Healdsburg Tribune November 14 2024 by Weeklys

The Healdsburg Tribune

11-1 JURY VOTE FOR ACQUITTAL CAUSES

By Christian Kallen

A violent morning drama unfolded on the streets of Healdsburg the day before Independence Day 2023. It resulted in the death of Abel Garza, a 41-year-old resident of Santa Rosa. Last week, more than a year after the incident, the criminal case against his accused killer, Romario Cisneros, was dismissed by the Sonoma County District Attorney. The dismissal followed a week-long trial that resulted in a hung jury, with 11 of the jurors voting for a not-guilty verdict. Only one held out for a conviction.

The morning, July 3, began as two Hotel Healdsburg workers challenged Garza, who was near the swimming pool, for not being a guest. In response, Garza reportedly threw toilet paper in the pool, struck a bellhop and took a hotel worker’s tools, reportedly a nail gun or something similar, and temporarily left the scene.

Witnesses said that Garza, shirtless, was carrying a skateboard. As it later turned out, he was also under the influence of alcohol, fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the results of a post-mortem.

Less than an hour later, at 10:20am, Garza returned to the area to resume his physical confrontation with hotel grounds staff, now including maintenance manager Daniel Guzman outside the hotel. He was carrying a hammer and what was described as “an unknown metal object” that some reports characterized as a gardening stake.

➝ Hung Jury, 4

LINUS LANCASTER’S TWO-YEAR ART PROJECT APPEARS AT HHS, ONLY TO DISAPPEAR THE NEXT DAY

By Christian Kallen

Three years ago, when it seemed that school shootings “were happening every other day,” Linus Lancaster brought a notion to his art class. What can we do to recognize, to feel the loss of fellow students in school shootings?

Inspired in large part by the Raven Players’ production of If I Don’t Make It, I Love You, based on a book composed of messages from children, students and their family members in the grip of mass shootings, the class decided to go from there.

That book and play covered narratives of shootings from 1966 at the University of Texas’ Austin Tower, through May 2018’s Santa

Fe High School shooting. Heartbreaking communications from those at emotional extremes struck a chord with the audience, Lancaster and his students included.

Lancaster and six students in his 2023 art class, which graduated over a year ago, decided to build small replica school desks to represent each student killed since the If I Don’t Make It timeline, after Santa Fe.

Now, 20 months later, the project is done. “I wasn’t sure when we would ever finish, but it looks like we now have 108 desks, one for every student killed in a school shooting since 2018,” Lancaster said on the last day of October.

“Having planted them around town during the past two years, we are now planning to put all of them together in front of the school just for a day,” he added. That reveal took place last week, Thursday afternoon at Healdsburg High School.

A Cemetery of Desks

The desks are small, even tiny, measuring six by six by five inches, made of 1/8th-inch varnished plywood. There’s a seat with a back and a wrap-around writing desk, old school.

Small finishing nails secure the structures. In the seat of each one sits a single marigold.

They are arrayed on the narrow strip of grass in regular rows and lines, 108 of them, the marigolds glowing in the afternoon sun. The desks face the high school where students move from class to class. Taken together, the nine dozen fragile desks take on an accumulated force.

After an intervening year, another six members of his second art class took an interest, and gathered a task force to finish the project. Now they stand arrayed around the grassy graveyard—it suddenly becomes clear the desks

MEASURE O DEFEAT SHOWS SPLIT IN CITY

CITY COUNCIL’S EFFORTS THWARTED BY NEIGHBORHOOD OPPOSITION

By Christian Kallen

When the sound and the fury, the smoke and the flames dispersed, Measure O went down to a definitive defeat, roughly at a 60-40 split. Clearly this was not what the Healdsburg City Council intended when in June they rationalized themselves into putting it on the General Election ballot.

have another dimension of meaning—exchanging ideas on what the project meant to them.

Andrea Zamudio, a soft-spoken girl, is nonetheless the first to speak. “I think the whole project is very meaningful and worth the time on making this,” she says. “I just hope that this makes a difference.” She forces herself to continue. “I think it’s important to think about this and plan ahead for this. Students and teachers, I know they practice how to hide and stuff.”

She laughs nervously.

“My mom has always kind of been an advocate for gun violence, and so I guess she kind of passed that on to me,” says a more confident Amelia Low, surely meaning gun violence awareness . “Just bringing awareness to the fact that it’s way too common in America is kind of important to me.”

She doesn’t smile when she says, “You can see, with this art project, the amount

The measure question was straightforward: “To encourage creation of middle class and workforce housing on underutilized parcels, should the City of Healdsburg exempt multifamily housing along certain portions of the Healdsburg Avenue corridor from the Growth Management Ordinance?”

