Dear Reader,Unfortunately our comment platform isn\'t available at the moment due to issues with our paywall and authentication vendor As federal prosecutors close a criminal probe into Napa Valley’s landfill operator residents and former workers say the fight for accountability isn’t over A federal criminal investigation involving the company that owns Napa County’s controversial Clover Flat Landfill has been closed — though prosecutors made clear the case could be reopened at any time focused on Upvalley waste operations now owned by Waste Connections Inc. one of the largest waste management firms in the United States federal investigators contacted Napa County for information related to the Upper Valley Waste Management Agency a joint-powers authority overseeing local waste services agents visited Clover Flat and two other related sites In a March 10 letter to a lawyer representing Waste Connections federal prosecutors confirmed they had ended a probe into potential environmental crimes and obstruction of justice The letter did not detail specific allegations “This letter should not be interpreted as an exoneration of your client or a ‘clean bill of health,’” wrote acting U.S Attorney Patrick Robbins and Assistant U.S this letter does not confer any protection .. against future investigative or prosecutorial action with respect to this or any other matter.” did not name the Clover Flat Landfill or Upper Valley Disposal Service on Whitehall Lane — the two facilities now operated by Waste Connections The company acquired them in 2023 from the Pestoni family Controversy surrounding the landfill has long centered on exclusive decades-long contracts granted by Napa County to the Pestoni-run companies as well as ongoing complaints about water contamination recurring fires and hazardous working conditions Waste Connections said the companies had “cooperated fully” and viewed the closure as confirmation of no wrongdoing “(We) believe this decision is a reflection of .. no evidence of wrongdoing by the companies,” the statement read Environmental advocates and local residents have raised concerns for years about public safety groundwater contamination and labor conditions affecting a primarily Latino workforce Jose Garibay Jr., a former Clover Flat worker has said many of those concerns came to a head after the 2020 Glass Fire He and other employees were allegedly directed to clean up the site without proper protective gear or training Waste Connections has said it plans to close Clover Flat Landfill by 2027, citing economic challenges said the federal investigation’s closure doesn’t lessen the need for public accountability — and vowed to keep pushing for oversight “The intimidation into silence of the primarily Latino workforce about the fires and contamination at UVDS/Clover Flat Landfill,” he said You can reach Staff Writer Edward Booth at 707-521-5281 or edward.booth@pressdemocrat.com A crane sorts garbage at the Clover Flat landfill outside Calistoga in 2021 Department of Justice has closed its investigation involving Waste Connections Inc. the owner of the Clover Flat Landfill near Calistoga the owner of the Clover Flat Landfill near Calistoga in upper Napa County Attorney David Ward revealed this in a March 10 letter to Waste Connections That letter was recently shared with Napa County and the county Board of Supervisors "This letter should not be interpreted as an exoneration of your client or a 'clean bill of health,'" the Justice Department wrote this letter does not confer any protection on your client against future investigation or prosecutorial action with respect to this or any other matter." The federal investigation was opened into allegations of environmental and obstruction of justice laws who said the Justice Department could reopen the probe in the future without notice to Waste Connections and Upper Valley Disposal Service are pleased with the decision by the U.S Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California to close this investigation," said John Perkey Deputy General Counsel — Compliance and Government Affairs "We have cooperated fully with the government in their investigation and believe this decision is a reflection of that cooperation and no evidence of wrongdoing by the companies." Clover Flat Landfill has faced challenges in recent years the Upper Valley Waste Management Agency — the local joint-powers authority that oversees the landfill — threatened to revoke the franchise agreement over fire and leakage issues The matters were resolved to the agency's satisfaction Waste Connections purchased Clover Flat Landfill and Upper Valley Disposal & Recycling Services from the local Pestoni family in 2022 the Justice Department subpoenaed the Upper Valley Waste Management Agency for information regarding competition for waste management services in Marin 24 former and current employees for Upvalley waste services alleged unsound environmental practices and unsafe conditions They sent their complaint to several agencies Waste Connections has announced plans to begin closing Clover Flat Landfill in June 2027 Yountville and rural areas would instead be shipped to Potrero Hills Landfill in Solano County Helena Mayor Geoff Ellsworth and Anne Wheaton have long criticized the Clover Flat Landfill operations alleging environmental and worker safety issues Ellsworth expressed disappointment that the Department of Justice has closed the probe He noted the letter declined to give Waste Connections a clean bill of health Perhaps the probe has been shelved due to national issues and Justice Department budget cuts Wheaton and Ellsworth noted the federal letter is directed to Waste Connections not the former ownership under the Pestoni family Wheaton said her contentions and Ellsworth's have been with the previous management “We’re looking for accountability,” Ellsworth said Waste Connections is moving things in a better direction.” Ellsworth continues to push for hearings on Clover Flat and Upvalley disposal issues with sworn testimony before state and local boards He also pointed to an April 23 letter from the California League of United Latin American Citizens supporting more than two dozens Latino workers who have filed state and federal complaints concerning Clover Flat Landfill and Upper Valley Disposal & Recycling Services This is a developing story and will be updated Email notifications are only sent once a day Friends and family of Berryessa's Turtle Rock bar collected the money pined to the ceiling of the cafe to donate to UCSF and celebrate the 15-year 'cancerversary' of Elijah Leung Take a ride around Napa on these motorized ADA-compliant scooters made to look like various critters and creatures Most of Napa’s River Park Shopping Center tenants cater to locals Now a handful of tenants have left the center The sheriff's office reported seizing 13 roosters from a Carneros site where it said the birds were altered and trained to fight other male birds Take a good look at Napa’s Kohl’s building Developers have asked the city of Napa for permission to demolish the building at 1116 First St Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account It is the kind of place that inspires visitors to slow down and chill all while exploring an array of vibrant and delicious wines the Lola Wines tasting room offers a chill atmosphere and energetic wines in Calistoga Lola House is all about showcasing the winery’s less-common varietals Lola House is all about showcasing the winery's less-common varietals the pretty back patio at Lola House is the place to be Chenin Blanc is making a comeback in California Helena ($45) makes a great case for its resurgence Calistoga is one of my favorite Wine Country towns because it somehow makes me feel like I’m on vacation even though it’s less than an hour away from my house its unpretentiousness and the cute shops along Lincoln Avenue Lola is the kind of place that inspires visitors to slow down and chill Growing up on Anna Maria Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast Seth Cripe took an interest in wine at an early age working as a busser and dishwasher at a local restaurant called Beach Bistro he was allowed to taste wines from the restaurant’s extensive list and he learned all he could about the wines of the world Cripe left school at age 17 and headed to Napa Valley He worked at Swanson for four years before moving on to Pfeiffer Vineyards in Australia in 2008 on the idea that wine and the Napa Valley itself should be unpretentious The winery works with Napa Valley vineyards from Yountville to Calistoga along with sites in the Russian River Valley and Santa Lucia Highlands In addition to nationally distributed Pinot Noir Cripe makes 20 small-production bottlings from esoteric varieties like Counoise Indoor tastings take place in the home’s traditional-meets-modern parlor with its rustic brick fireplace and intimate groupings of mix-and-match tables and chairs wall hangings that include historic photos original art and Cripe’s prized surfboard combine to create a cozy and eclectic feel Leafy potted plants and flowers provide natural separations between seating areas and a few slender palm trees tower overhead You might find yourself — as I did — wishing this could be your very own backyard hangout then whatever they don’t snap up is showcased at the tasting room Cripe makes the wines with minimal cellar intervention using neutral oak to showcase the purity of the fruit The wines are fresh and energetic without veering too far in the “lean and mean” direction Chenin Blanc is making a comeback in California with floral accents and apple-pear flavors has the floral aromatics of a sweeter bottling — yet the wine is delightfully dry The 2023 Yountville Counoise ($65) is another gem mouthwatering acidity and a touch of spice Tastings cost $35 for a flight of five wines Expect to spend around 90 minutes tasting through the selections Cripe and his brother Mic are among the world’s only producers of bottarga a caviar made from salt-cured and dried gray mullet roe harvested from the waters near Anna Maria Island and the neighboring fishing village of Cortez they offer smoked mullet roe and blackfin tuna mojama — a salt-cured and dried tuna loin that’s sometimes called the “prosciutto of the sea.” Lola visitors can sample the delicacies via the Cortez Conservas Pairing add-on ($30) or the à la carte menu of snacks and small plates The spring menu includes a gorgeously presented whipped burrata accented with bottarga I also sampled the seasonal mojama toast adorned with quince paste and Manchego Lola Wines, 916 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga, 707-342-0623, lolawines.com Tina Caputo is a wine, food and travel journalist who contributes to Sonoma magazine, SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, Northern California Public Media, KQED and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @winebroad.bsky.social, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com Savor & Explore Napa Valley’s Hidden Gem This Summer Calistoga, Calif.