Month: June 2022

Glenn County Observer

Apparently, no one was seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision north of Orland Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency responders were dispatched to the accident at the intersection of Highway 99 and County Road 9 at about 2:52 p.m.

The Glenn County Observer’s reporter was running errands when he became aware of the call, seeing fire department vehicles heading north on Sixth Street.

He called a friend who was able to tell him precisely what the emergency was.

The following information comes from the California Highway Patrol’s traffic incident webpage. Information from this source is not always completely accurate and should be treated with a fair amount of skepticism.

By the time The Observer reporter arrived at the scene, only some CHP officers were still there. Fire and other responders were gone.

The CHP page stated the collision involved a red Toyota 4Runner vs. a black sedan.

The black sedan, later described as a Chevy Malibu, reportedly went off the Stony Creek bridge. It had allegedly been travelling at a high rate of speed, according to the CHP website.

In reality, the Chevy left the roadway on the west side of Highway 99, at the north end of the Stony Creek bridge. It crashed through the guardrail there, but did not travel down all the way to the creek bed.

By 3 p.m., all the occupants from the two vehicles were out and walking around.

The Chevy sustained major front-end damage, while the Toyota sustained major rear-end damage. Zips Towing was called for the Chevy; Bambauer Towing responded for the Toyota.

More information is expected late Thursday morning.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

Glenn County Sheriff Richard L. Warren, Jr., sustained major injuries after the motorcycle he was riding crashed early Sunday afternoon in Butte County.

At about 1:15 p.m. on June 26, Sheriff Warren was riding a 2021 Harley Davidson west on Ord Ferry Road, just west of Emily Way.

He was off duty at the time.

According to a news release from the Chico area office of the California Highway Patrol, Warren, 55, of Willows, drove the motorcycle through a right-hand curve, left the roadway, and collided with a fence.

The impact caused the driver to be thrown from the Harley and he struck the ground.

Sheriff Warren was transported to Enloe Medical Center in Chico for what the CHP described as “possible serious injuries”. (A moderator of the Facebook page, Butte County Fires, Accidents, Crimes [BCFAC] wrote that he was transported by Enloe FlightCare helicopter.)

According to the CHP, Warren was wearing his helmet at the time of the accident and “[d]istracted driving or driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol was not a factor in this collision.”

A number of commentators on the BCFAC Facebook page stated they saw more than one motorcyclist on Ord Ferry Road that afternoon. A little later in the afternoon, this Glenn County Observer reporter saw three dozen or so bikers heading west on Highway 32, east of Orland.

A commentator on the BCFAC page posted, “HOG riders were in Chico this weekend for a ride. Harley Owners Group.”

Another post read, “I passed by as well and I couldn’t believe the incredible response! Enloe FlightCare, two engines and lots of police support. This person received the best chance for recovery. Sending prayers!”

According to a press release from the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, “Per Policy, Undersheriff [Jason] Dahl has assumed the role of Acting Sheriff until the time Sheriff Warren returns to the office.”

Ethelena Marie Bill of Willows died in Chico on Saturday, June 18, 2022. She was born in Willows to Harlene McDaniel Mitchell and Robert Bill, Sr., on June 13, 1961.

She went to school at Stonyford, Princeton, and Colusa Elementary, and Willows High School. After high school, she worked at Willows Convalescent Hospital as a laundry attendant.

Later, she moved to Dixon, where she worked at Kragen’s Auto Parts Distribution Center as a stocker. In 2007, “Eds” moved back to Willows.

She was a member of the Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation tribe.

Ethelena “Eds” Bill enjoyed arts and crafts, going to the casino, shopping, getting her hair done, and going to her traditional dances and dinners. She enjoyed the company of others and loved to tell a good story.

Her humor and smile were infectious. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ethelena “Eds” is survived by her mother, Harlene Mitchell of Willows; sisters Nadine Mitchell of Willows and Elizabeth Wilson of Redding; brothers Harold Mitchell of Redding, Charles Mitchell of Willows, Everett T. Mitchell of Cassville, Mo., and Brian Mitchell of Red Bluff.

