Federal filings say a Danville event planner and others used Super Bowl tickets and a prepaid “bank” of gift cards to steer which wines appeared on California grocery shelves. The charges connect producers, a major distributor and retail buyers.

South San Francisco has tapped Laura Snideman as its next city manager, but her Calistoga exit includes a severance dispute and a withdrawn waiver. The council will consider her contract next Wednesday.

California's AB 720 will let winegrowers pour at vineyard sites next year, and Napa County staff are drafting strict limits — from 15‑person caps to shuttle requirements — that could reshape estate visits.

Fairfield’s council reopened a decades-old tree-and-sidewalk rule; staff wants homeowners to pick up maintenance costs and legal risk, with a draft due in January.

Turns out Four Seasons has been operating an absurdly expensive around-the-world jet service for a decade, and Napa earned a spot on the itinerary starting in 2026. If you're reading this, you probably can't afford it.

Michelin plans to start awarding one‑to‑three “grapes” to wineries in 2026. Napa and Sonoma producers could face fresh market pressure and new attention.

La Cheve owner Cinthya Cisneros has opened Con Amor Botanas y Tequila on Main Street, pairing remixed La Cheve dishes with a tequila-forward bar and local murals.

A dawn burglary at a Hess Hill construction site sparked two police pursuits; two suspects were arrested and about $90,000 in stolen tools recovered.

Oxbow Cheese & Wine Merchant will leave Oxbow Public Market on Dec. 31, 2025. Owner Peter Granoff says he’ll refocus on the Ferry Building and a new cheese concept next spring.

A Napa County lawsuit accuses La Tapatia Markets of negligence after two employees died of carbon monoxide and state inspectors issued citations.

Zillow predicts modest, uneven movement for California housing in 2026 — Bay Area softness alongside small gains in San Diego and L.A., with rates staying high.

AB 1246 opens California to qualifying out‑of‑state craft distillers in 2026, but new permits, taxes and a one‑year pilot will shape how far that access goes.

Step Up Housing paid $57M for Bay Village’s 260 units in Vallejo and says it will convert a substantial share into long‑term affordable homes, backed by bond and private financing.

Analysis shows the Forest Service treated under 1.7M acres through Sept.—well below recent averages. Senators and firefighters are demanding staffing and mitigation plans.

A nonpartisan report warns California could face a more than $1.8B shortfall next year as cap‑and‑trade receipts fall short of new fixed spending rules. Lawmakers may have to trim programs or shift costs.

A traffic stop at the Safeway fuel island in American Canyon led to arrests and the recovery of stolen mail, credit cards and blank‑check templates, police say.

A 64-year-old Napa man was arrested after sheriff’s detectives executed a search warrant in American Canyon; authorities say the probe involves allegations of CSAM and contact with a minor.

NOAA's 10‑foot sea‑level visualization shows neighborhoods from the Bay Area to Florida in potential inundation zones, and new research warns thousands of hazardous sites could flood by 2100.

A California appeals court has refused to overturn Christopher "Roly" Young’s conviction in the 2020 Safeway parking‑lot killing, leaving his life sentence intact.

A new California law requires landlords to supply a working stove and refrigerator for most leases starting Jan. 1, 2026, and sets recall and repair deadlines.

Solano County Sheriff's Office posted photos of a Nov. 13, 2024 search that led to the arrest of Michael Hartwig, 83, after investigators say they found more than 1,000 images of child sexual abuse material.

A Civic Lens poll of 400 likely voters puts Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco atop early California governor polling, but strategists say a large undecided vote keeps the race fluid.

The Diocese of Santa Rosa has listed roughly 13 acres around St. Joan of Arc in Yountville for sale, flagging flood and access hurdles as it seeks funds during bankruptcy.

A tip at the St. Helena post office led to arrests after officers say counterfeit $100 bills, money orders and receipts were found in a vehicle tied to the report.

An interactive Chronicle database compiles thousands of California inspection reports and flags possible patient-harm incidents. What Bay Area patients should know before choosing care.

