Local officials celebrated the grand opening Thursday of the Monarch Justice Center that seeks to serve survivors of elder abuse, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and intimate partner violence in an environment designed to mitigate trauma and encourage recovery.
The center, originally funded by a grant from the California Office of Emergency Services, is a collaborative effort between the District Attorney, local community-based service provider organizations, law enforcement, and adult protective services to develop a model for a Family Justice Center that would best serve vulnerable victims of crime in Napa County.
Monarch Justice Center creates a new centralized location where victims of crime can be better served by a team of multidisciplinary partners representing law enforcement, victim advocates, forensic interviewers, government and non-profit service providers, as well as district attorney staff.
Monarch Justice Center is located at the Aldea Children and Family Services' building on First Street in downtown Napa, adjacent to the County's Courage Center Program, a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center serving child victims of crime and their family members.
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Monarch is run by an executive board comprised of members of the District Attorney’s Office, Detective Bill Hernandez of the Napa Police Department, Kerry Ahearn Executive Director of Aldea Children and Family Services, Tracy Lamb of NEWS, Joe Cherry of Comprehensive Services for Older Adults and Katy Mendenhall, community member.
Congressman Mike Thompson attended the grand opening and congratulated the executive team for their commitment to a vision of better service provision – a commitment that has withstood a pandemic, fires, and years of relationship and trust-building.
“Monarch’s design is intentionally rooted in compassion and dignity for our community members,” District Attorney Allison Haley told a gathering of well-wishers, “It is designed to treat people well. We recognized that access to compassionate service was unequal, inequitable, and burdensome. We aimed to gently transform an overly complex and inconvenient system all while honoring the dignity of our community members.”
Take a look back at how Napa Valley communities have honored the fallen in Memorial Day observances over the years.
Photos: Best of Napa Valley Register's Faces and Places
Jaxon Haggard is a big fan of our firefighters and police department in Napa.
Liv Miller, Ella Christensen and Aldyn Martin horsing around at the Interscholastic Equestrian Association show at Valley Brook Equestrian Center in Napa on Oct. 10.
Mason Valencia and Jaxon Haggard visiting Train Town together.
On Sept. 14, Napa County Landmarks (NCL) hosted their 6th annual golf tournament fundraiser at Eagle Vines Golf Club. Shown here from left are golfers Dan Cutright, NCL Board Member; Scott Sedgley, Napa City Mayor; Tom Fuller of Fuller & Sander Communications; and John Dunbar, Yountville Town Mayor.
Community Projects volunteers getting ready for "Puttin' on the Glitz". From left, Gaylon Kastner, Suzanne Sanchez, and Ann Schmitz.
Vichy Elementary School celebrated Halloween with their own version of a pumpkin patch.
From left, Annie Yates, Kathy Tranmer, Marsha Franco and Barbara Wiggins show off their jack-o-lanterns during a recent pumpkin carving party.
David and Andrew Peterson dressed as Elliott and E.T the extraterrestrial for Halloween.
Dakota Hangman, 3, poses with pumpkins at Stanly Lane pumpkin patch in Napa.
American Canyon's Sophia Valenti and daughter Abigail, 2, recently visited the Petaluma pumpkin patch.
Maisie Kerr, 10 months, meets the pumpkins at Stanly Lane pumpkin patch in Napa.
Bluebird box volunteers at Alston Park finished up recording the weekly progress of nesting birds. Looking forward to next year's season are Napa Solano Audubon members Liz Nicolaou, Marcy Lavender, President Mark Stephenson and Maggie Hall.
A student from Calistoga Elementary School takes part in the Walk and Roll to School Day event on Oct. 6.
Members of the Napa High School Tennis Team helped keep trash and plastics out of local waterway by participating in a cleanup of the Oxbow parking lots on Oct. 2 with the help of the Napa RCD. In total, they collected over 35 pounds of trash, recycling and compost. Pictured from left to right: Brianna Bulman, Ari Robinson, Julia Bui, Stefania Llamas, Kaelin Paringit, coach Marie Dolcini and Beau the rescue pup.
Mr. and Mrs. Mo enjoying a day out at Hall Winery.
Local celebrity dog Tanner has recently gained notoriety at several wine tasting events!
St. John's Lutheran School second grader Vince Wagner proudly displays the goodies he won during the Cake Walk, one of the most popular events at the school's annual carnival.
The bike path at Stanley Ranch is now open. The Eagles Cycling Club send a big ‘thumbs up’ to the Napa County Bicycle Coalition, City of Napa Public Works, and Stanley Ranch Resort.