To arrive at the borders of the geographic exemption proposed, the city authorized some studies of resident preferences on expanding multi-unit housing, including surveys, then put the results on a map and put it to a vote. The zone snakes down from the Healdsburg Community Center along Healdsburg Avenue to North Street. This was a bigger bite than the city’s own consultants in this measure, FM3, had recommended, and in the end that may have proven a crucial factor.

of people who have died. I mean, 108 people is about the amount of people in my class of 2026.”

The art class of 2026 working on this project consists of one boy, Justus Scarioni, and five girls—Andrea, Amelia, plus Wendy Garcia, Yaretzy Lopez and Venessa Vazquez. Standing out from the rest, not only because he’s a head taller than any of the other students, is a seventh, Tristan Jensen, class of 2027.

“When I was doing this project, I really dug deep within myself and found a passion for resisting guns and gun violence,” Jensen says. “All these kids have fallen from the tragedy of guns … And I just find it like, like, almost like my call to arms, to help out where I can for defending kids in schools.”

There is a slight intake of breath at the unintentional simile. Then his

➝ Art Project, 3

A total of 488 likely Healdsburg voters were polled, and while they favored using a “geographic exemption” to encourage creation of workforce housing, the definition in the exempted area in the survey was “within Two Blocks of Downtown – the area bounded by Grant Street to the north, Mill Street to the south, East Street to the east, and Vine Street to the west.” By the time Measure O reached the ballot, Grant Street had become North Street, jumping over Piper to include a big chunk of what many residents consider downtown. Their downtown: a drug store, a donut shop, a health-food grocery, Healdsburg Pilates and Casa del Mole, among others. To look at it a bit more legalistically, “According to the Citywide Design Guidelines, the downtown core’s ‘identifiable’ northern and eastern boundaries

Photo by Rick Tang

WITNESSES An array of 108 small student desks, representing lives lost in school shootings since 2018, with the current art class that completed this installation at Healdsburg High. From left: Yaretzy Lopez, Wendy Garcia, Tristan Jensen, Amelia Low, Andrea Zamudio, Justus Scarioni and Venessa Vazquez.

Photo by Christian Kallen

GOINGS ON AROUND

TOWN THIS WEEK & NEXT

ONGOING

‘Cinderella’

A family holiday “panto,”

a family-friendly fairy tale with a taste of vaudeville, music, dance, comedy, cross dressing, over-thetop costumes, audience interaction and irreverent humor. Tickets $10 students, $25 adults; weekend performances begin Friday, Nov. 15, and continue through Sunday, Dec. 1. raventheater.org/ series/cinderella-a-familyholiday-panto.

THURSDAY, NOV. 14

Something

Different

Among the claims for Pearl Charles is that she was born in the mythical land of Hollywood, was raised on American folk music, and reframes retro-fetishism as a futurist vision. Hard to argue with that description, perhaps she needs to be seen to be heard. Free show at 7pm at Second Story, upstairs at Little Saint, 24 North St.

FRIDAY, NOV. 15

Stax City

These guys got soul, and prove it onstage every time they play. Stax City is an old-school, horn-driven R&B band celebrating the music of James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Tower of Power and others. Free, dancing encouraged, 8pm at Coyote Sonoma, 44f Mill St.

Pile of Courage Rock songwriter-guitarist John Courage shows up in trio format to kick off the weekend on Friday, Nov. 15, at Elephant in the Room, just 10 bucks. The next night Steve Pile plays the room, again in trio, again $10. Shows at 8pm, 177 Healdsburg Ave., elephantintheroompub.com.

SATURDAY, NOV. 16

Fall in the Air

With the air crisp and autumn in full swing, it’s a good time for a visit to the Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market this Saturday morning. The market, featuring fresh seasonal produce, opens at 8:30am and goes till noon. Keep an eye out for comfort food, desserts and crafts for gift ideas.

Bebop and Blues

A classic saxophone quartet featuring Rob Sudduth, with Brad Buethe on guitar, Noah Schenker playing bass and Bryan Bowman on drums. Nice way to spend a Saturday night, from 6-8pm. No cover, Dry Creek Kitchen menu available at the Spirit Bar, in the lobby of Hotel Healdsburg, 25 Matheson St.

Birthday Bash

Celebrate Chad Richard’s and Chris Amberger’s birthdays at Furthermore on Nov. 16, with Rainbow Jazz Collective and special guests Nate Lopez and Glenn Siegel. They’re making a night of it, from 5:30-10pm at Furthermore Wines, at 328a Healdsburg Ave.

