The Glenn County Observer

Larry Judkins passed away on February 22, 2026, in Chico, California, after a long illness. He was 68 years old.

Larry was born on April 20, 1957, in Des Moines, Iowa. He spent the first five years of his life in Indianola, Iowa, before moving with his family to Southern California in June of 1962. There, he grew up and later graduated from El Monte High School. He went on to attend Rio Hondo College.

Early in his career, Larry worked alongside his father, who owned several businesses. In 1982, Larry accompanied his parents when they moved to Orland, California, where they planned to spend their retirement years. Larry made Northern California his home and built a long career in the service industry, managing motels and becoming known for his dedication, reliability, and friendly nature.

For many years, Larry worked as a journalist at the Sacramento Valley Mirror, where he became well known in the community for his weekly column. Through his writing about atheist issues, he shared observations, and reflections that resonated with many readers and gave a voice to his unique perspective of which he was very proud.

Larry will be remembered for his hardworking spirit, his connection to his community, and the thoughtful words he shared with readers over the years. His presence and perspective will be deeply missed by those who knew him and by the many who followed his writing.

He lived a life rooted in family, work, and community, leaving behind memories that will be cherished by those whose lives he touched. He is survived by his brother, Richard, his nephews, Bill (Crystal), David (Jenise), Phillip, Robert (Julia), Russell, and his niece, Aileonna, (Myion) and Connor, Dani, Michael, Byron, and Alex and Kayden, as well as numerous cousins and other extended family.

Arramgements were with Newton-Bracewell Mortuary, Chico. A private burial will be held at Graves Cemetery.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

Geez!

With just a couple of exceptions, I haven’t even posted anything on my website in months, but still I managed to get threatened with a lawsuit the other day!

On Thursday, September 11, 2025, I received the following message from one Danielle Saltrese, who now apparently lives in Vero Beach, Florida:

“Hello,

“I was found not guilty and the charges against me were dismissed for a traffic violation. My arrest is mentioned in your online blog. Please take it down or my lawyer will sue as the arrest was not valid.”

The reference to which Ms. Saltrese alludes is from the Glenn County Jail booking log posted in The Observer on Friday, March 4, 2022. Yes, 2022.

Underneath the headline, “Glenn County Jail Bookings”, and underneath the reminder, “Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law”, we find this item for Sunday, February 27, 2022:

“12:07 a.m., Danielle Fabre Saltrese, 45, of Oakland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging evading a peace officer, resisting or obstructing a public service officer, and driving with a suspended license (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at $5,000. She was taken into custody at County Roads 45 and J by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.” [Editor’s Note: Emphasis added on September 13, 2025.]

Although The Observer never published (until now) the Glenn County Sheriff’s log item describing what led to Ms. Saltrese’s arrest, it read:

“[At 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2022,] Kevin Vasquez [of Willows] reported a suspicious vehicle in the area of County Road 48 and Washington Street in Willows. Deputies conducted a check of the area and the vehicle was located near County Road 45 and County Road J. Deputy Tuma [reportedly] observed CVC violations and conducted a traffic enforcement stop. Deputy Tuma contacted the driver, Danielle Saltrese of Oakland. Saltrese was [allegedly] uncooperative and [allegedly] drove away from the traffic stop at a slow rate of speed. Deputies followed the vehicle as it drove westbound on County Road 45 and turned into an orchard. Deputies were able to get Saltrese to stop and she was placed into custody. Saltrese was later determined to be a missing person out of Oakland. Saltrese was transported to the Glenn County Jail, where she was released to jail staff for booking.”

According to Glenn County Superior Court records, Ms. Saltrese was arraigned on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. She was charged by Assistant Glenn County District Attorney Michael Coffey for allegedly violating three laws, all of which are misdemeanors:

VC2800.1(a), evading a peace officer;

PC148(a)(1), resisting or obstructing a peace officer; and

VC14601.1(a), driving with a suspended license.

All of these charges against Ms. Saltrese were dropped and the case against her was dismissed by Judge Donald Cole Byrd on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Yes, 2023.

Evidently, Ms. Saltrese only recently discovered that the record of her arrest has been online for three-and-a-half years.

The Observer looks forward to hearing from Ms. Saltrese’s attorney.

All future correspondence from Ms. Saltrese’s attorney or from Ms. Saltrese herself, whether received electronically or by “snail mail,” will be published in The Observer.

All telephone calls will, after the caller is notified, be recorded and later transcribed for publication. If permission to record is not granted by the caller, the call will immediately be terminated.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

As of 2:30 p.m. on Friday, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office has released precisely zero information regarding an incident that occurred on Highway 99 shortly after midnight on Thursday.

