The Healdsburg Tribune 6-29-2023

FROM MORNING TO NIGHT, WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE 4TH OF JULY

By Christian Kallen

July 4 falls on a Tuesday this year, but that midweek date won’t greatly affect the way Healdsburg celebrates Independence Day. If anything, it gives the city and its residents more opportunities to turn Independence Day into something special.

With one exception: There will not be the regular Tuesday in the Plaza music event on July 4 due to the other events the City of Healdsburg has committed to.

“While we understand that the concert is a beloved tradition for many of our residents, the City’s Police, Fire, Public Works and Community Services teams—all who have a role in these special events—don’t have the staff capacity to deliver three major events on the July 4 holiday,” reads a notice on the city’s website.

“This change will allow us to focus our resources on facilitating long-standing holiday traditions for our community.”

Here’s a look at the events queued up for action from the City of Healdsburg and the businesses and organizations that throw themselves into celebration.

Certified Farmers’ Market (9am-12:30pm): The regular Tuesday Market in the Plaza will go on as scheduled, with one notable change: Though Plaza Street between Healdsburg Avenue and Center is usually partially blocked off to allow for food venders to set up, on July 4 the market moves to the other side of the plaza. This time it will be Matheson Street that will be partially closed off, open to oneway traffic only, according to market director Janet Ciel.

“We'll have booths lining both sides of the street, facing into the center. That way, the Rotary can do

FREE TRIGGER LOCKS MAKE GUN SAFETY AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS

By Christian Kallen Firearms

owners will soon be required to place trigger locks on guns in their homes, or store them in locked gun safes, to reduce the possibility that a loaded weapon can end up in the hands of someone not familiar with safe firearm handling—or someone with ill intent, either to themselves or to others.

As developed by city staff under Police Chief Matt Jenkins, the Safe Firearms Storage Ordinance, section 9.16.060 of the Healdsburg Municipal Code, requires in brief that “No person shall keep a firearm within any residence unless the firearm

is stored in a locked container or disabled with a trigger lock.”

The simple intent of the ordinance is to “decrease the risk of harm to children and the entire community from unauthorized access to firearms.”

When he introduced it at the June 20 meeting, Jenkins pointed out that similar ordinances have been implemented in “at least 20 California municipalities to bolster firearm safety in the home,” listing Berkeley, Los Angeles, Moraga, Napa, Oakland, Palm Springs and Petaluma, among others.

At the meeting, the Healdsburg’s City Council voted unanimously to add the Safe Firearms Storage Ordinance to city code. The vote followed two earlier meetings that discussed the issue in light of persistent gun violence and mass murders.

One of those incidents was the March 27 killing of six at a Nashville school, where one of the victims was Evelyn Dieckhaus, niece of Healdsburg BloodRoot winery coowner Kelly Dorrance.

Following that tragedy, Dorrance and several of her friends contacted the council asking for action on the issue of gun violence. Said Councilmember Chris Herrod, “Kelly was the impetus, and I would guess that friends and acquaintances of hers followed her lead.”

Herrod first asked the council to consider such an ordinance at their April 3 meeting, just a few days after the Nashville tragedy. After some hesitation, the council agreed to add it to a coming agenda.

A month later, on May 1, the council more fully discussed the issue and voted to ask city staff to bring a draft ordinance back to them. That is what was presented to the council on June 20, their last meeting before a month-long summer break in July.

HHS GRAD HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE AVEN THEATER MATINEES

By Christian Kallen

Maybe not everybody has dreams of making a movie when they grow up, but George Dondero sure did.

Now, 40 years after he used to watch second-run films at the old Aven Theater on North Street, today known as the Raven—films like Enter the Dragon, Bugsy Malone, Tommy Dondero is blushingly proud of his first feature, War of the Wills

The 110-minute film, available on Amazon Prime

The ordinance also requires that gun owners notify the Healdsburg Police Department within 48 hours “of the time the person suspected or knew that the firearm had been stolen or lost,” when the gun owner is a Healdsburg resident or the loss of the firearm occurred in the city.

In a surprise and welcome announcement, Jenkins told the council that just the previous day, he received a promise from

Video, is a dark comedy about family members with a family secret. Made on a $20,000 budget in Sonoma County, and starring someone very familiar to Healdsburg theatergoers, War of the Wills represents the culmination of a lifelong dream for Dondero.

“It was one of these things where I kept saying, I want to do this,” said Dondero, 54, who has been running the independent commercial film company Sonoma Film Works for the past decade, doing video production for clients such as Sonoma County Tourism and various wine brands.

“Then I realized the only

It should be mentioned that all those who approached me and who attended the council meetings were women. Many are mothers. COUNCILMEMBER CHRIS HERROD

Kot Takahashi (left) and Steven David Martin face

Photo by Christian Kallen

Kelly Dorrance, seen here at Healdsburg City Hall, helped move the city council

A CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS IN HEALDSBURG

Sheriff’s Town Hall

On Thursday, June 29, Sonoma County Sheriff Eddie Engram will update the community in an

GOINGS ON IN THE ’BURG

Farmers’ Market

Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Market will be held from 8:30am-noon at the West Plaza lot on Saturday, July 1. Live music and lots to shop for from local producers.