Romantic Songs Mezzo soprano Deborah Martínez Rosengaus brings

her versatile range and high-energy performances to bear on “The Romantic Era in Song,” Sunday night’s classical music performance at The 222. James Jaffe on cello and Ian Scarfe on piano complete the trio. Tickets free for under 18, then $35-$85 at the222.org.

SUNDAY, NOV. 17

Peptoc Party

Artists Jessica Martin and Asherah Weiss are hosting a celebration to honor the youth behind the Peptoc hotline and their book, You Are Amazing Like A Rocket . On Sunday from 3–6pm groove at a dance party with music from local student bands, shop Peptoc merch and more. Free for students and kids under 18; non-students $10- $25. At Little Saint, 25 North St.

Sparkling Soirèe

’Tis the Season to Sparkle, so join the kick-off party hosted by Stay Healdsburg in collaboration with Barndiva restaurant. This elegant evening will showcase Healdsburg’s top sparkling wine producers including Amista, Banshee, Breathless and many more, perfectly paired with Barndiva’s Michelin-starred cuisine. From 5-7pm, 231 Center St., info and tickets $95 at stayhealdsburg.com.

Steve Zahn Day

The idiosyncratic actor from The White Lotus , Treme and Happy, Texas in a personal appearance on Sunday at the Windsor High School Theater, 6pm. There’s also an afternoon screening of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days and a Q&A with Zahn at 1pm,

same venue. For tickets and other information, visit truewestfilmcenter.org.

WEEK

City Council

The august Council of the City of Healdsburg will gather in a public meeting on Monday, Nov. 18. High on the agenda is the first public discussion of the transition from open voting for the five council members to voting by district, per the Shenkman letter. See story this issue. At Council Chambers, 401 Grove St., 6pm and online at facebook.com/ cityofhealdsburg.

Calling All Celts

Kalos takes traditional Celtic music and infuses it with elements from other musical styles, resulting in a fresh and engaging sound. See them at the Raven

next Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7:30pm, for an unforgettable concert experience. Tickets $25-$60 available at raventheater.org or at the door, 25 North St. Creative Canvas Spend the afternoon immersed in creativity in this adult class offering a step-by-step painting experience, ideal for those looking to explore their artistic side. It’s Wednesday afternoons weekly, from 1-3pm, one of the adult programs at Heartizens, 444 Moore Lane. $15 preregister, $20 drop-in at heartizens.org/for-adults. Post events on the Tribune’s online calendar at healdsburgtribune.com/ calendar and send special announcements to editor@ healdsburgtribune.com.

Photo courtesy of Kalos

KALOS Left to right, Celtic musicians Eric McDonald, Ryan McKasson and Jeremiah McLane. The trio will perform their 21st-century Celtic music at the Raven Theater on Wednesday, Nov. 20. Read our story about the concert online at healdsburgtribune.com.

FOOD

& WINE

Valorizing Valette for the Wine

LOCAL WINES BY A-LIST WINEMAKERS RELEASED AT THE MATHESON

By Daedalus Howell

When one thinks of celebrations at The Matheson in downtown Healdsburg (the town’s de facto club room), one usually goes straight to the top, literally the top-floor Roof 106 brasserie and bar where all manner of shindigs have occurred over the years.

However, this year’s release of Vallette Wines, which shares a proprietor with The Matheson, was a decidedly ground-floor affair.

This is apropos since guests like me could hardly make it down the stairs after such a generous offering of exemplary wines. Last weekend, a two-day launch event was

held for wine club members and accredited media members (a brave choice given our higher consumption rates), showcasing the liquid assets portion of chef Dustin Valette’s portfolio of Michelin-rated restaurants and a preview of the restaurant’s Thanksgiving-themed menu (separate and succulent prime rib and turkey offerings, the former with a savory horseradish sauce and the latter with a piquant cranberry sauce).

Valette Wines are made by a dream team of local winemakers—a rogue’s gallery that includes namebrand notables Jesse Katz, Bob Cabral, Tom Rochioli and David Ramey. The 2020 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir punches above its weight with its combo of brooding and bright berry notes—its wine is a pensive fellow, like a favorite cat, with a whisper of orange oil as

an after-kiss on the palate, a delightful pie-crust toastiness. Likewise, the 2021 Valette Cabernet Sauvignon received a 100point rating from Owen Bargreen of Wine Spectator , who described the wine as having “serious concentration, power and texture”—agreed.

