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Jillian Jones articles
Jillian Jones is Napa Valley Register's county government and political reporter. Jillian can be reached at jjones@napanews.com
November 19th, 2009
More time to study Napa PipeThe public will have an extra 30 days to weigh in on the mixed-use development proposed at the former Napa Pipe site.
November 18th, 2009
Despite state criticism, officials back housing proposalThe Napa County Board of Supervisors may be prepared to defend its affordable housing plan, even if it means going to court.
November 15th, 2009
Marketing reflects changing demand of Napa Valley wineMore than a year into the economic downturn, Napa Valley vintners are looking toward the future.
More wine stays unsold during economic slumpAn old wine industry adage says that during good times, people drink. During bad times, they drink more.
November 5th, 2009
One Lake Luciana lawsuit put on holdA federal judge has agreed to table Lake Luciana developers’ claims against Napa County until after a similar case in state court is resolved.
October 31st, 2009
Whitman in Napa: "Put jobs first"Republican gubernatorial hopeful Meg Whitman said Friday that California is on the verge of a “negative tipping point” and that the state’s next governor must create jobs or risk sending California over the edge.
County says Luciana meeting not up for debateNapa County leaders are refusing to back down from a decision to re-do their vote on the Lake Luciana golf course proposal.
October 30th, 2009
Luciana backers drop part of lawsuitEven as one Napa County supervisor is accusing the board of conspiring during closed session to vote down Lake Luciana, lawyers for the project’s developers are dropping charges that the board violated the Brown Act.
Dodd says vote on Luciana proposal 'dishonest'The Napa County Board of Supervisors plotted behind closed doors to formulate the outcome of an upcoming Lake Luciana vote, according to one member of the board. Supervisor Bill Dodd said the board has met in closed session multiple times to devise a strategy that will allow the board to kill the Lake Luciana championship golf course proposed for Pope Valley.
October 25th, 2009
Napa Pipe's impact: services, water, traffic, airResults of a $1 million investigation into the potential effects of building homes at Napa Pipe were released to the public Friday in a 1,000-page document that delves into everything from traffic congestion to the availability of groundwater.
Napa Pipe: Big project, big questions for countyOn the east bank of the Napa River, where vestiges of a 154-acre industrial pipe factory still stand, Napa Pipe developers are proposing a massive mixed-use development, the largest of its kind in Napa County history.
October 20th, 2009
Haley to run for supervisorUpvalley vineyard owner Michael Haley announced Monday that he will run against incumbent Diane Dillon next year to represent District 3 on the Napa County Board of Supervisors.
October 19th, 2009
Haley to run for supervisorUpvalley vineyard owner Michael Haley announced this afternoon that he will run for supervisor against incumbent Diane Dillon next year to represent the District 3. The district includes the cities of Calistoga and St. Helena, much of the eastern county around Lake Berryessa and neighborhoods in north Napa.
A heartfelt tribute to WigginsState Sen. Pat Wiggins, D- Santa Rosa, may have raised eyebrows lately with her unpredictable behavior, but Wiggins will always be known to her friends and colleagues for her political passion.
October 14th, 2009
Governor's signing spree OKs more than a dozen local billsGov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed more than a dozen bills by local lawmakers this weekend during a last-minute signing spree to meet a Sunday night bill-signing deadline. Acting on hundreds of bills from legislators across California, Schwarzenegger signed five bills by state Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, and eight by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa. The governor vetoed two bills by Wiggins and one by Evans.
October 12th, 2009
County wants to buy localWith the rocky economy pushing the county unemployment rate past 9 percent, the Napa County Board of Supervisors is considering a local hiring and purchase preference aimed at pumping money into the economy and stimulating local job growth.
October 9th, 2009
More names in ring for Assembly seatAt least one new candidate has thrown his hat in the ring in the Assembly race to represent Napa County and the North Bay, and another local candidate is expected to announce her candidacy shortly.
