Emergency responders were dispatched to the intersection of Highway 99 and County Road 9 on Monday for a report of a vehicle fire. At about 2:39 p.m. on Nov. 7, Orland firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, and Orland police officers responded to the scene for a fully involved truck fire. Deputy Rasmussen assisted with traffic control while firefighters extinguished the fire. Responders cleared the scene at about 3:24 p.m. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
A U.S. Forest Service officer was arrested for allegedly driving while under the influence after she collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 5 on Friday, Nov. 4.
According to Officer Barone of the California Highway Patrol, at about 3:27 p.m., Chelisa Chemayne Rodriguez, 31, of Shasta Lake, was driving a 2019 Chevy Silverado south on Interstate 5, south of County Road 3, at a high rate of speed.
The Chevy driven by Rodriguez collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer. The force of the collision caused debris to cover both lanes of traffic.
The driver’s name and make of the tractor are not mentioned in the CHP’s news release.
After the impact, the Chevy turned to the right and came to rest off the roadway. The Chevy sustained major damage to its front end.
Southbound I-5 was reduced to one lane of traffic for about 90 minutes.
According to the CHP Traffic website, at 3:43 p.m., responders were warned of a firearm in “the vehicle.” Presumably, this vehicle was the Chevy, and the weapon belonged to Rodriguez.
Rodriguez sustained minor injuries in the collision and was transported to Glenn Medical Center for treatment. She was wearing her seatbelts at the time of the accident.
She was later 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).
Her bail was set at $10,000.
Glenn County Observer
One driver sustains only minor injuries, the other driver sustains no injuries at all.
Thank you, seatbelts.
According to Officer Forslund of the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 12:05 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, Elias Santiz, 33, of Orland, was driving a 2004 Saturn four-door west on County Road 25 at about 45 miles per hour, east of County Road M.
Ramirez Quirarte, 36, of Orland, was driving a 2007 Ford Expedition south on Road M, directly north of the intersection with Road 25.
Santiz approached the stop sign at Road M but failed to stop at the limit line. He applied his brakes but traveled into the intersection.
The Expedition crashed into the right rear end of the Saturn.
After the crash, the Expedition traveled to the right and rolled over in an orchard. It came to rest facing a northwesterly direction on its left (driver’s) side.
The Saturn was parked on the right shoulder in the orchard.
Neither driver was seriously injured. Both were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.
Neither driver was arrested.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
After The Observer published the update based upon the Glenn County Jail’s media release, the Glenn County Sheriff’s logs came out with additional information.
According to the log item for the event in question, at about 5:17 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, Deputy Goodwin observed a Chevy Silverado run off the roadway on Highway 99 near County Road 28 and collide with a barbed wire fence.
The deputy initiated a traffic stop but the vehicle failed to yield, leading to a pursuit.
The driver ultimately “foot-bailed” on Highway 99, south of County Road 48.
After a search of the area, deputies were unable to locate the driver.
The vehicle was registered to Victor Cardenas of 159 Elm Street, Willows, and an investigation was initiated.
The vehicle was towed per California Vehicle Code section 14602.7(a).
Cardenas was contacted later in the day. He denied fleeing from law enforcement and claimed his vehicle was stolen.
Cardenas was ultimately arrested for various charges.
An “involved party” was named as Gabriela Ochoa-Serrano, 2477 Santa Rita Road, apt. #24, Pleasanton.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
The suspect in Sunday morning’s high-speed chase down Highway 99 was arrested at his home in Willows that evening.
The pursuit involving the suspect and Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies began at about 5:20 a.m. on Nov. 6 somewhere around County Road 31 on Highway 99. It continued until the Chevy the man was driving broke down on Highway 99 at the north end of the City of Willows.
At that time, the man jumped out of the Chevy and ran east across the highway and railroad tracks into an orchard. Law enforcement officers set up a perimeter in the area, which included the orchard, Burnham’s Veterinary Clinic, and the county yard, but were unable to find him.
The suspect was identified as Victor Cardenas. At first, they thought he was a resident of Orland, where he had previously lived, but soon learned his current address is 159 Elm Street, Willows.
Besides searching the area of northeast Willows, deputies also began watching his home on Elm Street. Soon, they saw a woman leave the house, get into a sedan, and start driving slowly up and down Highway 99, north of Willows.
Eventually, deputies informed her Cardenas was being sought for the alleged commission of crimes, and told her to go home.
Then, early Sunday evening, deputies arrested Cardenas at his home at 159 Elm Street, Willows.