Murals line the upper walls of The Matheson in a manner that recalls the stained glass windows of a church, each a piece of narrative art that tells a story. One features Valette’s father, a retired firefighter known for his aerial missions, as he pilots a plane to douse flames. Likewise, his grandfather was a baker, which is dutifully depicted on the opposite wall. All of this underscores Vallette’s commitment and respect for lineage and place— which, to borrow a term of newsroom marketing parlance, is “hyper-local.” In a moment of rapid corporate

Tasting Valette Wines at Dustin Valette’s The Matheson brings out the best of both worlds.

consolidation of Wine Country, this is rare enough to be savored on its own.

The staff at The Matheson is courteous, attentive, friendly and conversant in all their offerings. Go alone, and one will be embraced. Bring a crowd, and be the hero of the table. Wine tastings, paired with small bites designed by Chef Valette, are offered from noon to 3pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Matheson boasts a daily happy hour from 4-6pm, featuring Valette

friend Justus Scarioni, back in the class of 2026, steps up. The project manager of the crew, more or less, he is casually quick about sharing the credit.

“Mr. Lancaster told the whole class about it and I was one of the first, actually me and her, Amelia, were the first to step up to the plate,” Scarioni says. Others joined in, and inside of two months it was done. “We had a good project and it turned out really well,” Scarioni says, speaking for all of them. Lancaster steps up. “I was hoping that we would be able to get this installation out during a time of comparative quiet, because we don’t only want to engage with this when something happens,” he says. It’s a point several of the students make

as well, that it’s quiet right now, two days after the election, but it won’t always be.

And as the teacher says, “When it’s in the news everyone is yelling at each other, and it’s the same people having the same arguments every time. And then it dies away from the media in four or five days, and then nothing has changed.”

Andrea gets my attention. “I think that it could not just be these people

from outside being evil and coming into schools to shoot. I think we can’t trust anybody,” she says. “I think students could do that, too. Anybody could bring a gun, right? A student or a teacher.”

She continues, “There has been this shooting, I forget where, a student shooting his own class, his own school. Whether it was for bullying reasons or anything, schools should be aware of how students

treat other students, to prevent students shooting other students.”

Lancaster fills the awkward, hurt silence, saying, “We know from what’s happened in past years that there isn’t a common profile of a school shooter. It can be anyone. And so, as Andrea said, how we treat each other becomes very, very important.”

The next day the installation—108 desks—is due to be dismantled and returned

The

106

For tasting reservations, visit valettewines.com/ reservations.

to storage, until the next time it’s needed. Where will they be stored?

“I have no idea,” Lancaster says.

“How about your place?”

Linus Lancaster and his art class will be making teacher desks to represent the staff and faculty who have been killed as well. They hope to re-install the complete set in a public site in the coming months.

With

We wanted to take this opportunity to thank all Bell’s Employees: current and past, Senator Mike McGuire, Supervisor Gore, the communities and people we serve. Your continued support through the decades has provided us with a longevity that we are grateful for and humbled by.

Bell’s Ambulance Service is the oldest private ambulance provider in Sonoma County. Thank you for your confidence, support and trust.

We are thankful to be of continued service to our community

Wines (and others on their wine wall) for 30% off.

Matheson,

Matheson St.

Photo by Elija Canales

are Piper Street and East Street,” points out Jon Eisenberg, a retired attorney in Healdsburg. He also states, with what sounds like the voice of authority, “Any definition of the ‘downtown core’ that varies from the Citywide Design Guidelines is inconsistent with the city’s General Plan, with which the city must act consistently.”

The Money Factor

The city nonetheless decided to invest in the effort to pass Measure O, despite several red flags. Following the $30,000 survey by FM3, it also allocated nearly $100,000 to promote and pass the measure.

The Yes on Measure O committee filed their campaign financials in October, showing financial support from expected and unexpected quarters. The Yes on Measure O campaign lists as its treasurer Shaun McCaffery—a former Healdsburg City Council member and

Lmayor, who has a seat representing the 4th District on the Sonoma County Planning Commission. Assistant treasurer is Alex Wood, a member of the Healdsburg Planning Commission and son of current Assemblyman Jim Wood.

Among the individual donors were McCaffery himself, Kelley, Serena Lourie of Cartograph Wines, and general contractor and developer Brian Spiers of Geyserville, at $1,000 each. Nonindividual donors included several $1,000 donations from Political Action Committees (PACs) including Corazón Healdsburg and the Healdsburg Parks Foundation, which notably gave $2,500 in support.

