NEWS FROM DISTRICT 3

Welcome to the August edition of our District 3 newsletter - summer is still here, and it’s also Back to School season - and harvest 2025 has begun! Thanks to everyone working in our vineyards and wineries this season. It’s a busy time for our community, so let’s be mindful of each other on the roads - and please give those grape trucks some extra room and a little patience.

Also, as we move deeper into wildfire season, we need to be prepared for potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events - those are power outages that you may get an alert about. There are also Emergency Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) - where PG&E shuts off power in rapid response to a potential fault in the line). In either case, now is a great time to make sure you have a plan and some supplies for when the power goes out.

In this edition of the newsletter, you’ll find info about community events for seniors, students, and families; a regional effort to help the county adapt to climate change; a reminder about our great local farmers markets, and more.

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

Berryessa Estates Community Meeting

Last week, Napa County Sheriff Ortiz and I co-hosted the 2nd Annual 'Food, Good News and Resources' event for the Berryessa Estates and Pope Valley communities. Thank you to the residents for joining us for tacos, info and more! I'm grateful to all the County and community groups who came as well:

Napa County Parks and Open Space District; Napa Communities Firewise Foundation; Napa Sheriff's officers & Office of Emergency Services; Napa County Fire Department (thank you Erick Hernandez for the update on defensible space); Napa Valley COAD; UpValley Family Centers (with great info from LISTOS California); Public Works; and RCD and La Condesa Taqueria too!

Thanks finally, to Pope Valley Volunteer Fire Station for hosting us - just one more example of how you support the community!

Farmers’ Market in YOUNTVILLE!

Have you stopped by the new(ish) Yountville Farmers’ Market yet? I recently visited and loved seeing the fresh, local goods and friendly faces right in the heart of town.

Open Thursday and Sunday mornings next to Ranch Market Too!, the market offers locally grown produce, artisan goods, and more. I picked up a loaf of West Won bread from Joe, and beautiful flowers from Lia (pictured above)—as well as some shishito grown by her son!

The Yountville Farmers Market joins a strong network of Farmers Markets in the valley - I hope you get the chance to visit all of them: Calistoga, St. Helena, Farmstead at St. Helena, Napa, and now Yountville. They are a great way to find fresh produce, support local farmers, and connect with our community.

Talking Landline Access with Rianda House Seniors

Thank you to the Rianda House senior activity center for welcoming me to speak about AB 470, a concerning bill that would allow AT&T to phase out landline service for some California residents.

I appreciated the thoughtful conversation and the chance to hear directly from residents about (1) how vital landlines remain—especially during power outages and emergencies—and (2) how seniors living on fixed incomes face challenges in affording service.

Your voices matter, and I’ll continue to advocate for changes in AB470, and for rules that provide all our residents with affordable and reliable telephone service.

National Night Out in St. Helena & Calistoga

Thanks to the cities of Calistoga and St. Helena for hosting such fantastic National Night Out events this year. National Night Out is an annual event that brings neighbors together to strengthen police-community ties and to promote public safety; thanks to our local law enforcement partners for being there, sharing information, and visiting with kids and families. It was great to see so many residents, local organizations, and first responders come together to enjoy the event.

Calistoga Fire Safe Council

A big thank you to the Calistoga Fire Safe Council for hosting an informative and engaging evening focused on wildfire prevention and community safety.

The program featured updates from Calistoga Fire Chief Steve Matcham, Assistant Napa County Fire Chief Brian Ham, and our key partner Napa Firewise. Attendees also got a closer look at emerging technologies designed to better protect homes from wildfire risk.

I was glad to share updates on Napa County’s wildfire preparedness efforts, as well as important work underway at the state level through the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force.

Special thanks to Charles Krug Winery for hosting—and to the Calistoga Fire Safe Council for your leadership and dedication. Your ongoing efforts are making our community safer and more resilient!

