Last Election of its Kind
On Tuesday night, four of the five residents on the ballot for the Healdsburg City Council whiled away the after-dinner hours downtown, waiting for the results of the day’s general election. Although newcomer Heather Hannan-Kramer was nowhere to be found, Ariel Kelley and her...
Taking Action for Harm Reduction
A new metal drop box, gray and orange, has appeared in the parking lot next to the Alliance Medical Center next to Healdsburg Hospital. It’s not a mailbox or a book drop or a bank deposit box, but it looks like one—aside from the bold phrase, “Secure Sharps.” Medical professionals know what that means...
A Simple Gesture makes it easy to help out
Dave Henderson, a recent new member of Healdsburg’s Noon Rotary Club, was looking for a way to help with the current situation of food insecurity. “I was going to launch a food collection program together with the Redwood Empire Food Bank, and then talked to them quite a bit,” he said. “Then just by chance I found out about this ‘A Simple Gesture’ program.”
Motorcyclist ID’d in Grove St. Collision
On Saturday, Dec. 9, starting at 5:26pm, Healdsburg Police received numerous 911 calls regarding a motorcycle vs. vehicle collision just off Highway 101. The motorcycle was traveling eastbound on Dry Creek Road, and the other vehicle was westbound on Dry Creek Road making a...
Legal High Comes to Healdsburg
As the first cannabis dispensary opened in Healdsburg, more than one customer observed he was cutting down on VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled), a key metric in the city’s goal of reducing greenhouse gasses. The next nearest dispensary is 10 miles away in Larkfield, and beyond that twice that far to Cloverdale...
The Man Behind the Hot Wildfire Tracking App
When asked how Watch Duty stands out from other wildfire apps, John C. Mills’ answer was simple: accuracy and immediacy. “We don’t speculate,” he said. “We disseminate information directly from professionals. If a first responder says a fire will reach a community in 17 minutes, we relay that information without delay. That’s our commitment to transparency.”
Gala Kicks Off New Arts Season at the 222
The art gallery-turned-performance space at 222 Healdsburg Ave. has announced its coming season of music, film, lecture and performance arts, to be kicked off with the high-flying dance acrobatics of Bandaloop, at the Aug. 5 Gala for the Arts.
Bandaloop, a “vertical dance company,” combines...
‘Shenkman Letter’ Prompts Overhaul of City Elections
The names on the letterhead strike terror in the hearts of city governments across the state: Malibu-based attorneys Shenkman & Hughes since 2011 have made it their mission to call out local governments in California that elect officers by “at large” voting. Now it's Healdsburg's turn, to split its area into five districts for city council elections. This could be interesting...
Redistricting Gets Started, Council Selects Mitchell as New Mayor
While the role of the mayor in Healdsburg is largely ceremonial—to chair meetings, issue proclamations and be the city’s public face—it is not entirely so. With the imminent elimination of the at-large election of City Council members to accord with the 2002 California Voting Rights Act, the role of the mayor could become much more important...
Parks & Recreation Weighs Names for Saggio Hills Park
Judging from comments from both the public and the commission members itself, there's a clear favorite in the naming of a new Saggio Hills park: Laura Fish Somersal, a Pomo basketweaver thought to be among the last native speakers of both the Pomo and Wappo languages, languages she taught at Sonoma State University and elsewhere.
Arts & Entertainment
Holiday Happenings, December 4-12
The City’s annual seasonal celebration, Merry Healdsburg, includes the Lighting of the Tree and a night market at the Plaza. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage, dance to live holiday music, cheer for Santa’s grand arrival...






















