Month: July 2022

Longtime Orland-area resident John J. Wilder, Sr., died of cardiac arrest on Monday, July 11, 2022. He was born in Red Bluff to Henry Dewey and Clara Mildred Wilder on Dec. 4, 1944.

His family has made Tehama and Glenn Counties home for more than 100 years. John’s grandfather brought his young wife across the plains in a covered wagon.

Their descendants made their homes in Glenn, Tehama and Shasta Counties. Soon, annual Wilder reunions were held not only at the original homestead, Wilder Cabin in the Paskenta Mountains, but then at Bidwell Park and Woodson Bridge.

He worked for many years at Royce’s Tire & Muffler, then the Vereschagin Farms. His last place of employment before retiring to enjoy life was Sunsweet Dryers.

On June 5, 1989, he married Donna, and from that day forward he enjoyed exploring the United States, almost accomplishing his goal of driving to every state in the U.S. He tried to fill every moment, whether it was the horseback riding in Yellowstone Park with the grandkids or feeding bear cubs a bottle of milk while there.

He went out of his way to find new adventures. A highlight was a trip to Colorado for a cattle roundup, camping out without knowing if elk were going to come into camp and the thrill at the end of the day seeing the cattle rounded up.

His love of his paint horses was well known, as evidenced by the photo of his beloved APHA Champion Rhinestone Robin on his headstone.

Survivors include his wife, Donna; stepsons Marcus Vitchell of Arkansas and Scott James of California; step-grandchildren Makayla, Jessica and Austin James; daughters Tina of Texas and Kathy Bradshaw of Red Bluff; grandson Chris Wilder; granddaughter Chantel Roberts of Chico; three great-grandchildren; sister Clara Myers of Orland; nieces Cindy Hintz, Susie Winbolt, Mona Livingston, and Molly Cole, all of Orland; and nephew Fred Hintz of Ohio. John used to love to go into the Shell gas station, where his grandniece, Kelly Pihaylic of Orland, worked, because when she saw him she would yell, “Uncle Johnny!” and always took the time to ask how he was.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Dewey and Clara Mildred Wilder, who both died in Orland; son John who died in Red Bluff; brothers Eddy, who died in Idaho, Chuck, who died in Orland, and Bill, who also died in Orland; sister Leona Carroll who died in Orland; and nephew Tom Blunkall who also died in Orland.

No services are planned.

Glenn County Observer

A great deal more has been learned regarding the death of Jordan Windus, whose lifeless body was discovered in a trailer parked in the lot behind a Willows business on Friday, July 1.

You may remember that at about 8:24 a.m. on that date, Anthony Bassetti of Willows Automotive, 200 Garden Street, called 911 to report a death at that location. The decedent was inside an ECO model travel trailer parked in the business’s rear lot.

According to a public document obtained by The Glenn County Observer, Glenn County Sheriff’s Deputies Mitchell Tuma and Trevor Goodwin, along with medical personnel, soon arrived on the scene, where the deputies found an uncooperative man who appeared to be having a medical emergency. The man, later identified as Brian Wuelfing, could not answer any questions and was unable to move without assistance.

He was transported to Glenn Medical Center by ambulance.

Another man, later identified as Jordan Windus, about 27, of Corning, was found just inside the door of the trailer. Deputy Goodwin quickly realized Windus was dead because, when the deputy attempted to roll him over, he immediately noticed his entire body displayed rigor mortis.

The deputies also saw there was a large amount of what appeared to be blood around the decedent.

Anthony Bassetti was interviewed and told deputies he allowed Wuelfing to live in the trailer on the property. Bassetti said that Wuelfing was an employee of the business, and Wuelfing himself stated on one of his Facebook pages that he was a smog technician at Willows Automotive.

Bassetti also knew Windus was an acquaintance of Wuelfing and would commonly visit Wuelfing at the trailer. Bassetti went to the trailer at about 8:20 a.m. to see why he had not shown up to work yet and that was when Bassetti found Windus’s body and called 911.

Glenn County Sheriff’s Sergeant Travis Johnsen arrived on the scene after Deputies Tuma and Goodwin. They told Sgt. Johnsen that when they arrived at the scene the door to the trailer was already open and they immediately saw the decedent right at the threshold to the trailer.

The deputies heard Wuelfing and helped him out of the trailer. The deputies told Sgt. Johnsen that Wuelfing did not make any coherent statements and did not seem to know what was going on.

According to Sgt. Johnsen, Deputy Goodwin thought Wuelfing was having a medical emergency and had possibly overdosed on drugs.

