A Southern California driver who was unfamiliar with Glenn County roads sustained minor injuries when he crashed his VW early Friday morning.
According to the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 2:15 a.m. on Oct. 21, Phillip Barton, 52, of Irvine (Orange County), was driving a 2014 Volkswagen north on Sixth Avenue, south of County Road 9, at 60 to 65 miles per hour.
As he approached the intersection with Road 9, he realized too late there was a stop sign.
He attempted to stop but was unable to do so. He drove his vehicle through the stop sign and crossed County Road 9.
His VW struck several pieces of PG&E equipment located near the intersection.
According to CHP Officer Gilliam, Barton sustained minor injuries from this crash and was transported to Enloe Medical Center in Chico for evaluation.
He was wearing his seatbelts at the time of the accident.
He stated he was unfamiliar with the roadway.
Neither alcohol nor drugs were suspected as factors in this crash, and there were no arrests.
A Willows man whose name came up during the investigations of two recent shootings in Glenn County has been sentenced for possession of ammunition by a felon.
On Monday, April 25, of this year, the district attorney’s office charged Jaydien Mounivong, just days shy of turning 22, of Willows, with the following felonies: possession of a firearm by a felon; possession of ammunition by a felon; possession of a machine gun; and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence.
On Friday, July 8, Mounivong pled not guilty to all these charges. Then, on Wednesday, Aug. 10, he pled guilty to one of the charges: possession of ammunition by a felon.
On Friday, Oct. 14, he was sentenced for both the previously mentioned charge and for violation of felony probation for auto theft. He received 210 days in jail and two years’ probation.
On April 26, The Glenn County Observer reported:
“Five people – three adults and two juveniles – were taken into custody late Monday night following a shooting at the Grindstone Rancheria north of Elk Creek.
“At about 9:34 p.m. on April 25, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office received a call that the occupants of a silver Honda (California license plate number 7LNC822) fired several shots in an unknown direction as the vehicle left the Rancheria.
“Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Rancheria (3600 County Road 305) to canvass the area and to find the Honda. The vehicle was found heading towards Orland and a pursuit was initiated.
“On at least one occasion, the Honda reached a speed of well over 100 miles per hour. Around 10 p.m., the vehicle yielded on County Road 200 (Newville Road), west of County Road E, and a felony car stop (a stop made at gunpoint) was conducted.
“Orland police officers provided assistance at this scene.
“Fifteen or so minutes after the stop, all five occupants of the Honda were detained. Initially, the occupants were said to consist of four adults and one juvenile, but this was later changed to three adults and two juveniles.
“Two of the three adults were from Willows, while the third was from Orland. Both juveniles were from Orland, although they had separate residences.
“The Observer knows the names of the children but will not publish them. One of them is less than three months away from turning 18, while the other is a mere 13 years old.
“Law enforcement officers reported finding some casings, thought to be .40 caliber, at the Rancheria. A .40 caliber Glock was reportedly found in the Honda.
“As 11 p.m. approached, a deputy at Grindstone Rancheria told a deputy at the vehicle, ‘There is at least one casing … within 50 yards of a residence.’
“The deputy at the vehicle asked, ‘Did you find any impact points [i.e., bullet holes]?’
“The first deputy answered, ‘Negative on impact points.’
“The second deputy requested that the first contact the resident and ask if they know any of the occupants of the vehicle.
“The first deputy replied that he had already tried to contact the resident, but there was no answer.
“The three adults were booked into the Glenn County Jail at 11:51 p.m. They are:
“Armani Khammaloun, 18, of Willows, who was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a machine gun, and criminal conspiracy (both felonies). His bail was set at $80,000.
“Brianna Mounivong, 19, of Orland, who was booked into the jail on charges alleging evading a peace officer (a misdemeanor), willful cruelty to a child with possible injury or death (a felony), and criminal conspiracy (a felony). Her bail was set at $100,000.
“Jadien Mounivong, 21, of Willows, who was booked into the jail on charges alleging possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, possession of a machine gun, and criminal conspiracy (all felonies). His bail was set at $90,000. [Bold added for this Oct. 23 report.]
“The two juveniles were also arrested. Presumably, they were taken into custody by probation officers.
“Deputies cleared the scenes at about 2:15 a.m. on Tuesday.
“By late Tuesday morning, no shooting victims had been reported.”
This, of course, was the incident that resulted in Mounivong recently being sentenced for possession of ammunition by a felon. However, he was also sentenced for “violation of felony probation for auto theft.”
It is not clear when or where this auto theft occurred. However, Glenn County court records and jail records both indicate that Mounivong was convicted of at least one crime as a juvenile.
