Reporter

Thomas Gase

Been working at the Times-Herald full time since early 2011, was a stringer from 2001-2004 while in college at San Francisco State where I studied Journalism. Have worked as a copy editor and sportswriter since 2011. Fan of Dodgers, Angels, Lakers, Kings and Raiders.

Two structures for offices and a parking lot have been built at the Scott’s Valley Casino project off Columbus Parkway in Vallejo. The project is currently in litigation with other tribes against the building of the new casino in Vallejo. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)

Plan for new Bay Area casino faces scrutiny amid shifting gaming operations

December 11, 2025 at 10:39 a.m.

The Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ plan to build a 160-acre casino in Vallejo is drawing heightened scrutiny and now the pace of how the project can legally be...

Bay Area fire department engineer dies at 41 from job-related cancer

November 6, 2025 at 8:54 a.m.

The Fairfield Fire Department announced that retired Fairfield Fire Engineer Chris Bell died at the age of 41 on Tuesday morning from job-related occupational cancer.

Crime scene tape surrounds the scene where a small plane crashed in Philadelphia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Vallejo suffers 15th homicide of year with Tuesday night shooting

October 16, 2025 at 11:07 a.m.

The victim suffered from at least one gunshot wound and was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

San Jose State University's Science building, constructed in 1955, is among the campus buildings included on the Preservation Action Council's "Endangered 8" list for 2025 because of plans to eventually tear down and replace the building. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)

Newsom signs bill to automatically admit qualified graduates to CSU system

October 9, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.

SB 640 takes effect beginning with the 2026–27 academic year.

Missing woman found dead in wall of Vallejo home

October 2, 2025 at 10:05 a.m.

During search of the home, police discovered a concealed entry into the attic, where they located the remains of 28-year-old Renia Lewis.

Artist’s drawing of possible Indian casino in Vallejo. (Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians files)

Tribe behind proposed Bay Area casino breaks ground on homes, offices as legal fight continues

September 25, 2025 at 6:39 a.m.

Officials say when gaming eligibility is reinstated, construction on casino will begin although timeline is 'unclear' due to litigation

While working a crime scene in 2014, former Vallejo Police Captain John Whitney, wearing a hood, stands next to Officer Kent Tribble, center, who testified to starting the badge-bending ritual. Whitney, who exposed the scandal, was recently awarded $900,000 in a lawsuit with the city of Vallejo. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)

California Supreme Court denies Vallejo’s bid to conceal badge-bending police officers

September 19, 2025 at 7:35 a.m.

Allegations surfaced 5 years ago that a secretive group of cops “commemorated fatal shootings with beers, backyard barbecues, and by bending the points of their badges each time they kill[ed]...

Benicia leaders are working diligently to prepare for the possible and likely closure of the Valero refinery, expected in April. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)

Benicia can proceed with Valero refinery closure, city official says

September 16, 2025 at 10:05 a.m.

Valero's Benicia petroleum refinery is one of 15 it has in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Its closure is anticipated to significantly impact California fuel prices.

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2016, file photo, a ride share car displays Lyft and Uber stickers on its front windshield in downtown Los Angeles. A California appeals court ruled Monday, March 13, 2023, that a voter-backed initiative exempting Uber and Lyft from a key provision of state employment law is constitutional, a reversal of a lower court decision that marks a win for the ride-hailing giants. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

Bill to cut fares for Uber and Lyft heads to Gov. Newsom’s desk

September 12, 2025 at 6:21 a.m.

The bill aims to reduce the cost of rideshare services for Californians by removing the requirement that rideshare drivers carry $1 million in coverage for accidents caused by other drivers...

Students walk near the Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley campus in Berkeley, Calif.(Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group File Photo)

Bill to automatically admit California high school seniors to state universities heads to Gov. Newsom

September 11, 2025 at 6:40 a.m.

State Senator Cabaldon’s legislation to automatically admit every qualifying high school senior in California to the California State University cleared its final vote in the Legislature and now heads to...

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