Briefs

After years of crappy — albeit free — Wi-Fi service in the Healdsburg plaza and the surrounding area, our city leaders have decided to upgrade the plaza Wi-Fi system so that people can actually rely on the connection, for a price tag of around $100,000 in...

We finally have an answer in the last remaining unsettled race from the primary election ballot we filled out earlier this month: the contest for Healdsburg politician Jim Wood's second-district seat in the California State Assembly, representing the state's entire North Coast. Although election...

During the stormy winter weather earlier this month — on Saturday, March 9, in Healdsburg — two dogs reportedly had to be rescued from the Russian River's swift waters by a crew from North Bay Animal Services, a nonprofit shelter down in Petaluma. "Rascal and...

You know that huge chunk of wasteland along the far bank of the Russian River through town, next to Memorial Bridge? For over 75 years, it was home to a sand and gravel mine, run by a company called Syar Industries. Now, all 88...

Around 10 minutes south of us on the 101, one American Indian tribe’s bold proposal for a massive new resort and casino in the ranch lands east of Windsor has entered an important planning stage. Officials from the Bureau of Indian Affairs are now preparing a...

I'm seeing rave reviews all around from the St. Patrick's Day parade and street party that took over downtown Healdsburg on Sunday morning. Our local St. Paddy's tradition was started a few decades ago by the former owner of the bygone B&B dive bar...

Longtime Healdsburg resident Arline Hotle Smith passed away last month at age 89. She and her husband of 62 years, Bill, "moved to Healdsburg with their three children in 1976," according to her obituary. They were known to "travel extensively on their boat, circling...

Healdsburg resident Charles Laurent Doire, better known as Chuck, reportedly passed away back in January. He died "peacefully" at age 65, according to his obituary. Although born down in SoCal, he spent most of his life here in Healdsburg. More from Chuck's obituary: "He...

As I'm sure you've heard, tomorrow is a big day in Healdsburg. It's a big day most places — but especially here. Expect drunken, Irish-inspired revelry all across the downtown area from before the sun rises to after it sets. It all starts with the...

Healdsburg High School is replacing its principal, Francisco Manriquez, after just one year in the role. I have zero information about why Principal Manriquez is leaving. All I know is that the Healdsburg Unified School District quietly posted a job recruitment flier for his position...