🌱 Healdsburg Police Chase + Pizza Place Reopens + Wildfire Insurance

Happy Friday, friends! It's me, Simone, your host of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter. Let's get this weekend started off right with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town. Today's issue includes news on:

• A wee-hours police chase led by a teen allegedly carrying a shotgun, starting on Dry Creek Road
• The grand reopening of a larger, fancier PizZando
• State insurance increases for local vineyards and ranches damaged by wildfire
• And more...

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Now, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny. High: 71 Low: 39.
• Saturday: Some low clouds, then sun. High: 71 Low: 40.
• Sunday: Same deal. High: 68 Low: 45.
• Monday: Partly cloudy and cooler. High: 61 Low: 41.
• Tuesday: Mix of sun and clouds, with a small chance of rain. High: 58 Low: 39.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. There was a dramatic police chase and gun arrest in the wee hours yesterday morning on Dry Creek Road and the 101, according to the Healdsburg Police Department. Here's the police account of what happened: "On April 13th, 2023, at about 130 AM, HPD officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle on Dry Creek Rd. near Highway 101. Upon the officer activating his emergency lights and siren, the suspect vehicle fled southbound on Highway 101. The officer pursued the vehicle at speeds approaching 100 mph. The suspect lost control of his vehicle and crashed in the 4000 block of Westside Rd. The suspect was not injured and taken into custody without further incident. During a search of the vehicle, a loaded sawed off shotgun was located in the front right passenger seat. A large number of rifle, handgun, and shotgun ammunition was also found inside the vehicle. The suspect was a 17-year-old out of Chico, CA. After medical clearance, the juvenile was booked into Juvenile Hall for possession of a short barreled rifle, felony vehicular evasion, and possession of a loaded firearm by a prohibited person." (Healdsburg Police Department via Facebook & KSRO)
2. The Italian restaurant PizZando, located on the bottom floor of Hotel Healdsburg at the southwestern corner of the Plaza, "has re-opened following a major expansion," a rep for the restaurant says in a press release. "The restaurant now features a larger dining room and kitchen, a brand-new bar and expanded food and beverage programming." The dining room can now reportedly seat 24 people, up from 18. More from the release: "PizZando’s kitchen expansion grants chefs Thomas Mulligan and Francisco Alvarez, who also head the culinary team at sister restaurant, Spoonbar at h2 hotel, and The Rooftop at Harmon Guest House, room for additional equipment and space to curate new menu items, including handmade pasta dishes and seasonal main courses. New items include an ultra-thin crust Romana style pizza and pastas like Fettuccini Porcini and Squid Ink Linguini." And the redesigned bar — featuring "a white Carrara marble bar top" and "black leather barstools" — is serving some new cocktails and wines. "In addition, the restaurant will offer 'grab-and-go' house-made focaccia and continue to serve Straus Organic Creamery soft-serve from a convenient street facing window," the press release says. (Sonoma Magazine & PizZando Healdsburg)
3. Some tentative good news for local wineries, vineyards and other ag operations who suffered big losses in the wildfires of recent summers: A "last resort" state insurance program called the FAIR Plan is increasing its coverage limit by nearly $15 million to around $20 million per property, and maybe even more soon, according to the North Bay Business Journal. "It really was long overdue," a spokesman for the California Insurance Commissioner tells the Journal. "This is important to raise these limits. It’s the first time in two decades." But one Healdsburg rancher says his real issue is the amount he pays for FAIR coverage. From the story: "'If they’re going to raise the limits, great. But what does that mean for the price? That’s the bottom line,' said Charlie Martin, who pays $35,000 a year for his $3 million FAIR Plan coverage on his 300-acre Chalk Hill Ranch in Healdsburg. He used to be pay half that under a standard policy, but after the Kincaid Fire of 2019 scorched his land and claimed a few 'non-essential' structures, he was forced to sign on to the government-sanctioned plan. If Martin lasts another summer and fall without a fire insurance claim, the rancher said he may consider returning to a standard commercial property policy. 'I’m holding my breath,' he said." You can read the full story here. (North Bay Business Journal; paywall)

From our sponsor:

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Healdsburg pics of the day:

Note from Simone: I love when you guys send me local pics for the newsletter! If you have one to share, you can submit it here for consideration. Pics of community members are especially appreciated. Please just confirm in your email that you took any photos you're sending, and that Patch has permission to republish them. 📸

This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, April 14

• Spirit Friday at West Side Elementary School: Dress as Your Favorite Animal (All Day)
• Bilingual Family Storytime for Kids Aged 0-5 at the Healdsburg Library (10:30AM)
• Kids Book Reading & Release at the Healdsburg Library: "No One Owns the Colors" by Gianna Davy (4PM)
• Pizza on the Piazza at Bacchus Landing Winery Collective (4-7PM)
• Opening Reception for New “Shadow & Light” Photo Exhibit at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts, Featuring “Healdsburg by Design — Fragments of Time” Series by Local Photographer Richard Hay Jr. (5-7PM)
• Friday Evening Wine & Song at Hudson Street Wineries, Feat. Live Music by Sonoma County Rock Band Open Hearts (5-8PM)
• Chris Amberger & Jeremy Lieber Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Odyssey Wine Academy Hosts "Intro to Sake for Wine Lovers" at Bacchus Landing (5:30-7PM)
• "Why We Love Music" Concert & Lecture by Pandora Radio Musicologist Nolan Gasser at THE 222 (7PM)
• Healdsburg High School Baseball Team Plays at Home Vs. Lower Lake (7PM)
• Sonoma Shakers Live at Coyote Sonoma (7-9PM)
• The Willie Waldman Project Live at the Elephant in the Room, Feat. Trumpet Improvisation (April 14-15, 8PM)