The state ordered the Valley Rock Foundation to dissolve and direct about $10 million in grants to Westmont College, local churches and a Yountville community hub.

A new California law requires most store‑bought corn tortillas and masa products to be fortified with folic acid starting next week, with small bakers exempted. Officials say the aim is to reduce neural‑tube birth defects.

Napa Valley rolls out a 31‑day Restaurant Month in January with prix‑fixe menus, stay‑and‑dine packages and valley‑wide promotions. Reservations are recommended.

The Fink turns part of the Historic Napa Mill into a nautically dressed cocktail bar — salvaged boats, heavy brass portholes and a vintage piano anchor the room. Live music and late-night hours give downtown Napa a new spot to linger.

Storm-driven refills at San Luis Reservoir could erase thousands of acre‑feet Napa has been banking off‑site, officials warn. The city sold some reserves to reduce risk.

Rain returns Wednesday through the weekend while king tides Wed–Sun raise coastal flood risk. A cold advisory hits early Tuesday and winds may pick up late week.

A December UC Merced report links summer immigration enforcement to a 2.9% drop in California private‑sector employment — roughly 447,000 jobs lost, with noncitizen workers hit hardest.

Mare Island Dry Docks in Vallejo will close after losing a key Coast Guard contract, the city says. About 80–85 workers face layoffs as local agencies scramble to help.

A Napa County deputy has been charged with invasion‑of‑privacy crimes after prosecutors say he secretly recorded and shared nude photos of his estranged wife; one image was mistakenly sent to their 13‑year‑old daughter.

A Monday storm will bring the heaviest rain to the North Bay, with up to 4 inches possible in mountain terrain and coastal advisories in effect.

Flood warnings remain near Mark West Creek in Sonoma even as the Bay Area dries out. Hazardous surf and a late-week chill are on the way.

The children of a Vallejo man crushed during a city cleanup have filed a wrongful-death suit, saying crews used heavy equipment without proper safety checks. The complaint points to failures in training and supervision.

Eiko's will close its Oxbow Public Market stall after 11 years and consolidate operations downtown, citing declining visitor traffic and a shift in the market. The downtown restaurant will expand seafood offerings.

Two teens surrendered in connection with a deadly Sept. 11 shooting on Carolina Street in Vallejo. Murder charges were filed after detectives presented the case to the DA.

November brought modest job gains to the Bay Area and California, but year‑to‑date totals through November still show net losses. The rebound is tentative.

BottleRock will drop its 2026 lineup this Tuesday; three‑day general‑admission tickets go on sale Wednesday for the May 22–24 festival in Napa.

Jean‑Charles Boisset has closed Chateau Buena Vista and the JCB Tasting Salon, trimming his splashy Napa footprint as the collection reshapes its tasting strategy.

The Napa Valley Asian American Film Festival returns Feb. 6–7 with a program honoring Asian American women, opening with HIKARI’s Rental Family and honoring Kiều Chinh.

AI‑era fortunes from the Bay Area are driving all‑cash purchases of second homes across Napa, Monterey and the Central Coast.

A 2026 Zillow-based ranking finds multiple Bay Area ZIP codes among the nation's 50 most expensive for renters; Water Mill tops the list at nearly $96k/month.

A two‑story West Lane home in Angwin was nearly destroyed in an early‑morning blaze; Cal Fire says the cause is under investigation and no injuries were reported.

Dense morning fog will reduce visibility in Sonoma; highs near 64°F with a Coastal Flood Advisory for low-lying bayshore areas until noon Sunday.

A Spare the Air Alert bans wood burning across nine Bay Area counties this Thursday as officials warn of elevated fine-particle pollution. Exemptions and fines apply.

A larger second flu peak has hit Sonoma and Napa counties as H3N2 and rising wastewater signals push test positivity and hospital visits higher. Health officials urge vaccination and early treatment.

