WASHINGTON — A federal jury today convicted a Vallejo woman of running a high-end prostitution ring that catered to members of Washington’s political elite.

April is a time of pageants, and that includes picking the queen and princesses who will preside over the Cinco de Mayo celebration next month in Calistoga.

Two hotel proposals — a 196-room Kimpton property on Solano Avenue and a 164-room expansion of the Meritage Resort at Napa Valley Corporate Park — will have public hearings before the Napa Planning Commission Thursday.

Napa is hiring a consultant to analyze the city’s current and future office needs and come up with a plan for a new city hall.

In the aftermath of last December’s public hearing on downtown homelessness, Napa has begun teaming up with the county, community groups, neighbors and businesses on possible solutions.

Two hotel proposals — a 196-room Kimpton on Solano Avenue and a 164-room expansion of the Meritage Resort at Napa Valley Corporate Park — will have public hearings before the Napa Planning Commission Thursday.

Housing starts in the city of Napa fell to a 10-year low in 2007, the city reported.

In 2003, Kari Worth seemed to have it all — the wife and mother of a 1-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy was enjoying a new career as a freelance management consultant.

After wrestling for five years with a bitter noise dispute between Butter Cream Bakery and piano teacher Rick Esser, the Napa City Council Tuesday sided again with the bakery.