William Spencer and Raylene Thompson enjoy Debbie Dean's paintings at the Open Studios event.
Community Projects volunteers make sure all the toys and puzzles donations are complete. From left, Pauline Szotkowski and Sandra Pena.
Brooke Hannaford Filary of Napa enjoying BottleRock with girlfriends who flew in from the Seattle area.
Napa County Farm Bureau's 2021 Scholarship recipients: Benito Saldivar (Napa High School), Brandon Forgie (Saint Helena High School), Kaitlyn Glakeler (Saint Helena High School), Fernando Contreras (Napa High School), Troy Reed (Saint Helena High School), Liesl Wolf (Saint Helena High School), Ernesto Maldonado (Saint Helena High School), Valeria Heredia (Saint Helena High School), Harrison Wright (Vintage High School), Tania Echeverria (Saint Helena High School), and Alexa Hollister (Justin-Siena High School).
Napa High School teacher Judy Christman poses with John McEnroe after his morning concert at Silverado Country Club on July 19.
The Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition with the winning team for the Vine Trail's Month of Movement challenge. Team Silicon Valley Bank raised the most money, and Silicon Valley Bank's Steven Birer won most money raised by an individual.
The Four Leaf Clovers 4-H Swine Group at the Napa Valley Town and Country Fair auction.
The Napa Valley Horse Show took place at Skyline Park in Napa on June 12.
Christopher and Johnny De Haro build a bicycle at the ACE Summer Program. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) provided campers with an opportunity to learn how to "Build a Bike."
Anthony Rincon and a stuffed animal prize that was won for popping balloons at a Napa Expo game booth.
A guided tour was held on July 27 at the the Las Flores Learning Garden at 4300 Linda Vista Ave. in Napa. The UC Master Gardeners of Napa County and the City of Napa are in partnership in developing this great community asset.
For its Community Day on July 28, Alpha Omega winery’s entire production team from winemakers to interns harvested 670 pounds of organic produce at Mission Farm at St. John’s Lutheran Church, one of the largest providers for fresh, organic produce to the Community Action of Napa Valley Food Bank. From left are, Madi Niesen, Hector Flores, Melissa Paris, Eli Byron, Jose Juis Aguilar, Jackson Katz, Matt Brain, Martin Sierra Calderon, Dan Peters, Marisela Aguilar, Justin Butler, Shelby Thibodeaux and Carlos Medrano.
Second grader and violin student, Max Read-Myers, performs with his teacher and reknowned klezmer violinist Cookie Segelstein at a backyard concert on June 27 under the auspices of E & M Presents. Also performing was acclaimed button accordionist Joshua Horowitz.
The Meadows of Napa Valley hosted an outdoor social gathering on Aug. 12 for community residents and visitors, featuring live jazz performances, raffle prize drawings and pizzas baked in its patio pizza oven. Pictured is visitor Sharyn Fuller.
Studio G School of Music & Theater Summer Performance Camps recently took over the 99.3 the Vine airwaves and performed “Broadway, Our Way” live during the Bob St. Laurent midday show.
Chris Largent, lower left, a tour guide with Platypus Tours in Napa poses with one of his recent tour groups.
A palm tree sculpture by Gordon Heuther was recently dedicated at the Food City shopping center in Napa.
Front row from left are, Jeff Wallace, the builder of the palm tree; Gordon Heuther, the designer of the palm tree; Liz Alessio; Napa vice mayor, Bernie Narvaez with daughter Jasmine in front of him.
Back row from left are Napa Mayor Scott Sedgley; Food City partners, Joe Rossi and Michael Holcomb.
During the month of August, Napa Valley artists are displaying their art at Mechanics Bank. From left, Margaret Abulaban, Deborah Donahower, Linda MacDonald and Claudia Moffitt.
After 17 months of weekly Zoom meetings, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Napa (The Morning Club!) was finally able to meet in person on the patio at Downtown Joe's for breakfast. The club has many service projects planned for the upcoming school year.
Members of the Napa County branch of American Association of University Women doing litter removal for its Adopt-a-Road Community Service Project. Shown are Cynthia Luce, Toby Mitchell, Allison Saether and Bernice Sousa-Carden.
Nothing says back to normal like a traveling carnival. John Castillo is pictured here, with his daughter Abby, on the Vertigo ride on June 26.