Pacific Legal Foundation asked a judge to vacate a nearly $4 million judgment against Hoopes Vineyard, arguing the fines and fees are unconstitutionally excessive. The move adds a national legal voice to a years‑long Napa enforcement fight.

A traffic stop in American Canyon turned up a loaded Glock 26 and an extended 24‑round magazine; a 23‑year‑old Vallejo man was arrested and booked into Napa County custody.

Gallo will shutter its St. Helena Ranch Winery and eliminate 93 positions across Napa and Sonoma, according to WARN filings and local reporting.

A packed Yountville study session turned contentious after French Laundry chef Thomas Keller and local employers urged the town to slow the Commons housing plan. Officials laid out costs, unit mixes and funding gaps as the council moves toward votes in March.

The Sonoma Planning Commission voted to 'go‑slow' on rezoning the Sebastiani Winery parcel, recommending agricultural zoning remain until project specifics and the General Plan are settled.

ReCoverCA is offering forgivable loans up to $350,000 to low-income residents who lived in Redwood Valley’s 95470 ZIP code in 2017 to help buy safer homes.

A longtime Chappellet housekeeper says she was fired after reporting injuries and seeking accommodations, alleging disability and race discrimination. The case heads to trial in 2027.

Cousins Ann Groux and Sheneen Brown opened Lil Sista’s Goody’s, a downtown Napa soul‑food restaurant serving shrimp and grits, oxtails and a popular Sunday buffet.

A Sonoma County raid uncovered 833 roosters and evidence of an alleged cockfighting ring at a Santa Rosa property, officials say.

Santa Clara County confirmed a measles case in an adult who recently traveled abroad; officials say the vaccinated patient is isolating and urged residents to check MMR status.

Aedes aegypti — a bottle‑cap‑breeding, day‑biting mosquito that can spread dengue and Zika — has been detected in parts of the Bay Area; officials urge residents to clear standing water.

Three former Master Sommelier candidates say the Court of Master Sommeliers rushed a 2018 inquiry that stripped 23 titles; a jury trial in San Francisco will test those claims.

Tens of thousands of acres of California vineyards have been ripped out and industry experts warn another wave of pullouts is coming as demand slumps and imports rise. Analysts say the correction could last into 2026.

Nearly two months after a 16-inch force main broke on Jan. 11, Clearlake households still face contaminated wells, bottled water and slow cleanup.

Calistoga Depot announced a short-term shutdown after owner Michael Madden said "March 8 will be our last day for now." A few vendors — including the Wine Collective and Earth & Sky Chocolates — will remain open.

State fire officials say small debris burns have escaped recently; follow permit and pile‑size rules, keep water nearby and call 911 if a burn spreads.

Nichols Partnership says investors drove up prices and interfered with Stanly Ranch sales, filing a $100M suit as the project confronts a defaulted loan.

St. Helena's longtime A&W will close on March 31, 2026; Azteca Market is reportedly under contract to buy the site but approvals and the sale remain unsettled.

Thomas Keller’s Burgers & Half Bottles turns an In‑N‑Out memory into a Yountville pop‑up with wagyu burgers, half‑bottles of wine and a vintage Brew Bus.

A carjacking in Fairfield on March 14 sparked a multi-county pursuit that ended in American Canyon with a K‑9 capture. Authorities say the suspect was booked and no one was hurt.

A 40-acre Mediterranean-style estate above Lake Hennessey is on the market for $18.5M, with pools, guesthouses, tennis, bocce and a one-acre Cabernet planting. The listing is held by Sotheby’s agent Ginger Martin.

A traffic stop in American Canyon turned into a high-speed pursuit that ended on St. Helena’s Main Street early Tuesday. A 22-year-old man was arrested after fleeing on foot.

A 21-year-old was arrested after police say a stolen car reached about 130 mph during a pursuit from Napa that ended in Vallejo; he faces felony and misdemeanor charges.

A newly released 171‑page consultant draft accuses St. Helena city government of chaotic budgeting, weak staffing and outsized executive pay. The study offers concrete personnel and technology fixes.

