Fire Goats Escape + New Sculpture + More Healdsburg Roundabouts?

Good morning, people of Healdsburg! Simone here with your Monday issue of the Healdsburg Daily. Here's everything you need to know to get this week started.

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Healdsburg? Our premium local sponsorships will keep you at the top of inboxes around town every morning. Contact us here for the lowdown.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny, with a slight breeze. High: 95 Low: 53.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 5 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. The Press Democrat has the dramatic tale of the mayhem that ensued when Healdsburg's roving crew of 100-plus fire-abatement goats got spooked by the lightning and thunder last Thursday night. They reportedly panicked and escaped from their temporary home in the Healdsburg Open Space Preserve, "flooding" onto Canyon Run in the adjacent Parkland Farms neighborhood. “There were a lot of kids — you know, baby goats — ‘bahhing’ and looking for their moms,” responding Healdsburg Police Department detective Craig Smith tells the PD. One goat, named Violet by the detective because “she just seemed like a Violet," even had “a little panic attack, and was laying on the ground." The goats were relatively cooperative, though, and were quickly herded back into their designated zone. Even Violet. (Press Democrat; paywall)
2. There's a pretty bad wildfire burning along the shoreline of Lake Mendocino, just north of Ukiah. Some smoke may be visible from Healdsburg today. The 257-acre Hopkins Fire burned down at least 10 homes yesterday in the small Russian River-side community of Calpella and prompted evacuations for 200 others. Fire officials said the blaze was only 20 percent contained as of this morning, but that they'd established a solid perimeter around it and didn't expect it to spread much further. Other small fires over the weekend included the Diamond Fire in Lake County and the River Fire in Monte Rio, both now extinguished. But overall, nothing directly threatening Healdsburg. (Facebook & CBS SF Bay Area & Press Democrat; paywall)
3. The streets of Healdsburg just got a gorgeous new sculpture. You can check it out at the corner of Samantha Court and Borel Road on the way up to Fitch Mountain. "I've released the Kraken," artist Diego Harris writes on Facebook. "It's one of my tree style sculptures with eight branches and is assembled in four pieces. It stands at about 13 ft tall and is about 12 ft wide. it's made of corten steel, also known as weathering steel, which will develop a rusty patina over time. I've also included a few construction photos from the last few weeks. Thank you for looking." (Facebook)
4. Healdsburg High School's football team suffered another tough loss at Rec Park on Friday against Cloverdale. The final score was 34 to 6. As Cloverdale coach Greg Alexander remembers it: “We got up early 14-0 and put Healdsburg in a hole, which forced them into the passing game more than they wanted to. We forced them into some turnovers.” The Greyhounds now have one win and two losses for their season so far. They'll get a chance to even that out with another home game this Friday night, when they play the Willits High School Wolverines at Rec. (Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
5. Move over, Healdsburg Avenue-Mill Street roundabout. The current draft of the Healdsburg Local Roadway Safety Plan proposes new roundabouts for two other problem intersections: Healdsburg Avenue at Exchange Avenue next to the McDonalds, and the 101 onramp on Dry Creek Road. A neighbor on Nextdoor spotted the exciting detail. Based on the success of our current roundabout — see before-and-after collision heatmaps below — that would be a huge upgrade. If you have any feedback on the plan, roundabout-related or otherwise, it's due by Sept. 19. (Nextdoor & SoCoNews Healdsburg)

Today in Healdsburg:

• Harvest Lunch at Jordan Winery (12-2PM)
• Healdsburg City Council Special Meeting: Regional and Local Efforts to Address Homelessness (5PM)
• Corazón Healdsburg Talleres Para Padres / Workshop for Parents at Healdsburg Community Center (6PM)
• Tortilla Literaria Virtual a Sonoma County Wine Library: Fuenteovejuna (7:30-9PM)

Healdsburg Patch Notebook

• A reader emailed me to point out that there was no mention of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 in the weekend edition of the Healdsburg Daily, sent out Friday. The reader was a former flight attendant who "flew with colleagues who were on flight 11 that day." Definitely an oversight on my part. Apologies to all. (Inbox)
• On that note — the Press Democrat interviewed some Healdsburg students and teachers last week about how the events of 9/11 are being taught in class these days. It's an interesting read. (Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
• The last day to sign up for the City of Healdsburg's free recycled water delivery program, which is winding down in November and possibly being replaced with a paid version, will be this Friday, FYI. (City of Healdsburg)
• The youth soccer season began over the weekend in Healdsburg. "There are nearly 450 players registered to play this year, ranging in ages from 4-15 years old," city officials say. "We look forward to a great season and seeing our young athletes active again this fall." (City of Healdsburg)
• Speaking of youth soccer, a young player "forgot his blue drawstring backpack" on the Healdsburg High School field after his game Saturday, his mom says. Anyone seen it? (Facebook)
• A resident on Burgundy Road has an overabundance of "yellow gold cherry tomatoes" in her garden and is inviting neighbors to come have at them. (Nextdoor)
• A Good Samaritan has reportedly been cleaning up everybody else's left-behind dog poop in Parkland Farms. (Nextdoor)
• Here's some footage from the "Plaza de las Américas" festival in the plaza yesterday. Looks like it was a blast. (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Add your business here

Events:

• Galatea (September 17)
• Fall Antique Fair 2021 (September 26)
• Add your event

Job listings:

• Japanese restaurant looking for sous chef (Details)
• Add your job listing

Alright, you're all caught up for today! See you in your inbox tomorrow morning for your next update. And if you're into these newsletters, consider bringing some of your friends and neighbors on board. 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? I'm all ears. You can contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com.