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.

The remains of a woman have been discovered near Lake Berryessa, and investigators are trying to find out who she is.

St. Helena native Lee Pierce has decided to vie for the Assembly seat of Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, whose term ends next year and cannot run for re-election.

According to those who saw it, Napa’s Fourth of July parade last year qualified for Guinness world’s shortest parade honors.

In a decision that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago, the St. Helena City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to allow the Napa Valley Wine Train to make stops in St. Helena.

A Copia creditor filed a class action lawsuit Wednesday against Copia’s bond insurer and two banks involved with Napa’s bankrupt center for food, wine and the arts.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 23-year-old Oakland man who was found walking along Highway 29 near South Kelly Road Wednesday morning with a loaded handgun in his backpack.

A 26-year-old Napa man was arrested for violation of probation Wednesday morning after a citizen reported he had made unauthorized purchases on a credit card, Napa police reported.

Frank F. Folster, 20, 4474 Dumas St., was taken into custody Wednesday morning after Napa police searched his room while investigating another call. Folster was booked for investigation of possession of an illegal drug, ecstasy, and possession of ammunition. Both allegations are probation violations, Sgt. Mike Hensley said.

The California Highway Patrol investigated a minor injury collision between two pickups Thursday morning on Silverado Trail near Chimney Rock Winery. The accident was reported at 5:12 a.m. Both vehicles were towed.

Princess Chelsea, crowned the ugliest dog in the world, will be making a star turn in Napa this Saturday as part of a launch party for author Hillary Homzie’s tween novel, “Things Are Gonna Get Ugly.” The event is at Copperfield’s Books from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, June 13.

They’re technically adults now, but Vintage High School’s graduating seniors will always be their parents’ children. Just ask Anne Base, mother of Shannon Base, her 18-year-old middle child and one of Vintage’s most recent graduates.

A blue silhouette beneath the Memorial Stadium bleachers, John Baker was waiting for the Napa High School graduation ceremony to begin Wednesday afternoon when he was jolted with the realization: Once he crossed that stage, everything would change.

The June 11 Business Buzz column on page A4 misstated the business affiliation of one person honored as the Napa Chamber of Commerce’s outstanding people of the year. The column also failed to include the last name of a Wolfe Center executive. The chamber’s Outstanding Community Booster, Gary Rose, works with Heritage Sotheby’s International Realtors. The executive director of the Wolfe Center is Cindy Goodale.

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.