Sgt. Johnsen entered the trailer to look at the body. Windus was wearing a shirt and pants, so Sgt. Johnsen could only see his lower arms and the front of his head.

It was clear that Windus had been bleeding from his mouth and there was blood on his face. He also had what appeared to be an injury to the top of his head.

Without further manipulating the body or disturbing the evidence, Sgt. Johnsen could not tell where all the blood in the trailer had come from. It was unclear if Windus had major trauma to other parts of his body.

Based upon the presence of full body rigor mortis, Windus had likely been dead between eight and 12 hours.

Just inside the trailer’s threshold, Sgt. Johnsen saw a white baggie containing a white powder and loose white powder next to a credit card on a counter. Sgt. Johnsen recognized the white powder to possibly be a drug and he knew that drug users commonly use a credit card to scrape powdered drugs into a line to snort them.

Sgt. Johnsen also saw an unspent .22 caliber bullet laying on the floor near the body of Windus.

Sgt. Johnsen wrote that he has been to many incidents involving people who have died after overdosing on drugs, but he has never seen a person who has died from a drug overdose who sustained major trauma and blood loss as a result of overdosing alone. “Based on the blood loss and what appeared to be trauma to [Windus’s] head,” Sgt. Johnsen believed “criminal activity could have caused or contributed to [Windus’s] death.”

As of 11 a.m. on July 1, Wuelfing was still at Glenn Medical Center, displaying symptoms of being under the influence of a drug and unable to give an explanation as to what happened to Windus or why he had been dead for so long without Wuelfing calling for help. However, Wuelfing did tell Glenn County Sheriff’s Sergeant Jon Owens that the white powder in the trailer was fentanyl.

“Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opiate,” Sgt. Johnsen wrote. “Just 2 mg [milligrams] of pure fentanyl is enough to kill a person.”

Sgt. Johnsen also said that the “high” of an opiate lasts between six and eight hours. This means that it is likely that at some point in time, Wuelfing would have been sober enough to realized Windus had died or was having a medical emergency.

“It is unknown why Wuelfing did not call for help,” Sgt. Johnsen wrote.

The sheriff’s office requests, “Anyone with information should call 530-934-6441.

Patty Gomez of Orland died at Enloe Hospital in Chico on Monday, June 27, 2022. She was born in Michoacán, Mexico, to Rafael, Sr., and Catalina Martinez on Dec. 24, 1966.

She went to Orland Elementary Schools and Orland High School. After high school, she worked at Migrant Summer School, the Inkwell, and ran her own home daycare.

She married Daniel Gomez and had a son named Daniel Gomez. She celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary this June.

She enjoyed crafting, baking, decorating at events and making party favors. She enjoyed hosting her annual Virgin de Guadalupe celebration every year.

She was a great caregiver to her mother, great childcare provider, great mom, sister, sister-in-law, comadre, aunt, godmother and daughter. She always greeted you with a “Hello … Hello …” and smile.

She enjoyed welcoming everyone into her home. Everyone was family. She was loved by the whole Orland community. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel Gomez; son Daniel Gomez; mom Catalina Martinez; brothers Rafael Martinez, Jr., of Orland, and Alejandro Martinez of Willows; sisters Marisela Martinez and Teresa Gutierrez, both of Sacramento; nephew and godson Carlos Martinez; niece Marina Martinez; nephews Ivan and Andres Gutierrez; and nieces Viviana Gutierrez and Reyna Martinez. She was preceded in death by her father, Rafael Martinez, Sr.

Her viewing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, and a Rosary is scheduled for recitation at 7 p.m. the same day at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Orland. Her funeral is planned for 10 a.m. on Friday, July 15, also St. Dominic’s Church in Orland.

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

With her loving family by her side, Mary Couto died peacefully at Glenn Medical Center in Willows on Wednesday, July 7, 2022. The oldest of five children, she was born in Feteira, Terceira, Açores, to Manuel Gonçalves Silva and Maria Joaquina Dinis Silva on Dec. 29, 1919.

She had four brothers: Manuel, Francisco, John and Antonio. Her father was a carpenter, and her mother was a homemaker.

On Oct. 9, 1943, she married Jose Vaz Couto. They were blessed with three children: Joe, Ermelinda and Frank.

On May 20, 1960, Mary and her family immigrated to the United States of America, in search of a better life. They lived in Tulare, Lemoore and Tipton, Calif., before settling in Willows after purchasing their dairy cows on March 15, 1963.

