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.

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.

1. Iraqi forces assumed control of their country Tuesday, ending the U.S. combat role. What date has President Obama set for withdrawing all U.S. forces from Iraq?

Local high school athletes — or their parents — will soon be covering their own transportation costs to games and sports events, the Napa Valley Unified School District board of trustees decided at its latest meeting.

The history books have it all wrong. For Napa County, the Gold Rush wasn’t in 1849. It happened less than 30 years ago in a remote corner of the county ruled by jackrabbits.

Flames destroyed a single-story home on Tucker Road in Calistoga Sunday afternoon causing an estimated $125,000 worth of damage.

Foam insulation from a 40-foot tall wine tank at Sutter Home Winery in St. Helena caught fire Saturday after embers fell from permitted fireworks that were being tested, according to CalFire and St. Helena Fire Chief Kevin Twohey.

Fifteen customers lost power Saturday afternoon after a tree limb fell on power lines near Napa Valley Expo, according to Napa Fire and PG&E.

The Napa-Solano Audubon and Katey Taylor, a viticulturist for Icon Estates Wines, are working on a project to promote habitat restoration in vineyards, agricultural lands and beyond.

A Napa man was arrested Friday on suspicion of methamphetamine possession and child endangerment, according to Napa Police Department.

A Napa woman was sent to jail on Friday after police found methamphetamine and narcotics obtained without prescription inside her car parked at the Silverado Resort, Napa police reported Saturday.

What a difference a year makes for Fourth of July festivities in Napa.

Napans were treated to an hour-long patriotic procession that started on Third Street and headed downtown to Main Street and back filled with people, horses, floats and vehicles. Parade sponsor Napa Sunrise Rotary bestowed it with a theme of Let Freedom Ring that welcomed the participants to be one of the 59 floats that comprised the event.

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.