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.

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.

Calistoga Police Chief Jonathan Mills stated this afternoon police believe a small blue compact car may be involved with today's murder in Calistoga.

Monday is a Spare the Air day in the Bay Area, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

A weekend brush fire that burned 20 acres was in an area that was quite difficult for fire crews to reach.

"I have a question ... in this new heat wave, my friends and I have been trying to think of things to do (other than swimming, because only one of us has a pool).

A 25-year-old American Canyon man could spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder in Santa Rosa.

A Napa home has received major damage in a mid-afternoon fire.

A motorcyclist is being treated for serious internal injuries after he skidded into a ditch on Silverado Trail early this morning.

Novato administrator Mary Neilan will become St. Helena’s new city manager on Aug. 3.

SACRAMENTO — With the threat of IOUs just days away, Democratic and Republican lawmakers show no sign of compromise in their efforts to close California’s $24.3 billion deficit.

Among the men and women who sought a dry place to stay at Napa County’s winter shelter were a longtime homeless disabled veteran and a chronic alcoholic who has been clean and sober for more than two months.

Wheeling around the big top — Memo Perez of American Crown Circus’ Circo Osorio performs with his unicycles as the traveling circus makes its yearly stop at the Napa Expo for three days of shows.