Open Vallejo
@openvallejo.org
Open Vallejo is an award-winning, independent, non-partisan, nonprofit newsroom serving the public interest. We seek to illuminate a small city long burdened by police violence, corruption, and neglect.
https://openvallejo.org
https://openvallejo.org
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Open Vallejo
@openvallejo.org
· Nov 13
Vallejo police bend badges to mark fatal shootings
The tradition is known at the highest levels of Vallejo city government and to Solano County's district attorney, sources say.
openvallejo.org
For a generation, a secretive clique within the Vallejo Police Department has commemorated fatal shootings with beers, backyard barbecues, and by bending the points of their badges each time they kill in the line of duty, an investigation by Open Vallejo has found.
The California State Bar has opened a confidential inquiry into the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office, Open Vallejo has learned, adding a new front in the mounting scrutiny of the office. City Attorney Veronica Nebb wrote in an email Friday that her office is unaware of any investigation.
State Bar probes Vallejo City Attorney’s Office
The California State Bar has opened a confidential inquiry into the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office, Open Vallejo has learned.
openvallejo.org
January 31, 2026 at 1:00 AM
The California State Bar has opened a confidential inquiry into the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office, Open Vallejo has learned, adding a new front in the mounting scrutiny of the office. City Attorney Veronica Nebb wrote in an email Friday that her office is unaware of any investigation.
When officials rush to comment on police shootings before the facts are in, they risk corrupting investigations and eroding public confidence in law enforcement, according to experts.
Vallejo officials’ online comments cloud police shooting review
The comments, about the shooting of a man suffering a mental health crisis, included praise for officers’ marksmanship and a determination that they had “no choice” but to shoot him in the back. A nat...
openvallejo.org
January 8, 2026 at 8:40 PM
When officials rush to comment on police shootings before the facts are in, they risk corrupting investigations and eroding public confidence in law enforcement, according to experts.
How should courts evaluate police shootings when someone tries to drive away? A unanimous Supreme Court ruled last May that courts must consider the totality of the circumstances — not just the moment before an officer pulls the trigger.
#Minneapolis
#Minneapolis
U.S. Supreme Court rejects ‘moment of threat’ rule in police shootings
A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court shifted a contentious legal standard in favor of civil rights plaintiffs Thursday.
openvallejo.org
January 7, 2026 at 11:17 PM
How should courts evaluate police shootings when someone tries to drive away? A unanimous Supreme Court ruled last May that courts must consider the totality of the circumstances — not just the moment before an officer pulls the trigger.
#Minneapolis
#Minneapolis
We are just $553 away from our $30,000 goal! Your tax-deductible gift is tripled until midnight. Will you help us over the finish line?
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January 1, 2026 at 5:41 AM
We are just $553 away from our $30,000 goal! Your tax-deductible gift is tripled until midnight. Will you help us over the finish line?
openvallejo.org/donate
openvallejo.org/donate
Your tax-deductible donation will be TRIPLED if you give before midnight Pacific Time tonight!
Support ethical, accurate, high-impact local news in the public interest. openvallejo.org/donate
Support ethical, accurate, high-impact local news in the public interest. openvallejo.org/donate
January 1, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Your tax-deductible donation will be TRIPLED if you give before midnight Pacific Time tonight!
Support ethical, accurate, high-impact local news in the public interest. openvallejo.org/donate
Support ethical, accurate, high-impact local news in the public interest. openvallejo.org/donate
Reposted by Open Vallejo
Open Vallejo is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that gets impactful journalism done all year long. I support them out of my own pocket and I urge you to do the same.
Open Vallejo is the city's only nonprofit, investigative newsroom. With a little over 48 hours to go in #NewsMatch, we are 80% of the way to our $30,000 fundraising goal. Will you help us close the gap with a tax-deductible gift? openvallejo.org/donate
January 1, 2026 at 1:29 AM
Open Vallejo is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that gets impactful journalism done all year long. I support them out of my own pocket and I urge you to do the same.
Reposted by Open Vallejo
Please support local journalism. Open Vallejo has done incredible work!!