Courtyard Music

Bacchus Landing offers free live music in their expansive courtyard on the first Saturday of the month, which is July 1 this month. Wine will be available from their seven wineries, and wood-fired pizza will be available from The Market. 14210 Bacchus Landing Way, noon-4pm.

Stars and Stripes

Opening reception on Saturday, July 1, 3-6pm, of a new exhibition from 14 local artists who explore the flag’s complex symbolism and significance. Exhibit continues through Aug. 5 at Hammerfriar Gallery, 132 Mill St., hammerfriar.com.

Sunday Funnies

informal town-hall style meeting at Alexander Valley Hall, 5512 Hwy. 128. It’s an event with no agenda, though the sheriff will give an introductory update to kick off the 5:307pm meeting.

Raven Players Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Summer Music

plays at the Raven Theater from June 30July 16, various dates and times. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the play is a reimagining of the biblical story of Joseph and his brethren. Visit raventheater.org for times, dates and tickets.

Firearms Storage

Project ChildSafe to provide free trigger locks. Jenkins requested 500 from the organization, which is a program of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. At the meeting, he could not confirm how many would be delivered to Healdsburg, or when.

Symbolic or

Effective?

In reviewing the proposed ordinance, Jenkins said it would complement the state’s safe storage

laws that only require safe storage “when children or prohibited persons could access them.”

Prohibited persons are those who legally cannot own or operate firearms, usually as a result of conviction, probation or other court ruling. This led to the perception that such an ordinance would be primarily “symbolic,” a sentiment reinforced by Jenkins’ statement that enforcement would only come as a result of another law

enforcement action, such as a search for a different violation or investigation of a crime. In other words, the police won’t be going into homes to check for compliance.

Councilmember Ron Edwards, who stressed the need for “education” as a cornerstone of any gun control measure, asked questions related to the possibility that a homeowner might find a trigger-locked gun less easily accessible in case of immediate need.

Mayor Ariel Kelley asked the police chief about the frequency of such home invasions.

The Blues Burners open Coyote Sonoma’s Summer Music Series on Friday, June 30, from 6-8:30pm. Table reservation $20 (food vendor is The Spot), standing room free. For details and ticket links, visit coyotesonoma.com.

Real live standup comedians do their thing at Furthermore Wines on this month’s first Sunday, July 2, starting at 7pm, at 328A Healdsburg Ave.

Tuesday at the Plaza Certified Farmers’ Market from 9am-12:30pm, Tuesday, July 4, at Healdsburg

Plaza. This week only it will be on the Matheson Street side of the Plaza. There will be no Tuesday Night Music on this date due to other City events.

Fourth of July

Several special City events scheduled this day, including a Kids Parade and Duck Dash from 10am to 1pm on Center Street with music, games and free lemonade. The annual 4th of July Fireworks from 9:30-10pm. Viewing at Fitch Mountain Elementary School, Healdsburg High and throughout the neighborhood.

Indie Rock Jonny Fritz brings his Dad Country discoveries to Little Saint (25 North St.), usually on Thursdays at 7pm. On July 6 see Izaak Opatz, free.

Meters Tribute Meter Maid, a tribute band for New Orleans’ legendary The Meters, plays Friday, July 7 at Elephant in the Room, 177 Healdsburg Ave., 8pm. Taco Fest

Not all the fun is in Healdsburg. Windsor’s 2nd annual Taco Fest and Car Show is Saturday, July 8, from 3-8pm at the Town Green. Acompañanos para tacos deliciosos, autos clásicos, música en vivo ranchera, y buena gente.

GUN LOCK Project ChildSafe donates handgun locks to communities around the country, now including Healdsburg.

“The best answer I can give you right now is infrequent,” Jenkins said. “I can think of a few over a 20 year period, but again you can’t quote me on that number right now.” The number of firearms accidents and unintentional shootings over a similar period was not addressed.

In public comment, Stefan Perez, of Petaluma, who identified himself as chairperson of Sonoma County Gun Owners, a chapter of the California Rifle & Pistol Association, called in at two successive meetings to raise objections over the trigger-lock method of gun storage. “I don't believe this ordinance addresses either education, training or keeping people safe,” he said. He cited the example of an elderly war veteran who may have trouble unlocking a trigger-locked gun in case of home invasion. Loaded guns can be stored in safes, and Perez

encouraged the city to purchase safes for all gunowners in Healdsburg.

Even though Councilmember Evelyn Mitchell, who said she never was a gun owner and never would be, regarded the new ordinance as largely symbolic, she voted in favor of the ordinance. “The fact is if it saves one life or one tragedy … then it’s worth it. It’s well worth it,” said Mitchell.