She wasn’t fortunate to have children of her own but she has seven nieces and eight nephews whom she loved and was very proud of: Nichole, Carlena, Dawn, Samantha, Mya, MaKena, Marissa, Rob, Nick, Jason, Nathan, Donovan, Evan, Ethan and Micha. Also, two great-nephews, Laytan and Anthony, and a great-niece, Satayvah.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Oscar McDaniel and Ethel McDaniel, and Alphosine Kirk and Clyde Kirk; stepfather Everett C. Mitchell; sister Alvagene Mitchell; and aunties Eileen Berryessa, Agnes Burrows, and Genevieve Burrows; uncle Harold R. Mitchell; father Robert Bill, Sr.; and brother Greg Bill.

A viewing is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, at F.D. Sweet and Son, 114 North Shasta Street, Willows. Funeral services are planned for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29, also at F.D. Sweet and Son Willows.

Pallbearers are to be Ron Kirk, Harold Mitchell, Charles Mitchell, Brian Mitchell, Everett C. Mitchell, and Rick Wilson. Andy Dolson is to be the officient.

Burial is to follow at the Willows Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of F.D. Sweet and Son, Willows.

Willows resident Susan Theresa (Price) Crabtree died in Willows on Saturday, June 4, 2022. The youngest of six children, she was born in Ekalaka, Mont., to Robert Jacob and Arbeulah Price on Sept. 13, 1946.

Upon her father’s death, Susan and her mother moved to Milles City, Mont., where Susan graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic High School. She then moved to Gillette, Wyo., where she earned her beautician certificate and became a licensed, practicing beautician.

She came to California in early 1969 to visit family. Here, she met a young man, Ray Crabtree, in February of 1969 and became his wife on June 28, 1969.

While being wife and mother, Susan also held various occupations before retiring: daycare provider, house cleaner, in-home caregiver, yard duty attendant, school custodian, kitchen assistant, baker, and lead cook for Murdock Elementary School. She was dedicated to her Catholic faith and volunteered when and where she was needed at St. Monica’s Catholic Church.

Over the years, she was involved with several organizations, such as Young Women, YLI, Ladies Elks, Bible study and prayer groups, and 4-H. She became involved with 4-H when her children were young, and continued working with 4-H long after her children aged out.

Her hobbies included reading, walking in the park with friends, and traveling. When it came to traveling, her love knew no bounds, from camping at Stony Gorge Reservoir, then over the pond to London, England, with family and friends.

She is survived by her husband and friend of more than 52 years, Ray Crabtree of Willows; daughter Jeanette (Steve) Mendonca of Glenn; son Ray Crabtree Jr. of Willows; grandchildren Tracy (Kole) Packard of Redding, Ashley and Matthew Crabtree of Willows, and Sarah and Teresa Mendonca of Glenn; great-grandchildren Bryan and Liam Packard of Redding; sisters Anne Carroll of Willows and Patricia (Floyd) Halverson of Eugene, Ore.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Robert and Arbeulah Price; sisters Roberta Elmore and Rebecca Lee; and brother James Price.

A Rosary is scheduled for recitation at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Willows. A Funeral Mass is to be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 24, also at St. Monica’s Catholic Church.

Graveside services at the Germantown Cemetery in Artois are to follow the Funeral Mass. A reception at St. Monica’s Parish Hall, coordinated by YLI, is to follow graveside services.

Funeral arrangements are being conducted by F.D. Sweet and Son Mortuary of Willows. Memorial contributions can be made in Susan Crabtree’s name to Willows Senior Nutrition Center or St. Monica’s YLI.

Here are the latest bookings from the Glenn County Jail. Remember: Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Friday, June 3:

3:33 a.m., Steven Leon Tunstall, 60, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at 1011 Newport Avenue by an Orland police officer.

12:45 p.m., Jason Raymond Herr, 40, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, driving while under the influence of alcohol, and violation of probation (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at $20,000. He was taken into custody on Pacific Avenue at West Wood Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

3:04 p.m., Javier Ruben Martinez, 18, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging threatening to commit a crime with intent to terrorize, and exhibition of a firearm or deadly weapon with intent to commit serious bodily injury (both felonies). Bail was set at $160,000. He was taken into custody at 125 Fern Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

6:54 p.m., Colin Kenneth Lock, 27, of Sacramento, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody on the northbound side of Interstate 5 at County Road 39 by a California Highway Patrol officer.

