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.

We are offering readers a chance this year to have their Independence Day photos displayed on our Web site for the entire week ater the celebration. Napa has its parade on the 4th, so send us your photos of the parade and we'll put them up right here.

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.

More than half of the 80 or so Napa Valley Unified School District teachers who received preliminary layoff notices this spring will hang on to their jobs in the 2009-10 school year, thanks to a mix of good timing and federal stimulus money.

Over the objections of St. Helena parents concerned about the stewardship of local schools, St. Helena Unified School District Board of Trustees went ahead with a plan to award retirement packages to six teachers and two administrators.

After 30 years of wrangling over whether Napa Valley Wine Train should allow passengers to disembark in St. Helena, the first passengers finally touched St. Helena soil on Friday night.

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.

It’s a family affair at the Gaia Hotel in American Canyon, where Artemis and Apollo became proud parents on June 4. But the five baby swans, or cygnets, are expected to leave the nest soon. The pond at the Gaia won’t support everyone in the family, and hotel staffers are seeking good homes for the young ’uns. For more information, call 674-2100.