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.

Calistoga police identified a Napa man Tuesday suspected of killing a Calistoga man on Monday.

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge in San Francisco says he’s disinclined to suspend California’s voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage while a lawsuit challenging it proceeds in his court.

Lake Luciana developers delivered a blistering letter to the Napa County Board of Supervisors this week, signaling their intent to sue the county over the decision to reject the championship golf course proposed for Pope Valley.

The two largest Napa public high schools’ career centers may survive budget cuts, but they will do less.

Standing behind four glass cookie jars lined up under a yellow and black market tent, Anne Marie Parker Baker jokes that her new middle name is “the.”

Rodney Friedrich, who’s been trying to build a hotel in South St. Helena since the early days of the Reagan administration, is living proof that persistence pays off.

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

SACRAMENTO — The California Senate shut down at midnight Tuesday after failing to approve a stopgap plan to stave off the need for IOUs and ease the state’s $24.3 billion budget deficit.

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

A facial reconstruction bust of a woman whose body was found dumped alongside a Lake Berryessa roadway nearly two months ago has led to the identification of the woman.

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.

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a fiscal emergency to address California’s deficit and has ordered state offices closed three days a month to save cash.

A 26-year-old Calistoga man was shot and killed early Monday morning on North Oak Street in Calistoga, marking the first reported murder in Calistoga in 22 years.

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.

Wheeling around the big top — Memo Perez of American Crown Circus’ Circo Osorio performs with his unicycles as the traveling circus makes its yearly stop at the Napa Expo for three days of shows.