Saturday, June 4:

6:53 p.m., Andy Kao Saechao, 27, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge, and failure to appear on a felony charge. Total bail was set at $175,000. He was taken into custody on West Cedar Street at South Lassen Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Sunday, June 5:

12:01 a.m., Allen Russell Taipale, 34, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at Colusa and Fifth Streets by an Orland police officer.

12:03 a.m., Nayeli Perez, 24, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. She was taken into custody on County Road 9 by a California Highway Patrol officer.

8:43 p.m., Hector Santiz Gomez, 25, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, driving while under the influence of alcohol, and driving without a license (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody on County Road P, north of Highway 32, by a California Highway Patrol officer.

8:55 p.m., Sony Paul Nouanmany, 35, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging causing bodily injury while driving while under the influence of alcohol (a felony). Bail was set at $25,000. He was taken into custody on Highway 162 at County Road 302 by a California Highway Patrol officer.

Monday, June 6:

10:13 a.m., Constance Ann Roth, 65, of Redding, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging disorderly conduct while under the influence of a drug (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. She was taken into custody in the 1200 block of West Wood Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

3:22 p.m., Joshua John Welter, 40, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody at East Colusa Street and Papst Avenue by an Orland police officer.

3:26 p.m., Arthur Craig Harrington, 63, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging trespassing, and public intoxication (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $3,000. He was taken into custody at East Colusa Street and Papst Avenue by an Orland police officer.

4:57 p.m., Jason Shawn Smith, 50, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at Papst Avenue and East Swift Street by an Orland police officer.

6:04 p.m., Markus Christopher Jackson, 21, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging vehicle theft (a felony), possession of a stolen vehicle (a felony), driving with a suspended license (a misdemeanor), and failure to appear on a felony charge. Total bail was set at $50,000. He was taken into custody at 1201 West Wood Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Tuesday, June 7:

7:57 a.m., Alvaro Torres, 39, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a stolen vehicle (a felony). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at 140 Sixth Street by an Orland police officer.

10:50 a.m., Tara Leigh Bessmer, 36, of Richvale, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging misdemeanor violation of probation. Bail was set at $5,000. She was taken into custody at the Glenn County Probation Department, Willows, by a probation officer.

1:22 p.m., Christopher Dean Griffith, 30, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody on Interstate 5, north of County Road 7, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

1:38 p.m., Lisa Marie Heavrin, 45, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, and violation of probation (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at $5,000. She was taken into custody on Interstate 5, north of County Road 7, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

3:05 p.m., Wyatt Deniz, 19, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging misdemeanor violation of probation. Bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody at the Glenn County Probation Department, Willows, by a probation officer.

8:04 p.m., Daniel Macias Flores, 21, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging resisting or obstructing a public service officer (a misdemeanor, with bail set at zero), and a warrant alleging driving while under the influence of drugs (a misdemeanor, with bail set at $13,000). He was taken into custody at 210 West Wood Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Wednesday, June 8:

9:03 a.m., Leandra Marie Joseph, 40, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a controlled substance, and driving on a suspended license (both misdemeanors, with bail set at zero), and warrants alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge (with total bail set at $40,000). She was taken into custody on West Wood Street, east of Murdock Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11:21 a.m., Brian Benjemin Dreesmann, 35, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bail was set at $9,000. He was taken into custody behind 160 North Butte Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

2:15 p.m., Seth Dasan Dominguez-Feathers, 27, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear after giving a written promise (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $7,000. He was taken into custody at 1201 West Wood Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

2:31 p.m., Lissette Marie Gomez, 28, of Orland, was committed to the Glenn County Jail without bail for a flash incarceration for violation of post-release community supervision (a felony). She was taken into custody on Monterey Street at the railroad tracks, Orland, by a Glenn County probation officer.

3:10 p.m., Casara Renee Worthington-Fragoso, 30, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging using another person’s identification to get credit (a felony), and violation of the food stamp program (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $12,000. She was taken into custody at 1149 Elm Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Thursday, June 9:

2:59 a.m., Jose Alfredo Marmolejo, 28, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail on charges alleging violation of parole (a felony). He was taken into custody at 902 Newville Road by an Orland police officer.

