News Articles

On Veterans Day, let's start by saying thank you, because that's what Veterans Day is about. Thank you to our communities for the support you provide for those who have bravely served. Thank you to the families of our veterans. Anyone who has ever served or had a loved one in the armed forces knows that military service is a family commitment. And most importantly, thank you to our veterans. Cities and towns across America are pausing and giving their greatest appreciation for your service.

Several hundred people gathered at Veterans Memorial Park on Tuesday morning to honor the many veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

"Our veterans did not serve for fame or for fortune; they didn't serve for praise or for glory," said Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, the keynote speaker for Napa's Veterans Day observance.

"They served selflessly for duty, for freedom, for the love of our great country, out of loyalty to their fellow soldiers; and they served citizens who they never met. So thank them every day."

Raising the minimum wage, helping the middle class and encouraging more domestic manufacturing jobs were some of the key issues raised by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, during a recent meeting with American Canyon business leaders.

Thompson easily won re-election to the 5th District on Tuesday. Although his victory was never seriously in doubt, he continued to campaign throughout the valley. One of his last stops was with American Canyon's Chamber of Commerce.

Individuals and households impacted by the Aug. 24 South Napa earthquake can now apply for federal assistance, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced.

Cal OES and FEMA announced Monday night that the Major Disaster declaration for the recent 6.0 magnitude quake will also include the Individuals and Households Program under the Stafford Act. This amendment makes assistance available to help homeowners and renters recover from the earthquake.

Napa County has received the long-awaited word that millions in federal dollars will be available to homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered losses during the Aug. 24 south Napa earthquake.

Homeowners and renters will be able to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for grants under the Individuals and Households Program. FEMA and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services made the announcement Monday night.

In what a federal official Tuesday termed a "close call," potentially millions of dollars in federal disaster assistance is being made available to individuals who were affected by August's earthquake near Napa.

The announcement, made late Monday night, ends weeks of uncertainty over whether people could apply for the direct financial assistance, which covers everything from home repairs to medical expenses.

The decision apparently could have gone either way.

Legislation co-authored by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) and New York Republican Tom Reed was signed into law Monday by President Obama at a White House ceremony, Thompson's office announced.

The bipartisan legislation seeks to improve access to quality hospice care, according to the announcement.

The Hospice Opportunities for Supporting Patients with Integrity and Care Evaluations (HOSPICE) Act was included in the Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation (IMPACT) Act of 2014, Thompson's office said.