Glendel “Gerrie” Weatherford of Willows died in Chico on Sunday, May 12, 2024. She was born in Kennett, Mo., to Glen and Dollie Phillips on June 1, 1936.
She moved to Corcoran, Calif., in 1959 and taught elementary school there for many years. She started teaching at Murdock Elementary School in Willows in 1984 and retired in 1999.
She was married to Wayne Weatherford for 59 years. He was the Willows Intermediate Principal and later the Willows Unified Superintendent before retiring in 2001.
Her passion was teaching reading. Her message to students was “You will learn to read” ‑ and they did!
Friends are invited to a graveside service at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 21, at the Willows Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of F.D. Sweet and Son Funeral Home.
A month to the very day – indeed, almost to the very hour – after someone tried to commit suicide in the Glenn County Jail in April, someone made a similar attempt in May.
At about 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, an unidentified inmate at the jail reportedly tried to kill himself (or, conceivably, herself). The time of the Thursday, May 16, incident was censored from the Glenn County Sheriff’s logs, but the call immediately before the event in question happened at 5:33 p.m. and the one immediately after occurred at 6:22 p.m.
Besides occurring almost exactly a month apart, the method used for the suicide tries was the same: hanging. Given the almost total lack of information provided by the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office regarding these two events, it is impossible to know whether the close correspondence between their dates, times, and method is merely coincidental or somehow related.
Regarding the April 16 incident, according to police scanner broadcasts, at about 6 p.m., emergency medical responders were dispatched to the jail for a suicide attempt. A moment later, the Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatcher specified that it was an attempted suicide by hanging.
At about 6:20 p.m., the person was transported to Glenn Medical Center.
As for the May 16 event, according to the sheriff’s log, Glenn County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ramirez responded to the Glenn County Jail for a report of an inmate who had attempted to hang himself. Sgt. Ramirez transported the inmate to Glenn Medical Center for medical clearance.
The inmate was ultimately cleared to return to the jail, and he was transported back to custody.
As with the case of the April suicide attempt, there are many questions concerning the May incident. For instance:
Almost exactly two months after Caitlyn Corona was stabbed to death in Willows, another woman was stabbed in Willows early Thursday morning, May 16.
According to a press release from the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, the unnamed victim was 20 years old. The location of the incident was not given in the release, but traffic on the police scanner suggests that the crime occurred at a home on Vine Street.
The GCSO press release and scanner broadcasts agree that the call came in at 2:49 a.m. About six minutes later, according to scanner traffic, it was reported that the victim had suffered a stab wound to the chest.
Medical responders treated the victim at the scene for major injuries. According to the scanner, initially the Enloe FlightCare helicopter was to land at the Willows Airport, then transport the woman to the hospital.
At about 3:04 a.m., medical personnel said the victim was going to be transported to Enloe Code 3 (lights and siren) by ground ambulance. Then, almost immediately, dispatch was told to “cancel that and keep FlightCare coming.”
Ultimately, the woman was transported by helicopter.
According to the GCSO’s release, “The initial investigation resulted in two alleged suspects. Deputies made contact with both alleged suspects Thursday morning.
“Following questioning, one suspect, 20-year-old Ramiro Robles Gomez, was taken into custody and is currently being held in the Glenn County Jail.”
Well. This is all true, but it leaves out some important details.
According to the scanner, it was quite some time before deputies knew who they were looking for. The age (about 20) and physical description of one of the suspects, but not his name, was broadcast several times, each time with a little more information.
He was described as having numerous tattoos, including some on his face; long hair; and a Fu Manchu mustache of sorts. He was shirtless but wearing tan or brownish shorts and white socks.
When the call was first received, deputies checked several of the roads going out of Willows, including Highway 99 heading south, all the way to the Colusa County line.
At about 3:04 a.m., Sgt. Lemmon reported he was heading to the Cedar Hills apartments. Having received information about the make and model of vehicle the suspects may be driving, Lemmon said he was out with a Ford Explorer in the south parking lot at Cedar Hills.
A moment later, he said the engine was still warm and there “is blood on the door handle on the passenger side.”
At 3:14 a.m., Sgt. Lemmon reported he was out with the suspect. The Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatcher asked about the “status” of Sgt. Lemmon, and the sergeant replied, “Code 4”, and added, “We’re trying to figure it out [that is, what happened].”
