleuth’s work strongly points to one suspect, though authorities haven’t officially closed either case.
   

• California's fuel crisis deepens as refineries flee (sgtreport.com) — Benicia’s Valero refinery is slated to shut down, a move the story says will cut nearly one-fifth of California’s refining capacity and could push gas prices sharply higher. The piece argues that recent state climate and refinery laws have backfired, driving refineries away, straining military fuel supplies, and threatening rural gas stations, while electric-vehicle adoption and grid reliability lag behind policy goals.
   

📸 Around Benicia

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Benicia

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 25

• Elevate Sunset Yoga at the Farmers Market
  First Street Green, Corner of 1st and, E B St, Benicia
  6:15 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday December 28

• New Creation/RG Academy — Koffee Krew
  675 E H St , Benicia
  3:30 pm
• History & Current Events Book Group
  Bookshop Benicia , 636 First St , Benicia
  5:00 pm
• SALSA & BACHATA CLASS by Cuban Rhythm and Rumba Dance Studio
  H Lounge , 472 Benicia Rd , Vallejo
  8:00 pm

Monday December 29

• Jane Austen Tea Party at Bookshop Benicia
  Bookshop Benicia , 636 First St , Benicia
  3:00 pm

📣 Benicia Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 24

• Martinez Swingers Square Dance
  Pacheco Community Center · Pacheco , CA , Martinez
  7:00 pm
• Alphabet Storytime at Crockett Library
  991 Loring Ave , Crockett
  7:15 pm

Thursday December 25

• Computer Help
  Pleasant Hill Park , 147 Gregory Ln , Pleasant Hill
  10:00 am
• Storytime Junction
  Lafayette Library and Learning Center , 3491 Mt Diablo Blvd , Lafayette
  10:30 am

Friday December 26

• Seek & Find Mythical Creatures
  El Sobrante Library , 4191 Appian Way , El Sobrante
• Mystery in the Stacks
  El Sobrante Library , 4191 Appian Way , El Sobrante
• ❄️ WINTER ALL DAY CAMP week 1: Polar Explorers + Mythical Creatures
  Sparkologie | Art Design STEM Classes , 1941 Oak Park Blvd # 70 , Pleasant Hill
  9:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Bread available at the St.
  Paul's Church (Benicia) food pantry. Safeway and a local bakery just donated many types of bread for anyone. All is individually wrapped. Great also… (Nextdoor East 2nd - West 5th)
• Does anyone have any recommendations for reactive dog trainers?
  My 4-year old labradoodle is extremely reactive (lunging, barking, growling) at other animals/larger dogs - and it’s gotten pretty bad in the last… (Nextdoor Old Southampton)

• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Payroll Clerk in Benicia. Apply here.
• Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Benicia. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Benicia here.

🗞 Nearby News

Vallejo

• Athlete of the Week: Head is a double-double machine for Vallejo (timesheraldonline.com)
• Bonnie Ramirez: Fixing the Vallejo Police Department (timesheraldonline.com)
• Vallejo businessman faces new fines for funeral home businesses (vallejosun.com)

Martinez

• Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office Expands to Pittsburg (contracosta.news)

Concord

Ok Benicia! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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