(April 23, 2025) — Visit Calistoga is excited to announce the launch of its first ever Summer in the Vineyards Wine Passport offering wine lovers a unique opportunity to explore 18 local wineries with half-off tastings for just $45 The program runs from June 12 through August 17 giving both visitors and locals over two months to sip and experience the charm of Calistoga wine country The passport provides access to a curated selection of Calistoga’s boutique and family-owned wineries each offering a one-time tasting at 50% off passport holders will enjoy exclusive deals at local hotels making it the perfect way to turn a wine tasting into a full Calistoga getaway With only a limited number of passports available visitors are encouraged to purchase early to secure their spot mark your calendars and get ready to explore the best of Calistoga’s wine scene with the Summer Passport The passport coincides with the Calistoga Concerts in the Park series (https://visitcalistoga.com/concerts-in-the-park/) music-filled gathering every Thursday evening Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and pair the music with wine and delicious bites from local vendors — all under the summer stars.Important Details: For more information and to purchase your passport, visit https://visitcalistoga.com/summer-in-the-vineyards/ or stop by the Calistoga Welcome Center in downtown Calistoga Participating Wineries:AXRBenessere VineyardsBennett Lane WineryCharles Krug WineryChateau MontelenaClif Family WineryFults Family WineryGrove 45 (Olive Oil tastings)Hans Fahden VineyardsLaderaLaura Michael WineryMuseionOlabisiPicayune CellarsSix Sigma WineryTamber BeyTedeschi Family WineryWild Diamond Vineyards Advance reservations are required with most participating wineries Passport holders are urged to plan ahead to reserve their spots by calling wineries directly to secure reservations Groups of six or more may be subject to additional fees Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" © 2007 - 2025 | Wine Industry Network LLC. All Rights Reserved. Vinson & Elkins represented Energy Vault Inc in an approximately $28 million loan and subsequent note purchase in connection with the financing of the Calistoga Resiliency Center project a hybrid hydrogen and battery energy storage and hydrogen fuel cell electrical power generation facility located in Calistoga California and capable of delivering 8.5 MW peak power and 293 MWh over a 48-hour period without refueling while generating Vinson & Elkins also successfully negotiated the sale of Calistoga Resiliency Center’s investment tax credits in connection with the financing For more information, please speak with our media contacts We help our clients navigate the most complex areas of law That’s why we make it our business to know yours This will be the first resiliency centre deployed in California for PG&E aiming to reduce wildfire risk and manage Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events The project will support California Public Utility Commission and PG&E to ensure power resiliency during wildfires and other PSPS events It is a first-of-a-kind fully sustainable microgrid platform readily available for dozens of other sites across California and the USA The Calistoga Resiliency Centre has achieved mechanical completion with full commercial operation expected in Q2 2025 The financing includes the completed sale of an Investment Tax Credit (ITC) The CRC integrates advanced hydrogen fuel cells with lithium-ion batteries specifically designed to address power resiliency given the growing challenges of wildfire risk in California As climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of fire-prone conditions utilities must occasionally implement Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events to prevent electrical equipment from potentially sparking fires during extreme weather events The CRC provides a unique fully sustainable solution to this challenge by enabling the isolated Calistoga community microgrid to maintain power during these necessary safety shutoffs The 293 MWh microgrid system delivers  around 48 hours of continuous energy supply with a peak power output of 8.5 MW during PSPS events the CRC utilises green hydrogen in fuel cells for electricity generation providing essential power to the community After supporting black-start and grid forming requirements of the microgrid Energy Vault's B-VAULT DC battery technology works in concert with the fuel cells ensuring instantaneous response and maintaining grid stability throughout operation This zero-emission system aligns with California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) while meeting PG&E's multi day long duration energy storage requirements The entire microgrid is orchestrated by Energy Vault's technology-agnostic VaultOS Energy Management System grid forming and seamless performance orchestration across all subsystems while communicating with PG&E’s Distribution Control Centre “The successful financing of the Calistoga Resiliency Centre represents our team’s focus and execution in beginning 2025 by replenishing cash to our balance sheet from the prior year capex spent building the system” said Robert Piconi Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Energy Vault “This is the first of two energy storage assets expected online this quarter as we execute our 'Own & Operate' asset management strategy and we are looking forward to beginning generating predictable recurring and high margin tolling revenue streams for the years to come As California faces increasing wildfire risks the CRC demonstrates how advanced energy storage technology can help communities maintain critical services and safety during necessary power shutoffs This facility will play a crucial role in ensuring energy resilience for the Calistoga community during PSPS events while maintaining our focus on innovative and sustainable carbon-free energy solutions.” Energy Vault 2025 at 4:34 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Calistoga Junior-Senior High School CA — Students and faculty at Calistoga High School were returning to their normal schedule Tuesday morning after a gas leak prompted a shelter-in-place order for the campus on Lake Street PG&E responded to the campus on Lake Street and located and terminated the leak city officials said shortly before 10:15 a.m Personnel with the Calistoga police and fire departments responded to the incident and helped evacuate Grant Street residents to the community center The city asked the public to avoid Grant Street from Lake Street to Arch Way Students sheltered in place in the gymnasium until the campus received the "all-clear." Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The process of revitalizing the dilapidated Napa County Fairgrounds property Calistoga is on a path to repair the Calistoga Speedway reopen the Fairgrounds RV Park and carry out a community survey on what’s needed in the ongoing effort to revitalize the fairgrounds property The city is still working to determine the future of the 70.6-acre site it purchased from the county for $2 million earlier this year During a special meeting Tuesday night that lasted over four hours and drew more than 100 attendees the council provided direction on several key topics including gathering community input on the property's future establishing a rental fee schedule with a waiver program and determining the future of the Calistoga Speedway racetrack The council also approved a $129,000 roof replacement project — a contract with Modern Method Roofing — for a fairgrounds building known as the Butler Building The building historically “appears to be the most frequently rented building on the property,” according to the staff report the city’s fairground’s revitalization director presented a list of options the council could pursue for each item The racetrack is a historic feature of the fairgrounds that dates back to at least 1937 But Wright noted that notable repairs — including to the track grandstands and concessions building — are necessary before initial use could happen And those repairs are expected to cost over $1 million Much of the discussion was around tying repairs to possible use of the racetrack via a race promoter making the needed fixes The council favored sending staff to negotiate with HMC Promotions — which ran events at the speedway from 2008 to 2019 — for a contract on use of the speedway for sprint car racing The actual contract would come back to the council for approval after negotiations That would determine how many weekends HMC Promotions could use the track and other details Tommy Hunt — who is behind HMC Promotions — said in a recent letter to the city that time was of the essence so that the speedway can be considered a viable event for 2025 races “I cannot overemphasize the urgency of this appointment,” Hunt wrote “If the Fairground is expected to be able to begin income generation to subsidize whatever debt it develops and potentially deliver a profit to the City immediate consideration is necessary in appointing a qualified individual.” The council also directed staff to prepare the Calistoga RV Park for an “as-is” reopening — in this case meaning investing roughly $15,000 and using volunteers to repair and then operate the park the council ultimately decided the city should carry out a formal survey City Manager Laura Snideman noted the entire survey process which will include the approval of a contract at a future meeting And the council opted to direct staff to provide an inbox or suggestion board in order to enhance the range of input received The Calistoga school district is exploring the possibility of implementing a dual language immersion program the teachers’ union came out against the idea As the Calistoga school district explores the possibility of a dual language immersion program the teachers’ union took an unusual stance on the issue at a board meeting last week Calistoga Associated Teachers President Matthew Gudenius said most union members are opposed to adopting the program which will provide integrated language learning and academic instruction in both English and Spanish The goals of dual language immersion programs include high academic achievement according to the California Department of Education These programs help native speakers of English and native speakers of another language become bilingual as they work in both languages throughout the school day The union does not disagree with the goals of dual immersion generally highlighting that the teachers’ opposition was specific to Calistoga in the current moment “Dual immersion is not necessarily a solution that works everywhere or for everybody,” he said “It very much depends on the circumstances.” He added that the district