A Napa couple pleaded not guilty to murder and child-abuse charges after their 3-year-old son died of fentanyl; prosecutors say toxicology and scene evidence will be central at a Jan. 25, 2027 trial.

Juice House Co. will shutter its five Bay Area stores on April 4, founder Tiana Duvauchelle announced. Gift cards remain usable in‑store but refunds won't be offered.

No Kings 3 rallies will stage across Sonoma and Napa on March 28, with marches planned from Sonoma Plaza to Santa Rosa and Petaluma. Organizers have posted routes and volunteer sign‑ups.

A Vallejo man struck on Georgia Street died days later as police investigate and collect video evidence.

The Wonderful Company will pay $1.49M and adopt policy changes after an EEOC lawsuit alleged repeated sexual misconduct at Justin Vineyards' Paso Robles estate.

Heightened gate checks, suspended Trusted Traveler access and rising local tensions have left Travis AFB families and Fairfield residents on edge as the Iran conflict unfolds.

Kenwood Vineyards' tasting room is closed after the 33‑acre Sonoma property was bought by an LLC tied to Korbel owner Gary Heck. A WARN filing says 14 employees could be laid off.

Stanly Ranch spent three years going from Michelin-key triumph to $230 million default to $100 million lawsuit — and somehow ended up exactly where distressed luxury assets always do. Blackstone's spin on why they bought it might be the most Blackstone thing you'll read this week.

A Michelin‑starred veteran from One Market has taken over Hestan Napa’s kitchen, bringing fine‑dining chops back to downtown Napa. The move pairs seasonal menus with Hestan wines.

A traffic stop in Napa turned into a pursuit that ended when a car crashed and burst into flames at Travis Air Force Base, killing two people. Authorities are investigating.

Fairfield police say city CCTV and a real-time intelligence center helped locate and detain a 26-year-old robbery suspect on North Texas Street.

Charlie Palmer Steak at the Archer Hotel will close April 12, ending the chef's only Napa outpost. The hotel plans to rework the space into a downtown 'living room' lounge while Palmer eyes a new wine-country location.

Ryan Seacrest trimmed the asking price on his 40‑acre St. Helena estate to $19.8M after a major remodel and a long run on the market.

A San Francisco investment firm bought the Cain label and stock after the Glass Fire; the mountain estate is being sold separately while winemaker Chris Howell stays on.

Napa and the Army Corps broke ground April 1 on a new phase that will add miles of floodwall, restore riverbank habitat and extend the River Trail. Federal funds and county filings set the work in motion.

Douglas Elliman has hired local agents Christine Krenos and Joseph Zichelle to lead its new Napa and Sonoma operations, adding national firepower to Wine Country listings.

A traffic stop on SR 37 led Vallejo officers to seize a loaded, unregistered handgun hidden above a container of spaghetti, police say.

Normandie opened on Main Street with tableside soufflés, a martini bar and a wine program that mixes French classics with Napa bottles.

A man was killed after a semi struck him on Highway 29 near Hoffman Lane, closing southbound lanes for hours while CHP investigated. Detours were posted.

Heidi Barrett has opened La Sirena’s first public tasting room in Calistoga, pairing small-production wines with a gallery of her paintings.

An 80‑foot bridge on Dry Creek Road replaces a 100‑year‑old one‑lane crossing. One lane opened this week and full access is expected in early May.

A coalition of Bay Area school boards told Sacramento that a plan to delay about $5.6 billion in Prop. 98 payments would force cuts and demanded regional funding fixes.

City leaders asked the county to study alternative flight procedures after residents reported louder, more frequent overflights tied to a new FAA approach.

Neighbors sued the city and turned in roughly 700 signatures after the council eased a two‑road fire‑access rule for sprinklered developments. Organizers want the ballot to restore the older safety standard.

An early‑morning collision on Dunaweal Lane near Silverado Trail killed a bicyclist and closed the road while investigators processed the scene.