At 3:22 a.m., an out-of-breath Sgt. Lemmon reported that the suspect got away, jumped a fence separating the Cedar Hills and JFK/Eskaton complexes, and disappeared in Eskaton. Law enforcement officers (Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies, Orland police officers, California Highway Patrol officers, and lastly Colusa County Sheriff’s deputies) began setting up a perimeter.
At least two K-9s and a drone were also brought in.
The Glenn County dispatcher said she talked to Colusa County S.O. and “they might know who it is. They will get back to me.”
Soon, it was known who the suspect was. It was learned that he was recently released from the Colusa County Jail, and that he is on post-release community supervision (PRCS) for felony resisting.
It was also pointed out that he is a Norteño.
Colusa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene because they were familiar with the suspect. At 3:42 a.m., it was announced that Colusa County S.O. had two sergeants responding in the same vehicle.
Sgt. Lemmon warned that the knife used in the attack is “still outstanding [not recovered].” He then added, “Officer safety.”
Cedar Hills, Eskaton, and surrounding areas were searched more than once. Deputies also checked out numerous instances of dogs barking in the area.
At 4:05 a.m., L&T Towing was contacted to transport the Explorer to the GCSO’s yard for the collection of evidence. About 12 minutes later, Sgt. Lemmon said that the keys to the Explorer were “still outstanding.”
At 4:35 a.m., the perimeter started to be broken down. Colusa County Sheriff’s deputies planned to “sit on the [suspect’s mother’s] house” in Arbuckle.
At 6:17 a.m., a deputy reported he had eyes on the suspect at Colusa and Garden Streets. The suspect was detained, then arrested and transported to the Glenn County Jail.
Glenn County dispatch was advised to contact Colusa County S.O. to let them know they did not need to watch the residence in Arbuckle.
The name of the second alleged suspect mentioned in the GCSO press release remains unknown.
According to the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, this investigation is on-going. No further information is available at this time.
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. – 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Debra Ratliff of Willows died on Sunday, April 28, 2024, while hospitalized in Chico. The middle of three daughters, she was born in Downey, Calif., to William Gordon Reaves and Anna Arleen Reaves on August 14, 1960.
Along with her older sister, Denise Reaves, and younger sister, Diana Reaves, she moved with her mother to Oroville in the early 1970s to live with her grandparents. She entered Oroville High School in 1975 and in her freshman year met the man who would later become her husband.
She graduated from Oroville High in June of 1978, and on August 20, 1978, married John Ratliff. They lived briefly in Biggs, then moved to Willits in 1979.
Deb gave birth to two sons, John III in 1980 and Brian in 1982.
She worked at Chevron and at the medical office of Dr Ted Dawson in Willits and later managed a video store in Ukiah until the family moved back to Oroville in 1994. There, she worked for Robert Rogers, florist, and then for Dr Jeffrey Klink, O.D., until 2004.
In 2003, the family moved to Willows. She went to work at Northern Valley Indian Health, where she was employed until illness forced her to retire in 2023.
She was loved by many who knew her and many who met her through her work and church activities.
She loved singing and music and spending time with friends and family. She was active in her church, particularly with music ministry and vacation Bible school, which were her passions.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, John; son John III (fiancée, Brandee); son Brian; sister Dina (husband, Michael); granddaughters Menolly, Cordelia and Adira; and numerous nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alva and Mamie Smith; mother Arleen Reaves; father William Reaves; and sister Denise Halgren.
A Celebration of Life is planned for 3 p.m. on Friday, May 24, at the Harvest Baptist Church, 1202 Railroad Avenue, Orland.
Madeline Vierra of Willows died at the care facility in Williams on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. She was born in Sacramento to George and May Bernice (Trimble) Vicari on November 25, 1924.
She was the second born of five children, including Sam, Betty, George, and Jeanie. She was the last surviving sibling.
In the early 1940s, she met and married Reuben E. Vierra. They had one daughter, Kay Diane, in 1946.
They moved to Willows in 1973, living in the same house until she went to a rehab facility after breaking a hip in 2019. Covid forced her to stay in the facility until her death.
In her younger years, she worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” welder during World War II, while her husband served.