3:23 a.m., Sam Ashley Gannon, 31, of North Shields, England, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging burglary, and assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (both felonies). Bail was set at $55,000. He was taken into custody at 1769 County Road FF, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

2:25 p.m., Kaelene Elizabeth Scritchfield, 30, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging felony violation of probation, misdemeanor violation of probation, violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence (a misdemeanor), and resisting or obstructing a public service officer (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $50,000. She was taken into custody in the parking lot of the Willows Taco Bill on North Humboldt Avenue by a Glenn County probation officer.

8 p.m., Felix Martinez Rincon, 38, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at 416 South Street by an Orland police officer.

11:19 p.m., Jeremy Joseph Bem, 43, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody in the 200 block of North Butte Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Friday, June 10:

8:50 a.m., Markus Christopher Jackson, 21, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging using or being under the influence of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at 600 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

9 a.m., Herlindo Duran Paredes, 31, of Orland, was remanded to the Glenn County Jail without bail for infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant with a prior domestic violence conviction (a felony). He was taken into custody at the Willows branch of the Glenn County Superior Court by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

9:43 a.m., Jennifer May Shockley, 30, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging resisting or obstructing a public service officer (a misdemeanor with bail set at zero), and warrants alleging failure to appear after giving a written promise (a misdemeanor with total bail set at $21,000). She was taken into custody in the 400 block of French Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11 a.m., Cody Daniel Goeson, 33, of Sacramento, was remanded to the Glenn County Jail without bail for possession of more than 600 obscene images of minors engaged in sexual acts, sending harmful matter with intent to seduce a minor, and distribution to a minor of obscene matter from a minor with a prior conviction (all felonies). He was taken into custody at the Willows branch of the Glenn County Superior Court by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11:10 a.m., Christopher Wayne Fisher, 37, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, and false imprisonment (both felonies). Bail was set at $35,000. He was taken into custody at 540 South Shasta Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

12:23 p.m., Christopher John Braun, 46, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail on charges alleging violation of post-release community supervision (a felony). He was taken into custody at 19 Walker Street, Orland, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

4:09 p.m., Thomas Joseph Blume, 59, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence, and resisting or obstructing a public service officer (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody at 4340 County Road Q, Orland, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Saturday, June 11:

2:11 p.m., Juan Manuel Herrera, 40, of Corning, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at 1011 Cortina Drive by an Orland police officer.

6:40 p.m., Agustin Naranjas-Palatzin, 33, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, driving while under the influence of alcohol, and driving without a license (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody on Second Street at Swift Street by an Orland police officer.

Sunday, June 12:

2:07 a.m., Mark N Berezhkov, 22, of Red Bluff, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging using or being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at 4444 Commerce Lane by an Orland police officer.

6:46 a.m., Trent Austin Hillman, 51, of Kelseyville, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging public intoxication, and battery on a spouse, ex-spouse, date, etc. (both misdemeanors). Total bail was set at $6,000. He was taken into custody at Walmart, 470 North Airport Road, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

3:51 p.m., Saul Antonio Castellon Hernandez, 34, of Oakland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery with serious bodily injury (a felony). Bail was set at $50,000. He was taken into custody at 7069 County Road 20, Orland, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Monday, June 13:

10:51 a.m., Raul Trevino, 54, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at 320 Byron Way by an Orland police officer.

11:13 a.m., Randall Tyler Cravens, 31, of Lakehead, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of composite or wood knuckles (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero, but he was also held without bail on charges alleging violation of parole (a felony). He was taken into custody at Walmart, 420 North Airport Road, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11:42 a.m., Moriah Lee Ann Mullins, 34, of Lakehead, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a controlled substance, and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at zero. She was taken into custody at Walmart, 420 North Airport Road, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

12:55 p.m., Riley James Dock, 56, of Willows, was remanded to the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant (a felony). Bail was set at $25,000.

2:44 p.m., Bridjet Simone Reed-Nutter, 25, of Artois, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging felony violation of probation. Bail was set at $20,000. She was taken into custody at the Glenn County Probation Department, Willows, by a probation officer.