At about 7:10 p.m., he was booked into the Glenn County Jail. According to the jail’s news release, Victor Hugo Cardenas, 32, of Willows, was booked into the jail on charges alleging evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety (a felony), hit and run with property damage (a misdemeanor), resisting or obstructing a public service officer (a misdemeanor), and misdemeanor violation of probation.
His bail was set at $47,000.
Keep your eyes on The Glenn County Observer for further updates.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
Did you remember to set your clocks back an hour?
At about 5:20 a.m. – that would be Pacific Standard Time, not Daylight Savings time – Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies were engaged in a high-speed chase on Highway 99.
Your favorite (and only) reporter from The Glenn County Observer was awakened from his extra hour of sleep by the chatter of sheriff’s personnel on the police scanner.
Well, not really, since your favorite reporter is actually retired and can for all intents and purposes have an extra hour of sleep pretty much every day of the year if he so desires, but you get the idea.
When your favorite reporter woke up, the pursuit was on Highway 99 at County Road 31, heading south.
Less than a minute later, they passed Road 33 at about 83 miles per hour.
At roughly 5:22 a.m., a deputy called in the license plate on the vehicle being chased: 7Z25766.
The dispatcher replied that the plate came back as belonging to a 2006 Chevy owned by Victor Cardenas of Orland.
A deputy reported they were approaching the Blue Gum Motel at about 70 miles per hour.
Another deputy stated he was at Highway 99 and County Road 42.
The previous deputy said they passed the Blue Gum at about 73 miles per hour.
At roughly 5:23 a.m., a deputy reported they were approaching County Road 39 at speeds of about 93 miles per hour.
About a half-minute later, another deputy took over the radio and said they were continuing southbound on Highway 99, approaching County Road 45 with no traffic.
A minute or so later, a deputy noted that smoke was coming from the vehicle being pursued.
Seconds after this, another deputy said that the CHP was behind him, and they were approaching County Road 48 at about 85 miles per hour.
Speeds then slowed down to about 30 miles per hour, and the driver of the Chevy “bailed” from the vehicle and began running east.
The driver crossed the railroad tracks on the east side of Highway 99 and continued eastbound, across from the U-Haul rental place.
Law enforcement officers (GCSO, CHP, and at least one Orland police sergeant) began setting up a perimeter.
A deputy was directed to County Roads 48 and KK.
A deputy reported, “He’s running through the orchards, eastbound from 99, near the storage units.”
The suspect was described as an “HMA [Hispanic male adult], black hair with a pony tail, grey pants, grey hoody, sweatshirt.”
At roughly 5:30 a.m., a deputy says, “We lost visual” of the suspect.
A deputy reported he was in the orchard between KK and Highway 99, then, two minutes later, said he was returning to his patrol unit.
At about 5:34 a.m., Sgt. Johnson of the Orland Police Department asked, “Where would you like me?”
A deputy responded, “Come down to 48, go east up to KK, go down to 49 1/2, then take a left and make sure there’s nobody that comes southbound through the wheat fields behind the houses there.”
A little later, a deputy asked, “Did someone take the keys out of the truck in case the suspect doubles back and takes off?”
A deputy answered, “The truck is inoperable.”
Law enforcement officers spent the next several minutes searching the area.
One deputy asked, “Where do you want me?”
A deputy answered, “If you want to head over to 48, just east of Burnham’s [Veterinary Clinic], there’s an orchard access road. If you want to take that back, I’m back here. It’s right behind the residences on KK.”
At about 5:47 a.m., the Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatcher reported, “Victor Cardenas is on probation with us for [battery]. He has an address of 159 Elm Street.”
According to Orland police logs, at about 10:46 p.m. on June 10, 2021, Orland police officers responded to 112 East Tehama Street, Orland, for a reported domestic violence disturbance.
Officers contacted Crystal Aguilar, 24, and her husband, Victor Cardenas, 30, both of Orland.
After an on-scene investigation, Cardenas was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence and public intoxication. He was transported to the Glenn County Jail.
On the same date, at 11:06 p.m., the jail reported that Victor Hugo Martinez, 30, a service technician who lives in Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery on a non-cohabitating former spouse, and public intoxication (both misdemeanors).
His bail was set at $5,000.
At roughly 5:50 a.m., Sgt. Johnson asked, “Has anyone checked the county yard?”
A deputy replied, “Negative.”
A deputy responded to the area of Elm and South Tehama Streets.
At about 5:57 a.m., a deputy asked, “You want to see if someone wants to drive the levee? The levee would take him straight to his residence.”
