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Carlos Villatoro articles
Carlos Villatoro is Napa Valley Register's weekend reporter. Carlos can be reached at cvillatoro@napanews.com
November 16th, 2009
Screams, giggles at the library as teens present scary filmsThere was something eerie about the Napa City-County Library Friday evening. The quiet rustle of turning pages was replaced by scary music, screams and a few giggles that came from the crowd of 30 or so teenagers and their relatives who gathered at the library to watch scary movies.
Shoot 'em upTrap shooting can be a blast, but throw a turkey in the mix and it becomes the means to a Thanksgiving dinner.
November 15th, 2009
Fair highlights street painting vs. 'tagging'To some people, graffiti is a form of vandalism; To others it’s an art form that takes passion and dedication to pull off. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, 10 street artists made a strong case for the latter at the Montana Street Art Extravaganza held at Napa Valley Art Supplies on California Boulevard.
Napa teens jailed after car stolenTwo Napa teenagers went to jail Saturday night on suspicion of vehicle theft.
November 10th, 2009
Parole violation arrestA Napa man went to jail Sunday evening after violating his parole.
At Napa's Latino markets, owners and shoppers feel the pinchIt’s a busy Saturday afternoon at La Morenita Market in Napa — parking spaces are scarce, customers file in and out of the Jefferson Street store, cash registers beep and Ramon Gonzalez patiently waits in line to send some money to relatives in Mexico.
November 9th, 2009
Police looking for assault suspectThe Napa Police Department is looking for the individual who assaulted a woman Thursday evening on Coombs Street, north of Pearl Street.
Napa goes to the dogsMost days, Carpe Diem Champagne, a 3-year-old Anatolian shepherd dog, spends her time herding goats on a 110-acre farm nestled in the Shasta County hamlet of Cottonwood. But over the weekend she traveled to Napa to strut her stuff in front of judges at the Napa Valley Exposition Center during Wine Country Kennel Club’s 53rd and 54th All Breed Dog Shows.
November 8th, 2009
No injuries as mysterious shot fired in American CanyonAmerican Canyon Police and Napa County Sheriff’s deputies descended on a quiet American Canyon neighborhood in response to a report of a person being shot in the area Saturday afternoon.
November 7th, 2009
Fairfield woman arrested in Napa forgery caseNapa police arrested Eleanor Dues, 37 of Fairfield on suspicion of burglary, forgery and being under the influence of a controlled substance Thursday afternoon.
Pregnant woman hurt slightly in Highway 29 accidentA pregnant woman escaped serious injury during a traffic wreck along Highway 29 Friday morning.
Woman jailed after domestic violenceA lovers’ spat landed a Calistoga woman in jail Thursday evening.
November 4th, 2009
Former Register editor Ross Game dead at 80Friends and colleagues of former Napa Valley Register Editor Ross Game, 80, remembered him this week as a steadfast newsman who helped launch the careers of many young journalists, from Napa to Launceston, Australia.
November 3rd, 2009
Dia de los Muertos show honors the dead, colorfullyMiguel Diaz enjoyed the simple things in life — spicy food, a smooth shot of tequila and being around the many animals he tended to on his farm in Jalisco, Mexico.
November 2nd, 2009
Ghouls on the marchThe streets of downtown Napa would have made anyone from the dark side proud Saturday afternoon, as hundreds of ghouls, vampires and zombies — along with princesses and superheroes — turned out for the sixth annual Hometown Halloween Parade.
November 1st, 2009
Moms healing slowly after '04 murdersFive years ago today, Napa awoke after Halloween fun to find a heinous crime had ended the lives of two bright young women who had spent the holiday passing out candy to trick-or-treaters in west Napa.
October 26th, 2009
Arbor Day event leaves a mark at Alston ParkAlston Park became a more welcoming place Saturday morning as dozens of shovel-wielding volunteers gathered to plant three dozen new trees and participate in the city of Napa’s 19th Annual Arbor Day event.
