According to a press release issued Thursday, Aug. 11, by the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, the pilot who was killed in an aircraft crash on Tuesday has been identified as Jack Davis of Sacramento.
As reported yesterday in The Observer, at about 10:55 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 9, Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of County Roads 71 and F for a report of a downed aircraft. The location of the crash was soon determined to be in Colusa County, just south of the Colusa-Glenn County line.
Besides the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, the Willows Fire Department, the Maxwell Fire Department, and Enloe Ambulance also responded.
The Glenn County Sheriff’s log gave the tail number, or N-number, of the plane: N51YX. This number can guide one to numerous websites with useful information.
The aircraft was a 2007 Sonex Waiex, a fixed-wing single-engine plane. The builder (and, apparently, longtime owner) of this kit plane was Raymond A. Krause of Sacramento and Colusa.
Apparently since June 4, the plane was co-owned by Jack R. Davis of Sacramento and Clinton B. Jewett of Colusa. According to Thursday’s press release from the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, the pilot who was killed was Jack Rodney Davis, 73.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were notified and have taken over the investigation. The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone with information call Lt. Jose Ruiz at 530-458-0200.
A small plane crashed near the Colusa-Glenn County line late Tuesday morning, killing its pilot, who was the sole occupant.
At about 10:55 a.m. on Aug. 9, Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of County Roads 71 and F for a report of a downed aircraft. The location of the crash was soon determined to be in Colusa County, just south of the Colusa-Glenn County line.
Besides the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office, the Willows Fire Department, the Maxwell Fire Department, and Enloe Ambulance also responded.
According to the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office’s press release, they were told of the crash and fire at 11:06 a.m. The crash scene was found and the pilot was confirmed to be deceased.
At one point, a Glenn County deputy was heard on the scanner, saying he could not get close to the plane because of the fire.
The Colusa County press release stated, “At this time no additional information of the pilot is available.” However, the Glenn County Sheriff’s log gives the tail number, or N-number, of the plane: N51YX.
This number can guide one to numerous websites with useful information. The aircraft was a 2007 Sonex Waiex, a fixed-wing single-engine plane.
The builder (and, apparently, longtime owner) of this kit plane was Raymond A. Krause of Sacramento and Colusa. Apparently since June 4, the plane was co-owned by Jack R. Davis of Sacramento and Clinton B. Jewett of Colusa.
It is unknown if one of these three men was the pilot who was killed.
The plane was scheduled to depart Colusa County at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. It was last seen four minutes later.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are the primary agencies responsible for investigating the crash. The Colusa County Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone with information call Lt. Jose Ruiz at 530-458-0200.
Harold “Sonny” Duane May, Sr., died at his home in Willows on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. He was born in Baker, Ore., to Edward May and Lorraine Long on Jan. 14, 1937.
He moved to Glenn County as a young boy with his family. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Germany for three years.
Upon discharge, he moved home to be near his mother, where he met his one true love, Jacqueline Victorine. They were married on May 10, 1961, and celebrated 60 years of marriage before her death in January of 2022.
He worked for most of his life as a heavy equipment operator for several private contractors, lastly for Walt Henning and Son. He especially enjoyed building Forest Highway 7.
In later years, he worked as a fuel delivery driver for Valley Petroleum. He also worked additional jobs for many years: a bartender at Chapman and Carroll’s Stand Up Bar, where he played horseshoes and shuffleboard with friends and customers, and was known as the champion of both! He also loved working for his friend at Roy Biggs Music and Vending.
In his younger years, he enjoyed helping his children with homework and supporting his children in their 4-H projects, especially raising rabbits. He loved hunting with his sons and working on cars of family and friends.
True pride and enjoyment came from providing for his family.
When family or friends came to visit, he would meet them outside, with tools in his hand, and lift the hood of their car for maintenance inspections and to check the level of fuel in the tank or air in the tires. Without fail, if the levels were low, he would share his famous reminder that it was important to keep the top half as full as the bottom half, and probably cheaper!
Having a large family was important to him. He enjoyed potluck picnics and family gatherings at their home, in the mountains, with the Fonseca family in Princeton, at the Joseph home in Willows, at their mountain cabin, and at the McCarthy homes in Santa Cruz and Bend, Ore.
He loved camping at Potato Patch and traveling in their motor home or camper.
He celebrated his 85th birthday at his home with family. He was a kind, loving and faithful husband, father, and grandfather.
He was a hard-working, generous man and a true friend who found his greatest joy in spending time with his family and helping others. He is truly missed by those who were loved by him.
He is survived by his children, Sharon Overholtzer (Jay) of Orland, Teresa Goodman (Rick), Peggy May, Harold, Jr., (Karen) May of Willows, and Ronnie May (Ginger) of Buhl, Idaho; foster children and raised daughters, Debbie Latimer and Trish Wells of Willows; 15 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert May; and loving wife, Jackie.