had taken a one-sided approach to the issue in their opinion emphasizing positives while ignoring potential downsides and asked that a forum be organized where teachers parents and other stakeholders can discuss their views attended the meeting in support of his statement spoke in favor of dual language immersion during public comment and said they feel it will bring the diverse Calistoga community closer together and open up doors for their children Nearly 40% of the population in Calistoga is Hispanic or Latino The school district first started thinking about bringing the program to Calistoga after nearly 100 community members signed a petition requesting it last winter “It’s very unfortunate,” said Patricia Gándara “that the union would take this kind of position when the parents really want it and if the district feels it can do it.” She has not heard of similar opposition in any other school district An expert on immigrant rights and language access Gándara is the co-director of the Civil Rights Project at UCLA and was on President Barack Obama’s Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics The Calistoga Joint Unified School District is evaluating the feasibility and suitability of a dual language immersion program at its schools has a 90% Hispanic or Latino student population More than 34% of students are English language learners sent representatives and parents to visit dual immersion schools in Sonoma and Napa counties and attended a California Association for Bilingual Education conference After visiting schools and meeting with parents the consultant will provide the board with a report later this year “The report will not tell us what to do,” Superintendent Audra Pittman said at the board meeting “It will tell us what our strengths are and areas that we need to consider if we want to implement a strong program.” Pittman recommended holding more meetings with parents and staff before reaching a decision which is expected by the end of the current school year “We are going slow through this investigating process,” she told The Press Democrat the district offered a bilingual learning program the district’s test scores were not up to the mark Helena Unified School District also used to offer the program but eliminated it in 2011 The district said at the time this decision was due to variable academic results and an uneven distribution of resources The Napa Valley Unified School District does currently offer students a dual language immersion program Bilingual education has been at the center of debate in California for a long time which gave public schools greater control over dual language programs and repealed the English-only requirement of a 1998 law that mandated English learners be taught in English immersion classrooms parents had to sign waivers to enroll their children in bilingual programs the number of schools that offer dual immersion in the state has steadily risen “Data shows that dual language immersion programs are usually very good for kids,” said Gándara helping them get to college and get better jobs Kids are also less segregated at schools.” There is no evidence to show that dual language programs result in lower test scores While it is true that students in these programs initially don’t score as high in English as those who learn in just one language the trend reverses at about the fifth grade when they begin to outpace others In his statement at the board meeting last week Gudenius said the teachers’ union had conducted a survey to see how its members felt about a dual immersion program in Calistoga The majority of union members responded to the survey Nearly 80% were against it and the rest undecided Some believe in the merits of dual immersion in general but do not believe it’s a good fit for Calistoga right now we have been systematically making changes and improvements that have started to show positive results and successes for our students In the 2023-24 academic year, the school district registered big gains in standardized test scores While the scores are still below state average the district performed better than Napa Valley Unified and is slowly climbing back to pre-pandemic levels of proficiency could negatively impact the “things we are already doing so well” for students difficulty in finding sufficient instructional material in Spanish issues of equity and division within the school and sustainability of the program and enough time to figure out if it is even feasible before starting especially in a small community school like ours and especially when we have already tried this in the past and it did not succeed,” Gudenius said The move to investigate a potential dual language immersion program at Calistoga schools has been fueled by parents who strongly believe it will benefit their children and the community nearly 100 community members — most of whom were parents — signed a petition asking the district to look into it 10 parents expressed their views on the topic during public comment Two parents asked that the district investigate why dual immersion was discontinued earlier in Calistoga and St Helena school districts before moving forward Supporters in public comment repeatedly cited that it will strengthen Calistoga’s bicultural bilingual community and equip children with skills for an increasingly interconnected world Claire Weinkauf has two children in the school district she speaks five languages and said she sees firsthand the benefits of being multilingual “My kids went to preschool in Spanish,” she said “but now school is in English and they are slowly losing their Spanish it would benefit everybody if kids could speak both languages who also has two children in the school district it is important that her children continue to value the language of their parents and grandparents Herself a graduate of the Calistoga school district she said there was a version of dual immersion when she was a student and had just moved to the country “I spent my first day of school in the bathroom crying,” she said “but when I heard my white teacher speak in Spanish to me “It felt like even though I was surrounded by people who didn’t look like me Both Weinkauf and Peña were part of a group of parents who toured schools that offer dual immersion programs in other counties along with district representatives as part of the exploration process “We requested the parents to explore this,” Peña said they’re listening to us and I felt valued.” it was shocking to see every teacher wearing red It felt like my voice was not going to be heard by them,” she added “We’re in such an early stage and it’s sad that the teachers aren’t willing to explore this with the parents They’re saying no before we’ve gone even one step forward.” You can reach Tarini Mehta at 707-521-5337 or tarini.mehta@pressdemocrat.com purchased from Napa County for $2 million last year has been known by multiple names throughout its history The Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga will return to its historic name following a unanimous vote by the City Council on Jan the site became Calistoga Fairgrounds before being renamed Napa County Fairgrounds after the county purchased the property in 1938 council members favored restoring the name’s local roots “I honestly do like the Calistoga Fairgrounds (name) and I just can’t imagine it being anything else,” Council member Kevin Eisenberg said the city’s fairgrounds revitalization director such as “Upper Valley Fairgrounds” and “Calistoga Provenance,” but council members preferred the familiar title City Manager Laura Snideman noted the name could change again in the future though she emphasized a need to budget for new signage and trademarking the City Council decided not to move forward with a $38,000 formal survey to assess community desires for the fairgrounds with Mayor Donald Williams and Council member Lisa Gift opposed while Eisenberg and Irais Lopez-Ortega supported it The survey was initially proposed as part of the city’s broader planning efforts to determine the fairgrounds’ future I don’t think we’ll be able to do anything with it,” Williams said He emphasized prioritizing revenue generation such as repairing the Calistoga Speedway and reopening the Fairgrounds RV Park who supported the survey with Lopez-Ortega said it could identify community priorities and guide the city’s planning process get an idea from the community where their hearts are,” he said Lopez-Ortega highlighted the importance of including the city’s large Hispanic community noting residents feel uncomfortable voicing their opinions directly to the council the council members said they remain committed to revitalizing the fairgrounds as a key resource for the community and a source of revenue Police will be stopping drivers at an undisclosed location from 6 p.m Drivers in Calistoga could pass through a DUI and license checkpoint this weekend The Calistoga Police Department, and other nearby agencies, will set up the checkpoint at an undisclosed location in the city to screen drivers from 6 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday, the department said in a news release Police determined the location using data regarding impaired driving-related crashes Officers will check drivers for signs they could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and scan driver’s licenses to see if they are suspended or revoked Drivers who are charged with a first-time DUI could have their license suspended and face an average of $13,500 in fines The checkpoint was funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety You can reach Staff Writer Madison Smalstig at madison.smalstig@pressdemocrat.com The new figure for the 8-mile Napa Valley Vine Trail segment represents a 28% increase over original projections including a $420,000 bump approved in December The cost to construct the 8.2-mile segment of the Napa Valley Vine Trail from Calistoga to St owing in part to an inaccurate forecast of funding needs by the Napa Valley Transportation Authority The total cost of the trail segment, which opened to the public in August has jumped 28% over roughly the past two years from an original projection of $13.2 million to now $16.96 million Reasons given by the authority for the increases include construction delays related to work on a Pacific Gas & Electric Co previously said much of the work to replace the gas pipeline had been completed by June 2022 before the Vine Trail project broke ground in July 2022 The most significant increase, $1.9 million approved by the transportation authority’s board in September went to settle a claim about time-related compensation costs with Santa Rosa-based Ghilotti Construction Co. and to close out the construction contract 18 board meeting of the transportation authority was needed to repair recent storm damage and pay Ghilotti for carrying out an “extensive punch list of items” at the end of construction that were