(Stay Safe &) IN THE KNOW

Get Involved with Your Local Fire Safe Council

Napa County is home to 22 Fire Safe Councils, including many here in District 3: Angwin, Berryessa Estates and Berryessa West, Calistoga, Deer Park, Diamond Mountain, Lake Hennessey and Hennessey Rector, Pope Valley, and St. Helena. You can find the list of councils and contact info for each volunteer lead here.

Fire Safe Councils work with neighbors, local agencies, and first responders to create defensible space around homes, develop evacuation plans, host educational workshops, and organize community clean-up projects to reduce fire hazards. They work closely with Napa Firewise, with a shared goal to make neighborhoods more resilient and prepared for wildfire season.

You can get involved by attending meetings, volunteering for local projects, or joining community outreach efforts. To learn more about your area’s Fire Safe Council and how to participate, visit Napa County Fire Safe Councils or contact your local council directly.

Summer Safety Tips

August can bring some of the hottest days of the year, so let’s take care of ourselves—and each other. Keep a water bottle handy, avoid strenuous activities in the afternoon sun, and never leave kids or pets in a parked car, even for a minute. If you know someone who might struggle in the heat, give them a call or stop by to check in.

If you’re enjoying Lake Berryessa, always wear a life jacket, watch for changing water conditions, and swim near others. On local trails, carry extra water, wear sun protection, and be aware of wildlife.

This is also peak wildfire season—be mindful of fire safety at home and outdoors. Avoid using equipment that can spark during hot, dry, or windy conditions, and have an emergency plan in place. Napa County has cooling centers open to help anyone who needs a break from the heat—find locations and hours at ReadyNapaCounty.org.

IN THE VOLUNTEER SPIRIT

Serve Your Community—Join a County Board or Commission

Looking for a meaningful way to give back? Napa County is seeking community members to serve on boards, committees, and commissions. Current openings include the Commission on Aging, the Drought and Water Shortage Task Force, and the Flood Control and Water Conservation District. Your voice can help shape local policy and programs. View all openings and apply here or pick up an application at the Napa County Executive Office, 1195 Third Street, Suite 310, Napa.

IN THE LOCAL SPOTLIGHT

Gratitude to Dr. Barbara Nemko

After decades of dedicated service as Napa County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Barbara Nemko retired at the end of July. A fearless advocate for students and a leader whose vision transformed education in our community, her impact will be felt for generations.



Dr. Nemko’s leadership, heart, and unwavering commitment to students has been nothing short of inspiring. I am grateful for her incredible contributions and wish her every happiness in retirement.

Thank you, Dr. Nemko—you’ve made Napa County proud!

Thanks to Charlie Garrett

I want to give a shout out and big thank you to Charlie Garrett of St. Helena, who recently went above and beyond to help a neighbor in need, responding quickly and selflessly in a moment of urgency. His actions not only provided immediate support but also reminded all of us of the power of community and looking out for one another. Napa County is fortunate to have residents like Charlie whose kindness and courage inspire us all.



Thank you, Charlie! Napa County is better because of people like you.

Read the full story from the St. Helena Star’s Jesse Duarte here.



SNAPSHOT ON COUNTY PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Program Spotlight: Napa County Public Works Roads Division

This month we want to say thank you to our Public Works Roads Division - a group that is hard at work everyday maintaining and improving our roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure to keep our communities safe and connected. From routine pothole repairs and signage updates to larger construction projects, the department works to make sure that residents and visitors can travel safely throughout the county. And we know that their work is never done!

Two current ongoing projects include:

• Highway 29 Pavement Rehabilitation – This project focuses on resurfacing and upgrading sections of one of Napa Valley’s busiest corridors to improve safety, smooth traffic flow, and extend the lifespan of the roadway.
• Flood Mitigation Improvements in Pope Valley – Public Works is enhancing drainage systems and stabilizing key areas to reduce flooding risks and protect homes and roads during heavy rains.

We know that it can be frustrating to get rerouted around a project, or to sit in traffic while road repairs are underway. One way to stay informed about projects is to visit Napa County Public Works Projects. If you notice an issue such as potholes, damaged signage, or other road concerns, you can report it or request maintenance online at Request Public Works Service.

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