It happens all the time. A business that started out small draws the interest of larger competitors by gaining more and more market share — resulting in an acquisition.

The merger between Vintage Bank’s parent company and Umpqua Holding Corporation is not the only recent change in Napa’s financial sector.

The rumor mill says a Ritz-Carlton, one of the most prestigious names in the hotel business, is coming to Napa’s Oxbow District, but confirmation is hard to come by.

A bill to give Napa County dibs on purchasing Skyline Park from the state cleared its first legislative hurdle this week when it was approved by the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization.

Gary Woodruff, a parent of two Vintage High School students, is concerned about a decrease in arts education at the school.

Calistoga High School’s student leadership class is helping sponsoring a big blood drive Monday at the high school. Aside from the knowledge they may be helping save lives, donors will also receive a free T-shirt, while supplies last.

A big-rig overturned on Highway 128 east of Silverado Trail Thursday afternoon, causing moderate injuries to the driver, whose name was not available at press time. The truck caught fire after it skidded down a 30-foot embankment and landed in the creek. The driver was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

The widespread outcry surrounding radio talk show host Don Imus worked its way clear to Napa, where the station carrying him now has a gap in its lineup.

Fire investigators are sifting through debris to determine the cause of a fire that destroyed a garage and damaged a home in Napa early Friday morning.