🌱 School Threat + Paint Shop Owner Dies + Viral Healdsburg Videos

Hey, everybody! I'm back in your inbox today with the latest edition of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter. Follow along to find out what's going on these days in town, including:

• A scary threat at an after-school program for Healdsburg kids
• The death of a local police officer and entrepreneur
• One of the weed dispensaries hoping to open in town
• A couple of viral videos to stoke your hometown pride
• And more...

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Mix of sun and clouds. High: 89 Low: 52.
• Friday: Mix of sun and clouds again. High: 86 Low: 49.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny. High: 82 Low: 49.

Shoutout to the awesome local businesses who keep this newsletter running:

• Looking to rent in the Healdsburg area? Stacey Bernd at Healdsburg & Artisan Sotheby’s International is a second generation realtor who has lived in Sonoma County for 50 years. You could say she has real estate in her genes – even her daughter is a real estate agent! Work with a local agent you can trust. Thinking of listing a property to rent? Stacey is a wiz at successfully matching quality owners and tenants. Contact Stacey and work with Healdsburg’s best.

• Looking to buy or sell a luxury property in Sonoma County? Healdsburg’s Sotheby’s International Realty is a local firm with global reach that specializes in luxury real estate, vineyards, wineries and land in Sonoma County. Healdsburg's Sotheby's: local expertise, deep market knowledge, and a passion for the community. Whether buying or selling, it pays to work with the best. Call Healdsburg’s Sotheby’s at 707-433-4800.

• Healdsburg gardeners and plant enthusiasts: Need help growing your garden? Thrive Hydroponics and Garden Supply is a family-owned, full service garden shop with over 15 years experience helping people care for their plants. Whether you’re a first-time grower or an experienced greenhouse gardener, they’ve got the right supplies and expert knowledge to help your garden flourish — including a variety of soils at the best prices. Visit them here and mention Patch for 30% off your order.

• Considering a fire-safe metal roof or siding for your home? Metal Roof Company has specialized in metal roofing and wall panels in the North Bay area for nearly 30 years. They work with homeowners, architects and general contractors on everything from single-family homes to commercial installations — and take pride in getting the job done right. To see a gallery of projects or to learn more, visit Metal Roof Company today or email metalroofcompany.com@gmail.com.

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. There was a lockdown at Healdsburg Elementary School's Fitch Mountain campus yesterday afternoon, after a staffer working at the after-school program got a text message around 4:15 p.m. with a "threat of violence towards participants" in the program, according to city officials. They now think it was a hoax. The lockdown happened during a nutrition education class held by Healdsburg food justice nonprofit Farm to Pantry, according to Kelly Conrad, a rep for the org. "Crazy being in lock down with 80 elementary schoolers!!" she says. "We kept the kids busy and they seemed pretty calm. It is insane though that some of the kids had never heard of a grapefruit before, but every single one of them knew what lock down was." Here's the rest of the city's report on what happened, issued around 6:30 p.m. yesterday: "The staff member immediately contacted the Healdsburg Police Department and staff placed the program participants into lockdown. Within minutes of receiving the text message, the Healdsburg Police Department arrived on scene. Additional City of Healdsburg and Healdsburg Unified School District staff also responded to assist. At this time, the Healdsburg Police Department does not believe this to be a credible threat. Police remained onsite and patrolled the area until all program participants were released to parents. The safety of our program participants and our community is always our primary concern, and we want to assure you that the campus and students are safe. Out of an abundance of caution, the Police Department is providing additional patrols throughout the area. Officials asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the Healdsburg Police Department at 707-431-3377 or crimetips@healdsburg.gov. Parents with questions or concerns regarding the afterschool program can contact Healdsburg Community Services at 707-431-3301 or communityservices@healdsburg.gov." (Healdsburg Patch)

2. Lifelong Healdsburg resident James Edward "Ed" Latson — a Vietnam vet, former Healdsburg police officer and owner of the old Latson Paint & Supplies on Center Street— has passed away at 78 years old. Ed served as a "medical corpsman" in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, according to his obituary, and married Sharon Caughey after returning home in the lats 1960s. More from his obit: "Ed started his law enforcement career as a Summer Deputy in Guerneville, before becoming a member of the Healdsburg Police Department and later for the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department for another four years before being medically retired due to an injury." That's when Ed and Sharon opened their paint shop downtown. They reportedly ran it for more than a decade before selling it in 1993 to retire at their ranch. (And after that, as far as I can tell, the store became Plaza Paint & Supply — which still exists today, in a different building.) Ed was also "a dedicated member of the Free and Accepted Masons, reaching the highest level of the FAM, the 32nd degree," his obituary says. "He served many years in the Healdsburg Lodge #123 and was a Master Mason of the lodge." He leaves behind two daughters, Cindy and Deanna, and two grandkids. Rest in peace, Ed. 💙 (Legacy.com)
3. One or two weed shops could open in Healdsburg as soon as this year, thanks to a few recent approvals at City Hall. The Press Democrat's new Healdsburg reporter has the story: "Healdsburg’s vineyard-studded landscape may soon be home to a different kind of greenery now that city leaders have approved the operation of two marijuana dispensaries and other cannabis-related businesses within city limits. Earlier this month, City Council approved commercial cannabis business tax rates — which were OK’d in November by 72% of the city’s 4,869 registered voters with the passage of Measure M — in tandem with amendments to the city’s municipal code. ... In addition, Healdsburg also legalized cannabis manufacturing, distribution and testing, the next major cannabis-related change to impact the city, said Healdsburg Assistant City Manager Andrew Sturmfels." Dispensaries will be able to submit their applications to the city starting "sometime this summer," Sturmfels tells the PD, and will be required to participate in a public hearing before final approval. One of the reported hopefuls is a women-led shop in Santa Rosa called Jane Dispensary whose co-founder, Jamie Shira, lives in Healdsburg. The owners say they're “really anxious to get into the market and support the [Healdsburg] community.” (Press Democrat; paywall)