Open Vallejo is the city's only nonprofit, investigative newsroom. With a little over 48 hours to go in #NewsMatch, we are 80% of the way to our $30,000 fundraising goal. Will you help us close the gap with a tax-deductible gift? openvallejo.org/donate
December 30, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Please support local journalism. Open Vallejo has done incredible work!!
Open Vallejo is the city's only nonprofit, investigative newsroom. With a little over 48 hours to go in #NewsMatch, we are 80% of the way to our $30,000 fundraising goal. Will you help us close the gap with a tax-deductible gift? openvallejo.org/donate
December 30, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Open Vallejo is the city's only nonprofit, investigative newsroom. With a little over 48 hours to go in #NewsMatch, we are 80% of the way to our $30,000 fundraising goal. Will you help us close the gap with a tax-deductible gift? openvallejo.org/donate
We’re almost halfway to our $30K goal — and the finish line is just eight days away. If you value Open Vallejo’s unique, high-quality accountability reporting, donate today to help us thrive in the new year. #NewsMatch will double your tax-deductible gift!
Donate to Open Vallejo
Support award-winning, nonprofit investigative reporting in Vallejo, a city long burdened by police brutality, corruption, and neglect.
openvallejo.org
December 23, 2025 at 9:01 PM
We’re almost halfway to our $30K goal — and the finish line is just eight days away. If you value Open Vallejo’s unique, high-quality accountability reporting, donate today to help us thrive in the new year. #NewsMatch will double your tax-deductible gift!
Open Vallejo is the city's only nonprofit newsroom. Our high-quality investigative reporting is 100% reader supported, meaning we publish information that serves the public, not advertisers or political interests.
Donate today, and your tax-deductible gift will be matched up to $1,000.
Donate today, and your tax-deductible gift will be matched up to $1,000.
Donate to Open Vallejo
Support award-winning, nonprofit investigative reporting in Vallejo, a city long burdened by police brutality, corruption, and neglect.
openvallejo.org
December 16, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Open Vallejo is the city's only nonprofit newsroom. Our high-quality investigative reporting is 100% reader supported, meaning we publish information that serves the public, not advertisers or political interests.
Donate today, and your tax-deductible gift will be matched up to $1,000.
Donate today, and your tax-deductible gift will be matched up to $1,000.
It’s #GivingNewsDay at Open Vallejo. For five years, we’ve provided Solano County with meticulous accountability reporting on public safety, government, and more as the region’s only nonprofit investigative newsroom.
NewsMatch will match your tax-deductible gift up to $1,000: openvallejo.org/donate
NewsMatch will match your tax-deductible gift up to $1,000: openvallejo.org/donate
December 3, 2025 at 12:33 AM
It’s #GivingNewsDay at Open Vallejo. For five years, we’ve provided Solano County with meticulous accountability reporting on public safety, government, and more as the region’s only nonprofit investigative newsroom.
NewsMatch will match your tax-deductible gift up to $1,000: openvallejo.org/donate
NewsMatch will match your tax-deductible gift up to $1,000: openvallejo.org/donate
In a newly released deposition, former Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams said he resigned after the city failed to investigate a series of anonymous threats against him and alleged that the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office tried to intimidate him over his testimony.
Former Vallejo police chief says city ignored threats
Former Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams resigned after receiving a series of anonymous threats, according to newly-released deposition testimony. He is the latest in a string of former city offici...
openvallejo.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:30 PM
In a newly released deposition, former Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams said he resigned after the city failed to investigate a series of anonymous threats against him and alleged that the Vallejo City Attorney’s Office tried to intimidate him over his testimony.
Reposted by Open Vallejo
EXCLUSIVE: The Solano County District Attorney's Office wants to shield video of the most recent Vallejo police shooting from public view, despite a state law mandating its release. Open Vallejo has obtained the unredacted recordings. Watch the video here.
Vallejo police shot a man amid a mental health crisis. Here is the footage the DA refuses to release.