“This was a real David vs. Goliath campaign,” said Dan Pizza, a.k.a. Will Sonoma, a visible spokesperson against the measure, noting the $100,000 from the city and the $15,000 from the committee. “On the other hand, Measure O opposition spent less than $600 dollars for 200 yard signs and $100 for a website,” he

September 21, 1921 – October, 24 2024

ouise Buchignani peacefully passed away on October, 24 2024 at the remarkable age of 103.

She is survived by her two sons: Ken and Tim, one sister: Angie, two granddaughters: Jen and Lori, nine great-grandchildren: Justine, Samantha, Giamo, Josh, Jeremiah, Lucas, Kalen, Louisa, and Rosie, as well four great-great grandchildren: Benjamin, Mia, Lori, and Gia.

Louise loved her family and community. She demonstrated this by cooking for them frequently. Louise belonged to different clubs in Healdsburg including, Sons of Italy. She also served as a librarian at Fitch Mountain Elementary for forty years.

“Nonie, you are and always will be greatly missed by your family!”

A funeral will be held for Louise at a later date.

said. “There were also concerned residents who put up homemade signs and mailed out postcards.”

That level of spending does not rise to the level of required reporting, so none was listed. Instead the grassroots effort spearheaded by Pizza was backed up by a small but experienced core of community members and housing advocates, including Bruce Abramson.

“The City Council failed to address the potential unintended consequences of Measure O,” said Abramson, a former member of the Parks and Rec Commission and the Community Housing Committee. “There was a credibility issue ... The council did not offer any plausible evidence that workforce housing could be built. Case studies, etc., should be conducted with definitions.”

He also raised questions about potential issues in the downtown area, including vacation rentals, investment properties, second homes and infrastructure.

Working Together

“I think it failed because people don’t trust the very

issue of how we can get the kind of housing that they’re saying they’re going to get,” said Brigette Manselle, another opponent to the measure who, like Abramson, signed the arguments against the measure in the county election guide. “If it really is for the middle-class workforce housing, it has to be done with a much more precise tool other than just trusting a market.”

Councilmember Chris Herrod took on the task of arguing for the measure, but his often dismissive comments toward its opponents caused complaints even to City Council meetings. Following the vote, he said, “I don’t accept at all the criticism that the City Council imposed an unpopular housing agenda on the public. We were closely attuned to the public's demand for housing solutions, for modest growth and for affordability. But the public did not see it that way.”

Linda Cade, another council candidate and likewise a signee of the No on O arguments, said, “I feel like once the opposition’s word got out—no thanks

to city staff, council or the chamber—people voted in an attempt to maintain Healdsburg’s small-town charm and avoid so-called stack-and-pack housing in our downtown.”

Mixed Messages

Mayor David Hagele, who as a City Council member was a signatory to the Yes on O arguments in the voter information guide, said, “Elections send a message, both locally and nationally. Our job now as elected officials is to dive below the headlines and reflect on the constructive feedback and concerns we heard from our neighbors over the last few months on the campaign trail.”

Jeff Kay, the city manager, was already looking ahead. “In terms of planning efforts, I think we need to take some time to evaluate the efficacy of the various options in light of the GMO remaining in its current form,” he said. “In many cases, changes to the General Plan or Land Use Code will trigger the need for costly environmental analyses. That may not be worth it if the result is a

negligible impact on housing production.”

But he also raised the immediate question of density around the projected SMART station on Harmon Street, an area included in the geographic exemption that the failed Measure O proposed.

“There is a good chance that some zoning changes may be required in order to maintain our eligibility for regional transportation funding,” he said. “Current densities around the future SMART station, for example, do not meet the expected requirements for Transit Oriented Communities and could cause us to lose funding for road improvements.”

Kelley delivered a mixed message, but a key one. “Many of the voices that chimed in regarding Measure O have been absent from the dozens of community meetings and planning workshops regarding housing in our town,” she wrote. “It would be welcome to have their voices participate in proactive positive planning of the housing they are comfortable seeing in our community.”

DISMISSAL

During the fight, Garza was disarmed by Guzman and Cisneros, then the accused stabbed him over 10 inches deep with the gardening stake, inflicting fatal injuries. Garza died at the scene, bleeding out in front of what is now the El Milagro restaurant.

Whatever the fatal strike’s cause, the Healdsburg Police Department investigation concluded that Cisneros committed a crime, and it was “submitted to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s office for consideration of charges,” a Healdsburg

Police statement read at the time.

“Cisneros was involved in the altercation with Garza immediately preceding his death, and the investigation revealed that Cisneros’s actions exceeded self-defense when he struck Garza with a metal object,” Healdsburg police reported on their Facebook page.

