🌱 Former Trib Editor Dies + Healdsburg Ave Revamp + SMART Update

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Simone, back in your inbox with a big weekend edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter, filled with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today's issue includes updates on:

• The former Healdsburg Tribune editor and publisher who just died at age 103
• A $12 million, bike-friendly makeover for our main roadway
• A serious step forward for the SMART train extension to Healdsburg
• And more...

But first, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny. High: 65 Low: 34.
• Saturday: Some frost and fog, then sun. Cooling down again. High: 60 Low: 37.
• Sunday: Mix of sun and clouds, with a chance rain. Cooling down even more. High: 57 Low: 34.
• Monday: Mostly sunny. High: 57 Low: 30.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. Arnold L. Santucci, former editor and publisher of the Healdsburg Tribune, just died last week at the impressive age of 103. Arnold was born and raised in San Francisco, then served in World War II before returning home to work for "a number of Bay Area newspapers and publishing companies," his obituary says. "He came to Healdsburg in 1950 when he bought the Healdsburg Tribune as its publisher and editor for 12 years. Following the sale of the Tribune he established another publishing firm in the Santa Rosa area and later served as advertising manager for California Farm Bureau's weekly statewide newspaper Ag Alert." Among his many other accomplishments and memberships, according to his obituary: Arnold was in the Healdsburg Kiwanis Club for 50 years, where he was editor of their newsletter and received their "distinguished service" award; he served as "president of the Healdsburg Elementary School Board" at one point; he was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Council at Lytton Springs, as well as the Friends of Lake Sonoma; he was a board member for the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society, where he got some more awards and served as editor of their quarterly magazine, the Russian River Recorder; and he was named "citizen of the year" by the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce in 1957. Arnold's wife of 64 years was the late Vida Santucci, and his son Robert Santucci reportedly still lives in Healdsburg. Click through to his obituary for a list of various opportunities to pay your respects in the coming weeks. (Legacy.com)
2. The state Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) approved a nearly $12 million grant this week for the City of Healdsburg "to implement a road diet with the addition of bicycle, pedestrian & transit improvements for Healdsburg Avenue from Powell Ave., north to the City limits," according to Healdsburg's vice mayor, David Hagele. He explains: "What this means is the 5 lanes of a former freeway that is bumpy Healdsburg Avenue, will now become 3 smooth vehicle lanes with protected bike lanes (YES!!)…all with a landscaped buffer to protect & shade the 10’ wide bike lanes & sidewalks after removing the old utility poles & undergrounding the utilities!!" The designs also "allow vehicle use of the protected bike lanes in the event of an emergency," our vice mayor says, especially in case "we have to evacuate again." He expects construction to start in late 2024 or early 2025 and last through at least 2026. "The construction period won’t be fun, but we will keep you updated on progress as things proceed to minimize impacts where possible," Hagele says. Check out his Facebook post for more background on the project and lots of colorful renderings of our future, $12 million skinnier and fancier Healdsburg Avenue. (David Hagele via Facebook & Facebook Groups)
3. Some more big transit news that could one day affect how folks get to and from Healdsburg: The California Supreme Court just ruled earlier this week that "the increased tolls Bay Area commuters have paid since 2019" can be applied toward "$4.45 billion of planned highway and transit improvements," according to Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) officials — including "$40M allocated towards extending the SMART rail system and bicycle/pedestrian pathway to Windsor and to Healdsburg." These critical funds for the long-delayed project were reportedly stalled by "a tax advocacy group’s yearslong appeal of a 2018 ballot measure passed by 55% of Bay Area voters," the Press Democrat reports. "SMART’s passenger line today ends near the Sonoma County airport north of Santa Rosa. Since 2020, the Howard Jarvis Tax Association’s lawsuit has stalled construction of a 3-mile segment to a waiting station in Windsor." Of course, SMART still needs many millions more to fully fund the extension to Healdsburg. From the PD: "SMART is waiting on several other grant applications, general manager Eddy Cumins said in a news release. If successful, they anticipate completing the extension to Windsor sometime in 2025 or 2026 and to Healdsburg within a year after that, he said." (SMART via Healdsburg Patch & Press Democrat; paywall)

From our sponsor:

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Healdsburg pics of the day:

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This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, January 27

• Bilingual Family Storytime for Kids Aged 0-5 at the Healdsburg Library (10:30AM)
• Graveside Service for Former Healdsburg Tribune Editor Arnold Santucci at Oak Mound Cemetery (1PM)
• Montagne Russe Tasting Room Hosts "Vinyls & Vino" Trivia Night at Bacchus Landing (4:30-7:30PM)
• TCElite Cheer Gym Hosts Bingo & Raffle Fundraiser (6PM)
• British Blues Virtuoso Matt Schofield Performs at the Raven Theater (7:30PM)
• Wonder Bread 5 Live at Coyote Sonoma (9-11PM)
• Electric Tumbleweed Live at the Elephant in the Room (9PM-12AM)

Saturday, January 28

• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Mount Tam Run in Stinson Beach (8AM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Celebration of Life for Healdsburg Resident Byron John Hohnstein at the Villa Chanticleer (1-3PM)
• Taste Winning Wines From the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition at the Healdsburg Golf Club in Taymen Park (3-5PM)
• Conversation Between Little Saint Exhibiting Artist Michelle L. Morby & Activist Kevin J. Patel, the Subject of One of Her Portraits (4-6PM)
• Lions Club Hosts All-You-Can-Eat Crab Feed in Cloverdale (6PM)
• Poetry Reading at THE 222: "Hosts and Guests" by Nate Klug (7PM)
• Skitzo Live at Coyote Sonoma (7-10PM)
• Meter Made Live at the Elephant in the Room (9PM-12AM)

Sunday, January 29

• Trail Work Day at Lake Sonoma (9AM-Lunch)
• "Jackass" Star & Comedian Steve-O Performs at the Luther Burbank Center for His "Bucket List Tour" (7PM)
• Stand-Up Comedy Night at Furthermore Wines (7-8:30PM)

Monday, January 30

• New Exhibit Opening at the Upstairs Art Gallery: "Color With Love" (Jan. 30-Feb. 26, 11AM-6PM)
• "Colectivo de Artes" at Corazón Healdsburg (5:30PM)
• Clover Sonoma Family Fun Series at the Luther Burbank Center: The Peking Acrobats (6PM)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Estate Planning-LivingTrust-Medicaid Trust-Stolen Inheritance (January 27)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Delighted Every Week (January 31)
• AAUW Fundraiser Lecture Series: Russia's War on Ukraine (February 2)
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Have a great weekend, everybody. I'll see you on the other side...

— 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? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com