Of the ordinance, Kelley said, “There is an alarming amount of gun violence in our country. While there is not just one quick fix, we know the way we make our community safer is to adopt multiple policies and actions that are proven to decrease gun violence.”

Councilmember Herrod had an observation following the vote and public discussion. “It should be mentioned that all those who approached me and who attended the council meetings, were women. Many are mothers.”

For her part, Dorrance recognized the small step that safe storage represents.“The passage of safe storage is symbolic more than anything, but any movement on the issue that applies common sense responsibility to gun ownership I welcome with open arms,” said Dorrance following the vote. “Safe storage is a small, basic step in the right direction. Guns have become the number one killer of children in this country,” she said. “This is a heart-breaking, sad and embarrassing statistic.”

In the wake of the Nashville tragedy, Kelly Dorrance and her husband, Noah Dorrance, started crowdsourced funding programs through Instagram and Wine Country Unites, and raised over $200,000 for Everytown for Gun Safety, a national nonprofit organization advocating for gun control and against gun violence. They also founded Light Catchers to help raise funds in memory of Evelyn Dieckhaus, including $9,150 for Voices for Safer Tennessee raised at their recent BloodRoot Ramble.

FACETIME Meet Sonoma County Sheriff Eddie Engram at a community event on Thursday, June 29 at the Alexander Valley Community Hall, 5:30-7pm.

Photos courtesy of Project ChildSafe

COUNCILMEMBER Chris Herrod persuaded the council to take up a ‘safe firearms storage’ ordinance at their May 1 meeting.

Photo by Christian Kallen

THE WORD FROM THE STREETS TO THE INBOX OR THE WEBSITE

Is This a Ruse by Another Name?

Some things are not for sale.

Full-time residents of Healdsburg can see the “unapproved” and not “permitted” 330 Center St. ultra-luxury $12 million condos listed on MLS ( a site FOR real estate brokers) for what it really is!

We know this developer; he/they are familiar. Their ties to the exclusive Mayacama

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

‘Too Large and Too Massive’

(Re “Planning Commission Rebuffs New Piazza Hotel Plan,” May 25.) Good for the commission! Stick to your guns—the building is too tall and too massive for the area. s haryn s arquis via HealdsburgTribune.com

Finally the planning commission is showing careful consideration. So few own so many hotels? It’s a monopoly. a nne g oe B el via HealdsburgTribune.com

‘Flippant and Incorrect’

Private Golf Club and to Grove Street neighborhood’s recently opened “The Ruse” raises our concern. The Ruse’s website states: “ There IS more than meets the eye.”

Called The Terraces, these two condos will include “full-time concierge, butler, and chauffeur service”—an “unparalleled 5,200 sq. ft ‘boutique’ residence ‘offering unique rental income opportunity.’”

Despite the cynicism and complacency: “Money always wins” and “Our General Plan allows it” and “This is the new Healdsburg,” residents understand

what is being erased and who is benefitting. Only fools see this influx of ultra luxury crap as “good for the economy” or “good for our home property values.” Healdsburg’s shared well-being, our downtown, our livability, our “small town” character, and our essential, valued workers, our middle class, are adversely impacted by this big money— these tax shelters. This project is not a done deal. Just the opposite. Write. Speak up. B rigette M ansell Healdsburg

Note: Ms. Mansell’s letter refers to a recent posting for MLS # 323040808 for a 5,200 square foot single family residence at 330 Center St. Scott Duiven of the City of Healdsburg told the ‘Tribune’, “The project was never deemed complete due to access issues and required easements from adjacent properties and has been inactive for over two years. There are no City approvals or entitlements for this property. The applicant at the time was David Wilhelm.”

‘A Hazard and an Eyesore’ (Re “Electric Birds in the Wild,” May 4.)

These pieces of junk are a hazard and eyesore. They are left everywhere, blocking sidewalks and driveways all over town. They are not an environmental benefit. Any trip by these pieces of junk could be made walking. To make matters worse, some guy in a large diesel truck has to drive around and retrieve them. Shame on you for spending any money on this joke. D aniel C lary via HealdsburgTribune.com

(Re: “Montage Trade Creates 38-acre Park,” June 1.) This article does not at all depict the actual details of the proposed park. It seems to be more about Montage than the City of Healdsburg park. A Parks Design Team, made up of 30+ community members, worked hard, through literal fires, flood and pandemic to work with the City and the landscape design company to make recommendations and help choose all the specifics for this park. To make comments like “at least one baseball field, possibly two,” is flippant and incorrect. The picture of the design clearly shows two. C in D y B eth Healdsburg

‘The Healdsburg Tribune’ accepts cogent, civil Letters to the Editor at editor@ healdsburgtribune.com. Letters may be edited for length, 200 words maximum.

