NEWS FROM DISTRICT 3

Welcome to the July edition of our District 3 newsletter! I hope this message finds you well and enjoying all that summer in Napa County has to offer. It’s the perfect season to get outside, safely explore our trails and open spaces, and take part in the many events and activities that make Napa County such a special place to live.

There’s a lot happening around Napa County and right here in District 3—and this newsletter offers just a glimpse of the exciting events, projects, and opportunities underway.

Thank you for reading, and please reach out to me (anne.cottrell@countyofnapa.org) or my District Aide Leah (leah.doyle-stevens@countyofnapa.org) with any County-related questions or concerns.

Warmly,

Anne

IN THE COMMUNITY

New Addition to the Blue Cart: Paper Beverage Cups Now Accepted! ☕🥤

Big news for coffee and tea drinkers in Napa County: Upper Valley Disposal Service (UVDS) now accepts paper beverage cups in the blue recycling cart—including both hot coffee cups (with sleeve) and cold drink cups. To recycle them correctly, please follow these guidelines:

·      Remove lids and straw before recycling

·      Lids and straws go in the trash

·      Cups and paper sleeves go in the blue recycling cart

This small change means less waste and a cleaner recycling stream. For more info, contact UVDS at 707-963-7988.

Napa Valley Hispanic Network Scholarship Program

Did you know that the Napa County Hispanic Network Scholarship Program awards merit- and need-based scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 to high school seniors and current college students of Hispanic heritage in Napa County—regardless of immigration status?

This initiative lifts financial barriers, empowering local Latino students to pursue higher education and leadership roles that benefit our community. In the past 40 years, the Network has awarded more than $500,000 to over 300 students, nurturing the next generation of community leaders.

Know of any students—whether in high school, community college, university, graduate, or trade school—who might be interested? Students can begin to apply in January. Applications and info are available here or by emailing scholarships@napacountyhispanicnetwork.org.

UVFC - Vermeil House

Congratulations to UpValley Family Centers (UVFC) on the recent ribbon cutting for their new Vermeil House location! This beautiful new space expands access to vital healthcare, social services, and support for residents throughout the upvalley region.

UpValley Family Centers is a community resource, providing essential programs that strengthen families, connect people to opportunities, and foster resilience. Their work is truly invaluable to the health and well-being of our communities.

And in the flyer below, you can see several services that Napa County Health and Human Services Agency will be able to provide in UVFC’s Calistoga offices:

(click on above video to view photos from parade)



4th of July Calistoga-style

Thank you Calistoga for another wonderful 4th of July parade! What a great reminder that community and connection can lift us all up.

Ag Boosters Anniversary Celebration

Congrats to the Ag Boosters of St. Helena High School on their 25th anniversary! It was a fun celebration (that's Max Mendoza's cake getting auctioned off) and a great chance to hear the history of the program. Thanks to Larry Bettinelli and all the founders for your vision 25 years ago, and to all the community members, local growers and Ag businesses who have offered their ongoing support. 



To the board, and Mr. Mendez, and all the teachers, thank you for your hard work to make this program and St. Helena FFA such amazing resources for SHHS students!

ROCK THE RIDE against gun violence

Thank you to Congressman Mike Thompson and all who joined us for this year’s Rock the Ride in Yountville. It was great to see people from up and down the valley—and across the state and nation—come together to stand against gun violence and advocate for common-sense gun safety solutions.

A heartfelt thank you to our speakers, including the inspiring Gabby Giffords—a hero to so many—for her powerful presence. Deep gratitude as well to the hardworking organizers (Rebecca Kotch, you are amazing!), sponsors, and participants who made this event possible.

As Congressman Thompson reminded us, “we can do this—it just takes all of us, working together.”

IN THE AIR

CAL FIRE Helicopter Stationed at Napa Airport

For the fifth year in a row, a Type-1 helicopter is stationed at the Napa County Airport during peak fire season—an invaluable resource that allows for rapid wildfire response. There are also Type-1 helicopters in Sonoma and Lake County, with the ability to reach Napa County’s borders within minutes. Since 2021, we’ve averaged just two wildfires a year that were over 10 acres, a significant drop from nearly five 10-acre-plus wildfires per year in the decade prior.

Thank you to the CAL FIRE team for stationing these aircraft to support a rapid air response here in Napa County. We also appreciate your support in strengthening our volunteer fire program and integrating our fire administration team. This partnership is a model of collaboration and community protection.

Be sure to view the video from a recent press conference where all three helicopters stopped by the Napa County Airport!

ON THE GROUND

Where Should I Create Defensible Space on My Property?

You can download a custom map report to see where to create Defensible Space on your property: the goal is to manage vegetation at least 100 feet out from buildings to reduce wildfire risk and facilitate firefighting. A quick note: vegetation cover, buildings, and ground conditions may have changed since 2018 when the data was mapped. Reports will be updated with data flown in 2023 as funding becomes available.