beyond the original scope of the contract He said staff had underestimated in September the additional costs of the extra did not accurately forecast the budget needs,” Bailey said at the December meeting The increase also covers disputed extra work items carried out by Ghilotti which Bailey said have partial merit for payment The latest funding allocation is covered by money from Regional Measure 3 — an increase to Bay Area bridge tolls that voters approved in 2018 to raise funds for highway and transit improvements Past increases were split between project stakeholders Calistoga and the nonprofit Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition Much of the cost overrun could end up being filled by a roughly $3 million claim submitted by the transportation authority to PG&E in September that contends the utility company is responsible for causing delays and cost overruns on the trail project because of unforeseen underground utility conflicts and utility replacement work If the claim is successful — it’s expected to be in review for a year — the authority will reimburse stakeholders for their additional contributions The new $420,000 cost bump would also be backfilled by that possible funding should the claim succeed allowing for the bridge toll money to be used for other purposes who sits on the city council in American Canyon said at the December meeting that some bridge toll funding is set to go toward transportation projects for the city and the use of the funds for the Vine Trail could impact the funding that’s available for such projects But he added that the vine trail segment is “really important.” “Just everything that could go wrong went wrong The cause of the fire is still under investigation A New Year’s Eve fire damaged a Calistoga family’s home but caused no injuries water tenders and emergency personnel from CAL FIRE California Highway Patrol and American Medical Response responded to the call The first unit arrived at the house in the 3200 block of Highway 128 just northwest of Calistoga which caused damage to the outside of the house and the kitchen The family was at a neighbor’s house when the fire started which is home to vineyards and rural homes was closed to one lane for about an hour while fire trucks and engines were fighting the blaze Amie Windsor is the Community Journalism Team Lead with The Press Democrat She can be reached at amie.windsor@pressdemocrat.com or 707-521-5218 A contract for sprint car racing at the Calistoga Fairgrounds was approved by the Calistoga City Council this week allowing the city to fund repairs and raise revenue for the property Sprint car racing is set to roar back to life at Calistoga Speedway marking a revival for the historic track as city officials look to generate revenue and fund much-needed repairs 4 approved a two-year agreement with Hunt Motor Sports Concepts LLC allowing the racing promoter to stage events at the speedway for the first time since 2019 Hunt will organize one race weekend this year and up to three in 2026 with each weekend featuring two days of competition A formal schedule has yet to be determined and the track will remain available for other uses when races are not taking place In exchange for the rights to host the races Hunt will cover the estimate $100,000 cost of repairing the grandstands — work the city deems essential to reopening the facility.The company will also retain control of concessions while the city will keep revenue from alcohol sales and RV parking fees City officials estimate they will bring in about $7,500 per race in alcohol sales and an additional $9,000 in RV parking fees for a projected total of $115,200 over the course of the agreement the council took steps to shape the fairgrounds’ future voting to establish a temporary advisory committee tasked with offering recommendations on the city-owned property The panel — comprising two city council members five community representatives and a staff liaison — will serve for one year City officials have sought ways to make the 71-acre fairgrounds financially sustainable since acquiring it from Napa County last year That effort has included reviving the RV park determining a cohesive vision for the site’s future said it would provide a structured approach to gathering community input and studying potential uses Council’s job is to do what constituents are asking of them adding that residents had urged the city to form a subcommittee even before it acquired the fairgrounds the sole council member to oppose the committee’s creation argued that it would duplicate work already assigned to the council.He said he would have supported an ad-hoc committee focused on a specific issue but did not favor an ongoing advisory board saying the group would provide a valuable forum for discussion and allow residents to weigh in more directly.Council member Kevin Eisenberg said the committee could act as a bridge between the city and the public ensuring broader community involvement in shaping the fairgrounds’ future The City Council also voted 4-1 to proceed with a $38,000 survey designed to gauge public opinion on potential uses for the fairgrounds Consulting firm FM3 Research will conduct the survey which officials say will help guide decision-making on how to best utilize the property Williams again cast the lone dissenting vote saying saying he believed the timing was premature argued that the survey would provide valuable data Council member Scott Cooper described it as a safeguard to ensure that any major decisions align with community priorities “That will make the final decision even more powerful or all of our final decisions more powerful,” Eisenberg said known for producing some of California's most sought-after cabernet sauvignons Calistoga has approved a 115-day floral light and music show at Museion Winery family-friendly experience aimed at diversifying the city’s tourism beyond wine A large-scale floral light installation called Symphony of Flowers is set to bloom at Museion Winery in Calistoga this spring following City Council approval for a special event permit The immersive experience — described as a blend of illuminated art music and nature — is being produced by Montreal-based entertainment company Cavalia The exhibit will transform the grounds of Museion Winery and its custom crush facility at 865 Silverado Trail into a lighted garden of oversized floral displays the Calistoga City Council unanimously approved a permit for the show to run from May 9 through Aug Because city rules typically cap special events at six consecutive days council members also granted an exemption to allow the 115-day run Final permit approval is contingent on Museion submitting its detailed event plans Participants will walk through the exhibit wearing headsets that play synchronized music as they explore the gardens Deputy City Manager Rachel Stepp told the council Council member Kevin Eisenberg called the event a promising opportunity to diversify Calistoga’s tourism appeal beyond wine “Even though they will be selling wine there A 1,916-square-foot house built in 1920 has changed hands The historic property located at 1601 Cedar Street in Calistoga was sold on April 2 The $1,540,000 purchase price works out to $804 per square foot The layout of this two-story home includes four bedrooms and one bath The property's lot measures 6,823 square feet square feet in area Other houses have recently changed hands nearby: This automated story was produced for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat using artificial intelligence and data science. Property information is compiled from municipal assessors in Sonoma County. For any errors email info@pressdemocrat.com The Francis House went through a major renovation in 2014 A new chapter begins for The Francis House following its sale for $9.6 million after the building underwent a lengthy restoration that saved the landmark from demolition The luxury bed-and-breakfast at 1403 Myrtle St in Calistoga is an example of Second French Empire architecture a style richly decorative with a distinctive roof The Francis House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 The house was originally the home of local merchant James Francis in 1886 The historic building was then abandoned for 52 years the property was purchased in 2014 by San Francisco-based developers Dina and Richard Dwyer The Francis House bed-and-breakfast opened “We knew that our role was to restore this Napa Valley gem and now ten years later, we say goodbye to this very special place that we’ve called home,” the Dwyers posted on The Francis House Instagram page at the end of October. “Though our time here has come to a close, all of you who have walked through these doors will continue to bring life and love to this magical place.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Francis House (@thefrancishouse) listed by Arthur Goodrich of The Goodrich Group was sold to Anthony Edwards Luxury Estates many guests who stayed at the hotel shared their memories of the house and its previous owners on Instagram Alison Dean Smith wrote in a comment on the post Calistoga is forever better because of this beautiful place you’ve built And can’t wait to see what your next adventure brings!” “Staying at the Francis house and meeting you and Richard will always be one of my fondest memories.” “We thank you for the friendship and the special memories and we hope you will return to your happy place again and again.” You can reach Staff Writer Melanie Nguyen at 707-521-5457 or melanie.nguyen@pressdemocrat.com Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker is expected to begin closing in 2027 under a plan still awaiting regulatory approval Plans to shut down Napa Valley’s embattled Clover Flat Landfill are moving ahead — but actual closure work isn’t expected to begin until mid-2027 says final closure plans should be ready by the end of 2025 Company officials previously said the decision to close the landfill was based on its economic viability the plans must be reviewed and approved by five agencies including Napa County’s Local Enforcement Agency and four state regulators — a process expected to take about a year division Vice President Mark Gingrich told the Upper Valley Waste Management Agency this week the company plans to put the project out to bid Closure — including excavation and capping — is expected to take two years District engineer Michael Winter said the plan will spell out how the company will handle gas and leachate control and long-term maintenance once the site is closed It’s not yet clear how Upvalley trash will be routed once Clover Flat shuts down Waste Connections is weighing whether to transfer it to holding bunkers or load it directly onto trailers bound for the Potrero Hills Landfill in Suisun City The company will be responsible for any added costs Critics say the process is moving too slowly noted that the company’s