October 8th, 2009
County rethinks weddings at wineriesThe Napa County Board of Supervisors, in a joint session Tuesday with the Napa County Planning Commission, agreed to rethink the strict regulations that prohibit local wineries from hosting large-scale events such as weddings.
October 6th, 2009
County to fed court: Hold off on lawsuitLawyers for Napa County are asking a federal judge to hold off on a lawsuit filed by Pope Valley developers until a similar lawsuit plays out in state court.
October 1st, 2009
Wind machine disturbs neighbors, county considers law to curb noiseWhat started as a neighborhood dispute between a farmer and his neighbors now has county officials rethinking one of the most basic Napa Valley tenets: the right to farm.
September 30th, 2009
Sonoma's Sanders to face Evans in state Senate raceBy JILLIAN JONES
State rejects Napa County housing plansThe state agency in charge of housing has rejected Napa County’s proposed housing element, advocating instead for the county to rely more heavily on the Napa Pipe site for low-income housing.
September 29th, 2009
Sonoma's Sanders to face Evans in state Senate raceSonoma City Councilwoman Joanne Bouldt Sanders has announced her intent to run for state Senate in 2010 to represent the district that includes Napa County.
State rejects Napa County housing plansState officials told Napa County on Friday that the county has done too little to provide affordable housing.
September 24th, 2009
Wiggins aide may have broken lawDocuments released Wednesday by a state watchdog agency show that state Sen. Pat Wiggins’ chief of staff directed another staff person to mine a legislative database for personal information about Napa County leaders.
September 23rd, 2009
Legal challenge to city may benefit Napa Pipe developerThe lawsuit filed against the city of Napa last week over its alleged failure to encourage low-income housing never mentions the words “Napa Pipe.”
September 22nd, 2009
Wiggins aide investigated for misuse of informationA Sacramento watchdog agency confirmed Monday that it is investigating a top-level staffer for state Sen. Pat Wiggins. The staffer allegedly misused constituent information in an effort to get the Santa Rosa Democrat re-elected.
September 20th, 2009
Move grows to OK weddings at wineriesFour years ago, when Supervisor Mark Luce suggested Napa County allow weddings at wineries, the proposal met with so much opposition that even Luce backed down.
September 18th, 2009
County OKs housing plan with Napa Pipe in the mixThe proposed development at the former Napa Pipe site is looking more attractive to county officials as it becomes clear that pressure from the state to build affordable housing isn’t going to let up any time soon.
September 16th, 2009
Luce's proximity housing law would 'chart new waters'Supervisor Mark Luce wants you to live where you work.
September 15th, 2009
Wiggins' aide under fireA top-level staffer for state Sen. Pat Wiggins has been accused of breaking the law in an effort to get the Santa Rosa Democrat re-elected.
September 10th, 2009
Luciana backers sue county for 2nd timeLake Luciana developers hit Napa County with a second lawsuit Monday, this time in federal court.
September 9th, 2009
Napa Pipe report delayedNapa County officials say they will not meet a Sept. 15 target date to release an environmental review of the mixed-use development proposed at Napa Pipe.
September 5th, 2009
More students pass exit examFour out of five Napa sophomores passed the high school exit exam last school year, scoring slightly higher than the statewide average.
September 3rd, 2009
County sued over Lake Luciana project decisionLake Luciana developers made good this week on promises to sue Napa County over the decision to reject a championship golf course in Pope Valley.
September 2nd, 2009
County sued over Lake Luciana project decisionLake Luciana developers made good on promises this week to sue Napa County over a decision to reject a championship golf course proposed in Pope Valley.
No discussion at Main Street health care ralliesA health care rally in downtown Napa turned heated Tuesday as chants from both sides drowned out any chance for dialogue.
September 1st, 2009
Luciana backers to sue countyLake Luciana developers are taking steps to sue Napa County over the decision to reject the 18-hole golf course proposed in Pope Valley.
