Month: January 2024

Glenn County Observer

The Glenn County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to send a letter to the California State Assembly expressing opposition to AB 734, which would ban children under the age of 12 from playing tackle football.

Governor Newsom has said that he will not sign the proposed legislation. Nevertheless, with a “better safe than sorry” outlook in mind, the board unanimously decided to submit the following letter:

An outright ban of youth tackle football until 12 years old is an extreme and unhealthy legislative measure, in which I believe the author and its supporters failed to consider several key aspects before submitting this bill for consideration:

1. The proposed legislation to ban youth tackle football is an unnecessary and ineffective example of interference in parental rights. Our children deserve the very best environment that affords the benefits of all youth sports, in this case tackle football, while minimizing risk.

2. AB 734 unjustifiably targets with extreme prejudice, the sport of youth tackle football and does so in a single sport discriminatory fashion while other contact sports and activities which have been scientifically proven to pose a greater potential for injury risk remain intact and proportionally unaffected.

3. Improvements in instructional techniques and coaching certifications that minimize risk in blocking, defeating the block, and tackling techniques, combined with health and safety training, coupled with improvements in protective equipment technology, have put youth tackle football on a continuously improving path making youth tackle football safer today than it has ever been.

4. The social, emotional, intellectual, and physical benefits received by youth participating in youth tackle football far outweigh the minimal risk of potential injury; denying youth access to such positive influences during a young athlete’s formative years of emotional and social development would be an injustice to the very children who this proposed legislation purports to serve.

5. Youth tackle football embodies diversity and inclusiveness, in that it levels all demographic boundaries (e.g. economic, ethnic, racial, religious, etc) and brings communities together like no other sport or activity.

6. Participation in youth tackle football has immeasurable positive effects on the lives of hundreds of thousands of youth athletes throughout California and our country who are underserved by traditional social, academic, and family units by providing positive mentoring relationships and stability.

7. Youth tackle football has a long and proud history spanning nearly 75 years of organized play with a significant portion of that time being played under less stringent safety guidelines as present today. If indeed there were such prevailing risk of injury (e.g. neurological exposure to our youth), there would be an overwhelming and visible public health crisis; it is clear that is not the case regionally, statewide, or even at the national level.

For these reasons and many more, I wholeheartedly encourage you to vote NO on AB 734.

The historical monument erected on the east side of the Sacramento River in remembrance of the old Gianella Bridge was recently vandalized and its bronze plaque stolen, possibly around 3:15 Thursday morning, Jan. 25, when a driver noticed what was thought to be a broken-down van parked next to the memorial. Anyone who may have information concerning this crime should call the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, 530-538-7321. Like the current Highway 32 bridge over the Sacramento River, the old Gianella Bridge joined Butte and Glenn Counties. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

“Daisy’s News Briefs: The Long and Short of It” is dedicated to the memory of Daisy, the official newshound of The Glenn County Observer, who died on Jan. 22.

About those possible human remains …

Some of you heard that human remains may have been found near Elk Creek earlier this month. The Glenn County Sheriff’s log stated that on Monday, Jan. 15, at about 10:47 a.m., “Deputies responded to the area of Highway 162 and County Road 306, in Elk Creek, on a report of possible human remains found in a cow pasture. Deputies arrived on scene and located possible human remains. Deputies initiated an investigation.”

Some days later, seeking an update, The Observer contacted the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office. According to Amy Travis, Deputy Director of the Office of Emergency Services, the bones were ancient Native American remains and were turned over tribal authorities. The matter was not a coroner’s case.

He was how drunk? And he was driving?

The Glenn County Sheriff’s log included this item: At about 1:19 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, Deputy Rasmussen was dispatched to a report of a vehicle blocking the roadway on West Wood Street near North Villa Street in Willows. He arrived and found the vehicle, which was disabled from damage to the front right wheel area due to a collision with the north curb of West Wood Street. There was no one around the vehicle. L&T Towing was contacted to remove the vehicle.

While waiting for the tow truck, Deputy Rasmussen was told of a very intoxicated individual at the Round Table Pizza restaurant. After the vehicle was towed, deputies contacted the man, who was the registered owner of the vehicle. After an investigation, it was determined by the man’s own admission, he had been driving the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol when he collided with the north curb of West Wood Street. He was arrested and taken to Glenn Medical Center for a medical clearance due to the collision. At GMC, he provided a breath test showing his blood alcohol content was .24 percent, three times the limit for drinking and driving.