Tragically, Joe passed away two weeks later, on April 2, 1963. Mary along with her children persevered with the dairy and were successful over the years.

Mary retired from the dairy in 1977, while her sons, Joe and Frank, remained to run the dairy and farming operations.

Mary’s hobbies included sewing, crocheting, baking, playing cards and spending time with her family, especially around the Christmas holidays. She was a member of S.P.R.S.I., Our Lady of Miracles Society of Gustine, Our Lady of Fatima Society of Turlock, Our Lady of Fatima Society of Thornton and St. Monica’s Catholic Church.

She was a woman of great faith and strength. Her greatest joy in life was being with her family and sharing in their milestones.

She especially loved the special bond that she had with her great-grandchildren. They always knew that she had a full cookie jar and 7-Up in the refrigerator for them.

She was an inspiration to her family and those who knew her. She was the greatest teacher, showing everyone must persevere in life and continue in the journey ahead in spite of the tragedies experienced.

The family would like to thank the women who took such good care of Mary the past six months: Maria, Savanna, Anna, Sara, Lily and Kelly. The family would also like to thank the staff at Glenn Medical Center in Willows for the kindness and compassion they showed Mary and the family during her last days.

She is survived by her two sons Joe (Frances) Couto of Willows, and Frank (Suzan) Couto of Willows; grandchildren Patricia (Clemente) Lopes of Turlock, Lorene (Joe) Silva of Willows, Erma (Manuel) Ornelas of Turlock, Joe (Kristi) Couto of Willows, Eli Mendonça, Jr., of Turlock, Carla (Jason) Huttman of Willows, Conway (Marianne) Couto of Willows, and Mathew (Jocelyn) Mendonça of Modesto; great-grandchildren Mark and Anthony (Elizabeth) Lopes of Turlock, Emily and Jared Silva, Karmella Couto, Gabe, Connie and Jesse Huttman, Carter, Lane, Emma and Luke Couto, all of Willows, Matelyn, and Madison and Joseph Mendonça of Modesto; sister-in-law Fatima Silva of Tracy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Maria Silva; her husband of 19 years Joe V. Couto; daughter Ermelinda C. Mendonça; Son-in-law Eliseu S. Mendonça; brothers Manuel G. Silva, Francisco G. Silva, John G. Silva and Antonio G. Silva; sisters-in-law Ermelinda Silva, Vivelina Silva and Rosa Silva.

A viewing is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, at F.D. Sweet and Son in Willows. A Rosary, followed by the funeral Mass, is planned at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 15, at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Willows.

Graveside services are to follow Mass at the Willows Cemetery. A reception is to follow graveside services at St. Monica’s Parish Hall.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of F.D. Sweet and Son of Willows. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mary Couto to St. Monica’s YLI or any favorite charity.

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, July 1:

11:44 a.m., Xiong Lee, 39, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging failure to appear after being released on his own recognizance (a misdemeanor). Total bail was set at $47,000. He was taken into custody at 929 Bridge Street, Colusa, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

2:42 p.m., Felipe Joaquin Cortes, 43, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail on a court remand with charges alleging possession of a controlled substance (a felony), and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (a misdemeanor). He was taken into custody at the jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Saturday, July 2:

No one was booked into the Glenn County Jail on this date.

Sunday, July 3:

12:49 p.m., Lucky Bob Wyatt, 39, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Total bail was set at $9,000. He was taken into custody at County Road 51 and South Sacramento by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

9:24 p.m., Willie James Staten, 45, of Berkeley, 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 1481 County Road 57, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Monday, July 4:

6:28 a.m., Curtis Caroll Hart, 55, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging disobeying a court order (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $2,000. He was taken into custody at 1300 West Wood Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

10:45 a.m., Ian Thomas Alves, 36, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor) and a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bail on the fresh charge was set at zero, but bail on the warrant was set at $15,000. He was taken into custody on Highway 162 across from the Willows Walmart by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

4:02 p.m., Meagn Marie Wade, 21, of Chico, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a felony charge. Bail was set at $30,000. She was taken into custody at 811 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

5:15 p.m., Jose Juan Robledo Lopez, 42, of Fresno, 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 with a license suspended for driving while under the influence (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at $15,000. He was taken into custody on the southbound side of Interstate 5, south of County Road 68, by a California Highway Patrol officer.