FANTASY CONDOS This image of a project at 330 Center St. appeared in a recent MLS ad, but there’s no permit pending or filed with the City of Healdsburg.

Photo courtesy of Compass Realty

Prune Packers Hit the Skids, Lose 2 of 3

HEALDSBURG

BASEBALL TEAM STUMBLES ON ROAD TRIP, STILL IN FIRST

By Christian Kallen

The 18-game winning streak that made the Prune Packers the wonder of West Coast baseball ended on Sunday, June 25, as the Solano Mudcats won the first game of a Sunday double-header, 4-2.

The second game found Prune Packers restoring their dominance with an impressive shutout

against the Mudcats. In seven innings of work, the Prune Packers pitchers allowed just three batters to reach base, while striking out 11. The final score was 9-0.

The opening game of the Sunday double-header still found Packers’ infielder

Will Hodo (Alabama) having an impressive game, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. This week he has been batting .647 with 11 hits, a home run and a double while adding four RBI and two walks.

Other offensive leaders for the Packers this far into the 2023 season

include Robbie Hamchuck at .534, Jared Sundstrom batting .500 and Hunter Dorraugh a very respectable .475. All of these players have a minimum of 45 at bats, and several players with fewer at bats also hover around the .500 mark.

But after their usual Monday off, the Packers fell for the second time in three games as the Walnut Creek Crawdads scored a 5-2 win in Concord on June 27. The two teams played again on Wednesday, June 28, results too late for press time.

The losses brought to

an end the remarkable winning streak for the reigning California Collegiate League champs, who have a three-peat in their sights to build on winning seasons in 2021 and 2022.

Even with the losses, the Packers are still in a dominant position in league standings. As we go to press, they sport a 12-2 league record, 2.5 games ahead of the second-place Crawdads (8-3) in the CCL North Division.

Regardless of recent scores, Healdsburg fans have a lot to look forward to over the coming Fourth

of July weekend. After Thursday’s rematch (6pm) against the Crawdads at Rec Park, the Packers open a three-game series against the Sonoma Stompers—the only other Sonoma County team in the CCL—with the Saturday game played at home, and Friday and Sunday in Sonoma at Arnold Field.

At present, the Stompers are in fourth place with a 5-7 league record, but they’ve been racking up their wins recently and are hungry to make an impact in the division. It goes without saying there’s a rivalry between

the two neighboring teams, and baseball fans would do well to show up at Rec Park on Saturday, July 1, for the 6pm game. On the 4th of July itself, a Tuesday, the Packers host the Novato Nicks in a star-spangled 5pm game at Rec Park. The Packers honor Healdsburg’s own “first responders,” as Bell’s Ambulance throws out the first pitch at 5pm. The game kicks off a four-game homestand, a perfect opportunity to take the family and other fans to the park to see what all the shouting is about.

Opening New Doors

The Senior Center threw open its doors earlier this month, literally, following the completion of a long-awaited project to improve access both from Matheson Street and the parking lot behind the building. New fully automatic sliding doors at the front and rear entrance allow seniors of all ability levels to effortlessly enter and exit the Senior Center completely hands-free. Other upgrades include removal of tiles at front door, replaced with concrete outside and walk-off carpet inside; removal of circular drain at the rear door and a replacement trench drain installed; addition of planters and paint refresh to rear entry; and a deep cleaning of the existing carpets, and resealing/waxing of the hard flooring. The Senior Center is the city’s multi-purpose facility that offers many activities, programs and services to area residents of all ages, with priority given to those 55 years of age and older. It’s located at 133 Matheson St., open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.

Photo by Brigid O'Connel

Photos by Christian Kallen

GRANDSTAND VIEW From the back row of the grandstands at Rec Park, communications lead Aaron Arnstein (at left) and the statistics crew watch the game and keep the records as the Packers make another run for the California Collegiate League championship in 2023.

OUT AT THIRD Hunter Dorraugh is thrown out trying to steal third during action against the West Coast Admirals at Rec Park. He’s one of the sparkplugs of the Prune Packers offense.

OPENING Mayor Ariel Kelley cuts the big red ribbon to inaugurate the new fully-automatic doors at the Senior Center, joined by other city council members, commissioners from Parks and Recreation and the Senior Advisory Commission, and the Senior Center nonprofit partners and staff.

Photo by Rick Tang

DUGOUT The Prune Packers watch the action of a recent game. The Healdsburg team lost two out of three games last week, but still lead the league by a wide margin. Left to right: Kyle Russell, Christian Almanza, Connor Charpiot, Alex Leopard, Cam Nickens and Jared Sundstrom.

PARTIAL LIST OF INCIDENTS REPORTED TO HEALDSBURG POLICE, JUNE 5 - 11

Monday, June 5

11:09am. Disturbance on Greens Dr. Last week, the RP's (Reporting Party’s) husband was in an argument with a female "local homeless person." The female got into her vehicle, and she tried to ram into the RP's husband’s car with her car. RP just wanted law enforcement to be aware of this and suggests that the female shouldn't be driving.