projected timeline is already a year behind the estimate discussed last October who is married to former CEO Christy Pestoni The company has declined to comment on the investigation the final cell at Clover Flat remains open and regular trash collection will continue as usual The Napa County Animal Shelter has waived adoption fees and is seeking foster homes for adoptable dogs after taking in the abandoned chihuahuas on Thursday The Napa County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center Thursday night took in 27 chihuahuas that were abandoned on the side of the road Taking in the small dogs overwhelmed the shelter, according to a Friday social media post the shelter has waived adoption fees until further notice and is seeking foster homes for adoptable dogs The chihuahuas aren’t currently ready to be placed in foster homes public information officer for the Napa County Sheriff’s Office said the agency doesn’t have any leads on who dumped the dogs “If someone has that type of information we love to have that because that’s not how you treat animals,” Wofford said Animal services officials reponded about 6 p.m Thursday to the report of abandoned dogs being left in four crates off Bennett Lane outside Calistoga None of the abandoned chihuahuas that were inspected for microchips had them Napa County Animal Shelter manager Katie Ribardiere said in an email the shelter has received support from several rescue organizations willing to help with the chihuahuas Foster applications will be kept on file for future consideration “While the Animal Shelter is so appreciative of the community opening their hearts to the chihuahuas it's important to note that there are so many other dogs cats and other animals at the shelter still waiting for their forever home,” Ribardiere said Your willingness to consider opening your heart and.. The Friday post notes that adoptions are at an all-time low in part because pet owners are struggling to find affordable veterinary care and pet-friendly housing “Backyard breeders can’t even give their puppies away for free let alone sell them these days,” staff said in the social media post “We have reached a whole new level of crisis.” A Calistoga man and a Santa Rosa woman face allegations of possessing sexually explicit images of children following their arrests last week Tuesday — A Calistoga man and a Santa Rosa woman face allegations of possessing sexually explicit images of children following their arrests last week March 26 at a Calistoga resort in the 700 block of the Silverado Trail according to an arrest report from the Napa County Sheriff’s Office He was booked into the Napa County jail and remained in custody Tuesday afternoon on $250,000 bail Gamboa was charged Friday afternoon in Napa County Superior Court on five felony counts alleging underage sexual abuse The charges include contacting a minor for sexual purposes bringing child sex abuse materials into the state and possessing obscene material depicting minors A criminal complaint alleges that Gamboa had more than 600 obscene images of minors including some depicting children younger than 12 adding that Gamboa also “knowingly advertised for sale and distribution” materials depicting sex acts by people under 18 The county District Attorney’s Office also accused Gamboa of communicating with an underage girl while seeking sexual contact with her Prison sentences on each of the charges could range from 16 months to five years was arrested Friday night at her home in the 1000 block of Carol Lane in Santa Rosa spokesperson for the Napa County Sheriff's Office Gottlieb was booked into the Napa jail on suspicion of possessing obscene matter depicting a minor No record of a criminal complaint in her name was available on the Napa County Superior Court website as of late Tuesday Gamboa and Gottlieb previously knew each other who declined to share other details of the suspects' connections The property located at 8 Miriam Drive in Calistoga was sold on March 28 The $798,000 purchase price works out to $600 per square foot has an interior space of 1,330 square feet a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area The property sits on a 5,399-square-foot lot These nearby houses have also recently changed hands: From a hot springs resort with a must-have green chile apple pie to a tasting room with a dapper robot sommelier sip and stay for a perfect weekend in Calistoga The mineral pool at Indian Springs resort in Calistoga A vintage van parked outside a room at Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa in Napa Valley The lodge was recently named in National Geographic's list of five of the best retro motels in California The geothermal mineral pool at Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa in Napa Valley The MoonAcre Spa at Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa in Napa Valley American entrepreneur/gold mogul Sam Brannan's original Calistoga Hot Springs resort Chilaquiles from Fleetwood at Calistoga Motor Lodge in Calistoga grilled chicken and onion before it's topped with arugula and parmesan from Fleetwood in the Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa Polenta Cake with oak roasted strawberries zabaglione and amaretti crumbs from Fleetwood Restaurant in the Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa Setting up out front of Bricco Osteria in Calistoga The dining area at Bricco Osteria in Calistoga Elusa Winery at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley in Calistoga The members lounge at Elusa Winery in the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley in Calistoga Wine paired with cheese and charcuterie at Elusa Winery in Calistoga The tasting lounge at Elusa Winery in Calistoga Outdoor seating at the House of Better restaurant at Dr Wilkinson's Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs in Calistoga carne adovada or veggie with anasazi beans and salad and an Herb and Maitake Salad with little gems seed crisps and a sesame vinaigrette from the House of Better at Dr Wilkinson's Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs in Calistoga on Tuesday House specialty Green Chile Apple Pie with walnut streusel whipped cream and a red chile honey drizzle and an Adaptogenic mushroom tea from the House of Better at Dr Wilkinson's Backyard Resort and Mineral Springs in Calistoga a California-Italian fusion restaurant in Calistoga Spicy heritage pork and beef bolognese with fresh fettuccini at Lovina (Courtesy Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park) The winery at Sterling Vineyards is shown in Calistoga The tram at Sterling Vineyards will whisk you up a hillside to the beautiful white stucco winery inspired by buildings on the Greek island of Mykonos the robot sommelier at Maria Concetto Winery in Calistoga A wine serving robot named “RobinoVino” holds up a glass for tips at Maria Concetto Winery tasting room in Calistoga A robot named “RobinoVino” pours a glass of rose at Maria Concetto Winery tasting room in Calistoga The patio at Picayune Cellars & Mercantile in Calistoga Guests tasting wine at Picayune Cellars & Mercantile in Calistoga A cheeseburger from Truss Restaurant & Bar at the Four Seasons Napa Valley in Calistoga Truss Restaurant & Bar at the Four Seasons in Calistoga (Courtesy Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley) The dining area at Truss Restaurant & Bar at the Four Seasons Napa Valley in Calistoga we’re so proud to call you our Wine Country own you’re blossoming into an increasingly fashionable destination we adore wine tasting rooms and shops amid the historic landmarks there’s so much to explore within your span of 2.6 square miles Originally populated by the Wappo Indigenous people the land came under the control of Mexico’s Mission San Francisco de Solano during the 1700s and early 1800s American entrepreneur/gold mogul Sam Brannan began snatching up sprawling parcels He was fascinated by the natural hot springs that abounded in the town Brannan envisioned building a spa retreat reminiscent of his dream spot After the Napa Valley Railroad Company’s track was completed to Calistoga in 1868 the area became a particularly popular retreat for ferry passengers traveling from San Francisco plus visitors from nearby Lake and Sonoma counties Salutes to Brannan remain to this day in several other lodging properties restaurants and the location of the original Calistoga Hot Springs where the posh Indian Springs Calistoga resort is today Fun fact: The Wappo name for the area was Nilektsonoma meaning “Chicken Hawk Place.” Early Anglo settlers called it “Indian Hot Springs.” Brannan renamed it Calistoga in what he later admitted was a slip of his tongue that transformed “Saratoga of California” into “Calistoga of Sarifornia.” Here’s a favorite way to spend a few days’ getaway in Calistoga Get an early start to your full day with brunch at Fleetwood (Friday-Sunday) like steel cut oatmeal that’s crispy-capped in sweet banana brûlée or smoked salmon eggs Benedict layered with spinach Take a spin on the brand new, scenic Napa Valley Vine Trail (opening to the public Aug accessed just a few blocks from Fleetwood/the Lodge Rent an e-bike from Calistoga Bikeshop and be one of the first to traverse the 8.2-mile section connecting Calistoga to St Indulge in a wine tasting at the lavish Elusa Winery on the grounds of the Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley Tour the winemaking facilities and estate vineyards with a glass of wine in hand art-flocked lounge for tastes of high-end bottlings like Calistoga-grown Cabernet Sauvignon Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs Lots of Hatch chiles make for sumptuous dishes like red chile chicken posole and carne adovada-chile-cheese flat enchiladas Don’t forget the must-have apple pie laced with roasted green chiles tucked in a butter-based cheddar crust then topped with walnut streusel and clouds of crème fraîche originally built in the 1940s and dramatically renovated and expanded a few years ago into an Airstream-chic collection of “camper” rooms reminiscent of elegant camper van interiors (pet friendly!) nestled on the second floor with private balconies (ask for a Palisades mountain view) Complimentary goodies include freshly ground organic pour-over coffee fun snacks like Cracker Jack and toiletries from the onsite MoonAcre Spa (Tip: Priority Cruiser Bicycles are complimentary for up to two hours for Lodge guests perfect for navigating Calistoga’s 1-mile-long main drag of Lincoln Avenue) a new Italian joint that welcomes with elevated comfort food and local eggplant stuffed with ricotta and parmigiano then baked in silky tomato sauce Be sure to get a reservation; this bustling spot is hot Owner Jennifer Bennett wows with Cal-Med cuisine in a chic cottage setting (the garden patio is particularly lovely) The housemade cinnamon roll is a must — baked golden in a cast iron skillet then slathered in cream