For example, on Nov. 17, 2020, when Mounivong was 20, a Glenn County probation officer committed him to the jail for “failure to obey an order of the juvenile court.” And the Glenn County Superior Court records for a 2020 closed case involving Mounivong refers to a concurrent “juvenile case.”
The other recent shooting case in which Mounivong’s name came up was reported by The Glenn County Observer on July 2:
“An Orland area man reportedly suffered ‘multiple gunshots’ at the Cedar Hills apartment complex in Willows Tuesday evening.
“According to the Glenn County Sheriff’s log, at about 9:19 p.m. on June 28, sheriff’s dispatch received a call regarding a group of 10 people outside apt. #163 at the Cedar Hills apartments, 600 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows.
“Four gunshots were heard just before the 10 people ran off. Deputies responded to the complex to conduct an area check.
“Glenn Medical Center called sheriff’s dispatch and reported that a man was brought in with multiple gunshot wounds. The wounded man was identified as Jacob Jonathan Doughtie.
“Doughtie’s address was given as 5689 County Road 200, Orland. This address is located east of County Road 206 and the Graves Cemetery….
“Another ‘involved party’ … listed as being present at the June 28 event [was] Jadien Mounivong….”
It is to be understood that Jadien Mounivong was not and presumably still is not considered a suspect in the June 28 shooting. However, another Mounivong, Jonathan Mounivong, was initially listed by the sheriff’s office as a “known suspect,” but so far neither he nor anyone else has been charged in the incident.
Not only do seatbelts save lives, so do child and infant safety seats.
At about 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, emergency responders were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 162 at County Road D.
According to the California Highway Patrol, S. Rai, 22, of Yuba City, was driving his 2022 Freightliner north on County Road D, approaching the intersection of Highway 162.
Meghan Cohan, 30, of Willows, was driving her 2020 Chevy Tahoe west on Highway 162, approaching the intersection at Road D.
Rai came to a stop at the stop sign, but for unknown reasons after he stopped, he failed to yield to westbound traffic on Highway 162 and entered the intersection directly into the path of Cohan.
The front of the Freightliner collided into the left rear of the Chevy Tahoe.
According to CHP Officer Jaime Vasquez, only Cohan sustained any injury, and it was minor (complaint of pain).
Although an ambulance had responded to the scene, she declined to be transported.
Her two children (Madelyn Cohan-Howole, 8, and Emmett Cushman, 3 months) were also in the Tahoe but were uninjured, as was the driver and sole occupant of the Freightliner.
All safety equipment (seatbelts and child safety seats) was in use in both vehicles.
Neither alcohol nor drugs were factors in this accident, and there were no arrests.
An Orland man who reportedly was not wearing his seatbelts sustained major injuries when his vehicle hit a power pole on Thursday.
According to the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 7:10 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, Miguel Ibanes, 43, of Orland, was driving a 2001 Nissan Sentra north on County Road M, north of County Road 33.
For unknown reasons, he allowed the Sentra to drift off the right shoulder to the east and strike a metal power pole with the Sentra’s front end.
According to CHP Officer Taylor, Ibanes sustained major injuries and was transported by ambulance for treatment.
Alcohol is not suspected to have been a factor in this accident and no one was arrested.
Sheriff’s deputies prevented a photographer for The Observer from approaching the scene of a motorcycle versus Nissan collision early Wednesday morning. This photo was taken between a quarter and half a mile away from the accident. Glenn County Observer photo by Donna Wilder.
Glenn County Observer
A Corning man sustained major injuries when the motorcycle he was riding crashed head-on into an oncoming vehicle.
According to a news release issued by the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 4:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19, Marista Vargas Puga, 45, of Willows, was driving a 2011 Nissan north on Highway 99, north of County Road 30.
She was traveling directly behind a slower vehicle when she moved into the southbound lane in an attempt to pass the vehicle.
At the same time, Stephen Green, 52, of Corning, was driving a 1998 Honda motorcycle south on Highway 99, north of Road 30.
Puga saw oncoming headlights but believed she had enough time to safely pass the slower vehicle.
Green saw the headlights of a vehicle directly in front of him within his lane. He attempted to turn to the right but was struck by the oncoming vehicle.
Puga realized the oncoming vehicle was closer than she believed but was unable to move to the right as she was directly next to vehicle she was attempting to pass.
She then felt the impact.
Green was transported to Enloe Medical Center in Chico as he sustained major injuries. Puga was not injured.
According to CHP Officer Gilliam, Puga was wearing her seatbelts and Green was wearing his helmet.
Neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be factors in this crash, and neither driver was arrested.