August 26th, 2009
Wiggins releases meeting calendarState. Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, publicly released a portion of her calendar Friday, two days before her sudden announcement that she will not seek re-election in 2010.
August 25th, 2009
Supporters thank Wiggins for serviceState Sen. Pat Wiggins’ announcement Sunday that she will not seek re-election in 2010 was met with an outpouring of sympathy from local Democrats, but the news hardly comes as a surprise to political insiders familiar with the Santa Rosa Democrat’s declining health.
Evans to seek Wiggins' seatAssemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, announced Monday that she will run next year for the open state Senate seat to represent District 2, the expansive North Bay district that includes Napa County.
August 24th, 2009
Evans to seek Wiggins' seatAssemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, announced this afternoon that she plans to run for state Senate in 2010 representing the district that includes Napa County.
No re-election bid for WigginsState Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, told supporters Sunday afternoon that she will not seek re-election next year, opening up the race for representation of Napa County and the North Bay in the state Senate.
August 19th, 2009
Legislative races drawing interestNext year is shaping up to be a big year for Santa Rosa Democrats seeking to represent Napa County in the state Senate and Assembly.
August 18th, 2009
Wiggins to make some of her calendar publicState. Sen. Pat Wiggins, D- Santa Rosa, has agreed to make a portion of her calendar public following a formal request by the Napa Valley Register.
August 16th, 2009
Budget rains now a downpourAs if $4 million in cuts weren’t bad enough, Napa County is bracing for another round of spending cuts in the wake of a sobering state budget.
A slice of the farm in the heart of the cityAs with so many of Napa County’s best traditions, it’s hard to pinpoint just what makes the annual Junior Livestock Auction at the Napa Town & Country Fair so special.
August 13th, 2009
State officials won't release Wiggins recordsThe California Senate Rules Committee has rejected a request from the Napa Valley Register to inspect the work calendar and medical records of state Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa.
August 12th, 2009
State officials won't release Wiggins recordsThe California Senate Rules Committee has rejected a request from the Napa Valley Register to inspect the work calendar and medical records of state Sen. Pat Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa.
July 26th, 2009
County resets worth of 10,000 homesNapa County Assessor John Tuteur has completed a reassessment of more than 10,000 Napa County homes, shaving a staggering $2 billion off the values of residences in comparison with the peak of the housing bubble earlier this decade.
July 22nd, 2009
PUC taps new college presidentThe Pacific Union College has named a new president to replace Dr. Richard Osborn, who stepped down in June.
Voters tune in for Thompson's Town Hall callMore than 10,000 people tapped into a live telephone conference with Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, Monday night for a Question&Answer session focused on the controversial health care bill working its way through Congress.
July 18th, 2009
Study says plenty of water at Napa PipeEven as neighborhoods in east Napa County battle severe groundwater shortages, preliminary studies show there is more than enough water to support the mixed-use development proposed at the south county Napa Pipe site.
Flood project could get $5 million boostIn any other year, the $5 million working its way to Napa’s flood control project would be far from enough to keep the pricey project on schedule. But on the heels of a surprise $99 million federal stimulus award, the extra cash would be like icing on the cake.
July 14th, 2009
Napa woman arrested on drug chargesA Napa woman was arrested Friday afternoon after she was found with cocaine and methamphetamine in her car.
Motorcyclist killed in crashA motorcyclist died Sunday after he lost control and slid into an oncoming car on Steele Canyon Road north of Highway 128.
July 13th, 2009
Motorcyclist killed in crashA motorcyclist died Sunday after he lost control and slid into an oncoming car on Steele Canyon Road north of Highway 128.
July 8th, 2009
Drug bust in NapaA parolee wound up in jail after police officers found him with a glass meth pipe Sunday night.
Domestic violence arrest in NapaA Napa man landed in jail for suspected domestic battery Sunday after he allegedly busted a woman’s lip.
Small grass fire near airportThe cause of a three-acre grassfire near the Napa County Airport on Monday afternoon remains under investigation.