cheese icing topped with pecans An Omeletti du Jour is done in the delicate Or go big and dig into spicy heritage pork and beef Bolognese with parmesan Calabrian chile and breadcrumbs over fresh fettuccine (make it “dirty” by adding melted cheese and truffle butter) a gorgeous California state park located between Calistoga and St The remarkable structure was built in 1846 as settlers came to have their grain ground into meal or flour via a water wheel which still drives the milling stones today It’s a good idea to make an appointment at stateparks@ncrposd.org but the volunteer-led tour availability can vary Scoot over to nearby Sterling Vineyards for a scenic gondola ride up to the estate’s several mountaintop tasting rooms The Hilltop Tasting Room is a favorite choice overlooking the Napa Valley and showcasing five exclusive estate wines paired with local cheese and charcuterie Grab lunch at the family-owned Sushi Mambo for a Japanese feast of okonomiyaki pancake studded with squid and seafood yosenabe simmered in rich dashi broth in an earthenware pot over flames Dozens upon dozens of sushi and sashimi choices beckon The decadent “Main Lovester” is made with lobster Hop-skip a few blocks over to Maria Concetto Winery a new tasting room featuring the delightful RobinoVino the $50,000 machine picks up your wine bottle then tips any leftover drops into a dump bucket before selecting your next wine to go in a fresh glass he dances to an upbeat music track under beams of colorful lights Shop and sip at the creative combo that is Picayune Cellars & Mercantile a boutique tasting room with covetable clothes and home accessories plus attractions like a build-your-own hat bar The classic tasting is a great introduction offering five wines to enjoy at a patio table or while wandering the store Fun finds at the mercantile include Indigenous-made jewelry stylish water bottles inserted with sealed gempods (filled with precious “wellness” gems) and intriguing books like “The Modern Witch’s Guide to Magickal Self Care” (yes Treat yourself to dinner at the elegant but relaxed Truss at the Four Seasons Vineyard and sunset views are postcard worthy and the Cal-Italian menu appeals with comfort choices such as a knife-and-fork Stemple Creek Ranch cheeseburger but also luxuries like a 32-ounce rib-eye for two dressed in sea salt bone marrow jus and chimichurri (it’s a cool $225) Indian Springs Calistoga, 1712 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707-709-8139, indianspringscalistoga.com Fleetwood, 1880 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707-709-4410, fleetwoodcalistoga.com Calistoga Motor Lodge, 1880 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707-737-0000, calistogamotorlodgeandspa.com Napa Valley Vine Trail, vinetrail.org Calistoga Bikeshop, 1318 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707-942-9687, calistogabikeshop.com Elusa Winery, 400 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga, 707-403-6644, elusawinery.com House of Better, 1507 Lincoln Ave. (in Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs), Calistoga, 707-942-6257, houseofbetter.com Bricco Osteria, 1350 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707-341-3442, briccoosteria.com Lovina, 1107 Cedar St., Calistoga, 707-942-6500, lovinacalistoga.com Bale Grist Mill, 3369 Saint Helena Hwy N., Calistoga/Saint Helena, 707-942-4575, napaoutdoors.org Sterling Vineyards, 1111 Dunaweal Lane, Calistoga, 800-726-6136, sterlingvineyards.com Sushi Mambo, 1631 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707-942-4699, sushimambo.com Maria Concetto Winery, 1367 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707-860-5774, mariaconcettowinery.com Picayune Cellars & Mercantile, 1440 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 707-341-3410, picayunecellars.com Truss, 400 Silverado Trail N., Calistoga, 707-709-2100, trussrestaurantandbar.com Three candidates are competing for two seats on the Calistoga City Council this election Click here for The Press Democrat’s full voter guide for the 2024 general election Calistoga voters have doubled down on experience reelecting both incumbents to the City Council in a decisive show of support With 71.75% of the total potential vote counted by Monday afternoon Irais Lopez-Ortega led the field with 40.72% of the vote while Lisa Gift had 31.76% and challenger Marion Villalba came in third with 27.5% While Lopez-Ortega and Gift said they would wait for the final count before commenting Villalba conceded defeat and said she is very excited for her competitors “They were already on the council,” the local substitute teacher said “and it’s nice for them to get that position back I may consider running again in two years when some seats open up.” Calistoga’s mayoral seat was also up for grabs this election first elected as mayor in 2022 after four years on the council ran unopposed and has reclaimed his seat for another two-year term “I’m honored to serve as Calistoga's mayor for a second term,” he said Wednesday morning “That service is a continuation of my participation in our community since 1974.” “By being responsive to Calistogans’ concerns I’ll hope to strengthen the connection between Calistogans and their council Together I feel we can make and keep Calistoga the town we want it to be,” he added The Calistoga City Council is elected at-large and consists of five members She was the top vote-getter in the 2020 race She is only the second person of Latino descent to hold elected office in the city She also serves as a board member for Water Education for Latino Leaders a nonprofit that provides water policy education to elected officials across California Lopez-Ortega was embroiled in a high-profile court case in August 2021 after being charged with four counts of elder abuse by the Napa County District Attorney’s Office she pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count; the other charges were dismissed through a plea negotiation Lopez-Ortega was sentenced to one year of probation and one day in jail Her focus has been on advocating for families and small businesses she told The Press Democrat in the run-up to the election the biggest challenges currently facing the city are the housing crisis and aging infrastructure as well as fostering diversity and inclusivity in the community In early 2022, Gift went public about her experience with mental health struggles — which included a suicide attempt and an arrest on suspicion of violating the terms of a domestic restraining order — during the COVID-19 pandemic She pleaded guilty in July 2023 to two misdemeanor counts of violating the protective order and two misdemeanor counts of violating a court order and was sentenced to a work program for 20 days one day in jail and three years of probation That probation was later revoked in October 2023 but then reinstated in July 2024 when she pleaded guilty to another misdemeanor count of violating the protective order; she was also sentenced to a 10-day work program With declining interest from volunteers and players the longstanding Calistoga Little League decided to fold last month a group of people have come together to reverse that decision With a shrinking board and no new volunteers, the Calistoga Little League board made the difficult decision last month to shut its operations after more than 60 years of facilitating baseball and softball leagues for children in the community a group of nine people have come together to try and save it longtime Calistoga resident and mother of two Little League enthusiasts She does not want her children to lose the sense of community that she had growing up as a Little League player “It gives them lifelong friendships,” she said “And they learn to love the sport and have an activity they can do with their friends outside instead of being on their phones and computers especially in a small town where there's not much going on for the kids.” She put out word that she was looking for volunteers gathered a team and contacted Little League district administrator Jim Spering to talk about the possibilities They will meet Thursday to see what can be done “We have had almost no new members on the board,” secretary and treasurer Brian Fennen said our board’s shrunk and everyone’s getting fatigued.” The unpaid board is in charge of arranging schedules finding coaches and generally ensuring the league is run smoothly this work falls on the shoulders of the remaining few When only one potential volunteer showed up to the four-member board’s last meeting in August despite their “several pleas” to recruit new people they decided to let their Little League charter expire at the end of 2024 there is a combination of factors that has led to reduced interest in the Calistoga Little League “It’s expensive to live and raise kids here and I know some people work two jobs and volunteer for other things.” He also pointed to the growing popularity of soccer and other easier-to-learn sports as a possible reason we have made the difficult decision to shutter Calistoga Little League due a to lack of players and.. This season, the Calistoga Little League could only fill four team rosters — three T-ball teams and one minor-level softball team, Napa Valley Insider reported in March children in age groups that did not have enough players for full teams had to merge into St Helena’s Little League or drop out of the season About 50 children from Calistoga joined the St While the Calistoga league charges $50 for the season Helena league charges different fees for different divisions but all in the range of $200 the Calistoga Little League offered scholarships to help cover the players’ season fees “We’re not going to be able to afford to sign our kids up to go to St Helena multiple times a week and multiple kids Wilson’s group of volunteers will meet with Little League district representative Jim Spering on Thursday to present their case They will provide him with demographic information — how many kids are interested what age groups do they belong to — and their plans for the future “I’ve asked them to tell me what kind of commitment they’re going to make,” he said he will make a recommendation to the larger Little League organization “Little League would rather maintain the league than have it be absorbed,” he said “But we want to do what’s best for the kids and need information to decide that.” Spering said they will have to compare the opportunities for the children of Calistoga in both scenarios — keeping Calistoga Little League open versus merging with St Wilson is optimistic about the outcome of the meeting “As long as we as the new board put in the time and resources we are keeping Little League in Calistoga,” she said “I’ve already got a lot of phone calls from parents wanting to register.” The delivery was expected to take place between midnight and 6 a.m to minimize disruption and ensure secure transportation of