A deputy answered, “I’m over by Wood and First. I’ll just take the levee over.”
At about 6:04 a.m., Sgt. Johnson headed back to Orland.
At 6:05 a.m., the code-33, which restricts all non-essential broadcasts on the police radio, was canceled.
Minutes later, a deputy reported that a woman was leaving 159 Elm Street in a sedan.
Another deputy commented, “She’s possibly going to pick him [the suspect] up.”
A deputy responded, “Affirmative, turning north onto Tehama.”
A deputy said he would stay by the house in case he, the suspect, comes back.”
The sedan pulled over at the storage units on Tehama, south of the tracks.”
Deputies continued to search the general area where the perimeter had been set up.
A deputy reported that the sedan was now continuing north on 99.
A minute or two later, the deputy said the vehicle was continuing to drive north from County Road 48 “at a very low speed.”
The deputy later said, “I believe this is going to be our vehicle. It’s going back and forth, up and down 99. It keeps turning around, going north and south.”
At about 6:33 a.m., a deputy reported, “[The driver of the sedan was told] that the person they are looking for had committed a crime and she needs to return home.”
The suspect was not immediately caught. Watch The Observer for updates.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
Richard Thomas Hodges, the Anderson man who was arrested in Glenn County for transporting an explosive device back in January of 2021, was sentenced to eight months in prison on Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.
The eight months are to be served consecutive to current prison sentences he is serving from Shasta and Placer Counties.
On January 11, 2021, Deputy Emily Lourenzo was flagged down by a private person at Highway 45 and County Road 57.
The person reported the attempted theft of fuel from their ranch and provided the deputy with a description of the would-be thieves.
The suspect was later found in the Ord Bend area of Glenn County and was later identified as Richard Hodges, then-32, out of the Redding area.
Hodges was found to be operating a reported stolen vehicle and transporting an explosive device.
Assistance was requested of the Butte County Interagency Bomb Team, who arrived on scene and rendered the explosive safe.
Hodges was taken into custody and booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail for possession of a destructive device, transportation of a destructive device, possession of a stun gun by a felon, possession of stolen property, possession of narcotics, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, and outstanding warrants out for his arrest out of Shasta County.
Glenn County District Attorney Dwayne Stewart formally charged Hodges with possession of a destructive device (a felony); possession of a destructive device on a public street or highway (a felony); auto theft with a prior (a felony); possession of stolen property (a misdemeanor); possession of tear gas by a felon (a misdemeanor); and possession of a stun gun by a felon (a misdemeanor).
On July 26, 2022, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office took custody of Hodges at San Quentin State Prison and booked him into the Glenn County Jail on an order of production for the charges listed in the preceding paragraph.
On Aug. 5, the prisoner was produced, and on Aug. 12, his plea was entered.
On Sept. 9, 2022, Hodges was found guilty of possession of a destructive device. The other five charges were dismissed.
Then, as stated at the beginning of this report, Hodges was sentenced to eight months in prison, to be served after his Shasta and Placer County sentences are completed.
The Shasta County Superior Court website lists many cases against Hodges, and since this website is much less user friendly than many other court websites in the region, it is very difficult to know which case Hodges is currently serving time for.
The Placer County Superior Court website is a different story, however. It shows that on June 1, 2022, Hodges was pled no contest to a grand theft charge from early 2021.
He was sentenced to four months in prison, to be served consecutive to another sentence (presumably one out of Shasta County).
No one has indicated what Hodges was planning to do with his explosive device, but, on the bright side, at least no one was blown up.
Following a tough battle with cancer, John Miranda, Jr., died on Monday, Oct. 24, 2022. He was born to John and Myrtle Miranda on June 24, 1950.
He grew up in Bayliss and graduated from Willows High School. He enlisted in the Army and served in Vietnam, where he was an avionics technician.
He was honorably discharged in 1971. He retired out of Johns Manville after 35 years of employment as an industrial mechanic.
He was an avid motorcycle rider, enjoyed watching sports and especially loved spending time with his grandsons.
He is survived by his daughter and son in law, Lacey and Ephraim Jo; son John Miranda III; sisters Patricia Hoskey and Barbara Schroer; and his beloved grandsons, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his father, John, and his mother, Myrtle.
His family invites you to join them in celebrating his life at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Orland Memorial Hall.