According to the Glenn County Jail’s media release, Robert Allen Logan, 54, of 40 Veneto Circle, Chico, was booked into the jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol. His bail was set at $10,000.

Local fire department fundraisers

Orland Volunteer Fire Department: The OVFD’s 69th Annual Spaghetti Feed is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3 at the Orland Fire Station, 810 Fifth Street. A cake auction is planned for 6:30 p.m. Enter to win the raffle! The cost of the feed is by donations only.

Elk Creek Volunteer Fire Department: ECVFD is set to hold its New York Steak Dinner from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10. Besides dinner, the event features a cake auction, drinks, and a pre-sale ticket door prize. Tickets cost $40 and are available at Nancy’s Elkhorn Family Lodge, 2745 County Road 306, Elk Creek.

“People, Places, and Promises” at the Orland Art Center

A show featuring the work of Denise Granger Kerbs is scheduled from Feb. 2 through March 23 at the Orland Art Center, 732 Fourth Street. According to the announcement on the art center’s webpage, “… the variety of subjects and styles in this show is amazing…. Kerbs began her art career at the age of twelve and never stopped.

“She constantly explores different mediums and masters each one she tries. Her work is vibrant with the emotion she brings to every subject. Details matter to Denise, and that results in compelling realism that showcases her many talents.

“If you enjoy exhibitions of stunning skill and the drama of beautifully executed design, this is a show you must not miss.”

An artist’s reception is planned from 3 p.m to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2. For more information, go to http://www.orlandartcenter.com.

Willows CHP has a new phone number

The Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol has a new public telephone number: 530-361-0900. This number is not for emergencies. If you have an emergency, call 911.

And lastly, like the tail on a dachshund …

The Glenn County Observer needs your help. Renewal fees come due in February, and they aren’t cheap. So if you like what you read in The Observer, make a donation. Please!

Glenn County Observer

Willows City Council

(Agenda Item 5.c.): Think of it as a colonoscopy for the City of Willows.

The city engineer, community development services director, and city manager are recommending that the city council approve a resolution authorizing the city manager to award and execute a contract with APS Environmental, Inc., for $28,376 and establish an overall budget of $31,214 for closed circuit TV (CCTV) inspection of the city’s sewer mains.

In order to determine methods of repair for some of the city’s sewer mains, CCTV inspections are needed. According to city staff, CCTV inspections allow accurate identification of the type, location, and severity of defects in the sewer system. Certain sections of the city’s sewer collection system reportedly have had known deficiencies for years. The known locations include a total of 6,617 linear feet of six-inch sewer mains and 2,439 linear feet of eight-inch sewer mains.

(Item 6.a.): The council plans to discuss the placement of a sales tax measure on the Nov. 5 election ballot and direct staff to return to the council at a future date with sales tax measure ballot language for consideration and approval, as well as any other sales tax-related research results, policies and/or legal opinions.

According to the Willows City Manager, the city will have exhausted all its General Fund reserves by June, 2025, and needs an immediate revenue source within the next 12 to 18 months to maintain critical city services. Matters to be considered include how much the tax should be, how long it should last, tax expenditure oversight, and policy intent.

(Items 5.d. and 5.e.): Staff also recommends that the council adopt a resolution accepting a 10-foot-wide public access and utility easement at 725 South Tehama Street, and adopt a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a contract amendment to Coastland’s professional services agreement for upgrades to the civic center and Jensen Park.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. tonight, Jan. 23, at the Willows City Hall, 201 North Lassen Street.

Orland City Council

A special meeting of the Orland City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. tonight, Jan. 23.

The city engineer is recommending that the council review and approve the initial study and mitigated negative declaration (IS/MND) regarding the County Road M 1/2 reconstruction project. In order for the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to approve the funds already allocated to this project, the City of Orland is obligated to prepare project studies and reports to comply with California Environmental Quality Act requirements. The 30-day public comment period ended on Jan. 19. City staff has prepared and submitted the necessary applications and supporting paperwork to the CTC, except for the city council’s approval of the IS/MND. This approval needs to be submitted prior to the CTC meeting for the allocation application to be deemed complete.