3:21 p.m., Mariah Sachene Renee Halvorson, 29, of Paradise, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge, possession of IDs belonging to 10 or more people with intent to defraud (a felony), possession of a narcotic controlled substance (a misdemeanor), mail theft (a misdemeanor), possession of burglary tools (a misdemeanor), possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (a misdemeanor), grand theft (a felony), and forgery (a felony). Total bail was set at $87,000. She was taken into custody at 325 Central Street, Orland, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

5:05 p.m., Jarell Michael Burrows, 19, of Elk Creek, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody on County Road 8 at County Road F by a California Highway Patrol officer.

Tuesday, June 14:

11:36 a.m., Khamsone John Boualinthong, 48, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging using or being under the influence of controlled substance (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at 545 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

12:31 p.m., David Hernandez, 37, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail on a court ordered surrender for charges alleging infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant with priors (a felony). He was taken into custody at the jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

1 p.m., Lorina Fragoso, 49, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail on a court ordered surrender for charges alleging using the I.D. of others to get credit (a felony), and violation of the food stamp program (a misdemeanor). She was taken into custody at the jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Wednesday, June 15:

1:53 p.m., Delfino Basurto Diaz, 28, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery on a spouse, ex-spouse, date, etc. (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody at the Cedar Hills Apartments, 600 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Thursday, June 16:

9:05 a.m., Maria Concepcion Paniagua, 42, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging using or being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of another person’s identification with intent to defraud (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at zero. She was taken into custody at South Villa Avenue and West Birch Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

6:53 p.m., Allan Paul Rueda, 32, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a firearm with a prior violent offense conviction (a felony), resisting or obstructing a public service officer (a misdemeanor), possession of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor), and possession of a narcotic controlled substance (a misdemeanor), and warrants alleging disobeying a court order (a misdemeanor), petty theft (a misdemeanor), and felony violation of probation. Total bail was set at $124,000. He was taken into custody on County Road K, north of County Road 20, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

7:17 p.m., while in custody in the Glenn County Jail, Ricardo Hernandez Gonzalez, 24, of Willows, was found to have two warrants, one alleging possession of stolen property, possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and failure to appear after giving a written promise (all misdemeanors), and the other alleging assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and violation of probation (both felonies). Bail for the first warrant was set at $10,000, but the second was a no-bail warrant.

Glenn County Observer

Justin Gibbs has apparently extended his lead over Richard Warren by almost 100 votes in their race for Glenn County Sheriff-Coroner.

The fifth unofficial results from the Glenn County Elections Office, released at about 3:55 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, shows Gibbs with 2,884 votes, and Warren with 2,752 votes. That is a difference of 132 votes.

At 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, the day of the election, the unofficial results showed Warren with 1,616 votes and Gibbs with 1,559, for a difference in Warren’s favor of 57 votes.

Fifty minutes later the same night, Warren had 1,644 votes and Gibbs had 1,596, a difference of 48 votes, still in Warren’s favor.

At 9:41 p.m., the count showed Warren with 1,703 votes and Gibbs with 1,674, for a difference of just 29 votes in Warren’s favor.

At 2:53 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, the lead flipped. The fourth unofficial results showed Gibbs with 2,075 votes, and Warren with 2,041, giving Gibbs a lead of 34 votes.

Gibbs has now added 98 more votes to his lead, it seems.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

Why?

More specifically, many people are wondering why a California Highway Patrol recruit candidate would admit on a CHP questionnaire that he recorded his sexual encounters without his partners’ knowledge and consent.

It’s certainly fortunate that he did confess to this. After all, someone who does something so vile should not be a CHP officer.

Still, the question remains: Why?

On Jan. 13 of this year, the Orland Police Department received a telephone call from CHP Sgt. Andrew Henkens regarding crimes that are believed to have occurred within the City of Orland. These crimes were reportedly discovered during the background process for CHP officer recruit candidate Marcos Martinez, now 26.

At about 2:30 p.m., Sgt. Henkens and CHP Officer Warner met with OPD Sgt. Sean Johnson at the Orland Police Department. Officer Warner said that she had been assigned to conduct a pre-employment background investigation for recruit candidate Martinez, who lives in the City of Orland.

As part of the background investigation, in 2021, Martinez filled out a questionnaire. One question asked, “Have you ever used an electronic device to record someone without their knowledge?”

