Dodd, Pastula, and Iverson Lead Napa College Race Ahead of Nov. 11

Higher education governance and Veterans Day community observances anchored civic life in Napa and American Canyon at the end of the week. Incumbents Jeff Dodd and William "Kyle" Iverson alongside educator Emily Pastula held Friday leads in three Napa Valley College Board of Trustees contests, while American Canyon and downtown Napa finalized schedules for free public Veterans Day ceremonies on Wednesday, November 11.

Dodd, Pastula, and Iverson Lead in Napa Valley College Board Contests

As of Friday afternoon, incumbent trustee Jeff Dodd led the Trustee Area 2 race with 63.19% (1,504 votes) against Santa Rosa High School counselor Heriverto "Eddy" Ruiz, who received 36.81% on a platform emphasizing TK-12 college planning and financial literacy. In Trustee Area 3, which represents American Canyon, Emily Pastula led with 37.33% (825 votes), followed by retired educator Elizabeth Goff at 34.16% and community parent liaison Karina Servente at 28.51%, with more than 80% of Area 3 ballots still left to count. Both Pastula and Servente highlighted plans during an October 14 campus forum to expand utilization of Napa Valley College's 3 instructional classrooms at American Canyon High School.

In Trustee Area 4, incumbent William "Kyle" Iverson—who noted on November 4 that college finances are moving toward long-term stability—held 51.85% (1,657 votes) to challenger Cindy Johnson's 48.15%, with slightly more than 70% of Area 4 ballots remaining to be tallied. Trustee Area 5 was not on the ballot after Vintage High School science teacher Lotte Cosca was appointed in July 2026 to replace Jeni Olsen.

American Canyon and Napa Host Free Veterans Day Ceremonies on November 11

On Wednesday, November 11, both American Canyon and Napa will hold free public ceremonies from 11 a.m. to noon honoring military veterans and active-duty service members. In American Canyon, the city's annual observance will take place inside the American Canyon Middle School gymnasium at 100 Benton Way, featuring a keynote speaker, student performances, local veterans service organizations, and refreshments (information available via the Parks and Recreation Department at 707-648-7275).

In downtown Napa, American Legion Post 113 will host its ceremony from 11 a.m. to noon at Veterans Memorial Park on Main Street with guest speakers and music honoring all branches of the U.S. armed forces, followed by food and beverages at American Legion Post 113 at 1240 Pearl Street (707-339-2727).