Presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann is making a campaign stop in at the Napa Valley County Club on Thursday, the second Republican candidate to visit Wine Country this month. The cost: $100 for hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar and $250 for a photo and private moment with the candidate. Current GOP front-runner Herman Cain may be the next to visit the area.

The top position in the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s office has been vacant after supervisors fired Cathy Neville two weeks ago. County supervisors are considering appointing Napa’s ag commisioner, Dave Whitmer, to take over the job part-time until a permanent replacement is hired.

Lake County won’t challenge an Indian tribe’s legal quest for federal recognition, which could lead to a new tribal casino in the North Bay. But Sonoma and Napa counties still oppose recognition for Alexander Valley’s Mishewal Wappo tribe, which lost its federal status in 1959.

Sonoma, Napa and Lake counties are asking a federal judge to toss out an Alexander Valley Indian tribe’s lawsuit seeking federal recognition, arguing the case was filed 40 years too late. Their real concern: the counties are worried that restoration of the Mishewal Wappo tribe will lead to another Indian casino.

Assembly candidate Michael Allen saw his lead narrow to 270 votes Monday in the hard-fought 7th Assembly District Democratic primary after all the mail-in ballots were counted in Solano County, the stronghold of his main rival, Vallejo City Councilman Michael Wilson. Both candidates expect a winner to emerge Wednesday, when all Napa County votes are finalized.

A judge has ruled that Sonoma, Napa and Lake counties can join a court fight over federal recognition of Alexander Valley’s Wappo Indian tribe. The counties fear recognition of the Wappos will lead to another tribal casino.

Napa and Lake counties are joining Sonoma in a court fight over federal recognition of Alexander Valley’s Mishewal Wappo Indian tribe, saying it would open the door for casino gambling.