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.

We received a lot of photos from the Fourth of July parade, so please be patient while the photo gallery loads.

A memorial service is set for Thursday for Luis Octavio Carrillo, who was shot and killed in Calistoga early Monday morning.

Just hours after Napa County Sheriff’s investigators displayed an artist’s facial reconstruction of a woman whose bones were found in a remote area of Lake Berryessa on Mother’s Day, the victim’s daughter contacted investigators and solved the mystery.

Using a facial reconstruction bust, local law enforcement was able to identify a woman whose body was dumped at Lake Berryessa and found in May 2009.

The Napa Downtown Trolley died an unceremonious death Wednesday morning.

Starting in January, it will cost 10 cents more for most passengers to ride VINE buses.

The VINE’s Route 11 between Calistoga and Santa Rosa will continue to operate while Upvalley cities consider helping to cover some of the costs.

Napa County Avoid the 9 DUI Campaign Task Force officers will be out in full force during the Fourth of July holiday, cracking down on drunken drivers.

Members of the Napa area California Highway Patrol, Napa County Sheriff’s Department and Napa, American Canyon, St. Helena and Calistoga police  were honored at a recent luncheon presented by Mothers Against Drunk Driving at the Lodge in Sonoma. MADD honored the officers, as well as others from Sonoma, Solano and Marin counties, for the number of arrests they made for driving under the influence in 2008.

An American Canyon man was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence Tuesday after getting into an argument with his wife, according to police.

Jason Salinas, 26, of Napa was booked into Napa County jail Monday on suspicion of kidnapping, domestic battery and parole violation.

On Tuesday at around 10:30 p.m., Geovanni Soto Munoz, 25, was stopped for a traffic violation at Soscol and Lincoln avenues.

Napa firefighters quickly extinguished a small fire at a West Park Elementary School storage building around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Wes, a 63-year homeless ex-felon with diabetes, high blood pressure and a bum knee, left his camp before dawn and hobbled nearly two miles to the Napa police station.

Napa Mayor Jill Techel is considering a run for Napa County supervisor next year in what could shape up to be at least a three-way battle with incumbent Brad Wagenknecht and former Napa Police Chief Dan Monez.

A Napa city water main broke in west Napa Thursday afternoon at about 5 p.m., disrupting service for residential customers and causing minor damage to two apartments.

Notes and quotes for a WEDNESDAY in the Napa Valley: Napa County Supervisor Bill Dodd, left, shares a laugh with longtime Napa Valley Register sports writer Marty James who was honored at the Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning meeting, with a proclamation for James’ 30 years of service at the Register.