Martinez allegedly answered, “During my college years I would record with my phone the person I was having sex with without their knowledge and I kept the recording for myself.”

The questionnaire also asked, “Have you ever violated someone’s expectation of privacy by video recording them, or photographing them without their knowledge?”

Martinez reportedly replied, “I have recorded woman [sic] having sex with me without them knowing. I would show them sometimes if they would catch me in the act and would delete it if they asked.”

On Sept. 8, 2021, Officer Warner questioned Martinez further about his responses. During the interview, Martinez allegedly explained that he would meet women at a downtown Chico bar.

After a few drinks, he would invite the women to return home with him. There, without their knowledge or consent, he would record them with his cell phone while having sex with them.

Martinez reportedly claimed that he would keep the recording for himself. Sometimes, he reportedly told the investigator, he shared the recordings with his friends.

When Officer Warner asked if all the women were adults, Martinez replied with, “Mhm,” which the officer interpreted as no. Martinez allegedly admitted to still being in possession of some of the videos, which he keeps on “multiple phones.”

Officer Warner conducted a second interview on Dec. 31, 2021. During this interview, Martinez reportedly admitted to having recorded another sexual encounter with a woman without her knowledge or consent.

This encounter happened about two months earlier, after the first interview with Officer Warner. Martinez stated that he had met the woman on Facebook and they got together.

Martinez said he last viewed the video a month earlier. When asked why he recorded the women, he allegedly responded that it was for his personal use and for his “collection”.

Martinez admitted that he currently has two or three videos in his collection. He further stated, it is alleged, that he still has videos on his old cell phones, which he still possesses.

Martinez is associated with two addresses in northwest Orland. Sgt. Johnson believes it is reasonable that Martinez could have property of value to this case at both or either of these addresses.

According to Sgt. Johnson, it has been his experience that “persons who commit acts of surreptitious recording of sexual partners without their consent often retain the videos, sometimes for years, both for the purpose of their own sexual arousal, but as a form of ‘trophy’ that can be shown off to friends and acquaintances.” He continued, “Martinez admitted during an interview with Officer Warner that he has a ‘collection’ of such videos, which he stores on his phone and older cellular phones.”

Sgt. Johnson also said that persons who commit these kinds of acts “may keep diaries, journals, calendars, or other documents tracking who they met, had a sexual encounter with, and other details about the encounter.” Sgt. Johnson “believes that such documents could help identify potential victims of Martinez.”

Sgt. Johnson requested that the Glenn County Superior Court issue a warrant allowing him to search “digital media, including videos, photographs, and audio recording files that can easily be transferred to other digital media devices, including computers, tablets, and various forms of digital storage, including but not limited to compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), flash media devices (memory cards, USB thumb drives), and others, where they could be accessed and viewed at a later time with relative ease.”

At about 4:48 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2022, Marcos Martinez was booked into the Glenn County Jail by an Orland police officer on a warrant alleging eavesdropping (a felony), and distributing intimate photos of another person (a misdemeanor). His bail was set at $12,000.

Three days later, his bail bond was filed. The district attorney charged Martinez with the same crimes listed above.

Arraignment with a mandatory appearance of Martinez before Judge Donald Cole Byrd is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Friday, August 5.

After Martinez was taken into custody, The Observer attempted to get his booking photo. This request was illegally denied.

The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office and, reportedly, the Glenn County Counsel’s Office, are operating under the mistaken idea that a California law passed in 2021 (AB 1475) forbids the release of many booking photos to the public. In reality, it does no such thing.

Booking photos are still public records and must be released to the public upon request. AB 1475 only applies to law enforcement agencies publishing booking photos on their own social media pages.

The text of AB 1475 follows. References proving the law applies only to agencies’ own social media pages appear in bold.

“Existing law requires law enforcement agencies, departments, or entities to consider specified best practices regarding the downloading and storage of body-worn camera data, including prohibiting agency personnel from uploading recorded data onto public and social media internet websites, when establishing policies and procedures for the implementation and operation of a body-worn camera system.

