Local Politics · Napa County
Napa County Registrar of Voters John Tuteur received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice asking him to verify whether 42 potential voters are citizens, with the department suspecting they are not. Tuteur said he received the letter Friday afternoon and was given 48 hours to respond, but has taken none of the requested actions while consulting county counsel and the Secretary of State's office. The DOJ letter stated Tuteur could face criminal prosecution for non-compliance. A federal appeals court on Monday rejected the Trump administration's request for an immediate order requiring California to comply with similar demands.
Community News · St. Helena, CA
The City of St. Helena launched a $917,000 contract with Hydrologics to flush more than 40 miles of water mains over 45 to 50 working days, covering about 89% of the city's pipes. Work began Monday in the Zinfandel/Stice neighborhood and was set to continue Wednesday on Inglewood Avenue, with scheduled areas between Chaix/Lewelling and Grayson/Mills the week of Nov. 2 and between Grayson/Mills and Pope/Mitchell/Allison/Valley View the week of Nov. 9. The zero-discharge flushing technique aims to remove iron and manganese deposits responsible for discolored, foul-tasting tap water. Work occurs daily between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.; residents are advised to avoid using water during flushing in their neighborhood and to run cold outdoor water for two to three minutes afterward. The city will publish a rolling three-week schedule on its website and place doorhangers at least two days before flushing on affected streets.
Housing & Development · Napa County
The Napa County Planning Commission approved the proposed ONTRAIL Vineyards micro-winery at 3252 Silverado Trail near Soda Canyon northeast of the city of Napa in a 4-1 vote on Oct. 21. The application had previously gone through three zoning administrator hearings over concerns including potential Swainson's hawk nests, a public noticing error, and groundwater pumping near Hardman Creek. Three unmetered wells in the basin will be metered, with owners sharing data with the county. Water Audit California objected to the county's water analysis approach, arguing the plan does not adequately protect stream flows under the Public Trust Doctrine.
Community brief · St. Helena, CA
Kyle Schuh, a 1988 St. Helena High graduate and three-sport athlete, will be inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 7, joining his late father Chris Schuh. The 14th annual ceremony takes place at Native Sons Hall at 1313 Spring St. in St. Helena, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. cocktail hour. Five other inductees join the 2026 class: Terry Vulcani (1963), Deja Talley (1989), Matt Hardin (2001), Amizetta Clark (2004), and…