Nothing in the sheriff’s logs.

Nothing in the “simple list” of incidents to which sheriff’s deputies responded.

No press release.

Nada.

Here is what The Glenn County Observer knows:

At about 12:10 a.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2025, a deputy found a body on Highway 99 in the area of County Road 28.

More deputies, including a sheriff’s sergeant, arrived and a lieutenant was contacted.

Fire and ambulance personnel were not called because, obviously, there was no need for them.

Roadblock signs were set up and traffic was diverted around the section of Highway 99.

County VIPS (Volunteers In Partnership with the Sheriff) were also called out to help with the detours.

The road was closed for four or five hours.

The body was removed and the investigation at the scene ended at about 5:30 a.m.

The Observer has a possible name for the victim, but will not release it until it is verified.

It is presently unknown by The Observer how the person died. Traffic accident? Hit and run of a pedestrian? Murder? Natural death at the scene? Body dump?

For the time being, the sheriff’s office isn’t talking.

A call to the GCSO by The Observer early Friday afternoon, asking if a press release was going to be issued, received the following response:

“There might be [a press release issued], because it’s still under investigation, so that’s probably why it wasn’t out.”

As for when one might be issued, the GCSO said, “I don’t know when that will be.”

The Observer plans to call back on Monday.

For the past month or two, I have been experiencing some medical issues. As a result, I have not been posting much on The Glenn County Observer page.

This isn’t the first time over the past three or four years that this has happened, but I have always bounced back. I hope the same will happen this time.

In the meantime … my sincere apologies.

Larry

Belinda Frances Hamilton (née Huffman) died peacefully in Willows on Friday, May 16, 2025. She was born on May 12, 1957.

Known as a bubbly, friendly, caring, funny, and dandy person, Belinda brought joy and laughter to the lives of all those she encountered. A devoted Seahawks fan, she loved playing Yahtzee and going for walks.

She especially loved spending time with friends and family, her favorite recreational activity.

She was a dedicated caregiver, spending 30 years working at the hospital. Her beautiful children and her enduring legacy of love, faith, and kindness are among her most significant accomplishments.

A lover of animals, she was particularly passionate about the ASPCA, and she extended her caring nature to her sweet pups, who will greatly miss her.

Her favorite color, purple, reflected her zest for life. As her family remembers and celebrates her extraordinary life, her friends, family, and loved ones will continue to carry her legacy of love and kindness.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Robert Hamilton; children Heather and Jimmy Waddle, Jennifer Pritchett, and Christopher Pritchett; grandchildren Christian and Beau Waddle, Calvin and Ashlynn Pritchett, and Chance Clark; sister Barbara Winkle (Austin); brother Gene Huffman (Roxy); nieces Melissa Cook, Jessie Cronley, and Tami Stevens; nephew Steven Huffman; and several great-nieces and -nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Gene Huffman; mother Frances Huffman; grandmother Bertha Street; and grandfather Rollie Street. Their loving influence played a significant role in her life and helped shape the compassionate person she was.

Orland resident Barton “Bart” Brewer Harwell died on Friday, May 30, 2025. He was born in Orland to Claude Harwell and Clara Schaffer on July 29, 1943.

He spent his whole life in Orland and attended all the local schools. In 1963, when he was around 20 years old, he enlisted in the Army and specialized in the Tank Division.

By 1969, he was honorably discharged from the Army. For 30 years, he worked for Johns Manville as a mechanic for insulation.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He even took a trip to Mongolia to hunt sheep. He was chosen by National Geographic to attend this special trip.

In 1978, he married Dawnmarie and they remained happily married until her death in 2021. He spent a wonderful 55 years married to his love.

He is survived by his sister, Sandra McGranahan; his special niece Dona Starr; and cousins Beverly Pratico, Larry Brubeck, and David Beesley. He was preceded in death by his father, Claude Harwell; mother Clara Harwell; and wife Dawnmarie Coy Harwell.

A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, at Graves Cemetery, west of Orland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary of Orland.

Orland resident Richard Jerry Barnes died on Sunday, June 8, 2025. He was born in California to William and Joan Barnes on May 10, 1949.

He served his country faithfully as a Navy SEAL for many years. After his service in the military, he worked as a welder for 30-plus years.

He is survived by his son, Richard Barnes II (Tera); stepdaughter Julie Sullivan; grandchildren Lacy and Scottie; sister Christie Cornwell; and niece Danielle Parsons.

Burial is planned at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in a private ceremony.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary of Orland.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

“Beware, beware, beware of the naked man,” songwriter Randy Newman sang in1974. “He’s running hard down the street.”

