🌱 No More Water Mandate + Healdsburg Cops Thwart Catalytic Thefts?

Good day, neighbors! I'm back in your inbox this moody Thursday to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally. Today's issue of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter includes updates on:

• The end of water conservation mandates in place since 2020
• A wee-hours arrest that may have prevented future catalytic converter thefts in town
• A local logger who may face a hefty fine for suspected water quality violations

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Mix of sun and clouds, with a chance of rain in the day and almost certainly some rain at night. High: 62 Low: 49.
• Friday: Mostly cloudy. More chances of rain. High: 60 Low: 39.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 66 Low: 43.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. After months of rain, Healdsburg city leaders have officially lifted the water conservation mandate for residents that's been in place since 2020. "The sidewalks from last week’s deluge had barely time to dry when the City of Healdsburg on Monday night lifted mandatory water conservation policies, imposed almost three years ago to combat the drought that has afflicted Sonoma County and the rest of California," the Healdsburg Tribune reports. Since that time, we've been under instructions to use at least 20 percent less water than usual — at one point even 40 percent. And Healdsburg seriously rose to the challenge, earning national headlines in summer 2021 for achieving an overall water use reduction of nearly 50 percent. But that's all over for now. According to the Tribune, "the last few months have brought near-record rainfall to Sonoma County and Healdsburg, filling the two Russian River reservoirs to their limit" — and "cumulative rainfall totals in the area generally put the year-to-date total at about 50 inches, almost 15 inches in March alone." However, city officials warn that we shouldn't start wasting water, of course. They tell the Trib: “We will continue to reach out to the community and educate them about the safe use of water, or the conscious use of water, through the summer, as we go into irrigation season. So it’s not that we’re looking forward to the next drought, but we need to plan ahead for that.” And there's also this tidbit that the Trib found on the city's website, which puts a new perspective on things: “Historically, Healdsburg used about 50% more water per capita than other cities in the County prior to the 2021 drought." So ideally we don't go back to that! (Healdsburg Tribune & KQED & City of Healdsburg)
2. A couple of suspected catalytic converter thieves were arrested in north Healdsburg in the wee hours on Tuesday, according to local police. Around 2 a.m. that morning, "officers conducted a traffic stop on Healdsburg Av. near Lytton Springs Rd.," the Healdsburg Police Department writes on Facebook. Here's the rest of the police announcement: "During the traffic stop, officers noticed multiple sawzalls, a car jack, bolt cutters, and an impact gun inside the vehicle (all tools commonly used in the commission of a burglary, specifically the theft of catalytic converters). A further investigation led officers to notice the driver had his GPS navigation set to 5 specific city of Healdsburg residential addresses. Most of these addresses were affiliated with Toyota Priuses, one of the most common vehicles that burglars target for their catalytic converters. Additionally, one of the suspects had a photo of removed catalytic converters on his phone. Both suspects were arrested for multiple charges, including felony conspiracy and possession of burglary tools. The suspects were identified as 28 year old Edwin Valdez-Romero of Suisun City and 37 year old Javier Salgado, a transient out of Vallejo. Residents associated with the targeted addresses have been contacted and advised of this incident by police." (Healdsburg Police Department via Facebook & Healdsburg Tribune & Press Democrat; paywall)
3. Notorious local logger Ken Bareilles is now facing a $251,000 fine from the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board for his activity in the fire-ravaged hills west of Healdsburg, according to the Press Democrat. "The Eureka attorney and landowner whose post-Walbridge Fire salvage logging in the Felta Creek watershed drew criticism from neighbors and regulatory agencies alike is facing a quarter-million-dollar fine for alleged water quality violations related to erosion and runoff on the site during wet weather a winter ago," the paper reports. "Critics of Ken Bareilles’ actions in the hills west of Healdsburg, near the headwaters of Felta Creek, which winds among redwoods and ferns offering a last refuge to endangered coho salmon, celebrated the news." But Bareilles, for his part, tells the PD he plans to "contest the administrative complaint at a hearing expected to be held in Santa Rosa on June 15 or 16." He says: “I’m not waiving any of my rights. I want a full evidentiary hearing.” You can read a bunch more details about the accusations here. (Press Democrat & Press Democrat; paywall)

From our sponsor:

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Healdsburg pic 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. 📸