A celebration of life is planned to honor Sonny, his wife Jackie May, and her sister, Barbara Felix, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 15, at the Elks Lodge in Willows. Please join his family for a tri-tip potluck, and bring your favorite side dish or dessert, as well as a memory to share and a copy of a photo you have to display.
Joseph Michael Garcia died on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. He was born in Willows to John Michael “Mike” and Loeva “Elaine” (Ward) Garcia on Sept. 22, 1966.
He grew up in Bayliss and attended school in Willows. After graduating from Willows High School in 1984, he made his way to Biggs, where he helped his grandparents, John and Mary Garcia, farm rice.
He eventually purchased his grandparents’ farm and continued the family legacy in Biggs.
Joe was an active member of the community in Biggs and Gridley. He volunteered with the Biggs Fire Department for 12 years, he was an active member of the Gridley Moose Lodge, and spent his Monday nights during the past 20-plus years of football season with his buddies at the Monday Night Football Club.
He was married to the love of his life, Teresa “Teri” Ann Garcia, for the past 16 years. Together they spent most of their weekends in LaPorte, which was their “Happy Place” where Joe was a volunteer at the LaPorte Fire Department, a past Snowmobile Club President, and where he operated the snow groomer in the winter, which was one of the great joys in his life.
Joe had a great love for the outdoors. He especially loved being in the mountains of Plumas County, where he and his wife would spend hours on the back roads, exploring.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed out of state elk hunts with his buddies and fishing at all the local fishing holes. In his younger days, he rode dirt bikes and loved to be in the mountains in the winter on his snow mobile.
He gave of his time for events and assisting anyone who asked for his help with his barbecuing or cooking skills. He loved to feed the people he cared about.
He loved his family and friends deeply.
He is survived by his bride, Teri; children Garret (Sierra) and Jacob, both of Gridley, Nick (Tanya) Becci of Biggs, Michelle (Brad) Royle of Reno, Nev., and Michael Becci of Gridley; brothers Ryan Garcia of Oroville, and Mathew (Cherie) Garcia of Bayliss; nieces Courtney Garcia, Katie (Justin) Hamilton and Kendyl Garcia; and nephew Colby Garcia.
Joe was the best Papa to three beautiful granddaughters who he loved so much, and they just adored him: Adela and Abrielle Becci, and Jillian Bench. These little girls meant the world to him.
Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and Mary Garcia, and James “Red” and Loeva Ward; and father John Michael “Mike” Garcia.
A viewing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11, with services following at 10 a.m. at the Willows First Baptist Church, 154 North Lassen Street. A celebration of his life is planned at noon at the Gridley Moose Lodge on Highway 99 East.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Joe’s memory to the LaPorte Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 180, Clipper Mills, CA 95930.
Sporting a black eye, Julian Arturo Martinez is shown in a booking photo from one of his arrests in June of 2021.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
Longtime Orland transient Julian Arturo Martinez has been convicted and sentenced for arson, a Friday, Aug. 5, press release from the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office revealed.
Martinez was convicted of arson of an inhabited dwelling, a felony. He was sentenced to 828 days in jail and two years’ probation.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Michael Coffee, with assistance from Orland Police Sergeant Kyle Cessna and Officer Edgar Andrade.
According to the Orland Police Log for June 18, 2021, Orland police officers responded to the Black Butte Mobile Home Park, 6386 County Road 200, for a report of a fire and explosion. Following an investigation, Julian Arturo Martinez, then-32, of Orland, was arrested and booked for arson of an inhabited structure.
According to the Glenn County Jail’s news release for this date, at 5:48 p.m., Julian Arturo Martinez, [then-]32, a laborer who lives in Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging arson of an inhabited building (a felony). His bail was set at $200,000. He was taken into custody at 6368 County Road 200 by an Orland police officer.
The Glenn County Observer’s records list literally dozens of mentions of Julian Arturo Martinez between early 2013 and the present. Glenn County court records go back a couple more years.
Most of his encounters with law enforcement officers have involved alcohol or drugs. However, in the morning of June 3, 2021, he was also arrested and booked for indecent exposure and lewd conduct in Library Park, and, later the same day, he was arrested and booked again for allegedly inappropriately touching female employees at Walmart.
The Orland Otters swim team had a “phenomenal finale” to their swim season over the weekend of July 29-31.
Forty-two Orland Otters participated in the three-day NVAL swim championships competition in Redding, with 467 kids over this 112-degree, very hot weekend.
The meet awards were broken down into two groups: seasonal swimmers (like the Orland Otters) and year-round swimmers (like the Chico AquaJets and the Chico Narwhals) who also compete at Junior Olympics, all swimming alongside each other but ranking in these two separate divisions.
Orland’s Otter family took second place in most points scored for a seasonal team! The 42 Orland kiddos swam their hearts nearly right out of their pounding chests, swimming everything from 25 yards to 500 yards.