Students of Brown's Family Daycare, Inc., celebrate the end of 2020—2021 Distance Learning School Year. Front row from left: Dylan, Kindergarten; Delila, Kindergarten; Adelyn, 1st Grade; Fernando, 3rd Grade. Back row from left: Isaias, 2nd grade; Emmanuel, 5th grade; Kaylee, 3rd Grade; and Estrella, 5th Grade.
Why do these three people look so happy? Because they’re all recent retirees. Former Register staffers Davis Taylor, Jullie Van Grieken and Kevin Courtney briefly reunited at a farewell lunch for Taylor who just retired as publisher.
Dolly's "Tap and Step Sisters" gathered together for the first time since the pandemic started, in Yountville on June 10. The group celebrated members' birthdays, especially those who turned 65, 70, 80 and 85 years old. From left are Terri Gardella, Randi Storm, Darlene DeBeauclair, Mayra McKinney, Joanne Hatch, Darlene Bevin, Robin Krill, Connie Courtright, Gretchen Oertel, Marilyn Cardone, Kathy Phillips, Thelma Taylor, Marlene Frappia, JoAnn Myers, Val Myers and Dolly Grupalo.
On June 15, Austin Bradway took his oath of office as a police officer at Napa Valley College, officiated by NVC Police Chief Amber Wade. Officer Bradway recently graduated from the Police Academy at the Napa Valley College Criminal Justice Training Center after graduating with an associate’s degree in Administration of Justice. He volunteered in the College Police Department and then became a Campus Service Officer and eventually a Police Officer Trainee.
Land Trust of Napa County assistant stewardship coordinator, Megan Lilla, left, helps a crew of American Conservation Experience members rid one of the Land Trust’s protected areas of the invasive yellow starthistle plant.
Antonia Landels, Bailie Heather and Cara Mae Wooledge celebrate the 2nd Annual Napa Valley Pride Cruise Night.
Sir Hazel and the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (MMM) browse a recent edition of the Napa Valley Register. MMM was rescued by in a Napa neighborhood by volunteers from Napa Bunny Colony Rescue in late 2019, and foster failed by Angela Jackson. Later, Jackson adopted Hazel from Jameson Animal Rescue, and the two are now a bonded pair.
More than 60 friends and family members of veteran Al Freitas celebrated his 100th birthday on July 18 at Veterans Memorial Park in Yountville.
Shearer Elementary staff at a recent outing to Napa Bowl.
On June 24, supporters gathered in front of Napa High’s Memorial Stadium for The Hero Foundation’s Peace March to hear speeches from local community organizers working to create and promote positive change in their community. The event was led by a series of speakers including Napa Mayor Scott Sedgley, Councilwoman Mary Luros, Alaina’s Voice Foundation Founder and local business owner Arik Housley, NEWS Coach Bailie, the Suscol Intertribal Council Executive Director Charlie Toledo, and The Hero Foundation’s Executive Director Michael Rupprecht, pictured.
This boat won First Place in the Napa Valley Yacht Club Boat Parade on July3.
Chef Ken Frank, La Toque Restaurant, Blanca Huijon, Executive Director of Puertas Abiertas, Kelly Dodd Board Member, Sharon Macklin Board president and staff member Alejandra Quintana celebrated Cinco de Mayo at LaToque as a fundraiser for Puertas Abiertas.
Napa County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Klobas celebrating the Farm Bureau's 108th anniversary in the Napa Valley.
River School celebrated "May the Fourth," the annual Star Wars celebration day as part of their Spirit Week. The students loved seeing teacher Keith Waechtler really getting into the spirit with his imperial lieutenant uniform.
Amber Lee of KTVU Channel 2, second from right, came out to American Canyon's Summer Kick-Off Celebration at Shenandoah Park on June 18. During the event, American Canyon Mayor Leon Garcia, center, and Janelle Sellick, executive director, American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation, right, unveiled the city's first StoryWalk installment.
Rusty Cohn captured this photo of a mother and baby beaver in the Napa Creek.
During the lockdown, the Napa County Office of Education distributed free produce/protein boxes every Thursday. The distribution ran through May 27, 2021 and was made possible through a partnership with Adventist Health St. Helena. Pictured are NCOE staff members Leidy Tovar, left, and Heather Whitacre at a distribution event.
John Comisky sends in this photo of swallows nesting under the Soscol overpass at Oxbow Commons. The birds migrate thousands of miles from South America to build their nests with countless mouthfuls of mud.
The Eagle Cycling Club partnered with the Cycle for Sight and Rotary Ride for Veterans on April 17.