Romario M. Cisneros, 34, of Santa Rosa, was arrested on a charge of involuntary manslaughter on Aug. 9, 2023. He went to trial on a single felony count of assault with a deadly weapon on Oct. 16 of this year, after an additional count of involuntary manslaughter was dismissed shortly before his trial began.

After a brief trial, in

which six witnesses, including Cisneros himself, were called in Cisneros’ defense, the trial went into deliberation on Oct. 25. Four days later 11 jurors favored a not-guilty verdict, with only one holding out for a guilty verdict. Judge Laura Passaglia declared it a hung jury, and the county DA’s office, weighing the expense and resources of holding another trial that could well result in an acquittal, dropped the charges.

Saying that Cisernos was thankful he received a fair trial, defense lawyer Charles Dresow stated, “We are very happy with the result, being the jury agreed largely that this was a clear case of self-defense and defense of others.”

Dresow is an attorney with Ragghianti Freitas of San Rafael. The criminal case is settled, however a civil case is still active. Since Cisneros was employed by the hotel as a general maintenance worker at the time of the incident, he and the hotel’s owner, Piazza Hotel Management, are named in a Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death civil lawsuit alleging general negligence and negligent hiring supervision. That case was filed March 7 in Sonoma County Superior Court by Garza’s sister, Davina, on behalf of his children. The next hearing in that case is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2025, Judge Bradford DeMeo to preside.

Hung Jury, 1

CSI HEALDSBURG Caution tape is stretched across the scene of an active investigation on Matheson Street on Monday, July 3, 2023, where Abel Garza was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

lPhoto by Christian Kallen

Greyhounds’ Turnaround Season Comes to an End

By John Linker

On Friday night, beneath the shimmer of a cold daylight-saving half-moon, the Healdsburg Greyhounds varsity football team ended their season playing against the No. 1 and undefeated Sonoma Valley Dragons.

The score at the end of the night was 35-7, which may seem lopsided, but in fact the Hounds held the mighty Dragons to one of their lowest scores of the season. But it’s Sonoma Valley that goes into the playoffs undefeated, while Healdsburg goes to the locker room, of all things, “confident.”

Said head coach Criss Rosales, “Going into Friday’s game versus Sonoma, we imagined we would have the whole water works and sad speeches post-game. It was the complete opposite.

“On Friday the boys fully turned the page on a new chapter of Healdsburg Football. Against our toughest opponent of the year, the boys came out the most confident,” Rosales added. “They wanted to show that Healdsburg no longer is an ‘easy win’ on the opponents’ schedule.”

Play Action

The Hounds kept the No. 1 Dragons to two touchdowns in the first half, but were less successful in the second as Sonoma Valley hit for three. Healdsburg itself did not score until the last three minutes of the game, with a 50-yard pass from Noval Perrill II to Areum Romero.

In the second half, Healdsburg did not even play all of its first string players, while coach Rosales gave the graduating seniors play time.

This year’s Greyhounds’ much improved 3-7 record (it was 0-9-1 last year) does not give justice to what the team accomplished. Even Sonoma Valley coaches praised the team’s turn around in a single season.

“Statistically, I believe we held Sonoma to one of their least productive games all year,” Rosales said. “Regardless of the record, after every game every single opposing head coach was astonished and thrilled that the ‘Greyhounds were back.’”

Some individual statistics: Quarterback Perrill hit 10 of 19 attempts (with a TD and two interceptions); and the running game was held to only 70 yards, with Perril leading the rush with 25 and Frank Rea and Nate Rowland—usually a defensive player—with 13 each.

Areum Romero led pass receivers with five catches for 74 yards including that fourth-quarter touchdown. Hayden Mariani

caught three for 25 yards.

Defensively, junior Tasman Ouchida led with three tackles and Rowland had two. Rowland also got a sack in the fourth quarter, making a final statement for the Dragons to remember him by.

Sonoma Valley’s star running back Cayden Waldrop showed what all the fuss was about with a 198yard game, with his longest run for 66 yards, including three touchdowns. Dragon quarterback Dalan Lopata was 9 for 15, including two touchdowns and two interceptions (by Mariani and Romero).

Retrospective

The Hounds began their season with a 3-0 win streak, but then were unable

to overcome the close games of the regular season. But the team this year was more than wins and losses. Rosales was able to turn around a defeated culture, and turn it into a season of hope and even glory.

“I have a history with Healdsburg,” said Rosales, an HHS grad, “and I can say with confidence that this is the most important team in Healdsburg football history. Yes, there are better teams with championships. But all of those teams were a part of an established culture, standard and a power-house program. Given the last 10 years and the almost extinction of Healdsburg football as a whole, this team has had the motto to ‘bring Healdsburg football back.’