the storage tank to the end of Washington Street Another round of parking restrictions and limited road closures that were initially scheduled for Tuesday morning from midnight until 8 a.m on Lincoln Avenue and Washington Street were rescheduled to Wednesday morning from midnight until 8 a.m The restrictions were necessary to accommodate the tank trailer as it left the city to ensure there was enough space to maneuver the trailer without obstructions The Calistoga Police Department was expected to keep the public updated about any further changes to the schedule The storage tank is for the Calistoga Resiliency Center — BH-ESS — constructed by Energy Vault Holdings for Pacific Gas and Electric Company on less than one acre of land at 204 Washington St the Calistoga Resiliency Center will be the first of its kind and the largest utility-scale green hydrogen energy storage project in the United States The battery portion of the system will be used to support grid forming and black start capabilities The system will be prepared to power downtown Calistoga and the surrounding area for up to 48 hours during potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs —PSPS — which occur when the powerlines serving the surrounding area must be turned off for safety due to high wildfire risk PG&E’s proposal for the system was approved by the California Public Utilities Commission —CPUC— in April 2023 Energy Vault’s BH-ESS will replace the traditional mobile diesel generators currently used to energize PG&E’s Calistoga microgrid during PSPS events in the area The project represents a major advance in community-scale microgrid development and a significant step toward realizing the CPUC’s vision of cleaner forms of microgrid generation "We greatly look forward to not only its delivery but most importantly to the sustainability benefits it will bring to the Calistoga community," said Marco Terruzzin "Our partnership with California’s largest public utility is yet another example of the growing recognition that optimizing grid resiliency and economics toward achieving decarbonization goals requires innovation that leverages multiple technologies and a ‘fit-for-purpose’ customer-centric approach when designing energy storage solutions The City of Calistoga and PG&E have been excellent partners for Energy Vault and we are excited to bring this innovative project online .. Energy Vault will provide "Distributed Generation-Enabled Microgrid Services" — a type of energy service that involves using grid-forming generation and storage resources fault current contribution and to regulate voltage and frequency within the utility’s established parameters to enable the islanding of the Calistoga microgrid during PSPS outages The solution is designed to operate during PSPS events serving all the load within a safe-to-energize area in the city of Calistoga including critical facilities such as fire and police stations and shared services in the downtown and surrounding area to ensure continuity and resilience during PSPS events By coupling the ultra-long duration capabilities of fuel cells using green hydrogen and the fast response capabilities of B-VAULT™️ lithium-ion batteries cost-effective back-up power that is critical to enable islanded microgrids during transmission outages next-generation energy supply and long-term storage technologies is essential to ensuring grid reliability and to achieving PG&E’s goal of a net zero energy system by 2040," said Mike Delaney "PG&E is developing a portfolio of promising new forms of electricity generation and storage technologies and identifying the right applications that will support the further proliferation of these technologies at the lowest capital cost and highest-impact locations." and standout restaurants will restore your body and soul Following the winding road past endless rows of vineyards and towering mountains you immediately drop into a state of tranquility in the world-renowned Napa Valley Though nearly four million tourists flock to this wine mecca each year one small city remains largely under the radar – Calistoga Some storefronts have come and gone over the years, but much remains as it was in this historic community. After pioneer and entrepreneur Samuel Brannan capitalized on the area’s natural wonders by building the first hot-springs resort as a spa he invited the first taste of tourism to the northern tip of this fertile valley.  A forty-minute drive covers the distance from Calistoga to Napa drawing in droves of visitors with its natural mineral baths and luxe spas — not to mention its standout restaurants and posh resorts — that beckon with their promise of rejuvenation So if you’re seeking a relaxing and intriguing getaway with all of the characteristics of the famed Napa Valley–minus the crowds – Calistoga is calling your name.  Merely a 90-minute drive from San Francisco and Sacramento City, Calistoga is easy to reach by car. So start your day early to beat the traffic, crank up the radio and take in the scenery as you cruise down the highway Those traveling from farther distances can fly into the Charles M Schulz Sonoma County Airport and then rent a car for the 30-minute ride out to Calistoga you’re bound to feel at peace as soon as you arrive in the tranquil resort house at Indian Springs Calistoga Roll down your windows, as you drive on Highway 128. Let your hair down as you take in the sweet smoky scent of authentic Louisiana barbecue and make your way to Downtown Calistoga. Situated at the top of the main drag, Buster’s Original Southern BBQ is a 59-year-old joint and every carnivore’s dream Enjoy the savory dishes with juicy tri-tip and hot links – all slathered in house-made sauces crafted from family recipes and passed down from generation to generation then snag a seat out on the scenic patio to soak up the surrounding scenery and relaxing vibes Follow up your hearty meal with a stroll down Lincoln Avenue. Lined with early 20th-century buildings and historical landmarks, the town’s main thoroughfare remains largely untouched by time. Spend an hour to two browsing the boutiques — ranging from stylish gift and apparel shops to eclectic art galleries and home decor stores.  it's time to carry on with a list of things to do in Calistoga To learn more about the region’s rich history The museum was founded by an Academy Award-winning animator and producer for Disney,  Ben Sharpsteen Featuring detailed dioramas chronicling Calistoga’s early days up through the World War II era you’ll have a great time enjoying a view of the impressive displays showcasing electric trains Once you’re ready to rest your weary feet, head to your home away from home for the weekend and enjoy the perks of the oldest, continuously operating pool and spa facility in California - Indian Springs This luxurious 16-acre property has perfected the art of relaxation with its laid-back atmosphere and spectacular scenery then take a dip in the Olympic-sized swimming pool—filled with heated mineral-rich water from the property’s four natural geysers—and enjoy poolside drinks while reveling in the upscale-retro feel of this Calistoga stay at the adults-only pool as you play bocce ball or croquet or meander through the gorgeous garden dotted with bright blooms Take in this relaxing afternoon as you kick back by the outdoor fireplace and savor the views of the lush landscape and rolling hillsides surrounding you Once the sun sinks behind the mountains, freshen up and prepare for a delectable dinner at Evangeline Less than a 10-min drive from the resort will take you to this charming bistro where you’ll be greeted by the mouthwatering aromas of classic French fare with a Creole twist.  If you’re craving a taste of the deep South we recommend you go for the comforting gumbo ya-ya starring succulent shrimp and Andouille sausage in a spicy and hearty broth flecked with rice End the evening on a sweet note with a slice of spongy Meyer lemon cake topped with creamy mascarpone and house-made huckleberry compote.  The wonderful silence is only broken by the ringing strums of guitars and rich voices echoing out of the occasional bar—as you make your way back to the resort Lounge by the fire pits and reflect on your incredible first day in Calistoga Does your business rank among the best in California Learn more about our selection criteria and vetting process Don’t bother wondering what to do in Calistoga next. Rise and shine to beat the line at the locally owned Bella Bakery a popular spot to grab a rich cup of coffee Though deciding what to order can be a tough choice take your pick and grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables watching passersby as you enjoy your morning treats taking in the views of Mount Saint Helena in the distance and admiring the petrified tree exhibits Continue your outdoor adventures at the nearby Old Faithful Geyser of California. Proudly making the list of the Golden State’s weirdest attractions this natural geyser shoots a graceful stream of steam and hot water about 20 to 80 feet into the air every 5 to 55 minutes Check out this magnificent piece of nature as you witness it forming a breathtaking rainbow as the light travels through certain times of the day in this magnetic Calistoga setting While you wait, you can explore the small farm—home to sheep, llamas, and notorious fainting goats—peruse the geology museum, walk amongst the garden of native California plants After a fun-filled morning, you’ll likely have worked up an appetite. Head back to Indian Springs Calisgo to enjoy lunch at Sam’s Social Club. Named after the resort founder–Samuel Brannan, this convivial, rustic-chic eatery is the place to gather for seasonally inspired, farm-fresh cuisine Ask for a table on the expansive patio for an alfresco dining experience under olive trees and a canopy of heritage oaks Grab the seeded avocado toast adorned with a soft-boiled egg; the po’boy loaded with lightly fried soft-shell crab You can’t miss out on the signature candy cap churros served alongside a dulce de leche dipping sauce.  Spend the rest of the afternoon soothing your muscles and recharging your soul at this Calistoga resort spa as the attendants slather you with heavy volcanic ash and steam away your cares on your Napa vacations Feel the relaxation and nourishment offered by a full menu of facials you’ll be a new person by nightfall–and there’s no better way to celebrate than with an elevated dinner at Solbar Tucked away inside the five-star Solage resort this Calistoga favorite is where you’ll find local vintners sipping drinks after-hours and couples letting time slip away under the glow of a 20-foot fire pit delicate flavors to stimulate your palate and bold Wake up at dawn to spend your final morning soaring above the clouds with Calistoga Balloons. Your early wake-up call will be worth it, once you take in the bird’s eye view. Presenting dramatic panoramas of the vineyards, undulating mountains, and verdant forests, take in the breathtaking views as the sun spreads unveiling California’s iconic natural landscape.  