Fire Goats Hit Fitch + New Pool, Library Hours + Train Thru Town?

Hey, neighbors! It's me again, your host of the Healdsburg Daily. Hope your Fourth was even half as good as it was for the 4-year-old Healdsburg twins pictured in yesterday's Press Democrat. Here's what's going on today in town.

First, today's weather:

Cloudy through mid-morning, then clear and sunny. High: 91 Low: 45.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. We just got one step closer to becoming a SMART train stop. You know that old, decrepit railroad bridge that runs over the Russian River, parallel to the Memorial Bridge? Well, under a plan approved by the U.S. House of Reps, $13.6 million in federal infrastructure money would go toward rehab-ing that bridge for SMART train use. Now the plan just needs Senate and POTUS sign-off to become a reality. (Patch)
2. Progress is also being made on the 316-mile Great Redwood Trail from Humboldt Bay to San Francisco Bay, which will "double as part of the foot and bike path planned to accompany SMART’s 70-mile service line from Larkspur to Cloverdale." Healdsburg's stretch of the trail is expected to be done by summer's end. (Press Democrat)
3. It's been painful, but we did it: Healdsburg reduced its water use 44 percent last week, according to city officials. "This accomplishment helps extend Healdsburg’s limited water supply into the fall and potentially prevent further water restrictions later this summer," the city says. (Facebook)
4. Local wineries, farms and ranches damaged in recent wildfires are having trouble squeezing repair funds out of their insurance companies. Charlie Martin of Chalk Hill Ranch just outside Healdsburg, for example, reportedly hasn't gotten anything for "wine and horse boarding operations valued at $3 million... because of the fire risk given his location." Here's what Martin and others are trying to do about it. (North Bay Business Journal)
5. COVID isn't over yet. Sonoma County is seeing a big surge in hospitalizations — mainly among the unvaccinated. The county's case rate is around double what it was a couple months ago. (Press Democrat)

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Healdsburg pic of the day:

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Today in Healdsburg:

• Tuesday Healdsburg Farmers Market (9AM-12:30PM)
• Healdsburg Library Brown Bag Virtual Book Club (12-1PM)
• Virtual Family Trivia at Sonoma County Library (2-3PM)
• KICK-OFF: Tuesdays in the Plaza (6PM)
• Trail Sisters Lake Sonoma Run & Paddle Board, Float, or Swim (6PM)

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Healdsburg Patch Notebook

• The plaza was a madhouse on Monday for the Fourth. If you missed the fun, here's a quick video recap. (Facebook)
• On the other side of town Monday, a firefighter from CalFire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit threw the "ceremonial first pitch" at the Prune Packers game. (Facebook)
• Check out the full Tuesdays in the Plaza lineup for July, beginning with Rocio y Su Sonora this very evening. (Facebook)
• The Healdsburg pool is officially open for summer! The schedule includes lessons, lap swim and rec swim. (Facebook)
• Not to be outdone by the Healdsburg pool, the Healdsburg library has expanded its hours. It's now open six days a week — Mondays and Tuesdays from 12PM-7PM, and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10AM-5PM. (Facebook)
• Here's what homes are selling for in Healdsburg these days, compared to neighboring towns. Featuring a $1.6 million cottage on First Street and a $2.4 million dollar estate on Chalk Hill Road. (Press Democrat)
• Scroll through a big, heartwarming dump of memories from this year's "wildly successful" Healdsburg Jazz Festival. "The most beautiful thing for me was seeing our community of artists reuniting after a year and a half of not performing live," the festival's artistic director says. (Healdsburg Jazz)
• The Healdsburg Bar & Grill is looking for a line cook. (Facebook)
• In case you hadn't heard, a Japanese restaurant is opening this month in the old 8 Dragons location near Safeway. (Facebook)
• There's a great deep dive in the North Bay Business Journal this week on how the drought is affecting all different kinds of small businesses in Healdsburg and the rest of the county. Golf courses, hair salons, gyms, laundromats, nurseries — you name it. (North Bay Business Journal)
• Anyone missing a tiger-striped she-cat with light brown nose and tail tips who loves pets to the head? A neighbor off Dry Creek near the 101 entrance says she's been coming around. (Patch Neighbor Posts)

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That's all for today! I'll catch you tomorrow with your next update. And if you're loving these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors along for the ride. 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? Email all inquiries to me at simone.wilson@patch.com.