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Healdsburg pics of the day, Sonic edition:

Note from Simone: I love when y'all send me local pics for the newsletter! You can submit yours 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. Thank youuu 📸

Coming up in Healdsburg:

Thursday, May 18

• Social Services Fair at the Healdsburg Library (3-5PM)
• Open House & Spring Concert at West Side School (5:30-7PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts "Run With the Crew" to Bacchus Landing (6PM)
• Trivia Night at Fogbelt Station Beer Garden (Weekly, 6-8PM)
• Mariee Siou Live at Little Saint (7-9PM)
• Karaoke Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-10PM)
• Play at the Raven Theater: "Noel Coward's Hay Fever" (May 18-20, 7:30PM)

Friday, May 19

• LandPaths Hosts "Let's Pull Broom" Event at Fitch Mountain Open Space Preserve (9AM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Horn Barbecue Lunch & Private Vineyard Tour at Dutton Ranch (12-4:30PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Champagne & Caviar Seminar at Harmon Guest House (4-5:30PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Craft Cocktails at Lo & Behold (4-7PM)
• Jeff Pierce Jazz Quartet Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Alexander Valley Film Society (AVFilm) Hosts "Jaws" Film Screening on the Lake at The Vineyard Club in Geyserville (6PM)
• Tom Petty Tribute Band "Petty Theft" Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)
• Johnny Mojo & Friends Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Saturday, May 20

• Garage Sale & VAMOS Fundraiser at 715 College St. (May 20-21, 7AM-3PM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (8:30AM-12PM)
• Clean-Up Day at Oak Mound Cemetery (8:30AM-12PM)
• Healdsburg Center for the Arts Hosts "Landscape and Memory: Painting en Plein Air" Art Class at Riverfront Regional Park (May 20-21, 9AM-4PM)
• Getaway Adventures Hosts Bike & Kayak Sale (May 20-21, 9AM-5PM)
• Free Document Shredding Truck Parked Outside the Healdsburg Library (10AM-12PM)
• Vineyard & Garden Hike With Lunch at Chalk Hill Estate (Monthly, May 20-July 15, 10AM-1PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Celebrity Chef Culinary Demonstrations at The Matheson (10AM-5PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Wine & Spirits Seminars at Harmon Guest House, h2 Hotel (11AM-4:30PM)
• Dot Wine Hosts Spring Release Party at Bacchus Landing (12-4PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Vintners Plaza Grand Tasting Experience in the West Plaza Parking Lot, Featuring Live Music, 100+ Wines & "Bites Prepared by Local & International Chefs" (12:30-4:30PM)
• Ag Worker March From Giorgi Park to the Plaza to Demand Disaster Pay (2PM)
• Maddie & Tae Concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards (5-8PM)
• Ken Cook Trio Plays Live Jazz at Hotel Healdsburg (6-9PM)
• Bee-Inspired Dinner at Preston Farm & Winery (5:30-8:30PM)
• Whiskey & Honey Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)
• Marshall House Project Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: "The Magnum Party" at Bacchus Landing (8-11:45PM)

From my notebook:

• A new video showing off the gorgeously gigantic burritos at El Sombrero on Center Street, aka "the county’s oldest taqueria," has gotten over 50,000 views on Instagram, according to the guy who posted it. I can't stop watching either! (Facebook Groups)
• Another video with a Healdsburg angle went viral on TikTok recently. In it, a New Mexico artist named Judy Tuwaletstiwa shows off her "favorite art piece" in the world — a small sculpture of a woman giving birth, created around four decades ago by a 10-year-old Healdsburg girl named Ana. "I haven't been able to find her," Judy says in the video. "I think she had a rough time. Those are some of the reports that I've learned as I've looked for her." (Facebook Groups & TikTok)
• Did you know jazz legend Charles Lloyd is playing a show in Healdsburg on the Saturday after next at THE 222? Tickets are going from $150 to $250. (Pacific Sun & Press Democrat; paywall)
• Where's the best spot to watch a sunset in Healdsburg? Neighbors are discussing on Facebook. The Lake Sonoma lookout seems to be winning so far... (Facebook Groups)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

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Featured gigs & services:

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That's all for today. Be back soon with more!

— 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