Surrounded by her loved ones, Martha L. Beck died in her home in Willows on Monday, July 29, 2024. She was born in Brookland, Ark., to Luther and Faye Brown, on June 22, 1937.
She grew up in Brookland, then moved to Paragould, Ark., where she met her future husband, Glenn Beck. The couple had six beautiful children.
In 1973, she moved with her five youngest children to Laytonville, Calif., where her mother and stepfather lived. She worked on and off, but her number one job was being a mother to her children.
In 1994, she moved to Willows, where her son and daughter-in-law lived.
She is survived by her children, Glenda Clements of Paragould, Ark., Juanita Beck of Willows; Cathy Watts (Gordon) of Laytonville, Calif., David Beck (Elizabeth) of Willows, Donna Beck of Camarillo, Calif.; and Sharon Crawshaw (Nick) of Willows; brother, Charlie Johnson (Maureen) of Laytonville; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
The family plans to hold a private Celebration of Life.
Surrounded by her family, longtime Orland resident Faye Jaquith died on Friday, August 2, 2024. She was born in Anadarko, Okla., to Jack and Jessie Reese on June 12, 1943.
Her family moved to California when she was three years old. She attended Ord Bend Elementary School and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1961.
On April 5, 1963, she married the love of her life, Glenn Jaquith. During 59 years of marriage, she had two daughters, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
She loved her family. They were the most important thing in her life.
She had many hobbies over the years. She loved to sew, crochet, read, and spend time in her yard, where she grew the most beautiful flowers.
She also enjoyed driving around the countryside, taking photographs. Many of her photos were published in The Sacramento Valley Mirror newspaper.
However, her most loved hobby was spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her children Jackie (Steve) Paillon and Terri Finch of Orland; grandsons Michael and Kevin Paillon of Orland; granddaughter Brittney Finch of Lincoln, Calif.; and great-grandchildren Leah and Ashton Paillon of Orland. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Glenn Jaquith, brother Bill Reese, and sister Wanda Jones.
A viewing is scheduled from 12 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, at the Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary Chapel at 825 A Street, Orland. Graveside services are planned for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 23, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, 3900 County Road P, Orland.
Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary.
Jane Dell died peacefully in Napa on Saturday, August 3, 2024. She was born on November 9, 1937, and raised in Princeton, where she spent most of her life.
She grew up her daddy’s cowgirl, helping with the cattle and on a horse more often than not. She would share stories of her mother, Charlotte, wishing she would wear dresses and keep her hair in curls, when she was usually in jeans and boots, disheveled from a day of riding and ranching with her dad.
She loved animals and had several dogs, cats, and horses through all stages of her life, and even an occasional bunny or lamb, and more than a few bummer calves. At one point, she had a blind bummer calf named Rudy that she turned into an educational project, touring various local elementary schools and using him as a lesson in overcoming adversity.
She was married to John Young of Princeton and had three children, Tina, Greg and Joe. John and Jane spent time in San Diego and Seattle while he was in the Navy and then moved back to Princeton to raise their family.
She moved to Colusa for several years while married to Walt Griffith, where she got to relive her cowgirl dreams. Her grandchildren fondly remember bottle feeding calves, riding horses, learning about leather tooling and taking plane rides with her during this time.
She moved back to her childhood home in Princeton to be with her father, Ross Campbell, in the 1990s, and her other passion in life flourished. She was hired as a teacher’s aide (for the second time) at Princeton Elementary School and worked there for several years, and later working at Willows Middle School.
She loved her job and cared for her students long after they graduated. Hundreds of Princeton and Willows kids called her Grandma and claimed her as their own. The very day she died one of her former students actually showed up at her doorstep to say hello and check in, nearly 20 years after he graduated.
While back in Princeton, she met her third husband, Alan Dell, and they enjoyed more than 21 years married together. She often joked that she was a cradle robber, being that lucky number 3 was 12 years her junior.
Al and Jane enjoyed time on the river fishing, and took up hobby farming, delivering fresh vegetables to much of Princeton from their ever-growing garden. They had chickens that became pets; and never knew a stray. They had several cats and dogs at all times, and always a horse or three.
She loved a spicy book, a laid-back party, and a cold beer.