Napa County celebrated Resource Parent (formerly foster parent) Appreciation Month with a different activity each week in May. Napa County Health and Human Services Child Welfare Services Division and Juvenile Probation partnered with Expressions of Hope, Lilliput Wayfinder Family Services, and Napa County Office of Education to celebrate local families. Events included paint night, training and a fiesta-themed (socially distanced) drive-thru to pick up dinner. If you are interested in learning more or becoming a resource parent, please contact Child Welfare Services at 707-253-4761.
St. John's Lutheran School honored Secretary Kristal Broyles, left, and Office Manager Cindy Zeller on Administrative Professionals Day.
Rob Devitt, center, presents a check for $500 to St. Vincent de Paul volunteers Ana Barboza and Russ Eberwein. Rob collected, sorted and recycled cans and bottles as a project to raise funds for the St. Vincent de Paul program to provide grocery boxes for families in need.
In response to recent anti-Asian hate crimes, residents of American Canyon held an Asian Solidarity Rally on May 15 at Shenandoah Park attended by nearly 200 residents as well as city, county and state elected leaders. Many marched with signs reading "Asians Are Not A Virus" and "We Love Everyone In American Canyon."
A ribbon cutting by city officials on April 5 marked the opening of Calistoga's new Pioneer Park Bridge.
The Daisy Girl Scout troop helps to plant fruit and vegetables in the Shearer Elementary community garden.
Jason Dickens leads a Napa County leg of the nationwide “Carry the Load” relay to honor fallen military personnel and first responders on May 5. He was walking the leg from the Napa County Fire Department to Silverado Resort as the 15,500-mile event passed through Napa County. Since 2011, Carry The Load’s mission to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day has grown into a national movement – this year covering all 50 states – to honor and remember those who laid their lives down for our freedom. It was founded by two veteran U.S. Navy SEALs who felt like the nation had forgotten the meaning of Memorial Day. Reaching 50 states and more than 29 countries, people can register at carrytheload.org/register to join now through Memorial Day. This year people can participate by hosting a Carry It Anywhere experience, organizing a youth Carry The Flag activity, walking in the National Relay, fundraising for our nation’s heroes, and taking part virtually throughout the 32-day event.
The Rosales Family enjoying the happiness of the Napa Valley spirit with a family photo at a friend's Carneros vineyard.
HALL Wines' Bunny Foo Foo was recently decorated for Easter.
Team Aaron Comfort Dog (St. John’s Lutheran Church) and 56 other LCC Comfort Dog teams from across the country participated in “Run for Respect”, a 5K virtual run fundraiser sponsored by Pontiac High School, Pontiac, Illinois. Run for Respect funds generate support for the Special Olympics and Pontiac Township High School’s Peers In Action programs. Their mission is to spread inclusion by creating a world where all people are treated with respect. The theme this year is "You Can't Mask Respect!" There were hundreds of LCC affiliate participants from 22 states as well as hundreds of local Illinois participants. The Comfort Dogs even participated in the race. This is the 4th year Aaron has participated virtually.
Lurdes Betancourth sent in this photo of her children giving their mailman a gift in appreciation of his service.
Steven Silvagni is shocked that he's celebrating his 70th birthday. He celebrated this milestone in Napa, at home with his family.
St. John’s Lutheran School recognized World Cancer Day on February 4 and had a Free Dress Fundraiser for students and staff. The school raised $1,060 which was donated to Queen of the Valley’s Cancer Wellness Program. Shown here is second-grader, Peyton Howard.
A ceremony was held at Tulocay Cemetery on March 25 to honor Marine Corps Private Henry William Heisch who received the Medal of Honor in 1902 for his bravery in China's Boxer Rebellion two years earlier. Receiving the American flag from Bob Sundin of the Marine Corps League was Heisch's granddaughter, Yvonne Burt of Napa. Heisch later moved to Napa and became a farmer. He died in 1941 and his ashes rest at Tulocay. The Marine Corps League, Detachment 870, Napa Valley sponsored the event.
Eagle Cycling Club of Napa leaves donations of clean gently used men’s clothing, jackets, single bedding, and toiletries, at Calistoga Ranch, River Ranch, Robert Mondavi Ranch Farmworker Housing Centers as 2021 wine season begins.
Beatrice Abbate and her husband Jim Fritz, both residents of Áegis Living in Napa, celebrate Valentines Day in February.
are seen having a joyous moment.
Four generations, the Cohea's, Ricker's and Finegan's celebrating a birthday and Valentine's Day at the Oakland Zoo.
