On June 1, the Napa Police Department, Napa City Fire Department, Napa County Sheriff’s Office, Calistoga Police Department and the California Highway Patrol launched a free  community information service called Nixle. Using Nixle, these agencies can notify residents in real time when there are public safety emergencies, traffic advisories, crime trends, safety tips and public safety agency special events. Like Twitter, messages are sent to cell phones, e-mails or other Web-enabled devices that allow instant access to information. Nixle allows subscribers to follow agencies in multiple locations, so not only can you follow your home area but also follow any area where you may have family or friends. As Nixle grows, more areas are added monthly. This service is completely free to Napa County residents, except for any charges you may incur for receiving text messages.

• The County Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a hearing on the County’s Housing Element at 10 a.m. today at the Board of Supervisors Chambers, 1195 Third St. in Napa.

After eight months of planning, construction should start this month on the $65 million Wine Train relocation contract, flood control officials said Tuesday.

The city of American Canyon will have to dip into its reserves to maintain the same level of services next fiscal year, city officials said Tuesday, but no city staff layoffs are expected.

Even if the California Legislature siphons off several million dollars to balance the state budget, Napa expects no layoffs or service cutbacks over the next two years.

OAKLAND — A judge ruled Thursday that a former BART police officer should stand trial on murder charges in the fatal shooting of an unarmed man on a train platform.

The Napa Valley Register and NapaValleyRegister.com publishes monthly statistics on arrests and convictions for driving under the influence — and so-called “wet reckless” convictions — in Napa County.

Napa will use a special pot of federal stimulus money to improve play equipment at two parks and contribute to the salary of an intake worker at the battered women’s shelter.

Yountville is preparing to launch a one-month capital improvement project to resurface Jefferson and Pedroni streets, as well as portions of Yount Street and Oak Circle.

• A June 3 front page article on the closing of New Vine Logistics inaccurately listed Clos du Val Napa Valley as a current New Vine client. It is a former client.

Boaters make their way down the Napa River past The Riverfront development on Wednesday afternoon.

Napa artist Gordon Huether smiles at the unveiling of his sculpture ‘Barrel of Leggy Fun’ on the Coombs Street side of the Fifth Street garage on Wednesday afternoon.