Naked man tasered, arrestedA naked man who was allegedly screaming at cars and aggressively approaching vehicles as he ran on Pinewood Avenue went to jail Saturday evening after being tasered by Napa Police officers.
October 24th, 2009
Bizarre bicycle accident sends woman to hospitalA bizarre bicycle accident sent a Napa woman to the hospital with moderate injuries Saturday morning.
AmCan Robbery prompts school lockdownsAmerican Canyon Police and Napa County Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a man who allegedly robbed Broadway market in American Canyon at gunpoint Friday morning.
October 20th, 2009
Bale Grist Mill event offers window onto valley's pastLife in Napa Valley was simple during the 1850s, but by no means was it easy.
October 19th, 2009
Feathery, furry friendsGeorgie the singing dog normally shows off his vocal chops around his owner’s Lake County home and on Internet sites such as YouTube, but on Sunday afternoon Georgie sung in front of some of his canine companions as well as a cat and a couple of chickens who came out for the 10th annual Blessing of the Animals in Yountville.
October 18th, 2009
A Tea Party at the RegisterNapa Tea Party members gathered at the Napa Valley Register office Saturday morning as part of a nationwide protest against the direction of the federal government and coverage by the news media.
October 13th, 2009
Hundreds turn out for Bi-National Health eventJose Espinoza doesn’t want to get sick this flu season. So on a chilly Sunday afternoon Espinoza was one of about 500 people who attended this year’s Bi-National Health Week Health and Wellness Fair held at Clinic Olé.
October 12th, 2009
Reform limbo in NapaYesenia Cantera looks forward to the day when she can reunite with her husband, Fidel Delacruz. But she doesn’t know if that will happen in this country.
Digging the Roots of Rock 'n' RollThe recipe for a Rockabilly Roundup goes something like this: Take some hip cats and kittens and add some hot-rods, tattoos and a bit of attitude — wrap tightly with some happening rockabilly tunes.
October 11th, 2009
All things ukulele at Beringer festivalBeringer Vineyards became the place to be for all things ukulele Saturday afternoon during the second annual Wine Country Ukulele Festival.
October 10th, 2009
Napa man arrested after probation search for drugsA probation search at a residence on the 2000 block of Wilkins Avenue landed a Napa man and woman in jail Thursday night.
Hidden Valley Lake woman arrested after domestic violenceNapa County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Hidden Valley Lake woman on suspicion of domestic violence early Friday morning.
Arrest in suspected molestation caseAn Angwin man was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of committing lewd acts with a child.
October 9th, 2009
Arrest in suspected molestation caseAn Angwin man was arrested Thursday night on suspicion of lewd acts with a child.
October 7th, 2009
Dance of the AztecsOn a typical day, Sarahid Rivera Vázquez sits behind her desk at Legal Aid Napa Valley’s offices on Second Street and helps people become U.S. citizens. But a couple nights a week and mostly on the weekends, Rivera Vázquez trades in her office attire for that of an Aztec dancer.
October 6th, 2009
Latino leaders say grand jury ignored themLeaders of the valley’s Hispanic community are taking issue with a Napa County Grand Jury report on gangs, saying the grand jury failed to seek their perspective before proposing solutions to gang problems and slamming local efforts to reduce gang violence.
October 5th, 2009
A day at the FirehouseTwo-year-old William Crow doesn’t normally get the opportunity to sit in the driver’s seat of a fire engine, but Sunday was special.
September 27th, 2009
Cookin' in Calistoga with hot cars, foodCalistoga turned up the heat Saturday with hot cars, chili and weather during the 9th annual Cruisin’ Calistoga Car Show held at the Napa County Fairgrounds. Thousands of car lovers came from all over the valley and throughout the Bay Area to admire the rides and taste some chili and pasta that contestants made for the event’s chili and pasta cook-offs.