Captain Howard Halla, age 101, is a veteran who flew B-25 bombers in World War II. Recently, Halla was surprised with a Valentine gift from his wife Joanne — a golf cart modeled like a Jeep. The couple, with their dog Rudy, are living at Silverado Country Club, while their home is being rebuilt after losing it in the fire.
Isabel Duarte, 6, of Girl Scout Daisy troop 10713 makes contactless cookie deliveries from orders placed on her website.
Napa Wildlife Rescue President John Comiskey receiving a $10,000 grant from Jan Skogen, Richard Reed Foundation grants manager.
St. John's Lutheran School's preschool student, Harper, during the school's celebration of National Lutheran Schools Week.
First day at St Helena Montessori.
Napa is a “grape” place to run!
Chris Craiker and Nonie Greenfield celebrate their previous day vaccination at Veterans Memorial Park.
The Napa Ukeladies sang Happy Birthday on Dec. 13 to Tracy Tighe and followed up with wonderful Christmas carols, too. Pictured from left to right are Lynn Harold, Susan Wheeler, Julia Rock, Ann Gilleran, Alicia Wrona, Charlotte Gabisch, and Olivia Anthony.
Be Bubbly held a fundraiser in November to benefit The Table. Here Erin Riley, owner of Be Bubbly, surprises Mary Beth Reyes of The Table with the donation.
St. Apollinaris Women’s Guild held a drive-thru holiday event on Dec 5, 2020. Each driver received a stocking and some goodies, and they donated canned goods that will go with CanDo’s Food Drive to the Food Bank. Here, boardmember Carolyn Cassayre gathers cans as Connie Finnegan shows her lovely Christmas stocking.
Ashlyn Broyles, left, and Luca Baldock of St. John's Lutheran School display some of the items collected for Operation with Love From Home. The items were included in holiday care packages for our troops.
Pillows for the foster kids were presented to Cathi Bickford, Ann Schmitz, Gloria Garibaldi, Gaylon Kastner and Sherry Drapinski from members of the Napa Valley Republican Women Federated.
Rainbow elves, Cara Mae Wooledge and Heather Bailie, prepare for the virtual Rainbow Winter Holiday Celebration on December 18th 2020 in support of Rainbow Action Network to celebrate all holiday traditions in our community.
Every year the Westin Verasa Napa has hosted a Breakfast With Santa event for their workers and their families. This year, because of COVID-19, they hosted a drive-thru event with goodie-bags, a gingerbread display and a visit with Santa himself, where children could drop off letters.
Soaring Wings Infant Care & Preschool celebrated Halloween on Oct. 20. From left are Teacher Jackie, Teacher Claudia, Teacher Addison, Olivia, Leo, Nevaeh, Mateo, Zander, Isla, Ben, Rogelio and Quinn.
Due to COVID-19, St. John's Lutheran Preschool was unable to take their annual autumn visit to a pumpkin patch, so the preschool created their own Pumpkin Patch.
The Kiwanis Club of Napa has refurbished the two "Welcome to Napa" signs located by Napa State Hospital on Highway 221 and by The Meadows on Highway 29. In this "before picture" Mary Luros, Glenn Hughes, Nancy Tesch, Rich Tesch and Frank Carr work on one of the signs.
Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch 2020: COVID Edition.
Pearl and Henry Heitman at Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch.
Reagan’s first Halloween at ABC Pumpkin Patch in American Canyon.
Eliana loves the pumpkin patch at Stanly Lane in Napa.
Jack Perkovich, 9, went to Stanley Lane pumpkin patch in search of a unique pumpkin to add to his family’s front porch harvest scene.
Most-read police briefs on NapaValleyRegister.com
Here is a roundup of police and fire reports in Napa County.
A traffic stop in American Canyon led to the arrests of a driver and passenger and the discovery of stolen bank cards.
Napa Police is seeking information about a vehicle burglary shortly before Christmas, in which a bag containing the victim’s prosthetic leg wa…
Two men arrested by Napa Police face felony allegations of illegal firearm possession and gang participation, the department reported.
Napa Police is seeking information connected to the discovery of unlicensed “ghost guns” this week that led to the detention of two teenage boys.
A Napa man was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping after trying to force a woman into his truck, according to police.
A domestic dispute escalated into a baseball bat attack, resulting in a Napa man’s arrest on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend, according…
Two store workers were robbed at gunpoint in American Canyon, and at least four suspects took the store's safe and cash from the till, authori…
A predawn traffic stop led to the arrests of two San Pablo residents and the discovery of stolen bank cards.
A vehicle stop outside a Napa supermarket led to the rider’s arrest on suspicion of felony theft, according to police.
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