First place seasonal team Weaverville beat the Otters by just 9.5 points. Third place Redding Swim Team (seasonal) was 278.5 points behind the Otters.
An Otter in the water.
Ruby Neumann, a new board member of the Orland Otters, said, “This right here is cold hard evidence of tremendous personal growth. This was a fun-filled weekend with unforgettable memories, solidifying incredible lifelong friendships.”
Orland High Point Winners:
6&Under Girls: Kylee Galvan, 2nd Place
7/8 Boys: Hudson Romano, 1st Place
11/12 Girls: Stella Reimers, 2nd Place
11/12 Boys: Ayden Champage-Meredyk, 2nd Place
13/14 Girls: Nora Reimers, 2nd place
17/18 Boys: Daniel Niehues, 3rd place
The Hydro Jets and their trophies.
The Willows Hydro Jets had nine swimmers compete in NVALs, four families: Bobadilla, Flowerdew, Throm, and Curiel. Their team scored 670 points and also brought home high point trophies:
Willows High Point Winners:
11/12 Boys: Tavian Bobadilla, 1st Place
15/16 Boys: Nick Flowerdew, 2nd Place
15/16 Boys: Tristan Bobadilla, 3rd Place
17/18 Girls: Billie Throm, 3rd Place
Ruby Neumann commented, “Super proud of our two teams! These kids definitely deserve recognition for their hard work all summer long.”
The Otters began practice on May 16 and just had their awards night on Aug. 3.
On Friday, the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol issued a news release concerning Wednesday’s fatal accident on Interstate 5.
According to CHP Officer Rodney Pozzi, at about 12:40 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 3, Tomas Juan Gaspar, 41, of Pixley, Calif., was driving his 2008 Cadillac SUV north on I-5, south of County Road 24, in the fast lane at an unknown speed.
For reasons that are still being investigated, Gaspar steered his vehicle to the left, into the gravel median of I-5, south of Road 24.
Gaspar steered his SUV back to the right, causing his vehicle to travel in a northeasterly direction, across the northbound lanes of the freeway.
As the Cadillac traveled onto the dirt and gravel shoulder of I-5, just north of County Road 24, the vehicle overturned several times in a northeasterly direction.
As the SUV was overturning, Gaspar was ejected from the vehicle. Gaspar and the vehicle came to rest on the east shoulder of I-5, north of Road 24.
Gaspar, who according to the CHP was not wearing his seatbelts, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the accident.
His passenger, Gloria Valdovinos, 34, of Pixley, was wearing her seatbelts and was not injured.
At this time, alcohol is not suspected to be a factor in this accident.
The person killed in a single-vehicle accident on Interstate 5 early Wednesday afternoon has been identified.
The accident happened at about 12:40 p.m. on I-5, just north of County Road 24.
Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies, California Highway Patrol officers, Orland police officers, and fire and medical personnel responded to the vehicle accident.
While en-route, Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatchers reported cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was in progress on a man.
Medical and fire personnel exhausted all life saving measures for the man, and at 1:25 p.m., Dr. Shipley of Enloe Medical Center pronounced the 41-year-old Pixley, Calif., resident deceased.
At the time, deputies were unable to determine a next-of-kin while at the scene of the accident, although the sheriff’s log item lists Gloria Maria Valdovinos Moreno of Pixley as an accident witness, as well as Ernesto Juan Gaspar of Ridgeland, Miss., as another witness.
The Glenn County Observer has learned that the deceased is Tomas Juan Gaspar of Pixley.
He was ultimately released to the care of Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary of Orland and the CHP took a report on the accident.
A single-vehicle rollover accident on Interstate 5 left one person dead early Wednesday afternoon, August 3. Confirmed facts are scarce, but according to the California Highway Patrol’s traffic incident page and police scanner traffic, reports of an accident on the northbound side of I-5, just north of County Road 24, began coming in at 12:40 p.m. It is thought that a vehicle rolled over and a person was ejected from the vehicle. Broadcasts heard on the scanner stated that CPR was in progress and a medical helicopter was requested. The incident was eventually said to be an “11-44” (fatality) and the helicopter was cancelled. The scene was not cleared until about 2:45 p.m. Watch for an update on Thursday. Glenn County Observer photos, taken from the County Road 24 overpass, by Larry Judkins.
Orland Police Officers Edgar Andrade, Ryan Martindale and Kat Lowery.
Glenn County Observer
Here are some photos from Orland’s National Night Out. The event took place during the early evening hours of Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Library Park. The National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. All Glenn County Observer photos are by Larry Judkins.
Glenn County Master GardenerCHP Officer Caleb Cleek and Glenn County Supervisor and former OPD Officer Grant Carmon.The Capay Assembly of God was one of the providers of children’s games at Orland’s National Night Out.
The Glenn County Observer 