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.

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

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

A summertime ritual for many locals and tourists is to flock to one of the three state parks in Napa County, where they can hike, swim and picnic. Those visits are expected to come to an abrupt end by Labor Day.

American Canyon is setting the stage to annex the Eucalyptus Grove at the city’s northwestern edge to build an emergency detour for Highway 29.

Napa County wants to find out what it knows and what it doesn’t about its underground aquifers, and is drilling through the data to get a clear assessment of the water supply under the heart of the valley.

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.