The following story doesn’t concern a naked man, just a man who was dressed to the not-quite-bare minimum.

According to the Orland Police Department log, at about 11:40 a.m. on Sunday, June 1, Orland police officers responded to Sixth Street (Highway 99) at Almond Way for a “report of a man wearing only underwear and socks, walking in the roadway and yelling at passing vehicles. Officers contacted David Hance, 41, of Orland, who displayed signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance. After further investigation, Hance was arrested for allegedly being under the influence of a controlled substance, resisting or delaying a police officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hance was booked into the Glenn County Jail.”

However, the OPD log item left out a detail or two. For example, according to police scanner broadcasts, Hance became aggressive towards the responding officers and a Taser was deployed.

Hance was said to be briefly unconscious and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene. Hance was also taken to Glenn Medical Center for clearance before being booked into the jail.

According to the jail’s booking report, David Allen Hance, 47, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail at about 11:59 a.m. He was charged with allegedly using or being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and obstructing or resisting a public service officer (all misdemeanors). His bail was set at $0.

Another comment heard on the scanner that day was that Hance is on “the arson registry.” A little research found the following:

According to the Glenn County Sheriff’s logs, at about 10:08 a.m. on February 3, 2023, Tammy Turner contacted the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office to report a man by the name of David had assaulted her adult son and set her vehicle on fire. Deputy Chavez responded to the area of 4620 Highway 99. Deputy Chavez contacted Turner and learned David Hance poured gasoline on her 1986 Nissan and ignited the seat. Hance was located and placed under arrest.

While in the back of a patrol vehicle, Hance used a hidden handcuff key to escape from the handcuffs. Hance was re-secured in handcuffs and transported to the Glenn County Jail for booking. Glenn County Communication later reported that Hance had a local warrant and he was booked on the warrant as well.

According to the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office reports for May 12, 2023, David Allen Hance was convicted of arson, resisting or obstructing a public service officer, and battery (all misdemeanors). He was also found guilty of violation of probation, and battery with serious bodily injury (both felonies). He was sentenced to three years in state prison and probation was terminated.

Glenn County Observer

Monday morning, the Willows Office of the California Highway Patrol issued a press release regarding the accident on Highway 162 near Fruto that sent three young people to the hospital early Saturday morning.

According to Officer Arturo Servin of the CHP, at about 3:45 a.m. on June 7, Angelica Callahan, 19, of Willows, was driving her 2004 Acura west on Highway 162, west of Fruto, in a section of the highway that curves to the left, then to the right.

She was driving at a stated speed of 80 miles per hour.

According to Officer Servin, due to her high level of alcohol intoxication and her excessive speed, she lost control of the Acura and it began spinning, which caused it to overturn at least once on the roadway.

The Acura came to rest on its roof in the middle of the road.

The crash caused suspected major injuries to the driver, passenger Ariana Solis, 19, of Willows, and a 17-year-old Willows boy whose name was probably improperly withheld by the CHP.

[Editor’s Note: The Observer knows the name of the boy but will, at least for the time being, continue to withhold it since, if the boy is charged with a crime, it is possible the name was properly withheld. However, names of underaged accident victims cannot legally be withheld merely because the victims are underaged.]

Another passenger, Jaden Fragosa, 18, of Willows, sustained suspected minor injuries.

All of the vehicle occupants were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident, “possibly preventing much more serious injuries.”

Callahan was transported by Flightcare helicopter to Enloe Medical Center in Chico.

Solis and the 17-year-old were transported by ground ambulance.

Fragoso had not been taken to a hospital as of the time that the press release was issued.

Calahan was placed under arrest on alcohol-related charges.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

A rollover crash on Highway 162 near Fruto sent three people to the hospital early Saturday morning, June 7.

The information that follows comes from the California Highway Patrol’s traffic incident website and broadcasts made between the Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatcher and emergency responders.

More precise details are currently unavailable.

The accident occurred at roughly 3:45 a.m. on Highway 162, just west of County Road 303.

The CHP website stated that both lanes of Highway 162 were blocked by the rollover, and that the black sedan that was involved sustained major front-end damage.

Glenn County Sheriff’s Deputy Lourenzo reported that three people were injured in the accident.

At least one of the victims was only 17 years old.

The Flightcare helicopter landed at about 4:25 a.m.

Attempts were made to contact the parents of two of the victims, both of whom were described as being “awake and alert.”

Two of the victims were transported from the scene by ground ambulance. One was transported by Flightcare helicopter.

All were taken to Enloe Medical Center.