12:01pm. Trespassing at Spoke Folk Cyclery on Center St. Individual won't leave the premises despite being asked to several times. Suspect is yelling at the owner and standing in the doorway of the store, but was leaving as officer arrived.

2:26pm. Vehicle Recovery at Healdsburg Police Department on Center St. Gold Honda Accord, reported stolen 5/22/2023, recovered by Santa Rosa Police.

4:07pm. Drunk Driver at Healdsburg Ave./ Exchange Ave. Caller reports possible DUI driver, northbound on Healdsburg Ave. from Central Healdsburg exit. Seen swerving on freeway. Vehicle is a 2000 or newer Toyota Corolla, registered to address in Healdsburg. BOL (be on the lookout) was broadcast. Officer checked area and address. Vehicle was parked, unoccupied.

• 11:34pm. Domestic Incident at Spa Dolce on Center St. RP calling to report that he and his girlfriend are arguing, and he wants her out of his car. They are near the front of the PD in a silver Honda. Officers responded and arrested a 22 YO female for aggravated battery, and transported her to county jail.

Tuesday, July 6

2:18pm. Drunk Driver at Healdsburg District Hospital on University Ave. Patient left hospital under influence of an anxiety medication. Hospital called a Lyft for her, but she left in her silver Chevrolet Silverado. Advised hospital staff she was headed to Windsor. Disposition: Unable to Locate.

3:40pm. Petty Theft at Big John's Market on Healdsburg Ave. Shoplift occurred half hour earlier, subject walked out with sandwich and left westbound on Dry Creek in a white Ford F-150. Subject described as female in her 20s with long dark hair, denim overall shorts. Value $10.99, store wants to press charges.

4:48pm. Warrant Service following officer initiated activity for unregistered vehicle at Jon Wright Feed Store, Mill St., Healdsburg. 30YO driver arrested for two outstanding DUI warrants. Vehicle left parked at Wright's Feed.

9:59pm. Warrant Service at Circle K, Healdsburg Ave. Contact made due to suspect vehicle in recent retail theft. A 46YO male was arrested and transported to county jail for possession of a controlled substance without prescription and a Marin County Warrant for felony burglary charges.

Wednesday, June 7 • 3:04am. Drug Activity resulting from officer initiated activity at Redwood Hwy./Lytton Springs Rd. Stop was for registration violation. A 28-YO male was arrested and transported to county jail, then to Sutter Hospital for medical concerns. Subject was cited for concealing a controlled substance in a false compartment, possession of a controlled substance without a valid prescription and conspiracy to commit a crime. Also arrested and transported to county jail was a 26-YO male for the same crimes.

• 7:57am. Burglary on Johnson St. Construction site broken into and items stolen, including picks, shovels, extension cords, wheel barrels, random construction materials. No cameras or internet on site. Officer responded, report taken.

9:41am. Vandalism on Canyon Run. Landscaping was vandalized by someone stomping on the plants. Would like the family of suspect talked to. There is no video surveillance, however RP has spoken to the suspect regarding her ruining the plants (3rd time). Officer responded.

Thursday, July 8

• 7:49am. Accident at Wicked Slush on Healdsburg Ave. No injuries. Possible argument between involved parties; black Chevy truck vs gray Acura or Honda. Medical started as a precaution (children in the vehicle). Officers responded. Report taken.

8:14am. Burglary at Syar Industries on Healdsburg Ave. Copper wire stolen from the property. RP sees the wire in an encampment on his property and is requesting an officer go with him to retrieve it. A 52-YO man was arrested for burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia, and transported to county jail.

• 10:29am. Gang fight at Healdsburg High School on Prince Ave. Two students detained in the office and others jumped the fence, unknown direction of travel, unknown if weapons

POLICE LOG

present. Officers and chief responded. Two juveniles were arrested for battery on school property and violation of parole. Released to Probation Officers, who transported them to Los Guilicos Juvenile Hall.

11:08am. Vandalism on Maacama Ridge Rd. RP/ property owner is out of town; she just received a call from a worker on the property that a truck just onto the property and damaged the fence and vineyard. Part of the truck was left behind, possibly an F-150. Call transferred to Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.

1:24pm. Threats on North St. to beat the RP and kill his snake. RP has screenshots of the conversations. Officer spoke with the RP via telephone. Advice given.

2:41pm. Cyber/ Computer Crime reported at Healdsburg Police Department on Center St. Spanish speaking RP said someone hacked her FB and messaged her friends, telling them to send $390 to a phone number via Zelle. As far as she knows, none of her friends are out any money. Advice given.

7:46pm. Disturbance at Dollar Tree on Vine St. RP stated there is possibly a fight in the Safeway parking. RP advised it was all males, not all wearing shirts, and someone is yelling, “Get out of the car.” Officers responded; not as reported.