After flying high in the sky, enjoy the simple pleasures of being on land by having brunch at Lovina a farm-to-table restaurant that beckons to locals and tourists alike with its quaint front patio the outdoor sign saying “Great Food” isn’t just good marketing; it’s a promise to provide delicious fare to every guest It’s the perfect way to end your weekend of pampering and indulgence in Calistoga We’ll be your trustee Little Tokyo guide with a day’s worth of fun things to do in Little Tokyo If you're looking for something fun to do there are plenty of fun and free things to do in San Francisco Feel the knowledge flood from its elegant red-tile roofs as you wander the town’s beautiful college campus in search of hidden finds Enjoy the perfect California spring weather at these ideal spots for a spring vacation in California Check your inbox soon for the latest from California.com. a veteran of more than four decades in North Bay law enforcement will become the chief of Calistoga Police on March 3 McCaffrey was most recently the police chief in Novato for six years before retiring at the end of 2021 He also served as police chief in the Sonoma County Junior College District and spent nearly 30 years with the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office I told my wife that if a job opened up in the right place I would compete for it – and Calistoga was on that very short list,” he said in a statement released by the city but Napa County was always just over the hill for me and Calistoga has always been my favorite part of Napa County "It’s important to me to work somewhere where there is a mutual respect and affection between the police department and the community they serve,” said McCaffrey “I’m really excited about getting to know the people who make up that community and all of the employees of the city of Calistoga.” "We are delighted to welcome Chief McCaffrey to Calistoga,” said City Manager Laura Snideman and commitment to being an active participant in our tight-knit community make him the perfect fit for our city We look forward to his contributions in strengthening public safety and fostering strong relationships within our community." McCaffrey will take over Calistoga’s top law enforcement post from Mitch Celaya who spent 11 years as police chief before becoming assistant city manager last July Calistoga voters will decide who fills two City Council seats in the Nov For The Press Democrat’s Voter Guide, including links to stories and endorsements, go to election.pressdemocrat.com/guide is also up for election this year for a two-year term who was first elected as mayor in 2022 after serving two years on the council There are three candidates running for the two council two seats Two of them are incumbent council members: Lisa Gift and Irais Lopez-Ortega The two candidates with the most votes will secure seats on the council Gift was first elected to the council in 2020; she won 842 votes or about 23% of the overall vote in that race Lopez-Ortega — who was appointed to a Calistoga council seat in 2013 and has been a member of the council since — was the top vote-getter in that race winning 1,295 votes or about 35% of the overall vote didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment youth education and the development of the Napa County Fairgrounds property — which the city purchased from the county for $2 million this year — as priorities should she be elected said she’s focused on advocating for families and small businesses while on council She identified housing as the top priority facing the city Calistoga is in the midst of a housing crisis with about 29% of local households spending 30-50% of their income on housing and 12.6% spending more limits longtime residents from raising their children here impacts our sports organizations and school enrollment and makes it difficult for local businesses to retain employees,” Gift said in an email to The Press Democrat Gift added that infrastructure is another pressing issue There’s a need to upgrade and maintain aging infrastructure so residents aren’t faced with “exorbitant costs down the road.” That’s currently an issue with the city’s water and wastewater utilities — rates residents pay for those utilities increased this year and will continue to increase each year until 2028 Gift also said she believes diversity and inclusivity are “fundamental pillars of a thriving community,” and said city leaders need to engage with LGBTQ+ and Latino organizations to gain deeper insights into community needs Gift said she will continue to focus on initiatives that “empower small businesses and foster impactful housing solutions all aimed at preserving the foundation of our community.” but I promise to continue listening to our residents and to thoughtfully consider each decision I make with every vote,” Gift wrote In early 2022, Gift went public about her experience with mental health struggles — which included a suicide attempt and an arrest on suspicion of violating the terms of a domestic restraining order — during the COVID-19 pandemic is only the second person of Latino descent to hold elected office in the city She said in an email to The Press Democrat that she feels there’s a need for Latino representation so that her community can have the same opportunities as everyone else — and a good quality of life Lopez-Ortega emphasized that there’s a great need to bring in community members to engage with the local government Achieving active and consistent community participation is often the most difficult task to accomplish we need to work together as a community and participate as much as possible on the decisions that take place by our government,” Lopez-Ortega wrote Lopez-Ortega added that community service runs in her blood She also serves as a board member for Water Education For Latino Leaders “I appreciate all the support from the Calistoga Community and the opportunity to serve,” Lopez-Ortega wrote “I would like to keep working among all the residents here but either way I'm a part of this town and one way or another I will do community work.” Lopez-Ortega was embroiled in a high-profile court case in August 2021 A dozen of the area’s best restaurants will serve dishes in designated sections along the table If you’ve never had dinner at a 1,000-foot-long table Calistoga’s Harvest Table event is something that must be experienced Locals and tourists alike take part in this epic communal dining event that will stretch along Lincoln Avenue on Sunday The event is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and a dozen of the area’s best restaurants Guests purchase a ticket for their restaurant of choice and then take a seat in its designated space at the table Tickets ranging from $175-$200 are still available for several participating restaurants To see the full list, menus and to purchase tickets go to bit.ly/3Xm13hO A natural gas leak Tuesday at Calistoga Junior/Senior High School briefly forced students to shelter in place on campus Tuesday — A natural gas leak occurred Tuesday morning at Calistoga Junior/Senior High School and briefly forced students to shelter in place on campus A 1-inch-diameter gas pipe was breached during construction of the Calistoga high school’s science Students were sheltered in the high school gymnasium after the leak and the Calistoga police and fire departments were called to the scene PG&E workers closed the gas leak shortly after 10 a.m. and students were able to return to classes afterward Calistoga closed nearby Grant Street between Lake Street and Arch Way during the incident Two residents briefly left their homes while the leak was plugged Calistoga's Giovanni Lopez advances the ball as Aldo Dejesus looks on against Redwood Christian at Logvy Field Oct Calistoga head coach Cristian Escobedo talks to his players during their Oct Calistoga's Angel Alvarado passes the ball against Redwood Christian at Logvy Field on Oct Calistoga's Carlos Infante heads the ball against Redwood Christian at Logvy Field on Oct Calistoga players watch their team host Redwood Christian at Logvy Field on Oct Calistoga boys soccer blanked Redwood Christian 15-0 to begin an eight-game unbeaten streak with archrival Sonoma Academy coming to town next week CALISTOGA — The Calistoga High boys soccer team bounced back from back-to-back North Central League II losses with a 15-0 rout of visiting Redwood Adventist at Logvy Field on Oct Aecos Chavez and Noel Sarabio each scored twice in the first half to lead the Wildcats (11-3-2 11-3-1 NCL II) to a commanding 10-0 halftime lead Angel Alvarado and Victor Martinez also scored before halftime Calistoga’s scoring in the second half included two goals by Aldo Dejesus and one each by Giovanni Lopez Senior goalkeeper David Bravo posted the fourth of what is now eight shutouts on the season He said it’s a different team than the one that beat Sonoma Academy on penalty kicks in last year’s North Coast Section championship game for the Wildcats’ first-ever section title in the sport we’ve had to adapt to new changes,” Bravo said but I feel like we’ve had a lot of improvements I feel like he’s progressed and kept the team going smoothly Other players who have had a big impact since last year are Ruben Rubio I think we still haven’t hit our max potential yet but I feel like we’re working hard to get there.” The Wildcats were coming off a 1-0 loss at archrival Sonoma Academy on Sept they’ve also won home games over Technology of Rohnert Park They settled for a scoreless tie with visiting Credo of Rohnert Park beat Roseland Collegiate Prep in Santa Rosa a month after the Pirates handed them their first league loss they won 9-2 at Tech on Monday and beat Anderson Valley 4-0 at home on Wednesday They were to visit Tomales (10-5-1 NCL II) at 3:30 p.m “It’s definitely a rebuild year where we lost a lot of players from our championship year,” assistant coach Carlos Garcia said I think what we were missing in part of the games was just pushing it in because our playing style has been dominant against most teams but to say that they were better than us is really not what happened in that game Hopefully things turn around when we see them out here.” races a Redwood Christian player to the ball at Logvy Field on Oct Calistoga's Carlos Infante passes the ball against Redwood Christian at Logvy Field on Oct Calistoga's Noel Sarabio beats a Redwood Christian player to the ball at Logvy Field on Oct Calistoga's Christian Ramirez-Quizar corrals the ball against Redwood Christian at Logvy Field on Oct Noel Sarabio (10) and David Bravo listen to a referee before their Oct 4 game against Redwood Christian Academy on Oct The Calistoga High boys soccer team started an eight-game unbeaten streak with a 15-0 win over visiting Redwood Christian Academy on Oct