A young man appears to take exception to an Observer photographer taking pictures of an accident, despite the fact that the accident occurred in public view on public property, damaged public property, involved public employees (police and public works), and cost the public money. Glenn County Observer photo by Donna Wilder.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
A couple of fender benders kept the Orland Police Department busy on Wednesday.
The first incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. in front of 421 Third Street, which is roughly halfway between Tehama and Shasta Streets.
According to the OPD log, “Officers located a red 2015 Ford Mustang on the east sidewalk of Third Street and contacted the 17-year-old driver.”
No other details were mentioned, such as the driver’s name (even though the driver was a minor, if he was not engaged in criminal activity, then his name was releasable) and, most importantly, how the accident happened.
The Mustang did significant damage to the curb in front of the house.
The Ford Ranger involved in a collision at Sixth and Tehama Streets is loaded aboard a Bambauer tow truck. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.
The second accident occurred just before 4 p.m. at the intersection of Sixth and Tehama Streets.
Again, no further information was given other than “Officers assisted both parties exchange information and documented the incident.”
The Observer noted at the scene that one of the two vehicles involved was a white Ford Ranger pickup and the other was a black Nissan Altima.
The Ford was located facing north on the southbound side of Sixth Street, while the Nissan had come to a stop facing a southwesterly direction on eastbound Tehama Street, at the southwest corner of the intersection – the same corner where the Liberty Food and Gas station is located.
It’s front end damaged, a Nissan Altima rests against a curb at the southwest corner of Sixth and Tehama Streets. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.
The Ford had significant damage to the driver’s side of the pickup, while the Nissan had significant damage to its front.
Fortunately, no one was injured in either of these accidents.
For the second time in less than a year, transient Heather Matney has been sentenced for starting a fire in the bed of Stony Creek north of Orland.
The first time was in January of this year. On Jan. 7, 2022, she was sentenced to 180 days in jail, 52 weeks of batterers treatment classes, and three years’ probation.
About a month earlier, on Dec. 9, 2021, she pled guilty to starting the Oct. 9, 2021, fire in the bed of Stony Creek. Six fire departments responded to the blaze that began in the early evening and continued throughout the night and into the morning.
In the morning of Jan. 7, she was sentenced to 180 days in jail, 52 weeks of batterers treatment classes, and three years’ probation. At 11:53 p.m. that very same day, Jan. 7, deputies responded to 236 North Humboldt Avenue regarding suspicious activity.
An anonymous caller reported a white male adult who appeared to be transient was taking things from a delivery truck that was parked at KFC. Deputies arrived and contacted Douglas Abbott and Heather Matney.
A records check on the two revealed Matney was a restrained person in a served restraining order and the protected party was Douglas Abbott. Matney was placed under arrest for violation of a court order and transported to the Glenn County jail.
Five minutes after midnight on Jan. 8, Heather Nicole Matney, then-27, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging violation of a court order to prevent domestic violence (a misdemeanor). Her bail was set at $5,000.
Three days later, Matney was charged with alleged felony violation of probation by a Glenn County probation officer. Bail for this charge was set at $85,000.
As reported in The Glenn County Observer on Oct. 11, 2021:
“As firefighters from six departments battled the blaze in the Stony Creek bed a short distance north of Orland Saturday evening and beyond, an Orland transient was arrested for allegedly intentionally setting the fire.
“At about 6 p.m. on Oct. 9, deputies responded to the Stony Creek area east of Highway 99, in Orland, and contacted Douglas Abbott. Deputies initiated an investigation and discovered Abbott and his girlfriend, Heather Matney, had a camp in the creek bed.
“Abbott and Matney reportedly got into an argument. Abbott left the camp and noticed a fire had begun shortly after he left.
“Another witness in the area alleged they saw Matney start the fire and then flee the area on foot. Deputies searched the area extensively and eventually found Matney at the Shady Oaks Trailer Park, space #19.
“She was ultimately placed under arrest [on Saturday, Oct. 9] and booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging giving false identification to a peace officer (a misdemeanor), and arson of an inhabited structure or property (a felony). Her bail was set at $200,000.”
As stated above, in January of this year, she was sentenced to 180 days in jail, 52 weeks of batterers treatment classes, and three years’ probation. She evidently never completed her original sentence.
Then, on Monday, September 12 of this year, she was booked into the Glenn County Jail on a warrant alleging felony violation of probation, with bail set at $85,000. She was taken into custody at the Butte County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
About a week ago, the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office issued a press release that included these words: “[Matney] was previously convicted of felony arson and was found in violation of probation for the second time. She was sentenced to 48 days in jail and probation was reinstated.”
A vehicle accident involving two big rigs and a pickup resulted in no injuries for two of the drivers and only minor injuries for the third.
