🌱 Gun Arrest + New Museum Exhibit + No Justice For Injured Cyclist?

Good day, neighbors! It's another wet, wintery Tuesday in Healdsburg and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on all the most important things happening locally. Let's get right to it...

First, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Mix of sun and clouds, with some rain later today or tonight. High: 53 Low: 38.
• Wednesday: Clouds and a chance of rain in the morning, giving way to sun. High: 57 Low: 34.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. Local police say they arrested a young Healdsburg man on Sunday for allegedly carrying a loaded "ghost" gun — aka, a "homemade illegal firearm" — a high-capacity gun magazine, another dagger-type weapon and some drugs. From the police announcement: "On March 5, at about 1pm, Healdsburg Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in Presidential Circle. Officers recognized the subject as being wanted and detained him in handcuffs. During the investigation, officers located a fully loaded 'ghost' gun with an extended 34 round magazine that was directly under the driver’s seat. A thorough investigation yielded additional charges. The 27-year-old Oscar Aguilar of Healdsburg was arrested for possession of a ghost gun, possession of a large capacity magazine, possession of a dirk or dagger, possession of a loaded handgun in a vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a BAC of .01% or more while on DUI probation, driving on a suspended driver’s license, and a warrant for failing to appear after his written promise. In the past 10 days, HPD officers have made 22 arrests, including two for illegal firearm possession, illegal ammunition possession, and narcotic possession." (Healdsburg Police Department via Facebook & Nextdoor & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. In case you missed it, the Healdsburg Museum just opened an awesome-looking new exhibit called "Healdsburg Volunteers & Visionaries." The exhibit features "stories that celebrate the volunteer spirit of Healdsburg, past and present," museum officials say — including pics and relics from iconic local orgs like "FFA and 4H, the Albanian Literary and Military Society, the Ladies Improvement Club, the Dry Creek Neighbors Club, Healdsburg's Adopted Battalion and the Pomo Weavers Society." You can stop by from Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., until June 4. More details from the Press Democrat: "Artifacts from these organizations dot the space: a life-size fiberglass steer at the Future Farmers of America display; hand-woven baskets from the Pomo Weavers Society; a pandemic-era mask emblazoned with the Corazón Healdsburg logo. 'This exhibit came about because I wanted the people of today to know about some of the historic generosity of Healdsburg’s past,' said Holly Hoods, the museum’s executive director and curator. 'One of the best stories of Healdsburg history' is shown in the Adopted Battalion display, Hoods said. It highlights the work of Smith 'Smitty' Robinson during the Korean War, who — unable to fight because of a heart condition — wrote up to 300 letters a month to the soldiers in the U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division to help boost their morale." You can see more pics and details here. (Healdsburg Museum via Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
3. A cyclist from Forestville who was hit from behind by a car while riding out Westside Road in rural Healdsburg is reportedly still fighting for justice, three years later. The PD has the story: "Jake Bayless has ridden his bike tens of thousands of miles on the back roads of Sonoma County. He regularly commutes by bicycle from his Forestville home to Santa Rosa’s City Hall Annex, where he works as an analyst and programmer. About six years ago, Bayless attached a rear-facing video camera to the seat post of his bike. 'I thought it would be a smart idea,' he said, 'because I’ve seen it go the wrong way for other people.' That camera captured the moment on April 1, 2020, when he was hit from behind by a gray Mazda3 sedan driven by Michael Bernard, of Monte Rio. It left Bayless with chronic pain — 'My butt hurts right now,' he recently shared, while seated in a booth at Mac’s Deli & Café in Santa Rosa — and a keen sense of disappointment in the California Highway Patrol. Despite seeing video of the collision, which clearly depicts reckless driving on Bernard’s part, CHP officers declined to even write him a citation." Read the whole story here. (Press Democrat; paywall)

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Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Tuesday, March 7

• Spanish Music & Movement for Kids Aged 0-6 at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Healdsburg Brown Bag Book Club: "Still Life" by Louise Penny (12PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company "Trail Sisters" Host Track Workout (6PM)

Wednesday, March 8

• Graveside Service for Marie Scalese at the Healdsburg Cemetery (1PM)
• Teen Anime Club at the Healdsburg Library (1:30PM)
• Homework Help at the Healdsburg Library (4PM)
• "What Moves You?" Spiritual Reflection & Community Meal at THE 222 (5:30PM)
• "Crafted Conversations" at CraftWork Healdsburg: "Informed By Place: The Landscapes of Lucas + Lucas Landscape Architecture" (5:30PM)
• City of Healdsburg Parks & Rec Commission Meeting (6PM)
• Canon Book Group at the Healdsburg Library: "Oedipus" Plays by Sophocles (6PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (7-9PM)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (March 7)
• Tamarind Annual Warehouse Sale (March 10)
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That's it for today. See you soon!

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