“They understand how

to be leaders, how to be teammates, how to push past your limits,” the coach added. “Overall, being tenacious and never backing down.”

This was evident watching from the stands. Every home game night was full of excitement and expectation, and fans were never let down. There was Perrill with his accurate arm, Frank “The Tank” Rea with his elusive running attack, Romero with his spectacular catches, Hayden Mariani with his athletic leaps, the relentless pursuit of Nathaniel Rowland and John Wallace, the dominant play on both sides of the ball by Max Morris, and the indefatigable enthusiasm of both defensive and offensive linemen.

Wait Till Next Year

So, even though Friday night put another loss in the league column for Healdsburg, the season ended on a note of courageous play and spirited hope for a winning season next year. Said Rosales,

“Thanks to what we all did this year, I know Healdsburg will be able to have a power-house program in the years to come.” He concluded, “I believe it is not a stretch to say that one of next year’s goals is to be league champions.”

Photos by Joe Rowland

ON THE RUN Sonoma Valley’s quarterback Dalan Lopata heads for the sidelines on a keeper during the Nov. 8 game, pursued by a legion of Greyhounds. He led the Dragons to a 35-7 win over Healdsburg to end the 2024 season.

DROPBACK Quarterback Nova Perrill II, guarded by running back Frank Rea, looks for a receiver downfield in the Nov. 8 game against Sonoma Valley. Healdsburg lost the season’s final game, 35-7.

DENIED Healdsburg’s Areum Romero breaks up a pass intended for Sonoma Valley’s Hudson Giarritta in the first quarter of the season’s last game, Nov. 8. Sonoma Valley won, 35-7.

CRIMES AND CONCERNS REPORTED TO HEALDSBURG POLICE, OCT. 28-NOV. 3

Residents and others are encouraged to call Police Dispatch as needed at (707) 431-3377, operational 24/7

Monday, Oct. 28

7:47am A vehicle was vandalized near Taqueria El Sombrero on Center Street on the previous day. Someone went into the Reporting Party’s (RP) vehicle and cut off the driver’s side visor.

An officer met with the RP and took a report.

1:30pm A person at the West Plaza Parking Lot on Healdsburg Avenue was laying on the ground. The person was too intoxicated for county jail and was transported to Healdsburg General Hospital.

2:54pm A vehicle was stopped on Piper Street at Center Street for violating registration rules.

A 38-Year-Old (YO) man was cited and released for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine, driving without a license and lacking proof of insurance. A 47-YO man was cited and released for misuse of license and registration documents, violation of probation, violation of vehicle registration rules, violation of the open container law, and on outstanding Sonoma County warrants regarding driving with a license suspended for driving under the influence (DUI) and driving without a required ignition interlock device.

Tuesday, Oct. 29

• 8:22am A hit-and-run occurred on Fitch Street.

An officer responded, contacted the RP and looked for video of the incident. A report was taken.

9:27am A vehicle was stopped on West North Street at Moore Lane for

lacking working tail lights and for a probation check.

A 63-YO woman was cited and released for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and violating probation.

2:09pm A vehicle was stopped near Plank Coffee on Dry Creek Road for violating vehicle registration rules. A 27-YO man was cited for driving on a suspended license and on an outstanding Nevada County warrant regarding DUI, battery on a peace officer and violating probation.

2:37pm A 52-YO woman on Healdsburg Avenue at Front Street was cited on an outstanding Sonoma County warrant regarding depositing debris in the waterways.

• 2:52pm Transients at Flyers on Healdsburg Avenue were camping on the property and taking power from the property. The RP wanted to file trespass paperwork against the transients and press charges. Officers responded and advised the transients of the complaint and asked them to leave the premises.

3:09pm A vehicle near Tip Top Liquor Warehouse on Dry Creek Road was stopped for violating vehicle registration rules. A 30-YO man was arrested and brought to county jail for DUI.

7:48pm Multiple callers reported that three people near John & Zekes Bar & Grill on Healdsburg Avenue disturbed the peace. Officers responded and located two subjects who were released to a sober party.

Wednesday, Oct. 30 • 7am to 11am Multiple graffiti incidents in northeast Healdsburg, near University and Powell and beyond.

9:42am Vandalism was reported at the Healdsburg Veterinary Hospital on Healdsburg Avenue. A man was near the fence, which subsequently was cut. A bicycle and jacket were in the bush next to the building, and the RP believed a person was sleeping in the area.

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The RP likely wanted to press charges if the person was identified. The RP also wanted the parking area checked for unwanted vehicles. An officer responded and took a report.