The Solano County District Attorney's Office wants to shield video of the most recent Vallejo police shooting from public view, despite a state law mandating its release. Open Vallejo has obtained the...
openvallejo.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:31 AM
EXCLUSIVE: The Solano County District Attorney's Office wants to shield video of the most recent Vallejo police shooting from public view, despite a state law mandating its release. Open Vallejo has obtained the unredacted recordings. Watch the video here.
Today and every day, our nonprofit newsroom is ready to cover the stories that need to be told.
If you value our local investigative reporting, will you contribute to Open Vallejo during our #NewsMatch campaign? Your gift will be matched up to $1,000!
Thank you! Donate here: openvallejo.org/donate
If you value our local investigative reporting, will you contribute to Open Vallejo during our #NewsMatch campaign? Your gift will be matched up to $1,000!
Thank you! Donate here: openvallejo.org/donate
Donate to Open Vallejo
Support award-winning, nonprofit investigative reporting in Vallejo, a city long burdened by police brutality, corruption, and neglect.
openvallejo.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Today and every day, our nonprofit newsroom is ready to cover the stories that need to be told.
If you value our local investigative reporting, will you contribute to Open Vallejo during our #NewsMatch campaign? Your gift will be matched up to $1,000!
Thank you! Donate here: openvallejo.org/donate
If you value our local investigative reporting, will you contribute to Open Vallejo during our #NewsMatch campaign? Your gift will be matched up to $1,000!
Thank you! Donate here: openvallejo.org/donate
EXCLUSIVE: The Solano County District Attorney's Office wants to shield video of the most recent Vallejo police shooting from public view, despite a state law mandating its release. Open Vallejo has obtained the unredacted recordings. Watch the video here.
Vallejo police shot a man amid a mental health crisis. Here is the footage the DA refuses to release.
The Solano County District Attorney's Office wants to shield video of the most recent Vallejo police shooting from public view, despite a state law mandating its release. Open Vallejo has obtained the...
openvallejo.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:31 AM
EXCLUSIVE: The Solano County District Attorney's Office wants to shield video of the most recent Vallejo police shooting from public view, despite a state law mandating its release. Open Vallejo has obtained the unredacted recordings. Watch the video here.
Open Vallejo has compiled a shareable list of places to get free groceries in Vallejo.
The federal government will fund only partial food stamp benefits this month, the Trump administration said in court filings Monday.
See the list: openvallejo.org/2025/10/31/w...
The federal government will fund only partial food stamp benefits this month, the Trump administration said in court filings Monday.
See the list: openvallejo.org/2025/10/31/w...
November 3, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Open Vallejo has compiled a shareable list of places to get free groceries in Vallejo.
The federal government will fund only partial food stamp benefits this month, the Trump administration said in court filings Monday.
See the list: openvallejo.org/2025/10/31/w...
The federal government will fund only partial food stamp benefits this month, the Trump administration said in court filings Monday.
See the list: openvallejo.org/2025/10/31/w...
Today kicks off our #NewsMatch campaign!
There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your tax-deductible donation is DOUBLED!
Will you show your support today?
There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your tax-deductible donation is DOUBLED!
Will you show your support today?
Donate to Open Vallejo
Support award-winning, nonprofit investigative reporting in Vallejo, a city long burdened by police brutality, corruption, and neglect.
openvallejo.org
November 2, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Today kicks off our #NewsMatch campaign!
There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your tax-deductible donation is DOUBLED!
Will you show your support today?
There’s never been a more critical time to stand up for nonprofit newsrooms like ours. Through 12/31, the impact of your tax-deductible donation is DOUBLED!
Will you show your support today?
Local nutrition assistance organizations have already seen an increase in need, and are preparing for more amid a potential cutoff of food aid on Saturday. Here is where to find free groceries, how Solano County's efforts compare to those of its neighbors, and how to help.
Where Vallejo finds free groceries amid federal shutdown
Local organizations have already seen an increase in need, and are preparing for more amid a potential cutoff of food aid.
openvallejo.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Local nutrition assistance organizations have already seen an increase in need, and are preparing for more amid a potential cutoff of food aid on Saturday. Here is where to find free groceries, how Solano County's efforts compare to those of its neighbors, and how to help.