Coming up in Healdsburg:

Thursday, April 6

• Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce Hosts "Good Morning, Healdsburg!" Discussion With SMART Train General Manager Eddy Cumins (8-9AM)
• Gentle Yoga at the Healdsburg Senior Center (Weekly, April 6-27, 10:10-10:55AM)
• Strength Training for Senior Citizens at Rec Park (Tuesdays & Thursdays, April 6-27, 11:15AM-12PM)
• Homework Help at the Healdsburg Library (Weekly, 3-4:30PM)
• Healdsburg High School Tennis Team Plays at Home Vs. Montgomery (4PM)
• Healdsburg High School Softball Team Plays at Home Vs. Ukiah (5PM)
• Singer-Songwriter & Multi-Instrumentalist Omar Velasco Performs at Little Saint (6PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Lake Sonoma "Shakeout Run" to Prep for Race Weekend (6PM)
• Karaoke Night at Coyote Sonoma (7-10PM)

Friday, April 7

• Healdsburg Running Company "Trail Sisters" Host New Women's Half Marathon at Lake Sonoma (9AM-1:30PM)
• "Representante de CalFresh" at Corazón Healdsburg (10AM-12PM)
• Healdsburg Library Celebrates International Day of the Beaver With Monthlong Display of Beaver News & Information (April 7-29, 10AM-6PM)
• Bilingual Family Storytime for Kids Aged 0-5 at the Healdsburg Library (10:30AM)
• Blues Band SoulShine Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Healdsburg High School Baseball Team Plays at Home Vs. Montgomery (7PM)
• Old-School R&B Cover Band Stax City Live at Coyote Sonoma (7-10PM)
• Play at the Raven Theater About School Shootings: "If I Don't Make It, I Love You" (April 7-8, 7:30PM)
• John Courage Trio Live at the Elephant in the Room, Feat. "Special Guest Opener" (8-11PM)

Saturday, April 8

• 50 Mile Race at Lake Sonoma (6:30AM-8:30PM)
• Lake Sonoma Marathon (8AM-6PM)
• Springtime Easter Celebration at Aura's Healdsburg Senior Living Community (10:30AM-1PM)
• "Scramble in the Vineyard" Easter Egg Hunt at Comstock Wines (11AM)
• Read to a Dog at the Healdsburg Library (11AM)
• Healdsburg Jazz Hosts Maya Angelou Celebration for Poetry Month at the Healdsburg Library (2-4PM)
• Opening Reception for New Art Exhibit at the Paul Mahder Gallery: "Watercolors 1992 to Present" by Hal Mayforth (4-7PM)
• Katiana Vila Live at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (5-7PM)
• 90s Alt / Indie Acoustic Band Crescent Moonshine Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Tika & the Moonshines Live at Coyote Sonoma (7-10PM)
• Steve Pile Band Plays Special Birthday Show at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

From my notebook:

• A trusted Healdsburg neighbor tells me he spotted Martin Sheen and his wife at the Shelton's health food store downtown the other day! (Inbox)
• It looks like the senior living facility on Grove Street formerly run by Pacifica, which faced some controversy last year, is now run by a company called Aura. Not sure when that happened or why, but FYI! (Pacifica Senior Living & Healdsburg Senior Living via Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)
• Our high school baseball team continues to slay this season, with only one loss in league play so far. Their biggest competitor is shaping up to be Montgomery High down in Santa Rosa, according to the PD. "This appears to be a two-team race between Healdsburg (8-3) and Montgomery (6-5), who are in the midst of their three-game league series this week," the paper reports. "The Greyhounds have stout pitching and capable bats in their lineup — but the same can be said for the [Montgomery] Vikings, who dropped down this year from the Oak [league]. Both teams split the first two games of the series. The rubber match is set to be played at Healdsburg at 7 p.m. Friday. The winner will have the inside track for the league title." (Press Democrat & Press Democrat; paywall)
• Eight new cats have gone up for adoption at the Healdsburg animal shelter in the past week. Anyone wanna give 'em some love? (Healdsburg Patch)

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Featured events:

• How Can I Keep From Singing? (April 15)
• Passport to Dry Creek Valley - Sonoma County's Premier Wine & Food Festival (April 29)
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Alrighty, you're caught up for today! I'll 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