7:54 p.m., Jose Alfredo Marmolejo, 28, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Total bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody on County Road 8 near Orland by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Tuesday, July 5:

1:36 a.m., Bentz Chanhdara, 21, 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 Jaffe Lane at Gable Drive by an Orland police officer.

11 a.m., Brian Xavier Aguayo, 28, of Santa Clarita, was booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail on a court remand with charges alleging misdemeanor violation of probation. He was taken into custody at the Glenn County Superior Court by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

11:13 a.m., Heather Yolanda Reed, 48, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear after being released on her own recognizance (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $2,000. She was taken into custody at Sixth and Tehama Streets by an Orland police officer.

11:22 a.m., Lucky Bob Wyatt, 39, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a court remand with charges alleging using or being under the influence of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $3,000. He was taken into custody a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

10:54 p.m., Analise Deyannara Jones, 19, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging grand theft (a felony). Bail was set at $10,000. She was taken into custody at Walmart, 470 North Airport Road, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

10:59 p.m., Nicholas Walter Potter, 21, of Colusa, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging grand theft (a felony), and violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $20,000. He was taken into custody at Walmart, 470 North Airport Road, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Wednesday, July 6:

7:11 a.m., Makayla Irene Eisenbeis, 24, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging willful cruelty to a child resulting in possible injury or death (a felony). Bail was set at $50,000. She was taken into custody at 127 Villa Court, apt. #2, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

8:11 a.m., Jason Michael Stewart, 46, of Corning, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of personal identifying information with intent to defraud, and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (both misdemeanors), and a warrant failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bail for the fresh charges was set at zero, but bail for the warrant was set at $4,000. He was taken into custody at 475 North Humboldt Avenue, apt. #210, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

8:30 a.m., Amber Reyanne Pangborn, 42, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on warrants alleging failure to appear on a felony charge, and failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Total bail was set at $29,000. She was taken into custody at the Butte County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

2:28 p.m., Aaron Jeremiah Potts, 33, of Red Bluff, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging misdemeanor violation of probation. Bail was set at $7,000. He was taken into custody in the 500 block of West Oak Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

2:28 p.m., Dewayne Alvin Wonderling, 56, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging failure of a transient to update his registration as a sexual offender every 30 days (a felony). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at the jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

4:26 p.m., Pedro Quin Cuin, 24, 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 600 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

4:34 p.m., Gilberto Medauday Rubio, 45, 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 1125 Juniper Drive, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

5:22 p.m., Kyle James Weise, 36, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging oral copulation with a victim under 10 years of age (a felony), and annoying or molesting a victim under 18 years of age (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $502,000. He was taken into custody at the jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

Thursday, July 7:

6:37 a.m., Manuel Anthony Villarrial-Magana, 22, of Arbuckle, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging felony violation of probation. Bail was set at $30,000. He was taken into custody at the parking lot at 600 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County probation officer.

2:47 p.m., Bryan Paul McLain, 19, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a felony charge. Bail was set at $20,000. He was taken into custody at the jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

4:37 p.m., Chrysan Carlson Daniels, 51, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging resisting or obstructing an executive officer (a felony). Bail was set at $25,000. He was taken into custody at 700 North Murdock Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.

A few years ago, Michael “Beefy” Vonalmen was a regular in Glenn County’s law enforcement logs. Among the more noteworthy incidents involving him, in July of 2014 he was arrested by GLINTF on drug charges. And in January of 2015, while on the west side of Orland, he was stabbed in the chest. Then he disappeared for a few years. But shortly after midnight on Friday, July 8, he showed up again. The 36-year-old was taken into custody after his considerably less than street legal Yamaha motorcycle broke down on Papst Avenue, just south of East Walker Street. There, he was taken into custody for a felony warrant. Above, Orland Police Officer Thomas Roenspie works on some of the paperwork for the vehicle breakdown and arrest. Few other details are currently available. Watch for an update next week. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.

Glenn County Observer

Steve Burdell Currier, convicted of murder following a 1984 stabbing in the Crossroads Bar in Willows, was denied parole on Thursday, June 30.

On June 30, Steve Currier entered into a three-year parole denial stipulation at the virtual parole board hearing. He will serve an additional three years before parole will be considered again.

District Attorney Dwayne R. Stewart wrote a letter to the California Board of Parole Hearings, voicing Glenn County’s opposition to his parole from California State Prison-Corcoran and attended electronically. The hearing was also attended by Bill and Patricia Stewart, the victim’s father and stepmother.