10:36pm. Disturbance at Rotten Robbie’s on Healdsburg Ave. RP reports 4-10 males in an altercation at the above address, were physical (threw a can/drink).

No drugs, weapons or injuries. RP states they saw the last of the subjects leave in a black Chevy Tahoe, southbound on Healdsburg Ave. Officers responded. Subjects were Gone On Arrival/Unable to Locate.

11:31pm. Unwanted Subject at Empire Mini Storage on Grove St. RP is the manager, states that someone is staying in her storage unit overnight. RP confronted her yesterday about the issue after receiving a call from HPD. Officers responded and made contact with the subject. Subject will move along.

Friday, June 9

2:17am. Unwanted Subject at Powell Avenue Laundry on Powell Ave. Owner can see the subject on camera footage, has been loitering in the business for the majority of the day. Owner not willing to charge trespassing, would like the subject to collect his belongings and move along. Officer responded, made contact with the subject and advised of the complaint. Subject will be leaving.

8:48am. Unwanted Subject at Dry Creek Inn on Dry Creek Rd.

Transients on the property, no location or description available. RP will get additional details and call back. Officer responded and met with the RP. Subjects left the property prior to arrival.

9:03am. Officer-initiated activity at Wicked Slush, Healdsburg, resulted in citations to a 26 YO woman on a Humboldt Co warrant for felony vandalism and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

9:51am. Petty Theft at Big John's Market on Healdsburg Ave. Yesterday at 1215pm, a male subject stole a $57 bottle of rum. Name is unknown, but subject works for a known employer. RP spoke with the job site foreman yesterday; he’s expecting a visit from law enforcement today. Officers responded and spoke to all parties involved.

• 12:20pm. Cyber/ Computer Crime on Center St. RP’s son has a business (LLC); there was a payment due to a company called LCPS. RP sent a payment for $135, the company cashed his check, but now he’s finding out that the company doesn’t exist. RP would like to discuss this with law enforcement.

• 3:46pm. Public Intoxication at Healdsburg Police Department on Center St. A 38-year-old male was arrested for public intoxication and transported to county jail.

4:24pm. Warrant Service at St Paul’s Church on East St. Male subject taking a shower in the parking lot using a hose and a trash can. RP doesn't feel comfortable asking him to leave. Officers responded. A 65-YO male was arrested on possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Also booked on Sonoma County warrant for lewd conduct and battery, and a Marin County nobail warrant for violating a restraining order and possession of meth.

• 5:39pm. Officer initiated activity at Shelton's Natural Food Market, Center St. Vehicle stopped for illegal cover over license plate. A 23YO male was arrested

for three charges of probation violation, driving on a restricted license and a suspended license. Vehicle legally parked. Officer took possession of the keys.

7:48pm. Unwanted Subject at Empire Mini Storage on Grove St. Female subject was evicted from the premises and verbally trespassed earlier in the day. Subject came back to the premises, screaming and banging on the windows. RP would like officers to reiterate that she is not allowed on the premises. Officers responded and the subject was Gone On Arrival/Unable to Locate.

• 9:06pm. Warrant Service at Healdsburg Ave./ Lytton Springs Rd. A vehicle was stopped for light violation, and a 37 YO male was arrested and directly transported to county jail for driving with a suspended license, and a Tulare County warrant for multiple vehicular violations.

Saturday, June 10

1:01am. Battery at L&M Motel on Healdsburg Ave. Subject pushed victim into a wall, who was not injured and declined medical. Subject has been physically aggressive with same individual in the past. Officers responded and were unable to locate the suspect.

Security guard on site called back, advising subject’s bike was not in front of his room. Units responded back out; negative contact. See 4:02pm, this day.

11:51am. Officer initiated activity at Safeway, Vine St. A 39-YO male was cited on Sonoma County warrant for driving with a suspended license, no proof of insurance and unregistered vehicle.

4:02pm. Arrest for previous incident at L&M Motel. Officers located 40-YO male at Little Saint on North St. Subject detained, later arrested in West Plaza parking lot area. Subject transported to county jail on charges of battery, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.

4:53pm. Officer initiated activity at Matheson St./ University St. Officer stopped a listed vehicle, and the driver was cited for driving without a

license, no proof of insurance and driving with an open container. He was released at the scene.

• 8:13pm. Threats reported at Healdsburg Police Department on Center St. RP got a text from a friend stating that her boyfriend is going to kill her. Determined that both parties live out of HPD jurisdiction, and RP was transferred to SCSO (Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office).

11:14pm. Stolen Vehicle reported by Flock Hit at located by officer at Healdsburg Ave./ Kennedy La. Two subjects detained, one being the registered owner of the vehicle. Ultimately officers discovered the vehicle was no longer stolen but was left in SVS (Stolen Vehicle System) database.