“This bill would prohibit a police department or sheriff’s office from sharing, on social media, booking photos of an individual arrested on suspicion of committing a nonviolent crime, as defined, unless specified circumstances exist. The bill would require a police department or sheriff’s office that shares, on social media, a booking photo of an individual arrested for the suspected commission of a nonviolent crime to remove the information from its social media page, upon request, unless the same specified circumstances exist.

“The bill would require a police department or sheriff’s office to remove the booking photo of a person who has committed any other crime from social media if the individual’s record has been sealed, the individual’s conviction has been dismissed, expunged, pardoned, or eradicated pursuant to law, the individual has been issued a certificate of rehabilitation, the individual is found not guilty of committing the crime for which they were arrested, or the individual was ultimately not charged with the crime or the charges were dismissed.

“The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

“SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

“(a) In our criminal justice system, suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

“(b) In recent years, law enforcement departments have begun to use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Nextdoor to communicate with the public.

“(c) Some departments post the booking photos of suspects on their social media accounts even though the suspect is no longer at large or an ongoing threat to public safety.

“(d) Information posted to these social media accounts can remain on the internet for years, seriously affecting the life of the person depicted.

“(e) In 2016, the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals stated, in Detroit Free Press Inc. v. United States Department of Justice (829 F. 3d 478, 482) that booking photos are more than just ‘vivid symbols of criminal accusation, booking photos convey guilt to the viewer,’ effectively ‘eliminating the presumption of innocence and replacing it with an unmistakable badge of criminality.’

“(f) The Sixth Circuit also noted that booking photos are ‘snapped “in the vulnerable and embarrassing moments immediately after [an individual is] accused, taken into custody, and deprived of most liberties,’” putting them in the realm of ‘embarrassing and humiliating information.’

“(g) Section 1 of Article 1 of the California Constitution protects the privacy of Californians, including limiting the disclosure of arrest information unless that disclosure serves a compelling state interest (Central Valley Ch. 7th Step Foundation, Inc. v. Younger (1989) 214 Cal.App.3d 415, 151).

“(h) In July 2020, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott instituted a department directive against the release of booking photos in most circumstances because their publication creates an ‘illusory correlation for viewers that fosters racial bias and vastly overstates the propensity of black and brown men to engage in criminal behavior.’

“(i) The Legislature finds that publishing booking photos on social media when there is a low risk to public safety is detrimental to the right to a fair trial because it diminishes the presumption of innocence and potentially violates privacy rights of Californians without a commensurate benefit to public safety.

“SEC. 2. Section 13665 is added to the Penal Code, to read:

“13665. (a) A police department or sheriff’s office shall not share, on social media, booking photos of an individual arrested on suspicion of committing a nonviolent crime unless any of the following circumstances exist:

“(1) A police department or sheriff’s office has determined that the suspect is a fugitive or an imminent threat to an individual or to public safety and releasing or disseminating the suspect’s image will assist in locating or apprehending the suspect or reducing or eliminating the threat.

“(2) A judge orders the release or dissemination of the suspect’s image based on a finding that the release or dissemination is in furtherance of a legitimate law enforcement interest.

“(3) There is an exigent circumstance that necessitates the dissemination of the suspect’s image in furtherance of an urgent and legitimate law enforcement interest.

“(b) (1) A police department or sheriff’s office that shares, on social media, a booking photo of an individual arrested for the suspected commission of a nonviolent crime shall remove the booking photo from its social media page within 14 days, upon the request of the individual who is the subject of the social media post or the individual’s representative, unless any of the circumstances described in subdivision (a) exist.

“(2) A police department or sheriff’s office that shares, on social media, a booking photo of an individual arrested for the suspected commission of a crime identified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5 shall remove the booking photo from its social media page within 14 days, upon the request of the individual who is the subject of the social media post or the individual’s representative, if the individual or their representative demonstrates any of the following:

“(A) The individual’s record has been sealed.

“(B) The individual’s conviction has been dismissed, expunged, pardoned, or eradicated pursuant to law.

“(C) The individual has been issued a certificate of rehabilitation.

“(D) The individual was found not guilty of the crime for which they were arrested.

“(E) The individual was ultimately not charged with the crime or the charges were dismissed.

“(3) This subdivision shall apply retroactively to any booking photo shared on social media.

“(c) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following Meanings:

“(1) ‘Nonviolent crime’ means a crime not identified in subdivision (c) of Section 667.5.