September 21st, 2009
No falls this autumnAge can do many things to the body, but on Saturday morning a group of proactive senior citizens learned to do some things to keep themselves healthy for the coming years.
September 20th, 2009
A taste of Hawaii - downtownThe sights, sounds and flavors of Hawaii brought some aloha to the valley Saturday during the Second annual Aloha Festival at the Napa Valley Exposition center.
September 19th, 2009
Suspected sex with a minor lands Napa man in jailA 28-year-old Napa man faces possible felony charges of unlawful sexual acts on a child and a misdemeanor charge of child molest. On Friday morning, the Napa Police Department arrested David Lee Binstock on suspicion of the aforementioned crimes.
One hurt in crash on Silverado trailA motorcycle crash along Silverado Trail sent a Napa man to the hospital Thursday afternoon.
Napa woman faces possible charges of identity theftA Napa woman faces possible charges of identity theft for ringing up $2,500 worth of merchandise under another woman’s name, according to police.
Napa burglaryA Napa area resident came home Wednesday to find his home burglarized and hundreds of dollars worth of electronics missing.
September 9th, 2009
Awards banquet benefits Latino studentsTwenty-two years ago, Catalina Chavez-Tapia was a senior at Napa High School who had dreams of going to college. But she also faced significant hurdles, not the least of which was a shortage of money.
Mexican Independence Day celebration at Vets ParkVeterans Memorial Park will be the site of an Independence Day celebration Sunday afternoon as locals prepare the annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day. For Mexican natives living in Napa, as well as those living abroad, the day is akin to the Fourth of July.
September 7th, 2009
Police arrest assault, stabbing suspectsTwo Napa men went to jail early Sunday morning after allegedly beating and stabbing another man in a north Napa neighborhood.
August 29th, 2009
NSIB eradicates pot farm, two arrestedThe Napa Special Investigations Bureau gained some ground on its mission to wipe out pot farms in Napa County.
August 24th, 2009
Vandalism at the QueenA 22-year-old Napa man faces felony vandalism charges after breaking a window at Queen of the Valley Medical Center Friday night.
Teen robbery arrestA 15-year-old Napa boy faces serious charge of robbery according to the Napa Police Department.
August 23rd, 2009
Love affair appears to be at the heart of Calistoga shootingA Calistoga family is struggling to come to terms with the loss of one of their own.
Before murder arrest, Uribe had many clashes with the lawThe man accused of murdering Calistoga resident Octavio Luis Carrillo has a lengthy criminal past tinged with moments of violence, according to Napa County Superior Court records.
August 22nd, 2009
Marijuana bust on Atlas PeakNapa drug agents seized an estimated 3,500 marijuana plants — one which was reported to be seven feet tall — from a pot-growing operation situated in the hills northeast of Napa Friday afternoon.
August 17th, 2009
Parade takes on Town & Country Fair’s personality, theme on final dayA bit of “Farm Fresh Fun!” made its way through parts of Downtown Napa Sunday afternoon during the 2009 Napa Town & Country Fair Parade.
Syar fire causes $250,000 in damageA fire at Syar Industries at 2301 Napa-Vallejo Highway caused $250,000 or more in damage Sunday afternoon. The fire began at an asphalt processing plant at 1:27 p.m., CalFire Battalion Chief Pete Muñoa said.
August 16th, 2009
Home invasion robbery, six arrestedSix Napa residents went to jail Saturday afternoon after reportedly being involved in a home-invasion-style robbery.
Syar fire causes $250,000 in damageA fire at Syar Industries at 2301 Napa-Vallejo Highway caused $250,000 or more in damage Sunday afternoon. The fire began at a asphalt processing plant at 1:27 p.m., CalFire Battalion Chief Pete Muñoa said.
August 3rd, 2009
Crash near Lake HennesseyEmergency crews are working an accident that was reported near the intersection of Lower Chiles Valley Road at Highway 128.
