Free Republic

I need not tell fellow Freepers the story of the USS Indianapolis, we all know it.Harold Bray has lived in Benicia, California for many years (as did I). Mr. Bray routinely shared his story with high school history classes (both my sons heard his him). I met him once and spoke with him, he is a gentlemen and a hero. His birthday is coming up: June 15th. He will be 98 years old. His family and friends have asked for birthday cards and well wishes from as many people as possible. The address to send the cards is:Harold Bray PO...

Governor Newsom is causing another refinery to go down. Valero refinery is considering shutting down. It threatens to throw the inhabitants of the small city of Benicia into unemployment and poverty. Valero is planning to shut down next April instead of selling. No one wants to buy it. The Benicia Mayor said the plant brings in millions of dollars. No one wants to buy the plant because it would require a significant amount of money to keep it going. The state of California doesn’t want refiners in its state. They’ve pushed them out, and this is the result. Newsom doesn’t...

Short on the heels of another major refinery closure, Valero signaled it is considering closing its two California refineries that produce over 14% of the state’s gasoline. Refinery closures already have the state importing 8% of its gasoline supply, which means the state could soon have to significantly increase its imports of refined products such as gasoline, on top of its existing reliance on the Middle East and South America for the majority of its crude oil. Valero announced its profit is down significantly due to very low margins from its refinery business, prompting a question during its earning call...

@libsoftiktok A mom spoke out at a school board meeting about @BeniciaUSD injecting gender ideology into the curriculum. Leftist activists were fuming and set to work tracking down her employer and destroying her life. @Compass, her employer, caved to the mob and fired her. I spoke with Janet and she shared her frustrations about what’s going on America. Her life was turned upside down but she stressed she believes parents have to stand up for whats right and protect their children. She doesn’t regret speaking out and hopes more parents join her!

"The owners of DC Solar, a Benicia-based company, pleaded guilty today to charges related to a billion dollar Ponzi scheme— the biggest criminal fraud scheme in the history of the Eastern District of California. The government’s investigation has resulted in the largest criminal forfeiture in the history of the District with over $120 million in assets forfeited that will go to victims, and has returned $500 million to the United States Treasury, with more to come, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Jeff Carpoff, 49, of Martinez, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. His...

BENICIA -- Rumors are swirling that Valero is putting its two California oil refineries on the market, including one in Benicia that is the city's largest employer. The speculation follows a Wall Street Journal report last week that said the San Antonio-based company has enlisted Citigroup Inc. to help find a buyer for the facilities. The article cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter. Valero operates a 78,000-barrel-a-day refinery in Wilmington outside Los Angeles and a 132,000-barrel-a-day refinery in Benicia. Together, the plants represent about 10 percent of the company's U.S. refining capacity. Valero, which has been critical of California's...