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.

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.

A last minute surge of wild bidding on a lot donated by Marchese Piero Antinori and the Antinori family — relative newcomers to the Napa Valley, although not to winemaking — had the effect of a grand slam in the ninth inning at Auction Napa Valley 2009 Saturday night.

Napa hotel guests could hold the future of Copia in their room keys.

American Canyon families worried about their water bills can relax for now, because the city decided to ease new water use restrictions.

Some were orphaned at a young age, placed in foster care or faced health problems, language barriers and teenage pregnancies. Others made wrong choices, getting involved in drugs and alcohol and dropping out of high school.

Federal surplus commodities, including grapefruit juice, rice, tuna, pinto beans, vegetable oil, spaghetti and tomato sauce will be distributed to low-income Napa County residents.

Three people suffered minor injuries Friday in a four-vehicle crash on Highway 12 east of Kirkland Ranch, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A hiking trip at Stanislaus National Forest ended on a cold but happy note for a group of seventh-grade students from Napa’s Stone Bridge Charter School on Friday. Tuolumne County emergency crews rescued the group of more than 30 students, teachers and chaperones after they got caught in a snowstorm early Friday morning.

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.