Author: ldjudk1ns

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

Brace yourselves.

You are probably going to be even more pissed off by what you are about to read than you were when you read the Glenn County District Attorney’s press release issued on Friday, May 16.

That was the press release that included the court sentence that Logan Tyler Gibson, now 23, received for the statutory rapes of two girls, one 13 years old at the time of the crime and the other 15. He was given the maximum sentence, which was three years, eight months, with two of the years in the custody of the Glenn County Jail and one year, eight months, on supervised, formal probation.

Maximum sentence or not, its apparent lightness upset a lot of people.

According to the district attorney’s press release, on Friday, May 16, Logan Tyler Gibson was convicted of the two rapes. One of the girls was just 13 years old and the other was 15.

The rapes occurred less than two years apart, with the 15-year-old being raped while Gibson was being prosecuted for the rape of the 13-year-old.

The 13-year-old was raped in October of 2021. Gibson would have been roughly 19 at the time.

The 15-year-old was raped in July of 2023. Gibson would have been about 21 at that time.

As the D.A.’s press release stated, the defendant expressed little remorse in the probation report. The defense sought a grant of probation and a requirement to register as a sex offender.

There was no plea agreement in this case and Assistant District Attorney Michael Coffey sought the maximum sentence of three years, eight months, in county jail and asked that the defendant be required to register as a sex offender.

One of the victims and her family read a moving victim impact statement in Court.

After considering the sentence factors, Judge Byrd sentenced the defendant to the maximum sentence of three years, eight months, with two of the years in custody and one year and eight months on mandatory supervision. The judge also ordered the defendant to register as a sex offender.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Coffey, with assistance from the Glenn County Sheriff Office Sergeants Johnsen and Draper. Victim Advocates White and Perez-Palomares supported the victims throughout the lengthy court process.

According to Glenn County Superior Court records, regarding the rape of the 13-year-old, Gibson was charged on October 8, 2021, with rape through force or violence of a child under the age of 14 (a felony), and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 18; that is, statutory rape (a felony). On October 16, 2021, Gibson was also charged with sexual battery (a misdemeanor).

On December 20, 2024, Gibson pled guilty to the statutory rape charge, unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 18. The charge of forcible rape of a child under the age of 14 was dismissed, and the misdemeanor sexual battery charge was not included in the amended complaint against Gibson.

On July 27, 2023, in the case of the rape of the 15-year-old, Gibson was charged with rape by force or violence, and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 18; that is, statutory rape (both felonies), and misdemeanor battery (not sexual battery).

On December 20, 2024, as in the case of the rape of the 13-year-old, in this case Gibson again pled guilty to the statutory rape charge, unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 18. The charges of felony forcible rape and misdemeanor battery were dismissed.

On May 16, 2025, Gibson was sentenced as described above. He was also required to register as a sex offender.

However, there is more to the case of the rape of the 15-year-old. According to the Glenn County Sheriff’s log for July 27, 2023, Gibson was not the only suspect in this rape. The other suspect was Terril Andrew Whitlock, who was 23 in November of 2024.

On July 27, 2023, Whitlock was charged with rape by force or violence, oral copulation with a minor, sexual penetration of a minor, and two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, or statutory rape (all felonies).

On January 3, 2025, Whitlock pled guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, and the other charges were dismissed.

On February 7, 2025, Whitlock was sentenced to 158 days in the Glenn County Jail, of which 79 days were credited as time served. He was also sentenced to two years formal (supervised) probation.

Unlike Logan Gibson, Whitlock was not required to register as a sex offender.

The Observer called and spoke with District Attorney Dwayne Stewart Thursday afternoon, May 22. The sheriff’s log had indicated that not only had there been two suspect in the July 27, 2023, case, there had been two juvenile victims.

Stewart confirmed that Gibson and Whitlock had indeed both raped the same 15-year-old girl.