Visit the Napa County Fire defensible space page for more information and to request an inspection.



Napa County Wildfire Fuel Mapper

The Napa County Wildfire Fuel Mapper was created to help residents, fire safe councils, and other land managers to help to locate and understand fire hazards on their property. The application aggregates fine-scale fuels and fire hazard datasets to deliver information via custom maps and reports. The simple interface helps community members to understand planning and regulatory requirements specific to their location. Formerly available only to Sonoma County residents, the Wildfire Fuel Mapper has recently been expanded to all of Napa County, with funding from Napa Firewise Foundation.

Rough Roadway North of Yountville

I've heard from several residents about poor road conditions on Highway 29 north of Yountville in both directions. I’ve reached out to Caltrans and our Napa Valley Transportation Authority to share those concerns and ask for information about repair plans. If you would like to provide your own input, please visit the CalTrans link here.

I’ll continue to follow up and advocate for improvements.

(Stay) IN THE KNOW

PSPS Reminders

We have reached the beginning of peak wildfire season here in Napa County, which also means the dreaded Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) that we all know far too well here in the 3rd District. As a reminder, PSPS events are planned power outages by PG&E during times of high wildfire risk—like strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation—to prevent fires from igniting via power lines. These events help keep our community safe, but power may be temporarily turned off in high-risk areas.

Why PG&E deploys them:

• To reduce wildfire risk when weather conditions are extreme .
• Guided by California’s fire-safety protocols and utility regulations.

How to prepare:

• Sign up for PG&E PSPS alerts and ensure your contact info is current.
• Stock emergency supplies: flashlights, water, battery chargers, non-perishable food.
• Plan for medical needs—if you rely on powered equipment, look into PG&E’s Medical Baseline program.
• Check PG&E’s 7-day PSPS forecast and outage map to see if your address might be affected.

How to learn more:

• Visit PG&E’s PSPS and wildfire-safety webpages.
• Use readynapacounty.org for resources for local guidance.
• Watch for alerts via text, email, or phone before outages begin.

Stay informed and prepared—your safety depends on it.

IN THE VOLUNTEER SPIRIT

Be Ready with CERT: Join Napa County’s Emergency Response Team

Napa County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trains volunteers to help during emergencies like wildfires, earthquakes, and power outages. CERT members learn basic disaster response skills—fire safety, first aid, search and rescue—and play a key role when professional responders are delayed.

CERT strengthens community safety and resilience by preparing neighbors to support one another in a crisis.

Want to get involved? CERT training is free and open to all residents. Learn more and sign up at www.ReadyNapaCounty.org.

Be prepared. Be empowered. Be CERT.

SNAPSHOT ON COUNTY PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Program Spotlight: Napa County Ag Pass

In Napa County, the Ag Pass is a program that allows commercial agricultural producers to access their properties during disaster-related road closures, but only for essential agricultural activities. It's not a general pass for all farm work, but rather a way for producers to care for livestock, crops, or other agricultural assets in emergencies. 

The Ag Pass program in Napa County is designed to ensure the safety and continuity of agricultural operations during disasters like wildfires or floods. It's intended for commercial agricultural producers (farmers and ranchers) who need to access their properties for critical tasks like managing crops, tending to livestock, or maintaining essential infrastructure during road closures. 

Access: The Ag Pass allows access to agricultural properties for emergency response activities, not routine agricultural operations. Each person needing access must have their own Ag Pass. 

Applications can be submitted online, and for those with an OpID grower or Restricted Material Permit, the Ag Pass can be accessed through CalAgPermits. 

Resources for Animal and Pet Owners

Commercial Livestock and Ranchers

If you have a commercial business involving the use livestock or other animals, you may qualify for an Approval of Essential Agricultural Activities Verification card. Please submit a application to see if your business qualifies.

Emergency Resources for Domestic Animals and Pets

Visit Napa CART to learn how to prepare a disaster plan before a fire event occurs, and for information and assistance with animal care during an emergency situation.

Napa CART Emergency Preparedness Checklists

Pet Disaster Kit Napa County Animal Shelter

CEH Horse Report

Prepare Your Pets for Disasters

That's it for this edition - thank you for reading! If you have a question or a topic you'd like to read about here, please email me at anne.cottrell@countyofnapa.org . You can also get in touch by emailing Leah, my District Aide, at leah.doyle-stevens@countyofnapa.org.

To see my weekly updates, please follow my Supervisor Anne Cottrell Facebook page and @supervisorannecottrell on Instagram. The County’s website and Facebook page are also good sources of information.

Thanks again. I look forward to serving and collaborating with you!

Anne Cottrell