She never learned to drive but loved to play the organ and enjoyed knitting. She and her husband, who went by Elwood or Woody, were members of the Oddfellows in Willows for many years.
She is survived by three of her four grandchildren, Ronald Wayne Novack (Juli) of Louisiana, Reuben James (Ted) Theodore Novack (Stephanie) of Willows, and Michael Scott Novack (Tonia) of Orland; and great-grandchildren Wayne, James, Scott, Eric, Tory, Jamie, Stephanie, Tyler, Amber, Hunter, Samantha, Nate, Justin, LaCretia, Domynik and Jason.
Her great-great-grandchildren are numerous, but range in age from two to 25. She also had five great-great-great grandchildren who she never got to meet.
She was preceded in death by her husband, who died in 1982; her daughter, Kay Diane, who died in 2021; her grandson, Anthony (Tony) Paul Novack, who died in 2019; and her great-grandson, Nick, who died in 2010.
She was laid to rest next to her husband on May 2, 2024, in the Willows Cemetery.
Allen Louis Lohse of Artois died in Willows on Friday, April 19, 2024. He was born in Chico to Walter and Barbara Lohse in 1952.
An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed spending time deer hunting in the mountains. A lifelong farmer in Glenn County, he loved working in the pistachio orchard, walking the creek near the house, and spending time with his grandson and family.
He is survived by his brothers Ted, Walter, and Gus; wife Judy; son Kevin and Kevin’s wife, Megan, and their son Peterson; and son Greg and his wife Shannon. He was preceded in death by his father Walter; mother Barbara; and sister Anne.
His service is planned for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at the Germantown Cemetery near Artois.
Apparently, the California Highway Patrol isn’t concerned about optics.
Rather than handing the investigation off to a more independent and objective agency, the CHP itself will be handling the investigation into an incident in which one of its officers was reportedly attacked, beaten, and had his gun taken. This may very well be exactly what happened to the officer, but it would likely have inspired more confidence if a more unbiased group of people were looking into the matter.
At first, it was thought that the officer had been shot, but, according to CHP Officer Rodney Pozzi, that was not correct. One round had been fired, but it did not hit either the suspect or the officer.
The incident began at about 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, on County Road 203 (Canal Road) at the railroad tracks, north of Hamilton High School. People driving by reported a man was throwing rocks at the windshields of vehicles.
The Willows CHP officer, whose identity has not been released, was the first person to arrive at the scene. Neither the Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatch broadcasts nor Officer Pozzi’s later address to the media gave so much as a hint how the fight between the officer and the suspect originated.
However, both men sustained injuries, although, again, neither man was shot. According to Officer Pozzi, they were both taken to separate local hospitals (presumably, Glenn Medical Center and Enloe hospital) for treatment of their injuries.
Shortly after the “officer down” call went out, emergency responders of all kinds began arriving. Responding law enforcement officers included Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies, detectives, and sergeants, and the sheriff himself; Orland police officers, including Chief Joe Vlach; Glenn County probation officers; State Parks officers; and, of course, CHP officers from not just Willows but also Chico and elsewhere.
A call went out from the Glenn County fire dispatcher, “Attention Hamilton City Fire: Medical aid for an officer down, staging required. County Road 203, north of State Route 32, at the train tracks.”
A law enforcement officer reported that the incident was on the “west side of the tracks, north of the tracks.”
Glenn County fire dispatch reported that a fire unit was responding at 11:20 a.m. “Per law enforcement,” the dispatcher said, “you can enter the scene.”
However, a moment later, dispatch was told, “Be advised: The suspect has a gun, the officer’s gun.”
The dispatcher then told Hamilton City volunteers, “Cancel responding into the scene,” and they were again told to stage.”
A short time later, the dispatcher said, “Attention all fire units responding to the Hamilton City call: The location for the call is County Road 203, north of State Route 32, at the train tracks. Acknowledge staging in your response.”
A minute or two later, firefighters were told, “The scene is now secured. You are good to enter. Injuries are single patient with a gunshot wound.” Once again, according to CHP Officer Pozzi, this was incorrect, and shows why scanner broadcasts should not be taken at face value.
Fire department volunteers began arriving on scene at 11:23 a.m. “Best access will be through the orchard”, the dispatcher said.
