Author: ldjudk1ns

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

An Orland woman died Monday morning following a vehicle crash at County Roads M and 24.

The accident occurred at about 8 a.m. on June 24. The location was initially reported as Roads M and 21, but this was soon updated to M and 24.

Scanner broadcasts indicated that three vehicles were involved; however, both the CHP Traffic website and the Willows CHP’s media release say that only two vehicles were involved.

According to the California Highway Patrol, one of the vehicles was a 2016 Jeep Rubicon and the other was a 2004 Honda Accord.

The scanner also stated that there were three victims involved: two women and one child. If the information from the scanner is correct, then the CHP improperly withheld not just the child’s name, but all other information regarding him or her, including the fundamental fact that a child was involved.

In California, the identities of all accident victims are public information and cannot legally be kept secret by law enforcement agencies. Government entities can legally withhold the name of someone who was killed in an accident pending notification of next of kin, but once next of kin has been told, the government is obligated to release the information.

Unlike the CHP, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office may have given the child’s name as an “Involved Party,” although this is by no means certain. The sheriff’s log for June 24 lists Alma Esly Bautista-Michel of Orland as the deceased; Jorge Eduardo Bautista (her son) of Orland as the next of kin; and Juan Leyva-Rodriguez of Orland as an “Involved Party.”

According to the CHP’s news release, at about 8:04 a.m. on Monday, June 24, a 46-year-old Orland woman (later identified by the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office as Alma Esly Bautista-Michel) was driving a Honda Accord east on County Road 24 at an unknown speed, approaching the stop sign at County Road M.

Sandy Barragan, 27, of Orland, was driving a Jeep Rubicon south on County Road M, approaching the intersection with Road 24. There is no stop sign for southbound vehicles on County Road M at Road 24.

CHP investigators believe that Alma Esly Bautista-Michel drove the Honda into the intersection as Sandy Barragan was approaching from the north in the Jeep. The front end of the Jeep collided with the driver’s side of the Honda, causing the Jeep to spin around in a counterclockwise direction and come to rest partially blocking the intersection.

The Honda was pushed in a southeasterly direction, causing it to spin around and come to rest facing west, just east of Road M.

According to scanner broadcasts, extrication, presumably for the occupant or occupants of the Honda, was necessary. A call-out for extra help from the Orland Fire Department was made, and two ground ambulances, as well as the FlightCare helicopter, were requested.

After the person was extricated, CPR began. Sometime later, FlightCare was cancelled and Alma Bautista-Michel was transported by ground ambulance to Glenn Medical Center in Willows, according to the sheriff’s log.

She was pronounced deceased at about 9:42 a.m., and a coroner’s investigation was initiated.

According to the CHP’s news release, the driver of the Jeep, Sandy Barragan, was transported with minor injuries to Enloe hospital in Chico.

Both drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the collision. It is unknown if the safety equipment for the child, if there was a child in one of the vehicles, was in use.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

The Orland Police Department is asking for help from the public in identifying the suspect in the armed robbery of the Speedway convenience story on Hoff Way early Sunday morning.

At about 3:33 a.m. on Sunday, June 10, Orland police officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Speedway gas station and convenience store, 1185 Hoff Way.

Responding officers confirmed that a robbery had occurred.

The suspect is a middle-aged man who entered the store, brandished a handgun, and demanded money.

He fled the area in an unknown direction with an undisclosed amount of cash.

In its press release sent out late Thursday afternoon, the Orland Police Department included two photographs of the suspect, apparently taken from the convenience store’s security camera.

This reporter for The Observer notes that in one of the photos, the suspect is holding the handgun in his left hand, which strikes the reporter as slightly odd unless the suspect is left-handed.

Two calls were made late Friday morning to the Orland Police Department to ask whether it is a realistic possibility the suspect is indeed left-handed.

Unfortunately, neither call was answered by a living human being.

Anyone with information regarding the incident or suspect identity is asked to contact Officer Ryan Martindale, Case #24-0344, at the Orland Police Department, 530-865-1616.

Yes, these bee sculptures are killer! The bees are the work of local artist Jake Midgley and were created in recognition of Orland as the Queen Bee Capital of North America. The worker bee can be seen along the Highway 32 off-ramp of northbound Interstate 5, on the east side of the freeway, while the queen bee is alongside the Highway 32 off-ramp of southbound I-5, on the west side of the freeway. The bees, which have long been in the works, were finally placed on their pedestals on Tuesday, June 11. The queen bee measures about nine feet in length, while the worker bee is about six feet.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

The name of the man whose body was found Thursday morning, June 6, in an Orland alley was released to The Observer on Tuesday, June 11.

The Glenn County Sheriff’s log gives his name as Nazario Salvador Vasquez of Orland. The Orland Police Department log gives his age as 81.

According to the sheriff’s office, at about 6:07 a.m. on June 6, Anthony Cortes Farjardo of Wasco, Kern County, contacted the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office to report an unresponsive man in the alley that runs from the Orland Car Wash, 7 Walker Street, south to Colusa Street.

An Orland police officer responded and confirmed Nazario Vasquez was deceased. Deputy Chavez responded and initiated a death investigation.

Deputy Chavez later contacted the decedent’s next of kin, Ana Cruz of Orland, and she was told of Vasquez’s death.

In a message accompanying a GoFundMe plea for financial help, a family member wrote, “We still don’t know why he died. He was perfectly fine before leaving the house.”

