🌱 Water Supply Threat + Police Shooting + Rural Car Race?

Hello, neighbors! Simone here with your Monday copy of the Healdsburg Daily. You know the drill: Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about what's happening in town today.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 68 Low: 42.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. A new editorial in the Press Democrat warns of a possibly scary future for Healdsburg's portion of the Russian River, and much of our city water supply, if the Eel River stops being diverted into the Lake Mendocino reservoir (which feeds the river). A concerned reader reached out to me recently about the same thing. Basically, the infrastructure that handles the diversion — a "century-old hydroelectric plant" called the Potter Valley Project — is crumbling, and it's become a bit of a hot potato between agencies who don't know how to deal with it, or can't afford to. "It’s a grim picture for anyone who depends on Lake Mendocino for water, and it may be time to imagine a future without the Potter Valley power plant," the PD writes. "What is unimaginable is a future upper Russian River without water from the Eel." Click through for more on what can be done. (Inbox & Press Democrat & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. Healdsburg resident Michael Edward Nelson Jr., 42, was reportedly killed by a police officer in a "shocking daytime shootout with a stolen vehicle suspect in a busy shopping center parking lot" down in Milpitas, a Silicon Valley suburb, on Oct. 15. And new body cam footage and surveillance video shows officers took the first shot — contrary to an "initial police report that the suspect initiated the gun battle." According to CBS, after Nelson got out of the car holding a gun, "one detective opened fire on him" and "25 seconds pass before Nelson then returned fire." Read more details here. (CBS San Francisco)
3. Cannabis shops may be allowed to open in Healdsburg one day soon. City leaders discussed various options for lifting the prohibition at a special meeting last week. They haven't taken any concrete action yet, but just the fact that they're talking about it is "significant," the Tribune reports. "While the city allows personal indoor cannabis cultivation, it’s taken a few years for the city to start discussing a cannabis operation policy." Next steps: A cannabis survey should "go out to residents in both English and Spanish likely within the next few weeks," so the city can gather input before drafting an ordinance. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
4. A couple Fridays ago, on Nov. 12, a pair of suspected bank robbers tried to rob Healdsburg's Exchange Bank on the roundabout right after robbing another bank in Forestville, according to the PD. Police say one of them was on the lookout while another "approached a bank teller and showed a blue money bag containing a note that referenced money." The robber allegedly said aloud: "I want your money. All of it. I'm not kidding." But after giving the teller a five-digit account number, he apparently "got cold feet" and left without any money. The suspect was arrested later that day on River Road. (Press Democrat; paywall)
5. Healdsburg's Facebook community groups are abuzz with accounts from neighbors of expensive cars roaring down the rural roads of Alexander Valley over the past week. The cars apparently came from an event hosted at the Montage Healdsburg resort called “Robb Report Car of the Year," during which "guests are able to test-drive and evaluate 11 of the most extraordinary upcoming luxury and performance vehicles." One neighbor says she "was leaving Service at Alexander Valley Christian Church" last Sunday when "a Mazzeratti sports car took off from the stop sign thinking he was Mario Andretti." Another says: "I live on Red Winery Rd and I personally witnessed the super cars, the McLarens, the Ferrari, and the Lamborghini traveling at speeds in excess of 100mph on the stretch in front of my house." (Facebook & Facebook & Facebook & Robb Report)

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Healdsburg pic of the day:

Today in Healdsburg:

• Thanksgiving Break Co-Ed Basketball Camp at Healdsburg Junior High (Nov. 22-24, 9AM-12PM)
• Drive-Through Thanksgiving Senior Luncheon (12:15PM)
• Mindful Monday Yoga for All Ages at Sonoma County Library (4-5PM)

Healdsburg Patch Notebook

• The Tribune has a great writeup on the farmworker protest a couple weekends ago outside the Simi Winery tasting room on the plaza, during a big $145-per-plate "harvest celebration" event. "The demonstration raised the question," the Trib writes, "of how a winery can celebrate the harvest without celebrating its farmworkers." (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• Healdsburg centerpiece Rena Harold died earlier this month at the age of 67. A celebration of her life was held over the weekend at the Healdsburg Community Church. Rena was remembered for her deep commitment to the community and "the selfless love and dedication she gave to her friends and family." May she rest in peace. (Legacy.com)
• We also lost Gail Fairchild late last month at the age of 74. She was involved with the Healdsburg Food Bank, the Healdsburg Community Chorus and many other local orgs. R.I.P. (SoCoNews Healdsburg & SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• And finally — Julius Jaffe, a Sonoma County nature photographer whose beautiful work is currently displayed at Healdsburg's Dovetail Gallery, passed away a week ago. R.I.P. (Legacy.com & Dovetail Collection)
• Healdsburg's city attorney is now working for the City of Watsonville down in Santa Cruz County as well. (Good Times)
• The Tribune has more details on the ethnic studies curriculum that the Healdsburg school district plans to debut next year. (SoCoNews Healdsburg)
• Have thoughts on what should happen to the outdoor eating spaces, parklets and general "open streets" concept introduced in downtown Healdsburg during the pandemic? Take this survey ahead of the Dec. 6 city council meeting on the subject. (Facebook & Healdsburg2040.org)
• Starting today, the Healdsburg Police Dept. building near the plaza will serve as a "drop off point for unwrapped children’s toys." They'll be donated to local kids in need via the Toys for Tots program. (Facebook)
• Sonoma County Library officials also encourage you to send letters to your local seniors at the Healdsburg Senior Living by Pacifica facility this holiday season, as part of the library's "Send Our Seniors Mail" program. (Facebook)
• Healdsburg's local theater troupe, the Raven Players, say they've "had some great Latino actors come forward" for their upcoming production of Cesar Died Today — but they "still need to fill the role of the Mother." They're looking for a "Latina, ages 40-70, who can stand in front of an audience and express her pride in her family." Here's how to get involved. (Facebook & Nextdoor)
• A "very sweet" young male cat, "striped and white with a spot on the right side," has been coming around to a neighbor's house on Chalk Hill Road. Anybody know his person? (Nextdoor)
• The Healdsburg Police Department is actively recruiting new officers right now. (Facebook & GovernmentJobs.com)
• The summer 2022 game schedule for the Healdsburg Prune Packers, our very own amateur collegiate baseball team, has been posted online. Games start in June! (PointStreak)
• Great question from a neighbor in the "You Know You're from Healdsburg, CA if..." Facebook group: "How many people from Healdsburg remember the wind tunnel that went through the FFA fair? It was around 1980. People were holding down their booths and lots of things ended up in the cemetery." (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow morning for another update. If you're loving these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— 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? Reach out anytime to simone.wilson@patch.com.