Vallejo immigrant rights groups braced for raids as warning flyers appeared downtown on Friday. By this afternoon, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced that federal authorities had canceled sweeping plans for operations across the greater Bay Area.
Bay Area immigration surge called off, officials say
Organizations serving Vallejo immigrant communities braced for federal agents to flood the Bay Area this week, as flyers warning of expected immigration raids appeared on buildings downtown. But on Fr...
openvallejo.org
October 25, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Vallejo immigrant rights groups braced for raids as warning flyers appeared downtown on Friday. By this afternoon, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee announced that federal authorities had canceled sweeping plans for operations across the greater Bay Area.
Vallejo Police Department Critical Incident Review Board member Phillip Balbuena resigned one day after Open Vallejo reported on his online comments and those of another commissioner, which experts said threatened the integrity of the oversight process.
Vallejo police oversight official resigns over online posts
Phillip Balbuena, who served as a member of the Vallejo Police Department’s Critical Incident Review Board, stepped down on Sept. 30, one day after Open Vallejo reported on his online commentary and t...
openvallejo.org
October 17, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Vallejo Police Department Critical Incident Review Board member Phillip Balbuena resigned one day after Open Vallejo reported on his online comments and those of another commissioner, which experts said threatened the integrity of the oversight process.
Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, blocked the administration’s attempt to sidestep an earlier order finding protests in Oregon were “not significantly violent or disruptive” enough to justify federalizing the Oregon National Guard.
Federal judge blocks deployment of California Guard to Portland
Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, blocked the administration’s attempt to sidestep an earlier order finding protests in Oregon were “not significantly violent or disruptive” enough to justify f...
openvallejo.org
October 6, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, blocked the administration’s attempt to sidestep an earlier order finding protests in Oregon were “not significantly violent or disruptive” enough to justify federalizing the Oregon National Guard.
Solano County will pay $17 million to resolve a “historic” civil rights lawsuit involving the sheriff’s office, as supervisors approve an $11.2 million contract to deploy deputies in Vallejo.
Amid $17 million settlement, sheriff to expand Vallejo patrols
Solano County will pay $17 million to resolve a “historic” civil rights lawsuit, as supervisors approve an $11.2 million contract to deploy sheriff’s deputies in Vallejo.
openvallejo.org
October 1, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Solano County will pay $17 million to resolve a “historic” civil rights lawsuit involving the sheriff’s office, as supervisors approve an $11.2 million contract to deploy deputies in Vallejo.
The comments, about the shooting of a man suffering a mental health crisis in the back, included praise for officers’ marksmanship. A national use-of-force expert called the commentary “wildly inappropriate,” while Vallejo’s mayor called for one official’s “immediate removal” from the investigation.
Vallejo officials’ online comments cloud police shooting review
The comments, about the shooting of a man suffering a mental health crisis, included praise for officers’ marksmanship and a determination that they had “no choice” but to shoot him in the back. A nat...
openvallejo.org
September 30, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The comments, about the shooting of a man suffering a mental health crisis in the back, included praise for officers’ marksmanship. A national use-of-force expert called the commentary “wildly inappropriate,” while Vallejo’s mayor called for one official’s “immediate removal” from the investigation.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials released the recommendations as part of the state’s newly formed health alliance with Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.
California releases vaccine recommendations as CDC shifts policy
Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials released the recommendations as part of the state’s newly formed health alliance with Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.
openvallejo.org
September 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials released the recommendations as part of the state’s newly formed health alliance with Oregon, Washington and Hawaii.
Police video and court proceedings revealed new details of the shooting, even as officials seek to prevent further disclosures.
New details emerge in Aug. 29 Vallejo police shooting
Police video and court proceedings revealed new details of the shooting, even as officials seek to prevent further disclosures.
openvallejo.org
September 18, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Police video and court proceedings revealed new details of the shooting, even as officials seek to prevent further disclosures.