John Montz of Willows died in Chico on Sunday, August 4, 2024. He was born in Willows to Douglas and Elizabeth Montz on June 23, 1947.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Patty; sons John Jr., Michael, and Jerry; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Graveside services are planned for 10 a.m. on Friday, August 9, at the Willows Cemetery. John will have Veteran as well as Fire Department honors.
A reception is to follow at the Willows Elks Lodge.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
Justice is sometimes slow in arriving, but it is better than no justice at all.
On Monday, July 22, the Cloverdale Police Department, located in Sonoma County, Calif., announced a breakthrough in a 42-year-old cold case involving a 13-year-old girl who was raped and murdered. The suspect in this 1982 crime is James Unick, now 62, of Willows.
The department’s press release states, “The Cloverdale Police Department has announced a major breakthrough in the decades-old Sarah Geer murder case, bringing closure to a tragic event that has haunted the community for over forty years. The cold case, dating back to the 1982 murder of 13-year-old Sarah Ann Geer, has finally been resolved.
“Former Police Chief Jason Ferguson, who reopened the investigation in July 2021, retired in December 2023. His successor, Chief Chris Parker, continued the pursuit of justice alongside private investigator Kevin Cline and Cloverdale Detective Katie Vanoni.
“Sergeant Borruso initially took charge of the investigation in 2021, meticulously reviewing evidence and conducting interviews. A male DNA profile was identified from the evidence and through the use of modern DNA genetic genealogy technology, this dedicated team has successfully identified and apprehended James Unick, 62, from Willows… He has been taken into custody and is being booked into the Sonoma County Jail.
“The successful conclusion of this case was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Cloverdale Police Department, Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, SERI Labs, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice, and private investigator Kevin Cline.
“Cloverdale Police Chief Parker said, ‘Today represents a bittersweet victory for justice. While nothing can undo the pain inflicted upon the Geer family and our community, we can finally offer some solace in knowing that the perpetrator will be held accountable. This arrest is a testament to the dedication of our law enforcement agencies and the unwavering resolve of Cloverdale’s citizens.’
“The Cloverdale Police Department extends its gratitude to the community for their patience and support throughout the complexities of this decades-old case, which many feared would never be solved. The department also expresses deep appreciation to the Geer family for their enduring strength and cooperation throughout this prolonged process.
“Cloverdale Mayor Lands said, ‘Today, we stand united in solidarity with the Geer family as we witness the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance by our law enforcement officials. This arrest signifies not only a step towards closure but also a reiteration of our commitment to ensuring safety and justice for all in Cloverdale.’
“The Cloverdale Police Department has an unwavering commitment to provide service to the community we all share and care about.”
Suspect James Unick has lived in Willows since at least 1995. In May of 1995, Unick was charged with misdemeanor resisting arrest, exhibition of a deadly weapon (a misdemeanor), and disobeying a lawful order of the court (a misdemeanor).
The last two charges were dismissed, but Unick pled no contest to the resisting charge. He was sentenced to 36 months’ probation, a $400 fine, and 30 days in the Glenn County Jail, to be served on weekends.
Since then, Unick apparently has not committed any crimes, at least in Glenn County. However, The Observer’s police and sheriff’s logs mention Unick a number of times since February of 2013.
For example, at about 11:12 p.m. on February 23, 2013, Unick, 51 at the time, called to report that someone had just thrown an orange through his front window, then left in an unknown direction. Law enforcement officers did not find anyone. Officers made contact with Unick and took a report.
On April 14, 2017, Unick, 55 at the time, contacted a sheriff’s detective and gave him a clear plastic baggie containing an unknown white powdery substance. Unick had found the baggie on the ground at or near 600 North Humboldt Avenue. The baggie and the substance inside were transported to the sheriff’s office for destruction.
And on November 1, 2017, Unick, 56 at the time, reported receiving a phone call from 337-600-1052. The caller told Unick he owed back taxes and would be arrested unless he purchased iTunes gift cards and provided the cards’ numbers to the caller.
Unick purchased $300 in gift cards and gave the card numbers to the caller. Unick did not realize until later that he had been scammed and did not owe back taxes.
According to the sheriff’s log, Unick requested the incident be documented in efforts to alert others of the scam.
By Larry Judkins
Glenn County Observer
The bodies of two men found in a submerged vehicle in the Glenn-Colusa Canal late Wednesday morning are likely those of two missing Yuba City men.
According to a news release issued Thursday morning by the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, the CHP was notified by the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office that a deputy had discovered evidence of a vehicle submerged in the canal that runs along the west side of County Road 203 (Canal Road), south of County Road 9 (Wyo Road).
Emergency responders, including the CHP, the Hamilton City Fire Department, the Capay Fire Department, and the Glenn County Sheriff’s Dive Team, responded to the scene.
A 2004 Lexus was recovered from the murky water and was discovered to be occupied by two deceased persons.
The Lexus was found to be associated with a Silver Alert issued July 20 by the CHP on behalf of the Yuba City Police Department. The press release stated:
“The Yuba City Police Department is asking for the public to be on the lookout for two men who have been missing since Friday.
“James Adams, 89, and Ronny Adams, 57, both from Yuba City, are considered ‘at risk’ due to medical conditions that require ongoing treatment.
“They were driving a blue or silver-blue 2004 Lexus RX330, with a ‘disabled plate’ of 113GT.
“Their phones indicated they may have last been on Highway 45 between Princeton and Hamilton City, Glenn County.”
According to Thursday’s CHP news release, there was no evidence immediately available at the scene to determine the precise day or time this accident occurred.
However, there was evidence at the scene indicating that an unknown person was driving the Lexus north on County Road 203, south of Road 9, at a high rate of speed.
There were also indications that the vehicle left the east side of the roadway, followed by an overcorrection by the driver. The Lexus veered back to the west, crossing both lanes of Road 203.
After crossing Road 203, the vehicle continued in a northwesterly direction, striking a large tree before coming to rest in the canal.
The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office is handling the coroner’s investigation. Given the circumstances, positive identification of the two men will undoubtedly be anything but routine and will take some time.
The sheriff’s log for this incident said only, “Deputy Peterson was detailed to a death investigation. Deputy Peterson responded and initiated an investigation.”
The CHP’s news release concludes, “The circumstances of the crash are still under investigation.”
Eric Ford of Orland died on Sunday, July 21, 2024. He was born on November 14, 1966.
Smart and kind, he enjoyed working with his hands. He could fix just about anything, and was eager to teach someone else to as well.
He showed his love for people with acts of service. His smile was contagious.
He was an absolute goofball when in the mood and could make anyone laugh when they needed it.
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Ford; children Sean Ford, Krista Martinez, Kaitlyn Ford, and Marshall Ford; mother June Naegeli; siblings Patricia Watson, Bruce Auerbach, Karen Auerbach Adams, Stephanie Barnard, Todd Wilkinson, and Mark Ford; several grandchildren; and numerous other family members.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 17, in the Meeting Hall of the Real Life Church in Orland, located at 1044 Trinity Street. Please RSVP by calling or texting Kathy Van Gieson at (530) 518-1806.
The Glenn County Observer 