August 2nd, 2009
First Street Bridge reopens after 14 months of constructionIt has been a little over a year now that Napa resident Bruce Beatty has been able to use First Street to visit his sister who lives on the east side of town. But on Saturday afternoon that changed with the re-opening of the First Street Bridge at Silverado Trail.
High-speed chase ends in crash, arrestA high-speed chase in Calistoga ended with the arrest of a Calistoga man Saturday morning.
July 28th, 2009
Fire destroys Angwin homeA fire destroyed an Angwin home on the 400 block of Newton Way Monday morning.
Wild chase in Napa ends in DUI arrestA Napa County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit helped end a wild car chase early Monday that resulted in the arrest of a Fairfield teenager.
July 27th, 2009
Feet forward to fight cancerThe war against cancer can be a long, arduous fight but at the 13th Annual Relay for Life event Saturday it became a bit more winnable as hundreds gathered at Napa Valley College to camp and walk the track in honor and support of cancer patients, survivors and those who have succumbed to it.
Burglary at Wal-MartA 41-year-old Napa man went to jail Saturday night after getting arrested on suspicion of burglary at Wal-Mart Saturday. The Napa Police Department reports that a security guard at Wal-Mart noticed Eloy Jaime Munguia selecting merchandise from the store and concealing it in his clothing around 10:20 p.m.
DUI, probation violationAn alert Napa resident assisted the Napa Police Department with the arrest of a suspected drunk driver Saturday night.
American Canyon woman dies in crashAn American Canyon woman lost her life in a traffic accident along Highway 128 late Saturday afternoon.
July 26th, 2009
Probation violationNapa Police officers arrested Steven Tomas Hubbard, 38, of Napa, on suspicion of violation of probation early Saturday morning.
One person hospitalized after solo crashOne person was hospitalized late Saturday afternoon after a solo-vehicle collision along Highway 128.
Woman plunges down 50-foot cliffAn Arizona woman escaped serious injury after plunging down a 50-foot cliff while riding on an all-terrain vehicle Saturday afternoon.
Beleaguered homeowners may find relief in HAMP loansAnyone having difficulties making monthly mortgage payments may want to take note: A federal program to assist beleaguered homeowners is giving hope to some valley residents.
July 20th, 2009
Man believed drowned at Lake BerryessaNapa County Sheriff’s deputies are using sonar equipment this afternoon to try and locate a Dixon man believed to have drowned at Lake Berryessa Sunday afternoon.
Lake Berryessa fire containedCalFire crews gained the upper hand on a fast-moving grass fire that began Sunday evening. As of 7 a.m., today, firefighters gained full containment of the Steele Canyon Fire that burned 70 acres.
Fight lands Napa man in jailA Napa man faces serious assault charges stemming from a fight Saturday night.
Rash of car thefts plagues NapaCar thieves continued to target neighborhoods surrounding Pueblo Avenue over the weekend as two more vehicles were reported stolen Sunday morning, bringing the total number of stolen cars to 11 since Wednesday.
July 19th, 2009
Domestic violence arrest in NapaA Florida woman spent some time in the Napa County Department of Corrections on Saturday night.
Probation violation arrest in NapaNapa Police officers arrested 19-year-old Sean Allen Butler, of Napa, on suspicion of violation of probation and resisting arrest early Saturday morning.
Napa man jailed after woman hitAn argument landed a Napa man in jail Friday night.
July 13th, 2009
Arson suspected in car fireThe Napa Police Department is investigating a case of arson that occurred Saturday night.
2 women arrested in domestic violence incidentsTwo women went to jail over the weekend charged in two separate incidents of domestic violence.
County bomb squad seizes explosive devices at Napa homeThe rumbling felt by some West Pueblo Avenue residents Friday was not a renegade firework going off.
A Two-Wheeled SaluteSupport for U.S. troops can be expressed many different ways.