11:54pm. Hit and Run Accident at The Elephant In the Room on Healdsburg Ave. RP stated his vehicle was hit and his girlfriend was injured. RP provided a vehicle description and plate, last known direction of travel southbound on 101. Medical requested, officers responded. Medical later canceled due property damage only. Dispatch overheard SCSO traffic vehicle located off 101 in Windsor, matching description and similar plate.

Sunday, June 11 7:24am. Disturbance at Acoma Court on Prentice Dr. Sounds like 2 individuals breaking things and yelling. No descriptions on the subjects other than they are speaking Spanish. RP does not want contact with officers. Officers responded. A 24-YO male was issued a citation for violation of probation.

• 4:09pm. Officer initiated activity at Jerry’s Valero, Dry Creek Rd. A 43-year old male was cited on Sonoma County Warrant for vandalism charges.

6:07pm. Drunk Driver at Wild Flowers Saloon, Mitchell La. A 48-YO male was arrested for driving under the influence and transported to the police department for prebooking. Subject was later cited and released to a responsible party.

7:53pm. Vandalism at Rite Aid drugstore on Healdsburg Ave. RP called to report someone threw a thermos at the window and broke it. RP does not have a suspect description but is requesting a report.

10:52pm. Disturbance on First St. Neighbor reports multiple subjects yelling and screaming. A resident was reported involved, along with her sister and boyfriend. No weapons seen. Officers responded and advised no crime, residents advised to be quiet. The full report can be found at healdsburgtribune.com.

Photo by Christian Kallen

POLICE FLEET Police cars cleaned, fueled and ready to patrol at Healdsburg Police Department on Center Street.

War of the Wills

thing that's stopping me is me,” he revealed.

War of the Wills concerns a father and son, both named William (Will Jr. and Will III), who have an antagonistic relationship but are forced by circumstance to spend a month living together in the family house following the death of William Sr., aka Grandfather Will.

Not surprisingly, the dearly departed left a (wait for it) will that required the two to spend those fateful 29 days together before either of them can inherit the family fortune. If War of the Wills were a fullblown comedy, one might say “mayhem ensues.” But instead it has elements of the supernatural, gaslighting and sadism along with the comedy.

“I don’t want to say that it’s like Arsenic and Old Lace,” said Dondero, “but I think that’s one of those films where everything’s funny, but yet we have people dying and poisoning other people.”

The house is a colorful, ramshackle Victorian in Petaluma, where cast and crew spent two weeks filming the movie in mid2022. Another location is Café Noto in Windsor, and a third is the El Pueblo Motel in Sonoma. So it’s a Sonoma County movie through and through.

Will the Father is played by Steven David Martin, the artistic director of the Raven Players, in his first film role. As anyone who has seen him on the Raven stage knows full well, Martin is an actor’s actor, alternatively subtle and larger than life, and his performance here is appropriately scene-stealing and

rewarding as he drives the movie’s energy for almost its full length.

“We’ve known each other for a long time and talked about doing a movie together for almost as long,” said Martin of Dondero. (Martin is busy preparing to direct a Mardi Gras version of The Comedy of Errors, to play free in West Plaza Park in late July.)

Martin, who took over as artistic director with the Raven Players in 2014, has a lengthy career on the regional theater stage, but surprisingly this is his first film. “George was fabulous, a generous and supportive director/writer and great to the actors, always asking and encouraging our input,” he said.

In the film, Will the Son is played by Kot Takahashi, a Santa Rosa actor who lost his Coffey Park home in the Tubbs Fire. It was while working on a documentary with Creative Sonoma that Dondero first encountered Takahashi.

“I saw him on camera and I was like, ‘This kid has got something. He’s handsome, he’s smart, he’s got a lot of charisma.’ And I was like, ‘I want to make a movie with that guy,’” he recalled.

Dondero and his partner, Bethany Browning, wrote the script after COVID quashed their earlier plans to make a larger film, with many characters and locations.

“Two months into COVID, I realized that it’s not going away anytime soon,” said Dondero. “So I said, let’s figure out something that is one location with as small a crew and cast as possible.”

He started writing the

script, with Browning finessing its structure and plot points. Before 2022 ended, they had a movie and called upon the talents of its all-Sonoma County crew and their own years of experience.

The whole process took about two years, from writing the script to completing the edit. Then came the hard part: finding a distributor.

“I was banging my head against the wall trying to get this released, so I didn't have to do it myself,” Dondero said. “I was just hoping that we could get a little more exposure, a bigger release with bigger PR.”

Finally, just this past March, he and Browning

decided they just needed to handle the distribution themselves. As a writer, she had used Amazon’s Create Space platform, which allows writers to self-publish and builds on Amazon’s huge marketplace to find buyers for almost anything. And that’s why one can find War of the Wills, the first film by George Dondero, Healdsburg High Class of 1887, for rental or purchase on Amazon Prime. The future filmmaker moved with his older sister and mother to Healdsburg

when he was four. “I always wanted to leave Healdsburg,” he said frankly. “When I was a kid, Healdsburg was a different place. There were no hotels; it was a very small town, very rural. It just wasn’t what you see today.