Orland Fire Chief Justin Chaney reported he was on his way to Hamilton City.
The Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatcher told Sheriff Justin Gibbs that the first ambulance should be at the scene, and the second “is about 10 minutes out.”
Orland Fire Chief Chaney announced, “I’m just coming into town. What do you need?”
“You want to handle FlightCare when they arrive?”
“Yeah, copy that,” answered Chief Chaney. “Where are you guys going to put them down?”
“… just north of the high school,” came the reply.
“Copy that, said Chaney. “County, you can make me ground contact for FlightCare.”
The high school, by the way, had been placed on a “soft lockdown.” This lasted roughly half an hour.
Orland Police Chief stated he was on-scene.
The sheriff asked if the gun had been found yet.
He was told no.
Sheriff Gibbs said to tell him when it is found.
The sheriff then asked, “Do we have a dog coming or no?”
The dispatcher was advised to contact Fish and Wildlife for a dog.
Someone asked what kind of dog they need.
A “gunpowder dog,” came the answer.
A sheriff’s sergeant was asked, “Have you located the weapon yet?”
“Negative,” was the response.
Sheriff Gibbs asked, “Orland units, when you’re clear, can you come over and help search for the weapon?”
Sometime later, the sheriff reported that the Taser has been located on the south side of the railroad track.
Then, a report was broadcast that the firearm had been found.
The sheriff added that the weapon was missing its magazine.
At 11:49 a.m., Hamilton City fire units had been released from the scene and were “available at the station”
A while later, the sheriff reported that the magazine had been found.
The sheriff told the dispatcher to have the K-9 continue in because investigators may want to search for the casing(s).
Sheriff’s Detective Barnes also reported that the CHP wanted the K-9 to help search for the casing(s).
Fire Chief Chaney said he’s been released and is returning to Orland.
Sheriff’s Detective Lopeteguy reported the CHP is requesting that County Road 203 be closed down at County Road 9.
Sometime later, State Parks reported they were on-scene.
At 12:04 p.m., a Hamilton City fire unit said they were available. Four minutes later, another unit reported they were available.
The Glenn County Sheriff’s dispatcher told the sheriff that the restaurant across the street from the high school reported that somebody brought the suspect’s bike into her restaurant.
The sheriff said he would let the CHP know.
The sheriff told dispatch that it needs to be determined whether a train may come through on the railroad tracks. If so, the tracks need to be shut down because there are vehicles parked on them.
A while later, the sheriff asked the dispatcher what sounded like, “Can you pull the entire incident from the dispatch tape, please?”
A minute or two later, Orland Police Sgt. Sean Johnson reported he is heading back to Orland.
Then, Orland Police Chief Vlach reported he is “back in the city.”
Later, all probation department officers were released.
More than two hours after the incident began, sheriff’s detectives reported that they had been released, and asked the dispatcher, “Can you print the call log for this incident on 203 …?”
Glenn County District Attorney Dwayne Stewart (middle). Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.
While waiting for the CHP to speak to the media on-scene (which would eventually consist of Yours Truly, two reporters from the Chico Enterprise-Record, and a reporter from Action News Now), Glenn County District Attorney Dwayne Stewart and Deputy District Attorney Michael Coffey arrived.
They stood around and chatted for a while, then left.
Next, investigators with Redding CHP’s Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) showed up. Several minutes later, they went to work, and Officer Pozzi got ready to speak to the press.
He stated that the suspect was in custody, and that the suspect and officer were being treated at separate local hospitals, but he wouldn’t specify who was in which medical facility. After being asked about the alleged rock throwing, Officer Pozzi seemed to reluctantly admit that the suspect had been throwing things at vehicles.
No names were provided. No details of any kind were provided.
True, it is an active investigation, but some basic information could surely be released without compromising the integrity of the investigation.
Friday morning, the Glenn County Jail issued a media release for seven people who had been booked on Thursday. One of these was one Alexander Hall, 26, of Chico, who was booked on a charge alleging attempted murder.
He was booked at 11:45 and taken into custody by the CHP on Canal Road, south of County Road 9. His bail was set at $150,000.
According to the jail’s media release, Hall is six feet-four inches tall and weighs 200 pounds.
The Glenn County Observer 