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, Oct. 28:
6:41 a.m., Felix Martinez Rincon, 38, of Orland, 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 601 Sixth Street, Hamilton City, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
12:05 p.m., Vidal Martinez Valdez, 30, of Hamilton City, 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 240 Sacramento Avenue, Hamilton City, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
11:55 p.m., Matthew Clarence Criner, 29, of Elk Creek, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging petty theft (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody at 1136 West Sycamore Street, Willows, by a California Highway Patrol officer.
Saturday, Oct. 29:
3:33 a.m., Christina Sanchez Vazquez, 18, 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. She was taken into custody on Sixth Street at Date Street by an Orland police officer.
Sunday, Oct. 30:
1:53 a.m., Diana Lynn Daniels, 47, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, and assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (both felonies). Bail was set at $50,000. She was taken into custody at Glenn Medical Center, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
9:21 p.m., Victor Manuel Santiz-Lopez, 20, 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 6416 County Road 23, Orland, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
Monday, Oct. 31:
2:30 p.m., Jeffrey Brandon McMahon, 31, of Artois, 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 Butte County Jail by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
10:06 p.m., Anthony Joseph Landini, 30, of Willows, 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 East Sycamore Street at Colusa Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
10:08 p.m., Jennifer Augusta Bracewell, 48, of Orland, 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. She was taken into custody at Eighth and Trinity Streets by an Orland police officer.
Tuesday, Nov. 1:
2:28 a.m., Collin Andrew Outland, 30, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and violation of probation (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $9,000. He was taken into custody at 1021 South Street by an Orland police officer.
11:25 a.m., Rafael Moises Zendejas, 51, of Red Bluff, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging vehicle theft (a felony). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at Highway 99 and County Road 3 by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
Wednesday, Nov. 2:
1:18 p.m., Stephen Edward Bodeker, 36, 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 at Walmart, 470 North Airport Road, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
3:42 p.m., Sisouphanh Salinthone, 41, of Willows, was returned to the custody of the Glenn County Jail without bail on charges alleging resisting or obstructing an executive officer (a felony). He was taken into custody at the Glenn County Probation Department, Willows, by a probation officer.
4:20 p.m., Delfino Basurto Diaz, 29, of Salinas, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging resisting or obstructing a public officer (a misdemeanor), and warrants alleging failure to appear on a felony charge, and failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Total bail was set at $57,000. He was taken into custody at 450 North Plumas Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
Noble Chester “Chet” Love was doing the yard work he loved to do when he died suddenly on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. The 11th of 12 children, he was born to Noble and Irene Love of Artois on April 30, 1942.
He attended “Artois Tech,” as he fondly called the grammar school across from his family home. He then attended Willows High School.
He joined the Army National Guard in November of 1959 and served until November of 1965. He was very proud of his service.
He met Betty in the summer of 1963 and they took a trip to Reno on Nov. 26, 1963, and married. That marriage lasted until Betty died on June 6, 2018.
When he married Betty, she had four young children, Vicki, Scott, Terri, and Becky, whom he proudly raised as his own.
In 1964, Betty and Chester would welcome a daughter, Lorena Irene, into the world. Sadly, her life was very short, as she died six weeks later.
In 1967, they would welcome the final member of the family, Patty.
From the time he was 17 until he was 70, Chet worked as a ranch hand, “pivot” expert, and ranch foreman. He continued driving a harvester in the rice up until this last harvest in September of 2022.
He was a hardworking man and loved farming. He was always willing to help anyone who needed it, whether it be friends or family.
He enjoyed his morning walks and was known for wearing his “bibs” (bib overalls, shorts or pants).
When out and about he always ran into someone he knew and he met them with a smile, handshake, or hug. He always took the time to catch up.
He loved his family and supported them in their activities and accomplishments. He attended birthday parties, sporting events, dance recitals, graduations, and any other event they might invite him to.
In recent years, he enjoyed life by completing many projects, going for drives, visiting friends, showing support to the community that he grew up in and loved. He had also reconnected with a classmate, Bonnie Fizgerald, whom he loved dearly and with whom he enjoyed many wonderful memories.
He is survived by his children; their spouses; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sisters Mary and Elaine; girlfriend Bonnie; and nieces, nephews, and countless friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Chalmer, Wallas, Neal, Willie, and two additional brothers; sisters Christine, Emma, and Ava; a grandson, nephews, and daughter; and his wife of almost 55 years, Betty Love.
The family would appreciate your attendance at the memorial service and celebration of life at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Artois Fire Hall, 740 Main Street, Artois. His family requests, “Please join us to celebrate this amazing man’s life.”
Lunch is planned to be provided immediately after the service. F.D. Sweet and Son Mortuary is handling the arrangements.
The Glenn County Observer 