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 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.

The Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency voted Wednesday morning to retain Veolia Transportation to run local transit services, including the VINE, VINE Go and small city shuttles, for the next five years.

Napa City and County Public Safety agencies will be working this July 4 to keep residents safe. Public safety officials say the Fourth of July typically brings a higher number of emergency calls, usually involving incidents related to alcohol. Public safety folks want the public to remember a few tips to make it past July 4:

It won’t overshadow Macy’s Thanksgiving Day extravaganza in New York City, but it won’t be an embarrassment either.

A hard-fought battle against pay cuts for workers who care for the infirm finally came to an end this week, with care workers on the winning side.

The Yountville Town Council this week approved a one-year labor agreement with the Yountville Employee Association, the town’s principal employee bargaining union. The contract, already ratified by the union, runs through June 30, 2010, and provides no cost-of-living adjustments to employees. Key provisions of the labor agreement include modifications to the medical plan for retirees. The program will now require a minimum vesting term in order to be eligible for paid medical benefits after retirement. Employees must work for 20 years to receive 100 percent payment.

The Town of Yountville has announced the appointment of Graham Wadsworth as public works director and town engineer. Selected from more than 25 applicants, Wadsworth currently works for the city of Pinole as assistant city engineer, where he has worked on projects such as the $3 million Pinole Creek Demonstration Project, a $1.4 million solar panel system project, a $1.2 million pavement project, and several sewer system projects.

Responding to a Wednesday night prowler call, Napa police arrested a 22-year-old man who allegedly had taken a garage door opener from a resident’s vehicle.

Gregory A. Wright, 38, of Napa was booked at the county jail Wednesday afternoon after he was stopped by Vallejo police while driving a vehicle reported stolen Tuesday in Napa, local police said.

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.

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.