Changes in store for eco-village?Change may be in the air for the Angwin eco-village, the controversial Pacific Union College project that includes 380 new housing units and a makeover for the commercial area of the quiet mountain town.
July 2nd, 2009
Napa mayor latest to consider run for supervisorNapa Mayor Jill Techel is considering a run for Napa County supervisor next year in what could shape up to be at least a three-way battle with incumbent Brad Wagenknecht and former Napa Police Chief Dan Monez.
July 1st, 2009
Lake Luciana backers plan to sue countyLake 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.
June 30th, 2009
Door-slam injury, arrestA Napa man was arrested on suspicion of domestic assault and resisting arrest Sunday after he allegedly slammed a woman’s arm in a car door.
Domestic violence arrestJavier Aguilera, 23, of Napa was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence Saturday after police responded to a domestic disturbance on the 1500 block of Silverado Trail. Police responded to the scene at about 11 p.m. Saturday, according to reports. The victim said that she and Aguilera had been fighting, and that Aguilera pulled her hair and grabbed her around the head and waist. She sustained a laceration to her ear, but did not require medical attention, according to Napa police.
Teen airlifted after weekend crashA Napa teenager was airlifted to the hospital Saturday afternoon after he ran his Volvo off the road and into an embankment.
Fire destroys Napa homeA mid-afternoon fire on Monday seriously damaged a north Napa home and injured two cats trapped in the blaze.
June 29th, 2009
Motorcyclist severely injured in Trail crashA motorcyclist is being treated for serious internal injuries after he skidded into a ditch on Silverado Trail early this morning.
Calistoga man shot, killed this morningCalistoga Police Chief Jonathan Mills stated this afternoon police believe a small blue compact car may be involved with today's murder in Calistoga.
June 28th, 2009
Social services: A formula for confusionHealth and social service agencies trigger a unique set of complications under the federal stimulus plan. Faced with a confusing mix of formulas and vague projections, health is one of the few areas where federal awards could actually cost programs money in the long run.
Waiting on stimulusWhen President Barack Obama signed the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act into law on Feb. 17, a beleaguered national economy readied for the influx of $787 billion. A combination of tax cuts and spending, the stimulus package was designed to create jobs and revitalize an economy in the midst of a national recession.
June 27th, 2009
Assessor tells homeowners to demand refund in illegal scamThe district attorney is urging residents who fell for an alleged reassessment scam to demand their money back.
June 26th, 2009
Study says Napa Pipe homes project would add 1,600 cars to congested rush hourThe proposed development at Napa Pipe will put 1,600 new cars on the road during morning rush-hour traffic, according to a preliminary traffic study released Wednesday by Napa County officials.
June 23rd, 2009
Oakland man drowns at Lake BerryessaDivers have recovered the body of 21-year-old Phillip Stevenson, who drowned in Lake Berryessa Sunday during a fishing trip with friends.
June 22nd, 2009
Two injured in DUI-related crashA Santa Rosa man was arrested Monday morning on suspicion of felony DUI after he crashed into the hillside off Highway 29 near Calistoga, injuring himself and his passenger.
Oakland man believed drowned at Lake BerryessaDivers have recovered the body of 21-year-old Phillip Stevenson, who drowned in Lake Berryessa Sunday during a fishing trip with friends.
Home care workers get a breakIn an apparent resolution of one of the most high-profile struggles related to state budget problems, in-home care workers have reached a tentative agreement with Napa County over proposed pay cuts.
June 20th, 2009
County seeks state OK for housing swapsNapa County is seeking state legislation that would allow local cities to swap affordable housing requirements with the county in exchange for pay.
Principals named for Vintage, American Canyon high schoolsThe Napa Valley Unified School District approved the appointment of two new high school principals Thursday night.
June 19th, 2009
Principals named for Vintage, American Canyon high schoolsThe Napa Valley Unified School District Thursday night approved the appointment of two school leaders, with Mark Brewer taking the helm as founding principal of the new American Canyon High School and Robert Craig Lewis leading Vintage High.