The Orland City Council special meeting is to take place at the Carnegie Center, 912 Third Street, in Library Park.

Daisy Judkins died peacefully in her sleep in the lap of her human, Larry Judkins, on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. She was adopted by Mr. Judkins on July 25, 2009, when she was nine or 10 months old.

Realizing that obedience school would be a lost cause, she immediately went to work as a newshound for The Valley Mirror newspaper in Willows. After she and her human ended their association with that publication, she became part of the two-mammal team of The Glenn County Observer.

Daisy’s hobbies included biting the shins of attorneys, attacking the boots of retired sheriff’s deputies, and demanding to go outside just as the news was about to begin on TV. She was a master of the art of becoming a moving obstacle course whenever her human walked through the house.

A highly spiritual dachshund, she was a firm believer in the power of bark. The number of mail carriers, package delivery persons, and other nefarious individuals who heard Daisy’s yapping and then abandoned their schemes of breaking into the homes of her human is estimated to be in the hundreds.

She is survived by her human, Larry Judkins; various other human relatives and friends, most notably Richard, Robert, Julia, Donna, and Sara Inés; her dog-pal, Ruby; and her longtime cat-pal, Willis.

No services are planned.

Glenn County Observer

According to the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 4:08 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, Ulises Castillo Mora, 36, of San Jacinto, was driving a FedEx big rig (a 2023 Freightliner) north on Interstate 5, north of County Road 60, at about 55 miles per hour in the slow lane.

The driver was unable to explain why he drifted to the right, off the freeway, through the perimeter fence, and into a muddy field. The Freightliner sustained moderate damage and became stuck in the mud.

The driver and his passenger, Jonathan Castillo Mora, 27, of Lake Elsinore, were both transported with minor injuries to Glenn Medical Center in Willows. The driver was wearing his seatbelts at the time of the accident, but it is unknown if the passenger was wearing his.

According to CHP Officer Barone, there were no other vehicles involved in the crash, and alcohol and/or drugs are not thought to have been factors in the accident.

Glenn County Observer

According to a press release from the Orland Police Department, at about 4:39 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, officers were dispatched to [226] Plumas Street for a report of multiple victims of stabbings.

Upon arrival, officers found four stabbing victims. It was determined that Luke Vongkoth, 18, walked into a bedroom and used a crossbow to shoot a 44-year-old man, but missed.

Vongkoth then pepper sprayed the man and proceeded to stab him in the neck and head area. The man then attempted flee to another room in the home, but Vongkoth pursued him.

As Vongkoth chased the man, he came in contact with a 65-year-old woman. Vongkoth proceeded to stab the woman in the head and neck.

A 67-year-old man attempted to stop Vongkoth, but in doing so was stabbed in his hand. Vongkoth then fled to another room and stabbed a 15-year-old boy in the head and back area.

The boy was able to escape, and Vongkoth was then locked in a room by witnesses at the scene.

While Vongkoth was trapped in the room, he attempted to commit suicide. Witnesses were able to subdue him until law enforcement officers arrived.

Once police officers were there, they were able to quickly detain Vongkoth without incident. Three of the stab victims were transported to an area hospital for their injuries, while one of the victims was treated on scene by paramedics and released.

Vongkoth was arrested and booked into the Glenn County Jail on multiple attempted murder charges.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Orland Police Officer Edgar Pinedo at 530-865-1616.

The OPD case is #240021.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

At about 4:35 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, emergency responders were dispatched to 226 Plumas Street in Orland for a report of two victims of a stabbing.

Orland police officers did not immediately hear the call from the Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatcher.

The dispatcher repeated the call and Officer 510, Edgar Pinedo, answered that he was enroute.

A moment later, the county dispatcher updated the call to report that there were actually three stabbing victims.

Pinedo, having not yet arrived at the scene, asked the dispatcher if there was any information regarding the suspect or the victims.

The dispatcher replied that the suspect is autistic, and the two victims are a brother and mother of the reporting party.

Officer 511, Jose Flores, asked the dispatcher, “Where is the suspect now?”

The dispatcher answered, “511, the suspect is also stabbed in the back. They are together being talked to [unclear].”

Orland Police Chief Joe Vlach reported there were three victims, “a 14-year-old male, a 44-year-old male, and a 65-year-old female.” He added that ambulances were responding from Willows and from Westside in Orland.

