Local Politics · Yountville, CA
The Yountville Commons workforce-housing project, approved then reversed via resident petition, remains in limbo and has become the defining issue in the town's council election. Estate Yountville owner Gary Jabara hosted at least five invitation-only gatherings over summer and fall for residents who signed the reversal petition, introducing candidates including Councilmember Hillery Bolt Trippe and Navy veteran Joe Tagliaboschi, who is running for mayor. Four of eight town council candidates have expressed opposition to the Commons plan as proposed. French Laundry chef-owner Thomas Keller also opposes the project but did not respond to four requests for comment from the Napa Valley Register. The dispute has divided residents, elected officials, and influential business owners in the small Napa Valley town.
Local Politics · Napa County
Eric Jones' campaign announced two self-commissioned polls showing him leading incumbent Rep. Mike Thompson in the California 4th Congressional District race: a David Binder Research survey (Oct. 15-21) at 52%-40% among 600 likely voters, and a Fulcrum Strategy Group survey (Oct. 18-20) at 53%-40% among 400 participants. A July poll by the same firm had shown Thompson ahead by 13%. Jones, 35, has contributed more than $15 million of his own money to an $18 million campaign; Thompson, 75, who has held the seat since 1998, reported raising $5.5 million as of Oct. 20. Both candidates are Democrats. The district covers Napa, Colusa, Sutter and Yuba counties and parts of Sonoma, Lake, Yolo, Sacramento and Placer counties.
Public Safety · Vallejo, CA
The California Highway Patrol issued an endangered missing advisory Thursday, Oct. 29, for 36-year-old Serena Walling, who was last seen at approximately 10:45 p.m. on Oct. 17 near Sereno Drive and Broadway in Vallejo. Walling is described as 5 feet tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, last wearing a black sweatshirt and black pants while traveling on foot. The advisory, issued on behalf of the Vallejo Police Department, covers Contra Costa, Napa, Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo counties. Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances of her disappearance and asked anyone who spots Walling to call 911.
Public Safety · Napa County
Napa County Fire announced that smoke visible over the Napa area on Thursday resulted from a scheduled prescribed burn near Soda Canyon Road. The operation, covering 90 acres of grass and oak woodlands, began around 10 a.m. and was slated to end by 5 p.m. Officials stated that the smoke will remain visible for the next few days in east Napa due to the controlled burn on a ridge above populated areas.
Social Events · Napa County
A community calendar lists multiple Halloween-themed events across Napa County, including a free Trunk or Treat at The Meadows in Napa (4–6 p.m.), a non-candy trick-or-treat with free oral health screenings at Community Resources for Children, and Halloween celebrations in American Canyon at Canyon Plaza and the local library. St. Helena hosts its final Farmers' Market of the season at Crane Park (7:30 a.m.–noon) and a library Trunk-or-Treat for ages 6–11 (3:30–5 p.m.). Lucky Penny Productions presents "Revenge of the Rebobs! The Musical" in Napa, with additional showings Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through Nov. 7 and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Nov. 8; tickets are $30–49 plus fees. The Napa County Wildlife Habitat Conservation Coalition hosts a free public talk on wildlife-vehicle collisions by UC Davis's Fraser Shilling at the Gasser Building in Napa, requiring RSVP.
Community brief · American Canyon, CA
The American Canyon Chamber of Commerce is organizing a holiday tree auction at the DoubleTree hotel to benefit the American Canyon Food Pantry, with eight decorated trees displayed starting Dec. 10 and online bidding closing Dec. 14. The chamber also hosts a holiday market featuring 25 local vendors, followed by a Reindeer Run 5K and 10K walk at the Wetlands Edge Trailhead. A weekly restaurant highlight program runs through November, December,…
