🌱 Drought Status + New Healdsburg Cop + Mill District Renderings

Hey, neighbors. Happy Wednesday! I'm back in your inbox this morning to tell you everything you need to know about what's happening in town today. Enjoy...

First, today's weather:

Warming up! Some fog and clouds in the morning should give way to sun. High: 73 Low: 51.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 5 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. There has been some ambiguity about what all the rain over the past week has meant for Healdsburg's drought status, but new comments from a manager at the Sonoma Water agency help provide more clarity. With Lake Mendocino, Lake Sonoma and Russian River water levels now up 10 to 20 percent or more, he tells the Press Democrat that "Sonoma Water is looking to the winter with cautious optimism" about our water supply replenishing, but that additional rain will be critical. “As water managers, we love to see a parade of storms," he says. "If we don’t see additional storms in the next month or two, concerns will continue to be had regarding ongoing drought conditions.” The manager adds: “It’s just really important for people to know this is just the beginning of our drought recovery and that it’s going to take a lot to get out of this historic drought. Continue to implement conservation, and hope that we get more atmospheric rivers." (Press Democrat; paywall)
2. Related: Some Healdsburg residents are shaken by the city's decision to halt its recycled water delivery program immediately following the storm. The future of the program also doesn't seem to get a mention in the Urban Water Management Plan just approved by the city council last week. In a letter he says he sent to the Healdsburg Tribune, resident Jeffrey Rapp writes: "I have spoken to one of the delivery people, who informs me that he will continue deliveries privately for $100 a delivery. That is unaffordable for me, and I presume, most other residents. Also, we have invested a considerable amount of money and time in the necessary equipment." Another resident comments on Nextdoor: "This sends a clear message that conservation is not needed, at this time." (Nextdoor & City of Healdsburg)
3. Check out these new renderings and descriptions of the luxury Mill District development being built near the Healdsburg roundabout downtown. "Situated within a preserved grove of 15 heritage redwood trees and connected by cobbled walkways, the project will accommodate [43] luxury residences, a boutique hotel, pool and wellness center, shops and a restaurant," says a new sponsored article in SF Gate. The residences — already available to purchase — start at $900,000 and "include five penthouses, the first-of-its-kind in wine country." The images are a trip! (SF Gate & Mill District Healdsburg)
4. Healdsburg's school district plans to spend much of the $1.7 million in COVID-era relief funds it got from the federal government on "additional staff and support services," the Tribune reports. These will include new "health care professionals, counselors, teachers, paraprofessionals, social-emotional curriculum and data, increased summer learning opportunities and paid-time for teachers to plan, prepare, and adjust curriculum to meet the needs of students." Click through for more detailed line items, if you're interested. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
5. Have you gotten your COVID booster shot yet? New guidance from Sonoma County health officials says that basically anyone over 18 with "underlying medical conditions or at increased risk of COVID-19 because of social inequities," or anyone over 18 who got the one-dose J&J vaccine at all, is eligible for a booster after a certain number of months. And there's a handy new California government website where you can submit your information and try to schedule a booster appointment near you. (Patch Press Release Desk & CA Dept. of Public Health)

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Healdsburg pic of the day:

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Today in Healdsburg:

• Spirit Week at Healdsburg Junior High School: "Wear Halloween Colors Day" (All Day)
• Sonoma County Parks Birdwatching Walk at Riverfront Regional Park (8:30-10:30AM)
• Virtual County Workshop on Wildfire Safety: How Resilient is Your Home? (10:30-11:30AM)
• Workshop for Healdsburg High School Seniors: Application for SRJC Admission & Dual Enrollment Form (2-3:30PM)
• Healdsburg School District Día de Muertos Read-a-Loud With Ms. Greta: "The Spirit of Tío Fernando (6PM)
• Corazón Healdsburg Clases de Inglés Para Adultos / English Classes for Adults (6-8PM)
• Alexander Valley Film Society Drive-In Series: Halloween Double Feature of "The Addams Family" and "Scream" (6:45PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (7-9PM)

Healdsburg Patch Notebook

• Healdsburg got a new police officer this week. Jason Olvera was previously a police officer for the City of Fremont and served on its Mobile Evaluation Team, a "field-based response team that provides comprehensive and compassionate services to community members experiencing homelessness or mental illness." (Facebook)
• Some more exciting details about the Día de Muertos event in the plaza this coming Sunday: It will include "an exhibition of 100 cars, delicious food from more than 10 food trucks, music to the rhythm of B-Side Players and Los Yaguarú, fun activities for children, community altars, and much more." There won't be any alcohol this year though, FYI. (Facebook & Facebook & SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• News flash from Sonoma Magazine: "Healdsburg Is Hotter Than Ever." The magazine explores six fancy new wine and food spots that just opened in town. (Sonoma Magazine)
• You should be getting your $600 stimulus check this week or next. Here's how to check your scheduled payment date. (San Francisco Patch)
• There are a couple cool Halloween events coming up this weekend at Healdsburg wineries: A '20s-themed "Bootleggers Bash" at Breathless Wines, and a “Spook-tacular” carnival-style event at Roth Estate Winery — featuring a "hair-raising haunted house," a fortune teller, food trucks, live music and more. (Press Democrat; paywall)
• The Healdsburg Senior Center is looking for volunteers. (Facebook)
• In case you're having trouble getting into the cozy fall spirit, here are some heart-slaying photos of Healdsburg Elementary School students playing with baby pumpkins from Foggy River Farms as part of their science and art curriculum. (Facebook)
• County-run Russian River access points — including Healdsburg's Veterans Memorial Beach and Riverfront Park — are still closed until further notice, as crews "inspect and repair damage in many of your regional parks affected by flooding over the past several days." (Facebook)

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That's all for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update! If you're liking these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I'm currently a senior product manager for Patch.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg Daily? You can contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com.