So, whether it was statutory rape or forcible rape, the rape of the 15-year-old was even worse than what was indicated by the D.A.’s May 16 press release.

Glenn County Observer

Not even tornados could keep Bayliss resident Isabella “Bella” Culp and the University of Redlands Bulldogs from winning their regional tournament in St. Louis, Mo., on Sunday, May 18.

The No. 7 Bulldogs secured their spot in the NCAA Softball Super Regional with a 2-0 victory over host No. 10 Washington University. When Redlands goes up against the Emory Eagles today, May 22, the Bulldogs will be the first Southern California Intercollegiate Conference team to participate in a Super Regional since 2014.

College scholar athlete Bella Culp, a business major, has been the starting catcher since her freshman year. Now a senior, she has been a leader since day one of walking onto the University of Redlands softball “Field of Dreams”.

Bella lives in Bayliss with her family. Her paternal grandparents owned Culp’s Bar in Grill in Willows (now known as The Last Stand) and her maternal grandparents owned a dairy and farmed in Bayliss.

Her father, Christopher, retired from the US Navy after 24 years of service, during which time Bella moved up and down the state as a child, playing her favorite sport. Her mother, Sheila, is a farmer.

Bella’s sister, Madelyn, attends Hamilton High School. She also enjoys softball.

Warren De Witt Fox died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, surrounded by family members. He was born in Malden, Massachusetts, to Ruth Fox Balcom and Warren W. Fox on December 10, 1937.

Growing up in the suburbs of Boston, some of his recreational activities involved riding the rails, snow sledding, ice skating and throwing a mean snowball. He also worked as a golf caddie, was employed in a caramel popcorn factory, Dairy Queen, and worked on a friend’s farm in Maine.

One of his favorite “pastimes” was taking care of his younger sister, Joyce.

After graduating from high school in Stoneham, Massachusetts, he left home at the age of 17 to attend Olympic Junior College in Bremerton, Washington.

Soon to be drafted into the military, he returned to Boston and enlisted in the Coast Guard. While in the Coast Guard, he attended electronics school in Connecticut.

He was stationed in Seattle for most of his time in the Coast Guard, except for a several month stint in Iceland.

He met the love of his life, Nelia Butler, when he left the Coast Guard and was living in Seattle. Warren and Nelia were married in October of 1963.

They moved to Chico, where Warren attended Chico State and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture and worked towards his Master’s Degree in Education. While he was attending Chico State, he worked on the family farm in Capay with his father-in-law, Neal Butler.

Warren and Nelia had three sons after moving to Capay in 1968. During this time, Warren was involved in farming prune orchards, almonds, olives, and raising beef cattle. He served on the Sunsweet Prune Board for several years before retiring from farming.

He also had a teaching credential and taught at Capay Elementary School, Lake School, was the activities director at Chico High School, and taught for the Chico Adult Program. He served on the Capay Elementary School Board for many years and was inducted into the Glenn County Educator Hall of Fame.

He was very active in community and church events. He attended the First Lutheran Church in Orland and had a strong faith in God.

He very generously helped others in many different ways, but he is mostly remembered for his enthusiastic children messages in church. His passion was gardening, reading, and, most importantly, his family.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nelia; sons Perry, Tim and Kyle; grandchildren Natalie, Ben, Emily, Ariel, Luke, Kaia, Cooper, Sequoia, Donovan, and Dalton; beloved daughters-in-law, Laura, Lora, and Rachelle; and sisters Virginia and Joyce. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Connie; and daughter-in-law, Melissa.

His family would like to thank all the people who took care of Warren during the last few months of his life: Butte Home Health and Hospice, especially Candis and Pia; Bright Star Home Care, especially Tom; Ojay; and his beloved nephew, Chris. His family added, “Thank you to the community of Capay for the food, support and love during this time.”

