News Articles
By Times-Herald Staff
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) this week announced Benicia High School’s Stella Li as the winner of the 2016 Congressional Art Competition for the 5th Congressional District.
Li’s work, titled “Memories of my Grandmother,” will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year starting in June, Thompson said. Li and a guest will be flown to Washington, D.C., in June to attend a ceremony at the Capitol honoring the students selected as winners from congressional districts across the United States.
By Kenneth R. Harney
They are a giant presence in American real estate, but they get short shrift in the federal tax code: the estimated 340,000 communities across the country that are governed by homeowner associations and are often subject to a form of double taxation.
By Jennifer Huffman
It’s back to square one for Napa’s historic downtown post office.
An offer to buy the earthquake-damaged building has fallen through and bids are once again being accepted. Even faced with the costly task of redeveloping a historic building, the city and those familiar with the project remain optimistic a new buyer can be found.
By David Stoneberg
It was a few days before the tax deadline and Rep. Mike Thompson decided to stop at the UpValley Family Centers to discuss the center’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Not to get his taxes done – he and wife Jan have used Mel Varrelman’s services for years – but to discover one of the centers’ most vibrant programs. Executive Director Jenny Ocón said last year the 27 tax preparers/volunteers provided free tax preparation services to 485 households, generating almost $780,000 in refunds.
By Guy Kovner
Judi Lutsky, a 72-year-old retired Rohnert Park teacher, is counting on Social Security to augment her pension as a career educator. The federal benefits system, she said, is a cornerstone to civil society and a key to her own well-being.
“We must keep it,” Lutsky said. “We have to do whatever it takes.”
By the Press-Democrat Editorial Board
Politics, as the German statesman Otto Von Bismarck said, is the art of the possible.
Right now, it seems as if getting any sort of gun safety legislation through Congress is close to impossible.
Give credit to Rep. Mike Thompson for not giving up.
Linda Parks of Napa was recognized as Napa County’s Woman of the Year by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson at a ceremony held on March 20.
“Linda’s contributions to our community extend far beyond the success of her business,” said Thompson.
“Under Linda’s leadership, Lixit enables adults with disabilities to find employment and thereby gain independence. And, Linda is clearly beloved by her employees because there is hardly any employee turnover at Lixit,” he said. “Linda is an extraordinary individual, and it is my honor to recognize her as Napa County’s Woman of the Year.”
By Tom Lochner
Rep. Mike Thompson will speak about rail safety at 9 a.m. Thursday in the City Council chamber at Hercules City Hall, 111 Civic Drive.
Over 900 people joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell Saturday for a dedication ceremony for the recent designation of Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument in California.
The monument covers 350,000 acres of public lands, including 62,000 acres in eastern Napa County. It stretches from the Snow Mountain Wilderness Area in the Mendocino National Forest 100 miles south to the mountains separating Solano and Napa counties. No private land is included.
The dedication and spring festival took place at Cowboy Camp west of Williams in Colusa County.
By Elizabeth Larson
The Valley fire, health care, the upcoming election and important legislation all were topics on Saturday night when Congressman Mike Thompson hosted his annual ravioli feed.
Hundreds of people were on hand for the popular 25th annual event, held this year for the first time at Boatique Wines in Kelseyville.
Owned by Robert and Madi Mount, the venue overlooks Mt. Konocti and features classic cars and antique wooden boats that Thompson called works of art.