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.

• Napa County Assessor John Tuteur and staff are working to review all properties that may have declined in value as of Jan. 1, 2009. A property’s assessed value determines the amount of annual property tax the owner pays. All single family homes in the municipalities and homes in the unincorporated area on less than five acres are being reviewed without the owner needing to contact the assessor. Owners of other residential, commercial or industrial properties are urged to contact the assessor if they believe the value of the property had declined by Jan. 1, 2009, to a level below its factored base-year value as shown on the 2008-2009 property tax bill. Owners can contact Tuteur at 253-4459 or jtuteur@co.napa.ca.us. Results of the decline in value review will be sent to property owners in July 2009.

Is there any ordinance against someone sleeping in a vehicle in the driveway of their house or on the street?

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.

Dan Monez of Napa Valley TV produced a series of videos with Dr. Karen Smith, Napa County's public health officer, to explain what Swine Flu is, what precautions have been taken in Napa County and what people can do to protect themselves from the virus.

Napa County has its first confirmed case of the H1N1 virus, otherwise known as Swine Flu. A 41-year-old woman tested positive for the virus through results received Wednesday by the county public health department.

OAKLAND — A former BART officer who grew up in Napa and is accused of murdering an unarmed man at an Oakland train station will stand trial Oct. 13, and his lawyer is asking to move the emotionally charged case to another city.

St. Helena police arrested two juvenile suspects in a Wednesday night gang attack after one of the youths reportedly pulled a knife on a officer.

The Napa dispatch center will be getting a new phone system that will allow it to directly receive 911 calls from cell phones. The system should begin receiving its first wireless calls in the fall, with a phase-in period of six months before calls from all areas are accommodated, the fire department reported.

American Canyon’s city clerk, Dorothy Roadman, was hired Tuesday to take the same job in Napa.

Many of the city of Napa’s part-time workers now have their own union. The Napa City Council approved the formation of the bargaining unit Tuesday.

The Napa City Council awarded a $292,164 contract Tuesday to Hess Concrete Construction Inc. of American Canyon to build a plaza behind the Napa Valley Opera House.

Dan Krainert, Napa’s most celebrated heart transplant patient, died at Queen of the Valley Medical Tuesday evening after living for 28 and a half years with the heart of a Camp Pendleton Marine.

State Sen. Patricia Wiggins, D–Santa Rosa, announced Wednesday that she will take a voluntary pay cut and give back her state-financed car in recognition of the state budget crisis.

Two Santa Rosa Democrats are vying for a seat in the state Assembly to represent the district that includes Napa County.

Napa's City Council adopted higher garbage rates Tuesday night, while urging customers to beat the increase by downsizing their household waste carts.

Happy feet on the promenade — Curtis Antoque, left, and Patty Floyd dance while listening to the band Four Shotz during Napa City Nights at Veteran’s Memorial Park. The free weekly concert series continues on Friday with the bands CRV, The Treatment and Lily Wilson. Jorgen Gulliksen/Register

LIGHT AND SHADOW — He’s not behind bars, it just looks that way. A worker at the CVS pharmacy under construction at Coombs Street and Imola Avenue paints an exterior wall as the store nears completion. Company officials said the pharmacy is slated to open later this year.