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Healdsburg
February 2, 2026

It’s Final: Council Backs ‘Map D’ for City’s District Elections

Healdsburg city council members Chris Herrod, Evelyn Mitchell and David Hagele
Last Monday night marked the conclusion of what City Manager Jeff Kay called “a long and really involved journey” in Healdsburg’s civic history, as the City Council voted to approve a new map for selecting council members by district voting, beginning in 2026.

Montage Parking Lot Challenge Gets Results

Montage Healdsburg’s plan to remove 107 blue oak trees to build a new parking lot has been withdrawn by the developer. The plan, approved by the Planning Commission at its May 28 meeting, drew immediate protest from a group of local environmentalists, who took the formal measure of filing an appeal of the approval....

Healdsburg opens up to Guelaguetza

Oaxacan women dancing at Guelaguetza in Healdsburg
The beat of pounding feet, the jangle of spurs and the snap of whips marked the dances of Oaxaca in the Healdsburg Plaza last Sunday. The southern Mexican state is home to some 16 cultural groups and two major native languages. Over the centuries an annual gathering to share their common interests grew, becoming known as a Guelaguetza

Citizens Drive Healdsburg’s Climate Agenda

The window of opportunity is closing for a coordinated response to combat climate change, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said recently. “Humanity is on thin ice—and that ice is melting fast,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “Our world needs climate action...

State Windfall Brings $21 Million to Healdsburg

Affordable housing
Stephen Sotomayor, the housing director for the City of Healdsburg, announced last week that Freebird Development, in partnership with Jamboree Housing, has been awarded $21.1 million in funding from the State of California’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program. This funding, approved by the...

Hounds bring their game back to Healdsburg

Frank Ruiz Jr. throws downfield
With last year’s running back Frank Rea Jr. taking over the quarterback slot, the Greyhounds have had no trouble adjusting to his leadership. Other returning players including Hayden Mariani, Max Morris and Dillon Jocius, who all made their mark on the scoreboard as well.

Harvest: A taste shared between coasts

Oysters on a plate with lemon
Oysters were a growth process for me. I’ve never been much for foods that require time to “learn to enjoy,” but summer parties on Nantucket often include bountiful trays of oysters and chilled shrimp, and nothing else. And if the evening stretches into a string of gatherings, there is often little else to eat. One night a friend laughed and said, “You’re really missing out on something delicious.”

‘Factory Farms’ Measure on the Ballot: Yea or Nay?

Guard dog and chickens
Measure J, the initiative on the November ballot to shut down a number of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations  (CAFOs) or “factory farms” in Sonoma County, has encountered widespread opposition among public governing bodies, most recently including the Healdsburg City Council...

Girls Eye Repeat But Winning Comes First

Claire Berry shooting a basket
Redwood League play kicked off this week with a Tuesday game at home against Elsie Allen (currently 5-5). Although complete stats are not available, the Greyhounds easily bested the Lobos, 62-9, scoring almost at will and shutting down the visiting team’s offense. 

Riverkeeper Head Recalls Local Icon, Activist Marty Griffin

Two men with paddle
Environmental pioneer and Westside Road winemaker Dr. Martin Griffin died this week at his home in Belvedere, Marin County. He was 103 years old. One of his proteges, Don McEnhill of Russian Riverkeeper, tells of the impact Griffin had on his life.
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Arts & Entertainment

Healdsburg Happenings, Jan. 29 – Feb. 5

Goings on in and around Healdsburg this week and next Community Look at Ukraine Local ophthalmologist and eye-care missionary Dr. Gary Barth has started a weekly open...

Persistence of Memory

Ralph Fiennes

Zombie sequel raises hopes