At about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4, Walter Mendoza, 21, of Bakersfield, was driving a 2012 Freightliner south on Interstate 5, south of County Road 57, in the slow lane at about 57 miles per hour.
Hector Delgado, 34, of Sacramento, was driving a 2014 Ford Transit south on I-5, south of Road 57, in the fast lane, next to the Freightliner, when an uninvolved vehicle slowed rapidly in front of the Freightliner.
The Freightliner swerved to the left, into the fast lane of traffic, and collided into the right (passenger) side of the Ford.
Both vehicles traveled out of control into the center median, then crashed into a culvert and separated.
The Ford continued in a southeasterly direction and came to rest on its wheels on the east shoulder of northbound I-5.
The Freightliner continued in a northeasterly direction and overturned onto its passenger side, spilling a load of lumber onto the northbound side of the freeway.
Rana Mehdi, 34, of Sacramento, was driving a 2022 Volvo semi north on I-5, in the slow lane, at about 56 miles per hour, when he saw the crash between the Freightliner and Ford.
Mehdi started to slow, applying his brakes and turning the Volvo to the right to avoid colliding with the Freightliner, but the front of the Volvo collided with the roof of the Freightliner.
According to California Highway Patrol Officer Shane Roach, all three drivers were wearing their seatbelts.
Delgado and Mehdi were not injured at all, and Mendoza sustained only a minor injury consisting of a small laceration to his right leg.
Neither alcohol nor drugs were a factor and no one was arrested.
A year ago this very month, Philip Monroe “PJ” Pedro IV died in a tragic vehicle accident in Tehama County. PJ was a passenger in a vehicle when he lost his life on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021.
He was born in La Junta, Colo., to Philip Monroe Pedro III and Danni Mundahl-Scheffee on March 2, 1999. He attended elementary through junior high school in Orland.
He proudly received his high school diploma through the Job Corps in Utah, where he also obtained a degree in culinary arts. He then returned to Orland to put to use his newfound skills, working at East Coast Foods, located at the time on Walker Street. His coworkers there became like family.
However, PJ was an adventurous man and took a liking to exploring other trades, and later attended the Job Corps in Sacramento to become a heavy equipment operator. Upon completion, he became a proud member of the International Operating Engineers Union #3 in Northern California.
PJ had a passion and talent for heavy equipment of all kinds and enjoyed bettering himself daily with new challenges that he took on brazenly. Beyond the framed and signatured papers on the wall, PJ made his loved ones very proud, more so that despite innate adversity, complete determination was maintained, not only for his own self and future, but with much compassion for others as well, and their happiness almost always before his own.
His hobbies often centered around his family as well as his friends, enjoying musical forms of all sorts alongside a variety of artistic activities, and could often be found outdoors or with his pets – none of these activities ever absent of his unmistakable voice perpetually making those around him laugh.
PJ, who loved to joke around, knew how to keep most everyone’s spirits high, always working his hardest to help them find a better path, no matter the person. He truly had a vision for a positive future and positive thought process that he tried to instill in everyone he met.
Very seldom could PJ be found without a charismatic smile between his cheeks and within his voice, one that couldn’t help but be noticed alongside his lighthearted wit and playful actions.
PJ’s world truly was his family. He loved them in a way that couldn’t be denied by anyone, as he was constantly beaming with pride about the accomplishments and characteristics of each of them, clearly dear to his heart in a way not many people of such a young age tend to emanate.
He is survived by his parents, Phil and Dani; six siblings in Colorado Springs: Meriah Morgan, Nariah Smith, and Bryan, Bradley, Analyce and Aidan Scheffee; in California, his treasured Schroer family: aunt, Jeanette; uncle, Opie; cousins, Sunny, Justin and Trent, Dylan and Emma; aunt Tricia Ricca; cousins, Deanna, Danielle, and Bailey; and in turn many great-nieces and -nephews; and uncle Scott Pedro and family; his beloved girlfriend of three years, Macie Bacon; and lifelong friends, TJ Taylor and Brantley Begely, whom he would consider family as well.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Philip M. Pedro, Jr.; and his grandmother, Francine H. Hecker.
His loved ones agree, “We all in our own ways adore PJ and idolize still his kind heart and uplifting spirit, in which the absence has left a huge hole in our hearts, unfillable even with all the joyous memories we now hold even closer to our hearts as each day moves past. His presence in our lives was impactful in a variety of forms and learning to carry forward without him ripples through us like a silent weight that we must learn to overcome, using his voice and positivity as guidance.
“Words simply cannot express the grief that has struck our family, in which such an event bereaved us of one of our most radiant souls.”
The Glenn County Observer 