She is survived by her third husband, Alan Dell of Princeton; daughter Tina (Ben) Gordon of Princeton; son Joe (Audrey) Young of Yuba City; brother Jim (Cindy) Campbell of Princeton; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
A graveside service is set for 10 a.m. on Friday, August 16, at the Princeton Cemetery. Following the service, a celebration of life for her is planned at Ben and Tina Gordon’s home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider donating to Friends of the Colusa County Animal Shelter in honor of her love for all animals, or the Princeton Elementary School to help her beloved Princeton Eaglets.
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.
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:
Ronny Adams
“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.
An anonymous bomb threat was called in to the Willows Walmart Wednesday morning, prompting an evacuation.
At about 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, the Willows Walmart received a call from an unknown person who indicated there was a bomb in the restroom area.
Walmart security personnel began evacuating the store immediately.
Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies began arriving, and went to work getting vehicles to leave.
McDonald’s, located across the parking lot to the south, was also contacted.
At about 9:34 a.m., the Willows Fire Department was called and asked to stage.
Staging for all incoming vehicles was across Highway 162 at Nancy’s Airport Café.
According to the police scanner, Highway 162 was shut down, as were the Interstate 5 offramps at Highway 162.
At 9:43 a.m., deputies entered Walmart.
At about 10:20 a.m., deputies determined the store was clear.
A 25-year-old Red Bluff man died after being hit by at least three vehicles while walking on Interstate 5 in Glenn County late Monday night.
According to a press release issued by the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 11:35 p.m. on July 29, the Red Bluff man was walking in the fast lane of the southbound side of Interstate 5, south of County Road 39. The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, which is conducting the coroner’s investigation, gives his name as Alejandro Bernal-Lozano.
CHP Officer Nick DeFrancesco states that as Bernal-Lozano crossed the freeway, the 2013 Volkswagen being driven by Jamey Phillips, 28, of Willows, in the southbound fast lane of I-5 struck the pedestrian.
Following this collision, a 2019 Honda being driven by Vignesh Pandiarajan, 22, of San Ramon, also hit Bernal-Lozano. Then, a third vehicle, a 2023 Peterbilt driven by Maricela Sanchez, 40, of Fresno, also ran over the pedestrian.
Bernal-Lozano died at the scene. Drugs or alcohol are not suspected to be contributing factors for the drivers involved in this accident.
According to the CHP, drug or alcohol impairment on the part of Bernal-Lozano is currently unknown.
As stated above, the sheriff’s office is handling the coroner’s investigation. After identifying the body, deputies notified the next of kin: Edgar Omar Bernal-Lozano of Willows.
Orland police officers also assisted. Deputies cleared the scene at about 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 30.
On Tuesday, July 16, 2024, Lucas Kane Nunes of Glenn died in Ord Bend alongside his lifelong friend/brother, Rodney Wayne Yeager. Lucas Nunes was born in Willows on June 17, 1979.
He loved anything to do with the outdoors, including fishing, camping, and hunting. He always enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, playing pool, dancing, and grilling and sitting around the fire telling stories and making everyone laugh and feel welcomed and loved.
He attended boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, in November of 1998 and graduated basic in February of 1999. After 10 days of leave, he began his infantry and weapons training at Camp Horno, Calif., graduating as an 0341 (Mortar Man) and then attending Marine Corps Security Forces training in Virginia.
Upon graduating Security Forces training, he was stationed in Bahrain. He deployed with 3/7 in January of 2003 and began fighting the war on terrorism in Iraq in March of 2003.
While serving our country, he received the following decorations: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (2nd award), Combat Action Ribbon (Iraq), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (Iraq), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Kuwait), and Presidential Unit Citation-Navy. He also achieved his (5th award) rifle expert badge.
During his service to our county, he achieved the rank of Sergeant.
He is survived by his father, Richard John Nunes, Sr., of Willows; brother Richard John Nunes, Jr., of Portugal; sister Anelisa Marie Nunes of Ord Bend; uncle, Joseph Nunes of Arizona; cousins Christopher Nunes of Chico and Diana Nunes of Chico; godparents Denny and Bonnie Tucker of Willows; and his beloved bonus family: Debi Yeager of Chico, Amber Yeager of Ord Bend, and Dale Suhre of Ord Bend.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Deborah Kay Nunes.
His family and friends agree, he is greatly loved and will be tremendously missed by all.
A Rosary is scheduled for recitation at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Willows. A Mass is to be celebrated at the church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 1, to be followed by a graveside service at the Willows Veterans Cemetery.
A reception and memorial are scheduled at the Willows Memorial Hall. In lieu of flowers, a gofundme account has been established in Lucas Nunes’ honor.
The Glenn County Observer 