Napa County, CA · Daily edition
14 stories from Napa County, in about five minutes.
Community News · Napa County
Napa County property owners must pay their first installment of 2026-27 taxes by November 1, with a penalty-free grace period until December 10 at 5 p.m. Following the theft of mailed payments in April, officials urge residents to pay online or in person at the Tax Collector’s Office in Napa. Late payments after December 10 incur a 10% penalty.
Local Business · Sonoma County
Sen. Adam Schiff met with Sonoma and Napa county wine industry representatives Monday at the Watriss House at Serres Ranch in Sonoma Valley to discuss how Canada's boycott of American wine has devastated exports. U.S. wine exports to Canada fell 78% in 2025, from $460 million to $103 million, dropping Canada from the No. 1 to the No. 3 foreign market for American wine. Schiff, who visited Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ottawa officials before the meeting, warned that Canadian consumers switching to competing wines could permanently alter buying habits even after the trade dispute ends. He urged Congress to pass a farm bill with more research funding for vineyard diseases like red blotch and improved assistance for specialty crop farmers.
Public Safety · Napa, CA
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson reported on Monday that his congressional office received a suspicious envelope containing white powder, part of a wave of similar threatening letters sent to lawmakers nationwide. Multiple emergency responders arrived at the scene, including Napa County and City of Napa fire chiefs, HazMat specialists with the Napa Interagency Hazardous Incident Team, Napa County Sheriff's Office members, and CalFire personnel. Preliminary tests indicate the substance is not hazardous, and no one was injured. The case has been turned over to the FBI. Other California lawmakers, including Sen. Alex Padilla and Reps. Gil Cisneros, Jimmy Panetta, and Kevin Kiley, received similar letters.
Community News · Napa County
Napa Valley Vintners is investing $1.2 million in after-school and summer programs serving approximately 8,500 Napa County students across five organizations. Recipients include Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley ($660,000), Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga ($275,000), Aim High ($80,000), Napa River Ecology Center ($80,000), and Girls on the Run ($60,000). The grants support academic assistance, physical activities, arts, science education, and leadership development. This funding is part of the vintners' Youth Wellness Initiative, following a $1.8 million investment announced in September for student wellness programs on school campuses.
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Subscribe freeHousing & Development · Napa County
The Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District has an agreement to purchase the 164-acre Milliken Peak property from the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art in Carneros, south Napa County, if it can raise $1.85 million. The proposed park would feature existing di Rosa art installations along a 2-mile hiking trail to the 720-foot peak, which offers views of San Pablo Bay and vineyards. A possible funding source is Measure B, a half-cent countywide sales tax on the Nov. 3 ballot; if it fails, the district could pursue grants. The Open Space District's general manager Chris Cahill said the park could open perhaps by 2028.
Public Safety · Napa, CA
A threatening letter containing white powder was mailed to Rep. Mike Thompson's congressional district office in Napa, California. Staff identified the suspicious envelope without opening it and alerted authorities immediately; no one was injured. Responders included Napa County Fire Chief JC Greenberg, City of Napa Fire Chief Zach Curren, HazMat specialists from the Napa Interagency Hazardous Incident Team, Napa County Sheriff's Office members, Napa County EMS, and CalFire. The case has been turned over to the FBI.
Social Events · Napa, CA
Jameson Humane will celebrate the release of its 2027 "The Real Cat Men of Napa Valley" charity calendar with a party from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Borreo Building, 900 Third St., in Napa. The calendar features twelve men from the local wine industry posing alongside their cats, including winemakers from Robert Foley Vineyards, Dana Estates, Morisoli Vineyard, and C. Mondavi & Family.
Local Business · Napa County
Saga Robotics announced that its autonomous vineyard robot, Thorvald, has been named to Time magazine’s Best Inventions of 2026 list. The robot uses ultraviolet-C light to control powdery mildew in vineyards, reducing the need for chemical fungicides and diesel-powered equipment. Several Napa Valley businesses, including Beckstoffer Vineyards and Silver Oak, currently utilize the technology across approximately 2,500 acres of California vineyards.
Local Business · Napa, CA
Coworking company Kiln will open a 17,500-square-foot location at 1300 First St., suites 368 and 460, in downtown Napa by mid-2027, replacing the current Spaces office. The space will offer shared workspaces, private offices, team studios, meeting rooms, and event space, with memberships starting at $425 per month for shared desks and $850 for dedicated desks. First Street Napa developer Todd Zapolski called the transition a natural progression after touring Kiln's Salt Lake City headquarters and other locations. In related updates, Riza Plants will close its storefront Nov. 13 as owner Alyssa Piombo shifts to plant design services, while local soccer club Napa Valley 1839 FC has opened a merchandise pop-up in Suite 325 through the end of January.
Public Safety · Napa, CA
Rep. Mike Thompson's congressional office in Napa received a suspicious envelope containing an unknown white powder on Monday, part of a national wave targeting more than three dozen members of Congress. A staff member identified the envelope without opening it and alerted authorities immediately; no one was injured. County HazMat specialists and local law enforcement responded, and the case has been turned over to the FBI. The FBI, Postal Service and other agencies have reported that none of the letters circulating through the U.S. mail system have proven dangerous.
Local Business · American Canyon, CA
The Corner Market, a family-owned neighborhood grocery operated by Jimmy Mangat, opened in September at 110 W. American Canyon Road (Canyon Corners Plaza) and will hold its grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, Oct. 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. The 2,626-square-foot space, formerly a Goodwill store, stocks groceries, Napa Valley wines, craft beer, Model Bakery goods, and Naysayer Coffee Roasters products. The Mangat family also operates three markets in Napa (Food City Market, Pueblo Market, Solano Market). American Canyon Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Valerie Zizak-Morais is scheduled to attend the celebration.
Community brief · Napa, CA
The Downtown Napa Association will host its annual Hometown Halloween trick-or-treating event on Saturday, October 31, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Approximately 100 downtown businesses will participate by displaying black and orange balloons at their doors to invite children inside. The Napa County Historical Society will also offer candy and period-costume displays at its First Street location across from the Archer Hotel. Organized as a family-…
Community brief · St. Helena, CA
A benefit concert called Autumn Songfest will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, at St. Helena United Methodist Church, 1310 Adams St., to raise funds for Our Town St. Helena, a nonprofit providing affordable housing in the city. The program, directed by White Barn artistic director emerita Nancy Garden, features local vocalists Katie Sculatti, Joe Pesch, and Meghan Scheibal with pianist Terry Winn, cellist Jeffrey McFarland Johnson, and banjo…
Community brief · St. Helena, CA
The UpValley Women's Club is hosting its ninth annual Purses of Hope one-day donation event on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church, 1428 Spring St., in St. Helena. Community members are asked to bring new or gently used purses along with travel-size toiletries, sunglasses, scarves, socks, and gift cards. Filled purses will be distributed to women's shelters, agencies, and safe houses throughout Napa Valley.…