“And as a kid who wanted to experience something different and wanted to go into film, I needed to leave,” Dondero continued.

He left as soon as he could to go to SRJC and later join the military, then to San Francisco State, where he studied animation.

He and his wife separated, and he raised their two sons while growing his career in documentary film. Dondero and Browning now live in Occidental. Though Dondero couldn’t wait to get out of Healdsburg, something about those long-ago afternoons at the Aven Theater has stayed with him. “I just instantly was taken by being in that dark room and having the whole world wash away,” he recalls, “having these stories just wash over me. I loved being in that movie theater.”

THE PERSONAL PROPERTY

STORED WITH THE UNDERSIGNED.INCLUDING MISC. HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, TOOLS, FURNITURE, TOYS & BOXES. THE LANDLORD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO BID AT THE AUCTION.

AUCTION IS SUBJECT TO PRIOR CANCELLATION IN THE EVENT OF SETTLEMENT BETWEEN LANDLORD & OBLIGATED PARTY. ALL GOODS

THE CHALLENGE A family home in Petaluma is where most of the action takes place in 'War of the Wills.'

WILL THE FATHER Steven David Martin, of the Raven Players, has one of two lead roles in ‘War of the Wills,’ now available on Amazon Prime Video.

Photos courtesy of George Dondero

DIRECTOR George Dondero, writer-director of ‘War of the Wills,’ his first film.

Independence Day

their Duck Dash and all that,” she said.

Kids Parade & Duck Dash (10am-1pm): The City of Healdsburg, in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise, is holding an all-ages event in the Plaza area on Tuesday. Signups for the Kids Parade start at 10am; the parade itself is at 11am.

Youngsters are encouraged to dress in costume, and to arrive on bikes, tricycles and wagons adorned with red, white and blue decorations.

Other events include lawn games, face painting and Duck Dash races.

What is a Duck Dash?

Participants are asked for a $2 donation to adopt a small rubber duck, decorate it and watch it race to the splash zone. Donations will benefit the good deeds of Rotary in the

local community, including scholarships, teacher appreciation and other Sunrise Rotary projects.

Music will enhance the party atmosphere as well, from Court ‘n’ Disaster, the Russian River Ramblers and the Healdsburg Community Band. Free lemonade, hot dogs, snow cones, popcorn and street corn will be available.

Prune Packers (4pm): Not a team to let an occasion pass by unnoticed, the California Collegiate League reigning champion Healdsburg Prune Packers will have their own July 4 celebration at Rec Park, starting at 4pm. They play the Novato Nicks, a nonaligned collegiate team from Marin County.

“On the 4th, we are honoring our own first responders, Bell’s

Ambulance,” said team president Richard Bugarske. “If you call 911, they are there in a flash, and you know you are in good hands.” Further details are in the works.

Music: In a non-city celebration, The Elephant in the Room (177 Healdsburg Ave.) promises an “Independence Day Mini Fest,” including Tony Glaser’s Band of Theseus, the John Courage Trio, and Treasures, plus a Philly cheesesteak pop-up. Starts at 2pm; lasts until the city’s fireworks. $20 at the door.

City Fireworks (approximately 9:30-10:10pm): Independence Day fireworks show will return on schedule, expected to start after 9:30pm and continue for about half an hour. The pyrotechnics are created by Pyro Spectaculars by Souza, courtesy Healdsburg’s American Legion post, with financial support from the Healdsburg

Tourism Improvement District.

Suggested viewing areas include Fitch Mountain School, with its broad grassy field, and the parking area at Healdsburg High. There will be restricted access within the main high school grounds and playing fields where the fireworks are set up.

Street closures are limited to University between Badger and Monte Vista, and Sanns Lane between University and Harold Lane. Experienced fireworks viewers know that immediately following the show the streets in the wider neighborhood are full of pedestrians, so caution is imperative for all drivers and pedestrians.

Police Chief Matt Jenkins said the department was “upstaffing on the 4th of July to cover the events and provide sufficient patrol coverage for the rest of the City.”

City Manager Jeff Kay reminds the community

that no personal fireworks, including so-called “safe and sane” fireworks, are permitted in Healdsburg. “We will be doing our part to provide a really great show for the community, but we're asking everybody to partner with

us and not provide their own shows,” he said.

Kay also noted that the Healdsburg Memorial Bridge will be illuminated in red, white and blue, in accordance with a recently adopted decorative bridge lighting policy.

Photo courtesy of City of Healdsburg

PATRIOTIC BRIDGE Healdsburg's Memorial Bridge is lit up for the 4th of July, 2022. The bridge will again show its colors for this year's Independence Day season, starting June 30.

Photo by Douglas Pile

RACEWAY The flume where the rubber ducks dash for glory in the 2018 Duck Dash, at Healdsburg Plaza.