“(2) ‘Social media’ has the same meaning as in Section 632.01, except that social media does not include an internet website or an electronic data system developed and administered by the police department or sheriff’s office.”

The Observer requested the Martinez photo in case there are victims who do not realize they are victims. A photo of the suspect could help bring forward women who did not know they were recorded while having sex with Martinez.

Given that The Observer was denied a recent booking photo, a photo was used that is four or five years old. This photo appears at the top of this story.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

Early in the afternoon of Thursday, June 9, the Orland Volunteer Fire Department was called to provide mutual aid with a vegetation fire along Interstate 5 in Tehama County south of Corning.

At about 1:20 p.m. or so, First Assistant Chief John McDermott was released from the scene and began driving a water tender down Highway 99 to the fire station.

Suddenly, he got on the radio to the fire dispatcher and requested that the California Highway Patrol be called to the area, as there was a recreational vehicle that was being driven “all over the highway.” McDermott later said the camper was even travelling into the oncoming, northbound lane.

A couple of minutes after his first call, McDermott got on the radio again to report that the RV had just collided with a vehicle on Highway 99, just south of County Road 8.

According to the CHP’s news release, at about 1:30 p.m., Charles Rice, 39, of Red Bluff, was driving a 1986 Toyota Dolphin south on Highway 99, south of Road 8, at about 55 miles per hour. Braiden Spencer, 18, of Orland, was driving a 2005 BMW X5 south on Highway 99, south of Road 8, and was slowing for a vehicle in front of him that was making a left turn into a private driveway.

Due to Rice’s unsafe speed for the slowing traffic in front of him, along with his inattention to the roadway due to looking down at his radio, he allowed the front of his Toyota to collide with the rear of Spencer’s BMW. Both vehicles pulled over to the side of the road after the collision.

Both drivers were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accidents. Rice was not injured and Spencer sustained only minor injuries consisting of a complaint of pain.

Neither driver was arrested, although field sobriety tests and a Preliminary Alcohol Screening test were administered to Rice.

Glenn County Observer

On Friday, June 10, Ken Hahn announced his intention to resign from the Glenn County Board of Supervisors, effective Wednesday, June 22.

Hahn represents the Fifth Supervisorial District, which stretches along eastern Glenn County, from the Capay District in the north to Butte City and the rest of Glenn County east of the Sacramento River in the south.

Hahn, who lives in Hamilton City, took his seat on the board in January of 2021 and served on many committees and commissions. He was an advocate for employee telecommuting, the Hamilton City Fire Department, the Hamilton City Community Services District, and the Hamilton City Clean-up.

He encourages the board and staff to continue their efforts related to code enforcement, drought, and the Sites Reservoir.

Hahn took pride in representing the County of Glenn, where he was born, raised, and lived for 60-plus years of his life.

He is stepping down from the board due to a planned relocation to Redding, where he will be closer to family. He hopes to spend time with his grandchildren and travel with his wife, who recently retired.

“I am thankful to have had the opportunity to serve on the Glenn County Board of Supervisors,” Hahn stated in his letter of resignation. “It was a pleasure to work with everyone. I can’t say enough about the people of District 5 in Glenn County, the Glenn County staff, the department heads and my fellow board members. I appreciate them and their hard work.”

The plan is for Hahn’s replacement to be appointed by the governor.

Glenn County Observer

The lead has apparently shifted in the race for Glenn County Sheriff-Coroner.

As mentioned in Wednesday’s Glenn County Observer election results story, Richard Warren’s lead over Justin Gibbs continued to narrow with each vote count by the Glenn County Election Office.

At 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, the unofficial results showed Warren with 1,616 votes and Gibbs with 1,559, for a difference in Warren’s favor of 57 votes.

Fifty minutes later the same night, Warren had 1,644 votes and Gibbs had 1,596, a difference of 48 votes, still in Warren’s favor.

At 9:41 p.m., the count showed Warren with 1,703 votes and Gibbs with 1,674, for a difference of just 29 votes in Warren’s favor.

Now, at 2:53 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, the lead has flipped.

The fourth unofficial results show Gibbs with 2,075 votes, and Warren with 2,041.

This gives Gibbs a lead of 34 votes.