News & Features

Napa Health Enrollment Group Builds Stability Amid Policy Changes

Community Health Initiative, Napa County’s only nonprofit licensed to enroll residents in Covered California, kept its full enrollment team during a year of changing healthcare rules and higher premiums. Support from Napa Valley Community Foundation helped the organization continue serving clients and create a three-year strategic plan, while it explores new revenue sources as public funding becomes less certain.

Napa Hotels See Summer Occupancy Slip as Rates Continue Rising

Napa County’s hotel results for May through July show a close relationship between pricing and room demand: occupancy fell when average daily rate rose faster, then increased during June’s smaller rate gain. In July, Napa was the only market among six in its comparison group to fill a smaller share of rooms. Year to date, occupancy is up 0.6%, while rates rose 3.4%.

American Canyon’s Andre Lopez makes early impact at Grinnell

Former American Canyon standout Andre Lopez has led Grinnell College with 361 rushing yards through four games as a freshman running back. He opened the season with 161 yards on 25 carries in a 16-13 victory over Mount Mercy. Lopez has averaged 4.6 yards per attempt and scored two touchdowns for the Division III Pioneers.

Planning for Sleep Apnea Care During a Power Outage

Napa County Emergency Services advises people who use CPAP or BIPAP to plan for prolonged power interruptions. Regular treatment may provide carryover benefits for a night or two, but backup power options should be considered. People using these devices or oxygen concentrators for chronic respiratory failure should discuss outage planning, including whether a generator is needed, with a primary care provider or pulmonologist.

Napa transportation board works to explain its regional role

At a Sept. 16 retreat, Napa Valley Transportation Authority directors developed plain-language explanations of the agency’s work and discussed priorities for the next five years. The countywide organization coordinates transit and transportation projects across Napa County and its five cities. Goals include safer, more reliable travel and greater use of buses, carpools and other shared options.

Napa Expo carriage collection heads to online auction after 30 years

After three decades at Napa Valley Expo, a historic collection of horse-drawn carriages is headed to an online auction. The George and Ruth Geis collection includes vehicles and artifacts from the 1800s and 1900s, including a stagecoach and covered wagon. Bidding runs through BidCal.com Oct. 1-6, with a portion of proceeds initially supporting a historical archive.

Young Calistoga Wildcats Build Toward Another Soccer Playoff Run

Calistoga High’s girls soccer team is 0-6 after losing several key players from last season, including its leading scorer and top defender. The senior-less Wildcats have 18 players, including five juniors, seven sophomores and six freshmen. Freshman Montserrat Zepeda has scored the team’s only goal as coach Esme Rivera works to develop cohesion and pursue a third consecutive playoff appearance.

New Napa fund invites grant proposals supporting residents with developmental disabilities

The Napa Valley Community Foundation is accepting proposals for the inaugural William A. and Theresa N. Boughn Fund grant cycle. Napa County nonprofits may seek general operating or program support for residential care, housing, health services, employment, recreation, transportation, and other daily-living assistance for people with developmental disabilities. Requests can reach $50,000, depending on organizational budget. Funding decisions will be communicated by November 14, 2026.

Napa Art Alliance Invites Community to Explore What Brings Peace

Artist and Jessel Gallery founder Jessel Miller has launched the Napa Artistry Peace Alliance, a project gathering creative work and personal reflections about peace, joy and comfort. An exhibition opens June 13-14 and continues through July, with an acrylic workshop, artist demonstrations and an opening reception. Community members can also submit images and written responses through the alliance website.

Napa Supervisors Hold August Meeting; Next Session Set for September

Napa County’s Board of Supervisors held its regularly scheduled meeting on August 25, with all five supervisors in attendance: Joelle Gallagher, Liz Alessio, Anne Cottrell, Amber Manfree and Belia Ramos. The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 15, 2026, at 9 a.m. Meeting agendas, materials and videos are available through the county’s Board resources.

Napa County Farmworker Housing Program Earns National County Award

Napa County’s farmworker housing program has received a National Association of Counties Achievement Award for its public-private partnership model. Grower assessments have supported three agricultural worker centers since 2002. Expanded services introduced in 2021 include healthcare, ESL classes, legal assistance and professional development, with centers in Napa, St. Helena and Calistoga reporting average occupancy of 96%.

Court ruling supports Napa County in Bonny’s Vineyard permit case

Napa County Superior Court has ruled for the county in Water Audit California’s challenge to the Bonny’s Vineyard winery use permit. The court found the lawsuit was not served within the required 90-day period and rejected the remaining claims as grounds for relief. The ruling followed an August 21 hearing; dismissal will occur after the final order is entered.

Napa County Board Sets September 29 Meeting and TRUTH Act Forum

Napa County supervisors held their regular meeting on September 15, with all five district representatives listed as attending. The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 29, 2026, at 9 a.m., followed by a TRUTH Act Community Forum at 6 p.m. County resources include Board agendas, public-comment information and meeting videos.

Napa County news staff works toward a possible summer relaunch

Following Highway 29 Media CEO Marc Hand’s announcement that he is stepping away and closing the company’s publications, staff members are exploring how to continue local coverage. The company publishes four Napa County outlets, including The Napa County Times, and hopes to launch a new website by the end of summer. Reorganizing and funding the effort remain challenges.

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