June 18th, 2009
Wiggins gives herself a pay cutState Sen. Patricia Wiggins, D–Santa Rosa, announced Wednesday that she will take a voluntary pay cut and give back her state-financed car in recognition of the state budget crisis.
Two names in race to replace EvansTwo Santa Rosa Democrats are vying for a seat in the state Assembly to represent the district that includes Napa County.
June 17th, 2009
Monez mulls run for supervisorFormer Napa Police Chief Dan Monez is considering a run for supervisor next year against Brad Wagenknecht, the slow-growth advocate who has represented District 1 for the last 11 years.
June 16th, 2009
County OKs budgetThe $4 million in cuts approved by Napa County Monday may be just the tip of the iceberg.
June 12th, 2009
St. Helena native to run for AssemblySt. Helena native Lee Pierce has decided to vie for the Assembly seat of Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, whose term ends next year and cannot run for re-election.
June 11th, 2009
Inspired class of 2009 takes wing from Napa HighA blue silhouette beneath the Memorial Stadium bleachers, John Baker was waiting for the Napa High School graduation ceremony to begin Wednesday afternoon when he was jolted with the realization: Once he crossed that stage, everything would change.
June 10th, 2009
No second homes in Ag PreserveThe Napa County Board of Supervisors unanimously rejected a proposal Tuesday to allow second homes on properties in the Agricultural Preserve.
Aetna Springs to closeThe historic Aetna Springs Resort in Pope Valley will close its doors Saturday, just days after county officials rejected plans for a nearby golf course owned by the same developers.
June 9th, 2009
Aetna Springs to closeThe historic Aetna Springs Resort in Pope Valley will close its doors Saturday, just days after county officials rejected plans for a nearby golf course owned by the same developers.
June 5th, 2009
County cuts health servicesThe county’s newly-released recommended budget reveals a cautiously balanced budget with a warning: In this economic climate, anything could change.
June 3rd, 2009
Lake Luciana project rejected by supervisorsThe championship golf course proposed for Pope Valley may have suffered its final defeat Tuesday. The Napa County Board of Supervisors rejected the controversial Lake Luciana golf course in a 3-2 vote, upholding a previous decision by the Napa County Planning Commission to deny the project. Tuesday’s vote could mark the end of a hard-fought battle over Lake Luciana unless developers challenge the decision, a move they say they will consider in the days ahead.
June 2nd, 2009
Pope Valley crash injures two from VallejoTwo Vallejo men were seriously injured in a Monday morning crash after their van slammed into a tree off a rural Pope Valley road.
May 31st, 2009
Lake Luciana's fate up for debateFrom the same slope of golden grass, two different visions of Pope Valley are taking shape.
May 28th, 2009
County, schools expect more budget cutsAs the state grapples with what is now projected to be a $24 billion budget deficit, fallout from the May 19 special election could spell millions of dollars in additional cuts to Napa County government agencies.
May 27th, 2009
Pope Valley golf course backers offer a dealDevelopers are offering to pay more than $500,000 to help solve the needs of an ailing Lake Berryessa water district if county officials agree to give the green light to a controversial Pope Valley golf course.
May 24th, 2009
Evans’ video reviews budgetAssemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, released a video this week that attempts to debunk three so-called “myths” about the California state budget.
County may OK 2 homes per Ag parcelCounty officials are considering a move to allow a second home on each plot of land in the Agricultural Preserve.
May 22nd, 2009
Three to face murder trial in gang shootingThree young men will be forced to answer for the shooting death of 19-year-old Ricardo Gonzalez in a 2007 gang fight on Laurel Street in west Napa.
May 21st, 2009
Preparing for life after WestmeyerNapa County is heading up a search to replace longtime county counsel Robert Westmeyer, who reportedly plans to retire within the next two years, according to the Napa County civil grand jury.
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