Newsom’s 2026–27 budget would make Medi‑Cal mobile crisis services optional in April 2027, shifting costs to counties and putting North Bay teams at risk.

Chanel-backed St. Supéry has purchased Rudd Estate’s Oakville vineyards and Crossroads label; Samantha Rudd says Press Restaurant will continue operating. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Napa County won $4.7M in state funds to repurpose a 21,000-sq-ft reentry facility into a $24M behavioral health center. Construction is slated to finish late 2026.

A proposed five‑story, 74‑room Castellucci hotel at downtown St. Helena is entering CEQA review, with public comment open through April 20.

CAL FIRE says it will move to permanently staff one engine per battalion and is recruiting full‑time Firefighter II crews as training begins in Sonoma‑Lake‑Napa.

NVUSD is expanding plastic‑free Wednesdays and scaling up scratch‑cooked meals from its central kitchen, aiming to cut thousands of single‑use plastics while serving fresher lunches.

Constellation Brands warned U.S. high‑end wine demand is soft as Bill Newlands exits and Robert Mondavi prepares to reopen, raising pressure on Napa tasting rooms.

A Napa civil grand jury found local police and the sheriff largely comply with California limits on ICE cooperation, but urged more transparency and Spanish-language outreach.

A new study finds wildfires are burning later into the night across North America, adding hundreds of potential burning hours to California seasons.

Napa approved a $250,000 loan to build sidewalks so Le Petit Elephant can finish converting a former Alta Heights church into a 250-slot child development center.

NVUSD will consider a censure that could strip Trustee Julianna Villegas Hart of committee duties and bar her from district campuses after alleged unprofessional staff encounters.

A Vallejo traffic stop on April 8 produced a stolen vehicle, a loaded unregistered handgun and suspected meth, heroin and fentanyl; three people were arrested.

Hilton’s Casa Mani Resort opened in downtown Napa after a full redevelopment, bringing 203 rooms, a new spa and BOA Steakhouse to First Street. The property adds large meeting space and new dining options.

Sonoma County's DA says a Santa Rosa SWAT officer was justified in the fatal August Keegan Drive shooting of Matteo Ramirez‑Santos; criminal probe ends while reviews continue.

Three people were arrested in north Napa after officers recovered a pried-open safe and tools investigators say may link the case to an organized burglary crew.

Forge Pizza Napa has closed its South Napa Century Center location after roughly ten years, leaving a popular wood‑fired pizzeria dark as the center shifts toward temporary recreation uses.

Fairfield police arrested Enrique Escalante after officers say a stolen handgun and illegal narcotics were found in his vehicle following a weapons report. The suspect was booked into Solano County Jail.

A Napa judge denied NVUSD’s bid to undo approval of the Mayacamas countywide charter, leaving the school in operation while the larger lawsuit continues. Local officials and legal filings outline the next steps.

CAL FIRE’s Sonoma‑Lake‑Napa Unit says residential burn permits are required starting May 1 across six counties. Permits are free, but air districts still decide burn days.

Napa Valley College trustees have chosen Dr. Gayle Pitman as the next superintendent‑president; the board will consider her contract on May 21. Pitman comes from Hartnell College with a record on equity and student success.

Court filings show an American Canyon student reached a conditional settlement with former coach Brad Rowell, who is serving 15 years after a guilty plea.

Kollar Chocolates owner Chris Kollar announced the Yountville shop will close later this month. The store will remain open briefly as the team winds down operations.

Calistoga police warned that the 'Senior Assassins' toy‑gun game can be mistaken for a real threat, prompting high‑risk police stops and possible legal trouble.

Federal agents removed five card‑skimming devices in a Sacramento‑area sweep that inspected roughly 510 businesses and more than 3,000 terminals.

Mobile tortillerías — full tortilla factories on wheels — have started popping up across Sonoma County, selling hot corn tortillas by the pound and reviving neighborhood food traditions.