Since late November of 2022, Vasquez had numerous encounters (more than 20) with law enforcement, especially the Orland Police Department.

Most of these incidents were for alleged public intoxication, and many of them resulted in Vasquez being booked into the Glenn County Jail with $0.00 bail, to be released when sober.

It should be noted by all that excessive drinking of alcohol while exposed to very hot weather can lead to serious medical issues, such as heat stroke.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

A body was found Thursday morning in an alleyway in Orland.

The report came in shortly before 6 a.m. on June 6.

The man’s body was located on the east side of the alley that runs from the Orland Car Wash south to Colusa Street.

The body was near the northeast corner of a small, trash- and weed-infested vacant lot. It may have been there for a day or more.

The body was first noticed by an area resident who could see it near the weeds.

The man was lying face-up. This reporter did not notice any obvious signs of foul play, and it is thought he may have died from a medical issue.

As of this time, the man’s identity has not been released, pending notification of next of kin. The person is reportedly known to the Glenn County law enforcement community.

The incident is being investigated by Officer Brandon Sutton of the Orland Police Department. The coroner’s case is being handled by the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office.

Watch The Observer for an update.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

William “B.C.” Cameron, a south county firefighter of almost legendary reputation, died recently, his granddaughter, Carol Chrestensen, reported on Tuesday, May 28.

Along these lines involving Mr. Cameron’s semi-legendary status, this writer recalls a humorous incident from 2008. In October of that year, the Orland Ace Hardware store on Fifth Street caught fire in the early morning hours.

Orland firefighters arrived on the scene almost immediately (the Orland fire station is physically adjacent to the hardware store), but other county fire departments had to be called to provide mutual aid.

One of the south county firefighters who showed up was none other than B.C. Cameron. When he appeared, five or six north county firefighters pretended to bow and scrape before him.

In her statement on Tuesday, Carol Chrestensen said, “My grandpa was a man who was very involved with the community. In his time since coming to Willows, he was a firefighter, EMT, and search and rescue member.”

She continued, “He saved lives, he listened, he gave advice.” Some of this advice, Chrestensen added, you may not have wanted to hear, but needed to.

Ray Mudd commented, “Lots of good memories and stories over the years with B.C. at Thunderhill Raceway. He was an amazing man.”

Likewise, Eric Diamond stated, “B.C. was a great friend and always an asset at Thunderhill.”

Brigitta McGarr said, “B.C. was a special friend who gave it all to whoever needed him. And what can I say, the best Santa ever! He left our family with great Christmas memories, with planned surprise visits to our house, accompanied by his wife, Carol (alias Mrs. Claus), in the mid-1990s.”

Dennis Asbury posted, “I will miss and remember B.C., friends for more than 30 years. It was always a fun time working fires or floods with him. He always made a tough job go better.”

Asbury added, “A new friend was someone he hadn’t met yet. He was a Real Person.”

Germaine Burrows remarked, “He was like family and even came to our native dance in Grindstone. RIP, B.C. I’ll always remember you!”

Carol Chrestensen invited anyone who would like to celebrate her grandpa to “join us on Saturday, June 1, at the Willows Fire Department. We will be departing at 9 a.m. and following the fire engines through town for his one last ride.

“We will end up at the Kanawha Fire Department, where there will be food and laughs and stories. Please bring your own drinks.

“And we hope to see you there!”

With her daughter, Cecilia, by her side, Kimberly Ann Sanchez-Peltier of Orland died peacefully in Chico on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, after a long battle with an illness.

She was born in Richmond, Calif., to Marvin Wullenwaber and Della Trujillo on July 11, 1963.

She was an accountant, a loving mother, Nana, and friend.

She is survived by her daughter, Cecilia; son, Emilio; sisters Kelly, Nichole, and Erica; and grandbabies Steven, Mason, Logan and Celestia.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; oldest son, Steven; grandparents; and countless aunts and uncles.

A memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 8, at the Real Life Church, 1044 Trinity Street, Orland.

A Celebration of Life is to follow at the Wildflower Ranch, 23640 Malton Switch Road, north of Orland, starting at 7 p.m.

Dickalyn Joy Porter died suddenly at her home in Willows on Sunday, April 21, 2024. She was born at Enloe Hospital in Chico to Hugh and Winifred Wells on Nov. 18, 1947.

She was a proud resident of Durham for many years and was a 1965 graduate of Durham High School.

As a young girl, she loved music and choir. She could play the flute, piccolo, clarinet, and the alto sax.

She played in multiple bands, from Durham Junior High School on up to the Chico Community Band and the Paradise Elks Band. Most recently, she became a member of her church’s choir.

She was the first woman to join the Chico Toastmasters. She enjoyed playing pool and collected many trophies from tournaments over the years. She is a three-time top shooter for the Chico Women’s Pool Series.

She was married twice. Her first husband, Melvin Boyce, was enlisted in the Army. They were able to experience married life throughout the 1970s and 1980s in Germany. She loved living in Germany.

Her second marriage was to her high school sweetheart, David Porter. Unfortunately, this lasted only a year and a half, when her husband died.

She is survived by her older brother, Ron Darby, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, at the Durham Adobe Methodist Church. All are welcome.

In case you missed them, here are some of the entries in Saturday morning’s Glenn County Fair Parade. It was a very enjoyable event, although some watchers noticed that some of the participants from parades past were absent this year, including the Shriners go-karts and the Glenn County Sheriff’s Posse. All Glenn County Observer photos by Larry Judkins.

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.