Day: April 23, 2025

Former Glenn County resident Barbara Linquist died unexpectedly in her Chico home on Thursday, March 20, 2025. She was born in San Francisco to Louis and Nina Matteucci on February 1, 1951.

She grew up in Orland with her older brother, Michael, and younger sister, Carolyn. She graduated from Orland High School in 1969 and then attended Chaminade College of Honolulu, Hawaii.

She was married to her beloved husband, Randy, for 52 years, sharing a life filled with love, adventure, and countless memories. She and Randy spent 30 years in Willows, where they ran a cattle ranch and raised their children.

She was also a dedicated bookkeeper who was never truly able to hang up the balance sheet, as her meticulous nature and love for detail defined her work.

Outside of her career, she was an avid traveler, exploring the world with Randy by her side. Her passion for adventure took them to countless destinations, from the beaches of Cancun and the streets of Europe to the jungles and deserts of Africa.

Above all, she cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren, and friends, always with an infectious laugh that could light up a room. A lifelong volunteer, she gave years of service to her community, including working with the CASA organization to advocate for children within the foster care system.

She also traveled with Randy to Vietnam for several years, volunteering with Rotary to help amputees and the local orphanages. Her love, laughter, and selfless spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend who touched the lives of everyone she met.

She is survived by her husband, Randy; sons Tim (Lynda) and Stephen (Marisa); daughter Shannon (Peter); and grandchildren Cody, Tyler, Fritz, Franko, Vera, Maggie, and Maxwell.

If you would like to honor her memory, the family kindly requests donations be made in her name to the CASA program of Butte and Glenn Counties, a cause she was deeply passionate about during her nearly 10 years as a dedicated volunteer. Contributions can be sent to NVCSS CASA, c/o Tina Wolfe, 10 Independence Circle, Chico, CA 95973.

Please note “CASA Incentive Fund” in the memo line. Your support will help continue her legacy of advocating for children in need.

The family was planning on holding private funeral services. Arrangements were entrusted to Brusie Funeral Home.

Glenn County Observer

The fire that destroyed a multi-family dwelling at 143 North Yolo Street, Willows, Tuesday morning was both “human-caused” and “suspicious,” the Willows Volunteer Fire Department reported on Wednesday.

According to the press release issued by Chief Nathan Monck:

On April 22, 2025, at approximately 0509 hours [5:09 a.m.], the Willows Fire Department was dispatched to a residential structure fire in the 100 block of North Yolo Street, Willows, California.

First-arriving units reached the scene within five minutes of dispatch and encountered a single-story, multi-family residence with heavy fire showing from two sides of the structure. An adjacent apartment complex was also immediately threatened.

Crews initiated a primary search of units that were not boarded up and began an offensive interior attack to locate the fire’s origin and identify any possible victims.

During the initial firefight, a partial roof collapse forced crews to withdraw and transition to a defensive fire strategy. The primary objectives of this approach were civilian and firefighter safety, and confinement of the fire to the building of origin – which was successfully achieved.

An investigation conducted by members of the Willows Fire Department determined that the fire was suspicious in nature and human-caused. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

The building involved was a condemned property and has been the subject of long-term code enforcement activity. Despite numerous attempts – at significant taxpayer expense – to secure the building and bring it into compliance, the structure remained occupied by unauthorized persons.

Fire units performed an interior search during the initial phase of the fire due to this known occupancy. Over the last 18-24 months, the occupants were repeatedly offered services and alternative housing, all of which were declined.

The Willows Fire Department extends its sincere gratitude to all mutual and automatic aid partners who responded and assisted during this incident.

Anyone with information related to this fire is encouraged to contact the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 934-6431.