Clos Pegase has reopened in Calistoga after a yearlong restoration under Jay and Tammi Adair, who repainted the Michael Graves landmark and revived its art program. Tastings resume with a $50 signature flight and new gallery programming.

Undercover buys by Napa detectives and state health officials found kratom and concentrated 7‑OH products on sale at three local smoke shops; misdemeanor referrals are planned.

Los Angeles and state officials say General Motors will pay $12.75M and delete OnStar driving records after allegations it sold subscribers' location and driving data.

A Vallejo woman on a scooter died after falling into traffic on Sonoma Boulevard. Vallejo police say the driver stayed and investigators are seeking witnesses.

Napa County is monitoring Rohlffs Manor after two residents were diagnosed with Legionnaires’ disease. Initial environmental samples at the complex tested negative as officials continue to investigate.

A Napa nonprofit that rescued the Yountville Sun and Calistoga Tribune is shutting down next Friday, leaving roughly a dozen staff without work and the papers without an owner.

A 431‑acre fuel‑break on Hogback Ridge is being treated with mulching, pile burns and mechanical thinning to give firefighters safer lines and reduce wildfire risk above Napa Valley.

Two people were killed in a shooting on Sunday in Suisun City. Police say the suspected shooter is unknown and have asked residents to come forward with tips.

Matthew Accarrino is consulting on Vetra and a casual café at The Elene in Napa, pairing Cal‑Italian cooking with a cycling program tied to the Napa Valley Vine Trail.

Santa Rosas Poppy Bank opened a Novato branch and says it will reach 50 California locations by yearend 2026 while adding staff and competitive shortterm CDs.

A reported possible shooting near Calistoga led to a 10-minute pursuit that closed Dunaweal Lane and southbound Highway 29; a suspect was arrested and officials say there is no ongoing threat.

April EDD data show North Bay jobless rates fell for a second month, with Marin at 3.7% and Lake County still highest at 6.7%. Industry shifts in health care and information shaped the changes.

Velocity Invitational returns to Sonoma Raceway May 29–31 with F1 guests, a Porsche Sprint Challenge appearance, ride‑alongs and an on‑site Cars & Bids auction. Expect paddock access, VIP packages and family bundles.

AB 1903 cleared the Assembly 70-0 and would force repairs before lawsuits, a shift supporters say could ease insurance pain and help restart condo construction. The bill now heads to the State Senate.

A small plane went down at Sonoma Valley Airport on Wednesday, injuring three people. Officials say the scene was contained to the airfield as investigators respond.

Addendum, Thomas Keller’s backyard takeout spot behind Ad Hoc in Yountville, reopened last Friday for weekends through Labor Day with pizza, fried chicken and new sandwiches.

A $2.5M settlement announced by California's attorney general voids MV Realty's long-term listing contracts and clears liens for nearly 1,500 homeowners. State officials say restitution and lien removals will follow fast.

Napa LAFCO approved an 89‑acre Paoli/Watson annexation that lets American Canyon extend its urban limit line, unlock road improvements and shift future housing obligations. A 281‑acre proposal remains pending.

Downtown Joe's has finished a yearlong remodel and debuted a Second Street terrace with river views, expanded menus and live‑music nights. The upgrade also sets up a future rooftop and bigger kitchen.

A St. Helena gala raised more than $5 million to buy and outfit a new rapid‑care clinic intended to expand non‑emergency and primary care access in the Upper Napa Valley.

Napa Valley College unveiled the Donna Altes Hospitality Training Center on June 2, adding a tasting bar and classroom to its Wine Education Complex. The privately funded facility will train students for tasting‑room and wine‑sales roles.

Sheriff Ortiz told supervisors the county’s 2025 annual report shows rural major crimes have stayed roughly level, with deputies still handling more than 23,000 calls. The update highlights steady totals alongside a handful of high‑profile incidents that strained rural patrols.

Gov. Newsom’s July 1, 2020 rollback closed indoor service in 19 counties while a PlumpJack-linked Napa tasting room remained open. The discrepancy drew sharp criticism from Valley operators.