The proposed Ritz-Carlton hotel should meet tough green building standards even if it comes up for approval before the city of Napa has adopted an ordinance mandating energy-conservation.

He’s been called trailblazer, visionary and icon.

A grass fire blackened 20 to 25 acres on Thursday afternoon off North Kelly Road in south Napa County.

Travelers leaving Napa County for points west this weekend might want to reconsider their plans or routes. A major NASCAR event at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma County promises to snarl traffic on highways 37 and 121 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, more than 100,000 spectators are expected for the race./Register

Napa County will gain $315,000 from settlement of a lawsuit with Safeway Markets over civil charges of health, building code and weight-and-measures violations.

The city of Napa is going to spend $165,000 for a year-long study of its recreation needs.

The Napa Planning Commission endorsed a $200 million Ritz-Carlton hotel Thursday night, saying it would be an economic boon to the city with acceptable impacts on the Alta Heights neighborhood.

Federal regulators have rejected a request to designate east Napa as the Tulocay viticultural area, saying the name does not have enough general recognition or support among local vintners.