10:55am Trespassing occurred at Flyers on Healdsburg Avenue. The RP indicated that transients were camping and stealing power from the property.

The RP wanted to press charges and file trespass paperwork against the people. Officers responded, but the subjects were gone on arrival and unable to be located.

1:20pm The RP on Healdsburg Avenue at Front Street stated that a tree service truck behind a small sedan attempted to turn left and almost hit the small sedan. The RP was a bystander and yelled at the driver of the truck. The driver yelled to the RP that he would get out of the truck and assault the RP. The RP wanted the driver of the truck spoken to about his reckless-driving behavior.

1:34pm The RP at Dry Creek Inn on Dry Creek Road indicated her firearm was stolen, perhaps by her boyfriend. An officer responded and took a report. The firearm was entered into the Automated Firearms System.

• 3:10pm The RP indicated that a vehicle on Hwy 101 at the Central offramp swerved toward the RP. Officers were advised to be on the lookout for the vehicle. An officer located the unoccupied vehicle in front of the Spoonbar on Healdsburg Avenue. No further action was taken.

3:48pm A vehicle was stopped on Hwy 101 at Dry Creek Road for violating vehicle registration rules.

A 38-YO woman was cited and released for driving without a license, violating probation and lacking proof of insurance.

• 4:15pm An vehicle on Hwy 101 at Arata Lane was stopped for speeding and violating vehicle registration rules. A 38-YO man was cited and released for driving with

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a license suspended for DUI, violating probation and lacking proof of insurance.

4:26pm A $69 jacket was stolen from a rack outside Hardwear on Healdsburg Avenue. The RP wanted to press charges. Officers responded and took a report. The suspects were located and the jacket was brought to the police department for safekeeping.

A 53-YO man was cited for shoplifting, conspiracy to commit a felony and violating probation. A 34-YO man was cited for shoplifting and conspiracy to commit a felony.

• 4:50pm The RP on Benjamin Way received a call from someone stating they were from the Contra Costa police department. The caller told the RP there was a warrant out for his arrest and he needed to pay out money or he would be arrested. The RP paid $1,500 with a money order through CVS. Officers responded and provided an incident number.

• 7:34pm The RP on West Grant Street at the railroad tracks rented a laptop from the Healdsburg Library, which was subsequently stolen. The RP was provided with an incident number and asked to tell the library about the loss.

Thursday, Oct. 31

• 9:48am A person was lying down on the side of Peppers Healdsburg on Dry Creek Road. Officers responded. The person declined medical assistance.

11:52am The RP on South Fitch Mountain Road at Orchard Street stated that on Oct. 25 or 26, the RP was tailgated by a vehicle. The RP wanted to press charges against the driver and believed the person might kill someone. The RP indicated that within the past six months, the same driver twice sped by the RP and yelled “Get off the road!” and the RP feared for his life. An officer responded and gave the RP advice. On Nov. 2, at 7:11pm, the RP stated a vehicle ran the RP off the road. The RP believed it was the same

2:54pm

driver who had tailgated and yelled at him in the past. The information was logged.

3:44pm A 55-YO man on Vine Street at West Matheson Street was lying on the ground. Officers responded and arrested the man for battery of a peace officer, public intoxication and violating parole. He was taken to county jail.

• 7:23pm The RP at the 7-Eleven on Healdsburg Avenue stated that two men walked on opposite sides of the road, yelling threats and obscenities at each other. They both walked into traffic and the RP was concerned they may get hit by passing vehicles. Officers responded, but the men were gone on arrival and unable to be located.

• 8:10pm An officer saw a vehicle near L & M Motel on Healdsburg Avenue veer off the road. The officer also saw the driver pull a stop sign out of the bumper of his car. The 31-YO man was arrested and taken to county jail for DUI.

Friday, Nov. 1

• 1:25am A vehicle was stopped on Hwy 101 at Dry Creek Road. The driver, a 55-YO man, was cited and released for possession of drug paraphernalia.

1:58am The RP on Bridle Path stated that young boys egged the RP’s home and threw a pumpkin. They subsequently left in a vehicle. The RP wanted to press charges. Officers checked the area for the vehicle and further vandalism.

8:29am The RP at River Belle Inn on Front Street indicated that on Oct. 31, a hit-and-run accident occurred. The RP said he wanted to report the damage to the police because it was required by his insurance. The RP was provided an incident number.

• 9:07am The RP at St. John’s Church on Matheson Street was hit in the nose by an unknown man. The RP wanted to press charges, and did not know why the man hit him. The suspect left in a car. An officer responded and took a report.