Inmate Currier, now 61 years old, was previously convicted of murder and sentenced to 31 years to life. On Nov. 6, 1984, Steve Currier, then 26, was harassing and threatening to kill another patron (S.M.) at the Crossroads Bar.

The inmate told S.M. he “would take care of him” and revealed a knife, threatening to “cut his heart out” and saying that it was nothing for him to take a life. A third patron, Todd Stewart, stood up and began to put on his coat and Mr. Stewart remarked that Currier was not really going to stab anyone.

Inmate Currier responded by stabbing Mr. Stewart, who succumbed to his wounds later that night. Meanwhile, Currier threatened the bartender, who locked herself in the bar’s office, telling her, “If you snitch on me, I’ll cut your heart all the way out.”

The inmate stated to a registered nurse drawing his blood that night, “I finally got my wish, I got someone.”

Currier had previously been convicted in 1978 of assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, for shooting (non-fatally) a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

Previous to this crime, Currier had spent most of his adult life incarcerated in the prison system.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

The final vote count is in.

The final report from the Glenn County Elections Department, released on Wednesday, July 6, states that Justin Gibbs received 2,951 votes in the June 7 election, while incumbent Sheriff Richard Warren received 2,799 votes, a difference of 152 votes.

By far the closest race in the county, 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 as mail-in ballots continued to come in. The fourth unofficial results showed Gibbs with 2,075 votes, and Warren with 2,041, giving Gibbs a lead of 34 votes.

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

On Sunday, June 26, Sheriff Warren sustained major injuries after the motorcycle he was riding crashed. He was off duty at the time.

The accident occurred while Warren was riding a 2021 Harley Davidson west on Ord Ferry Road, just west of Emily Way, in Butte County.

Warren was transported by FlightCare helicopter to Enloe Medical Center in Chico for what the CHP described as “possible serious injuries”. He is reportedly now out of the Intensive Care Unit.

All newly elected county officials are scheduled to take office on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

The identity of the person whose body was found in Willows on Friday, July 1, has been released by the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office.

At about 8:25 a.m. on Friday, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office received call from Anthony Bassetti of Willows Automotive regarding a deceased person in a trailer on the property. Later that same day, Jillian R. Hughes, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Administrative Services Officer, issued a four-sentence news release concerning what she called “a suspicious death” in the Willows area.

The release stated that deputies “are on scene” but did not indicate where the “scene” is. However, police scanner chatter suggested the incident was on Garden Street, and photos posted on the “Willows Uncensored” Facebook page showed law enforcement activity on or very near the rear lot of Willows Automotive, 200 Garden Street.

At one point, a deputy was heard on the scanner saying that the incident involved “an 11-44” (coroner’s case), while a second person was transported by ambulance to Glenn Medical Center.

The news release stated further, “At this time, there is no additional information available; however, updates will be provided when possible.” The sheriff’s office also requested, “Anyone with information should call 530-934-6441.

On Tuesday, July 5, the GCSO released its sheriff’s logs. The item for 8:25 a.m. on July 1 stated, “Anthony Bassetti called from 200 Garden Street in Willows to report he had found a person deceased in a trailer on the property.”

The log item continues, “Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies and medical personnel arrived on scene and found Brian Wuelfing suffering from a medical emergency. Wuelfing was transported via ambulance to Glenn County Hospital for medical treatment.”

The sheriff’s log goes on to say that upon their arrival at the scene, deputies located Jordan Windus, who was deceased. Windus’s next of kin were notified.

The log concludes, “An investigation was initiated.” The log also indicates that investigators were at the scene until about 5:45 p.m.

Windus, originally from Santa Rosa, attended Corning High School. He later studied heating, ventilation and air conditioning in Redding.

He was about 27 years old at the time of his death.

Apparently, the only legal transgression Windus ever committed in Glenn County concerned possession of less than an ounce of marijuana when he was about 18 years old. Then, on Jan. 2, 2019, he was arrested in Corning on charges alleging possession of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor), possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (a misdemeanor), and possession of metal knuckles (a felony).

Information regarding Brian Wuelfing indicates he was from Hamilton City earlier in his life. More current information has Wuelfing himself saying he lives in Willows, but information from the sheriff’s office states that he lives at an address on Main Street in Corning.

Wuelfing has also said he is a smog technician at Willows Automotive.

His court record in Glenn County consists of nothing more serious than several traffic infractions, and a few civil disputes.

If you missed this year’s 4th of July celebration at Vinsonhaler Park in Orland, here are some photos of the event. All photos by Larry Judkins of the Glenn County Observer.