At 4:43 a.m., fire department volunteers began responding. Unit 27 told the fire dispatcher in Corning that it was “responding with four [firefighters].”

Orland Fire Chief Justin Chaney reported, “Per the scanner, subject is detained by law enforcement.”

A short time later, the Corning dispatcher said, “That’s affirmative. The scene is secure. Continue in.” He added, “And your third ambulance will be from Tehama County.”

At 4:46 a.m., Chief Chaney was on the scene. A moment later, he told the Corning dispatcher that they were waiting for the third ambulance to arrive.

The dispatcher responded, “Your third ambulance was coming from Corning.” He also commented, “I don’t know what your ceiling is for fog down there, but it’s pretty low here.”

Chaney confirmed, “Yeah, it’s pretty dense here. I’m sure it will be a little bit before they get here.”

The dispatcher replied, “Copy. 0454 [4:54 a.m.].”

At 5:10 a.m., Chief Chaney informed the Corning dispatcher that the first patient was being transported [to the hospital] “with a rider.”

Eight minutes later, the other two patients were transported.

Watch The Glenn County Observer for an update.

Glenn County Observer

Orland City Council

Be like Byron. For as long as I have been around Orland government, Byron Denton has been around, acting as the proverbial gadfly, working to keep officials on their toes through constructive criticism and commentary. On Tuesday, Jan. 16, the Orland City Council plans to recognize Citizen Denton for his many years of service. The meeting gets underway at 6:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Center, 912 Third Street, in Library Park.

Also on the city council’s agenda is a couple of public hearings. In the first, the council plans to consider a tentative subdivision map and mitigated negative declaration for the Quiet Creek Subdivision project planned for northeast Orland.

The second hearing concerns proposed amendments to city water and sewer service charges. The council is to consider amending the water and sewer services schedule in order to establish new water and sewer rates for Calendar Year 2024, and provide a Consumer Price Index (inflation) adjustment thereafter.

Finally, presentations by and about the Orland Fire and Police Departments are scheduled to be made.

Willows City Council

The Willows City Council has a special meeting planned. At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, the council is set to gather to approve the city’s mid-year budget review, adjustment, and general fund forecast, and discuss a potential sales tax measure. The Willows City Council meets at the Willows City Hall, 201 North Lassen Street.

Glenn County Board of Supervisors

The Glenn County Board of Supervisors also has a special meeting planned. This one is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16. The board is to consider an agreement with UNICO Engineering regarding work on the County Road 67 bridge. Specifically, the board will authorize the public works director or designee to execute the Agreement PPW 2543 to provide Construction Engineering Services for the County Road 67 Bridge Replacements Project BRLO5911(048), with UNICO Engineering, for a period of five (5) years from the date of execution of the agreement, for an amount not to exceed $705,074.30;

Authorize the Public Works Director or designee, to execute the Agreement PPW 2544 to provide Construction Engineering Services for the County Road 67 Bridge Replacements Project BRLO5911(047) with UNICO Engineering, for a period of five (5) years from the date of execution of the agreement, for an amount not to exceed $548,326.35;

Authorize the Public Works Director or designee, to execute the Agreement PPW 2545 to provide Construction Engineering Services for the County Road 67 Bridge Replacements Project BRLO5911(049), with UNICO Engineering, for a period of five (5) years from the date of execution of the agreement, for an amount not to exceed $303,582.25; and

Authorize the Public Works Director or designee, to execute the Agreement PPW 2546 to provide Construction Engineering Services for the County Road 67 Bridge Replacements Project BRLO5911(050), with UNICO Engineering, for a period of five (5) years from the date of execution of the agreement, for an amount not to exceed $295,214.93.

The Glenn County Board of Supervisors meets in the supervisors’ chambers of the Willows Memorial Hall, 525 West Sycamore Street.

A Celebration of Life for Robert Wayne Mckenzie, perhaps better known by his middle name, Wayne, has been set.

Mckenzie died on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. He was born on Nov. 28, 1955.

The service is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Ark Christian Center, 222 North Butte Street, Willows. The service is to be followed by a potluck and a time for visiting. His loved ones encourage everyone who knew Wayne to please come. “And if you’re able,” they add, “bring something to eat and share, and reminisce with us.”