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.

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.

The Napa Valley Unified School District approved the appointment of two new high school principals Thursday night.

SACRAMENTO — California’s unemployment rate climbed to 11.5 percent in May, the highest in modern record-keeping, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Friday, while Napa County's rate dipped to its lowest in four months.

Napa County is seeking state legislation that would allow local cities to swap affordable housing requirements with the county in exchange for pay.

Rebuffing critics who wanted additional environmental impact studies and tougher strategies for encouraging affordable housing, the Napa City Council adopted a new housing plan Tuesday to guide the city through 2014.

Traffic snarls are likely this weekend for drivers leaving Napa for Marin County and San Francisco because of the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.

The peacocks that have been haunting the east side of St. Helena have been caught and are headed for a good home.

Longtime American Canyon residents remember the grassy mound near the wetlands that border town as the spot where trucks hauled garbage from Napa, American Canyon and Vallejo until the mid-1990s.

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