Saturday, April 15

• Corazón Healdsburg Hosts Trip to Latino Family Educational Summit at Sonoma State (7:30AM-3:30PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Point Reyes Run (8AM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (8:30AM-12PM)
• Healdsburg Fútbol Club Tryouts for Kids Aged 7-14 (10AM-12:30PM)
• Healdsburg Elementary School & Grupo Folklórico Quetzalén Host Baile Folklórico Workshop for Students (April 15-16, 10-11AM)
• Montagne Russe Wines Hosts Vinyasa & Vino at Bacchus Landing, Feat. 75-Minute Yoga Practice, Wine Tasting & Wood-Fired Pizza (10AM-1PM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Spring Release Party at Aldina Vineyards (12PM & 2PM)
• Sonoma County Taiko Performance at the Healdsburg Library (2PM)
• Jacob Philip Benning Live at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (5PM)
• "Colectivo de Artes y Cultura" at Corazón Healdsburg (5:30PM)
• SOLD OUT: "The Art of Dessert" 20th Anniversary Emerald Gala at the Luther Burbank Center (5:30PM)
• Wine Blending Masterclass at Thumbprint Cellars (6-8PM)
• Boys & Girls Club Fundraiser: 2nd Annual "Healdsburg en Blanc" Evening Soiree at the Villa Chanticleer, Feat. Dinner, Drinks, Live & Silent Auction, Kid Performances & All-White Attire (6-9PM)
• Healdsburg Chorus Performs Spring Concert at the Raven Theater: "How Can I Keep From Singing?" (7PM)
• '90s Grunge Tribute Bands for Pearl Jam & Nirvana Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)
• Rio Lindo Adventist Academy Students Perform the Play "Radium Girls," a Historical Drama by D.W. Gregory (8:15PM)

Sunday, April 16

• Spring Bloom Luncheon at Flowers Vineyards & Winery (12PM)
• Open House for Eden Village West, Jewish Organic Farm Camp at Rio Lindo Adventist Academy (2-4PM)
• Healdsburg Chorus Performs Spring Concert at the Raven Theater: "How Can I Keep From Singing?" (2PM)
• "Mi Bebe y Yo" Taller Para Padres / Workshop for Parents at Corazón Healdsburg (5PM)
• Free Classical Concert at St. Paul's Church, Feat. Organist Paul Blanchard & Grammy-Winning Clarinetist Paul McCandless (5PM)
• Eclectic Brazilian Jazz Band Samba Noma Live at Hotel Healdsburg (6-9PM)

Monday, April 17

• Healdsburg Garden Club Meeting at the Villa Chanticleer, Feat. Educational Talk From Master Gardener Karen Guma on Plant-Fungal Relationships in the Soil (12PM)
• Tween Hangout for Kids in Grades 4-6 at the Healdsburg Library: "Universal Yums" (3:30PM)
• Healdsburg City Council Special Meeting: Closed Session (5-6PM)
• Healdsburg City Council Regular Meeting (6PM)

Tuesday, April 18

• Felta Education Foundation (FEF) Meeting at West Side School (10-11AM)
• Annual "Shake Out" Earthquake Drill Across Sonoma County: Wherever You Are, Stop, Drop & Roll! (10AM)
• Healdsburg High School Tennis Team Plays at Home Vs. Ukiah (4PM)
• Healdsburg High School Softball Team Plays at Home Vs. Piner (5PM)
• West Side Elementary School District Board of Trustees Meeting (5:30PM)
• Poetry Open Mic Night at the Healdsburg Library (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company "Trail Sisters" Host Dry Creek Run to 32 Winds Winery, Ending With Yoga (6PM)
• Mexican Folk Ensemble Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán at the Luther Burbank Center: "Mexicano Desde La Raíz" (8PM)

From my notebook:

• The Sonoma County Sheriff sent out a Nixle alert around 11:30 a.m. this morning saying that a "report of a shooter" at Windsor Middle School "is UNFOUNDED and there are no injuries." They added that the school "was placed on lockdown while the threat was investigated and the area was cleared," but that the lockdown has since been lifted. The school day will continue as usual, the sheriff says; however, concerned parents "may pick up their children if they want... in front of the school." (Nixle)
• While we're on the topic. The Press Democrat reports that during the potential shooting scare at the state Capitol building yesterday morning — which turned out to be an empty threat — Healdsburg native son and current Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire sprung into action. He and a couple of colleagues "made the call to keep senators in their office space — a temporary home for lawmakers and staff workplaces amid ongoing renovations to the Capitol annex building," according to the PD. "They made the choice following law enforcement reports that a man who had already carried out shootings in two cities had threatened violence at the state’s Capitol. (Press Democrat; paywall)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• How Can I Keep From Singing? (April 15)
• Passport to Dry Creek Valley - Sonoma County's Premier Wine & Food Festival (April 29)
• 5th Annual Garagiste Wine Festival: Northern Exposure (April 29)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you right back here next week!

— 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