July 11th, 2009
St. Helena's field of dreamsTeam Viña Real usually scores its goals against other St. Helena soccer squads. But this time, the team scored a goal for all adult soccer league players who call St. Helena home.
July 9th, 2009
Giving their all for WendySitting on a couch in her parents’ northwest Napa home, Wendy Helfrich smiles each time her mother talks about the things Wendy likes to do — visit with her children, watch “Judge Judy” and shop at places such as the Napa Premium Outlets and Target.
July 5th, 2009
Napa enjoys a real paradeWhat a difference a year makes for Fourth of July festivities in Napa.
June 22nd, 2009
Kayakers give back, combine paddling with trash collectionThe banks of the Napa River became a bit more scenic Saturday after a dozen kayakers took to the water to clean it up. Kayakers from all walks of life gathered at Kennedy Park’s boat-launch area to participate in Go Green Saturday, a unique event that’s sponsored by Kayak NV and Napa’s Parks and Recreation Department.
June 16th, 2009
Drug arrestAn afternoon bike ride through Old Town Napa landed a 43-year-old Napa man in jail Sunday.
Teen faces prison for carjackingA Napa teenager faces a hefty prison sentence stemming from a December 2008 carjacking in a north Napa neighborhood.
June 15th, 2009
Fleeing cyclist arrested for meth possessionAn afternoon bike ride Sunday through Old Town Napa landed a 43-year-old Napa man in jail.
June 5th, 2009
A chilly rescue for high country Napa hikersA hiking trip at Stanislaus National Forest ended on a cold but happy note for a group of seventh-grade students from Napa’s Stone Bridge Charter School on Friday. Tuolumne County emergency crews rescued the group of more than 30 students, teachers and chaperones after they got caught in a snowstorm early Friday morning.
June 1st, 2009
Head-on crash involved Napa teensPolice have released the names of two teenagers involved in a head-on collision on Silverado Trail Sunday.
May 31st, 2009
Who killed Mattea?The evening of May 30, 2008, was shaping up to be a fun Friday night in the Reynolds household.
May 21st, 2009
Witness' account raises questions in murder caseDiffering accounts over who killed Ricardo Gonzalez surfaced in Napa County Superior Court Wednesday, as the girlfriend of accused shooter Stephen Barrios took the stand.
May 18th, 2009
Car vs. tree leaves man injuredA Napa man was seriously injured when his vehicle careened into a tree along Silverado Trail early Sunday morning.
Parishioners break out rakes and hammers to help nearby schoolMembers of Napa’s First Christian Church usually spend Sundays at service inside their First Street building.
May 10th, 2009
Upvalley teen raises money for JuárezSt. Helena and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, have little in common.
May 2nd, 2009
Swine flu concerns cancel Cinco de Mayo festival in CalistogaWorries about the swine flu pandemic convinced Calistoga’s Cinco de Mayo Committee to cancel this year’s parade and festival, which were slated for Sunday.
April 26th, 2009
Fire scorches PUC dorm roomA small electrical fire scorched a dorm room at Pacific Union College in Angwin Sunday afternoon.
April 20th, 2009
Armed suspect arrested at Napa Valley CollegeNapa Valley College was brought to a standstill Monday afternoon when two men suspected of robbing a patron at a nearby bank made their way onto campus.
April 18th, 2009
No contest plea in AmCan homicideAn American Canyon teen charged with murder in a gang confrontation in 2007 has agreed to plead no contest to a reduced charge of voluntary manslaughter.
April 8th, 2009
Lecturer looks at life of Wooden Valley SchoolIf the walls of Wooden Valley Elementary School could talk, they could tell tales across three centuries.
April 6th, 2009
Head-on crash on Hwy 121A Napa woman was seriously injured during a head-on collision on Highway 121 Sunday afternoon.
Latino youth conference shines light on success, college, careersDozens of the Napa Valley’s high school and middle school students took a step toward college Saturday as Napa Valley College hosted its 25th annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference.
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