A memorial in Warren’s honor is planned for 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, at Capay Elementary School, 7504 Cutting Avenue. Contributions in Warren’s name can be made to the Capay Volunteer Fire Department, 50 Fourth Avenue, Orland, CA 95963, or First Lutheran Church, 19 Colusa Street, Orland, CA 95963, or a charity of your choice.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

About two minutes before 8 o’clock Sunday evening, a fatal motorcycle crash occurred on Newville Road near Wackerman Road, to which the Orland Volunteer Fire Department responded.

About seven minutes later, Orland volunteers also responded to a fatal rollover crash on Highway 99, south of County Road 21.

The deceased in both accidents were Orland men in their early 20s.

According to a press release from the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 8:05 p.m. on May 18, Jonathan Cuin Perez, 24, of Orland, was driving a 1988 Chevy north on Highway 99, south of County Road 21, at an unknown speed but above the 55 miles per hour speed limit.

He turned the vehicle to the east, where it traveled across the northbound road edge, onto a gravel shoulder, and through a perimeter fence.

The Chevy overturned several times before coming to rest in an agriculture field east of Highway 99.

According to CHP Officer Gilliam, Jonathan Cuin Perez was not wearing his seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Police scanner broadcasts indicated that the driver was pinned inside the vehicle and not breathing.

He was soon removed and emergency responders initiated CPR, but their life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.

A preliminary investigation into the cause of this accident is still pending.

It is presently unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a contributing factor.

For the story regarding the fatal motorcycle accident near Black Butte Lake, see The Observer story, “Motorcyclist dies near Black Butte Lake”.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

A young Orland man died in a motorcycle crash on Newville Road near Black Butte Lake Sunday evening.

At about 7:58 p.m. on May 18, the Redding Communications Center broadcast a report of a motorcycle vs. tree traffic crash on Newville Road, north of Wackerman Road.

The motorcycle was a 2009 Suzuki GSXR-600. The only occupant of the Suzuki was the driver, identified by the Tehama County Sheriff’s Office as Ranulfo Hernandez Mendez, 21, of Orland.

According to Officer Eric Taylor of the Red Bluff Office of the California Highway Patrol, the driver of the Suzuki was traveling south on Newville Road, north of Wackerman Road, when, for unknown reasons, he failed to negotiate a sweeping right curve in the road.

The Suzuki crossed over the northbound lane and continued in an easterly direction, where it went off the east side of the roadway.

The Suzuki went down a steep embankment and collided into a tree just east of the roadway.

This portion of Newville Road is actually in Tehama County rather than Glenn County, but since Orland volunteers can get there quicker than Tehama County firefighters, the Orland Volunteer Fire Department was asked by CalFire to render mutual aid.

Police scanner broadcasts indicated that Ranulfo Hernandez Mendez was administered CPR, but the life-saving efforts were unsuccessful.

If you have information regarding this crash, please contact the Red Bluff Area CHP office at (530) 737-6746.

At the same time Orland volunteers were responding to this accident, they were also called to another fatality, this one a rollover on Highway 99.

See The Observer story, “Orland man dies on 99”.

Starlette Kay Berry died peacefully in Chico on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. She was born in Albany, Georgia, to Neal Joel Reid and Linda Carol Braswell on October 7, 1965, seven minutes before her twin sister, Scarlett “Renee”.

Starlette was baptized at the Southside Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. While at the church, she was a singer with a “voice like an angel,” and her favorite song was “Hallelujah Square”.

Starlette and her family moved to Virginia in 1977. She was raised with her sisters, Scarlett Renee, and Michele, by their stepfather, Michael Kohler, and Linda Braswell.

Her stepfather tried to teach her how to drive, but she hit the gas pedal instead of the brake when trying to park the car. She ended up hitting the brick part of the garage and damaged it.

She was also raised by her maternal grandparents, General and Lola (Whitaker) Braswell.

When her previous marriage ended, after the birth of her first son, Daniel Colvin, she moved back from Maryland to Virginia. She stayed with her mom, Linda, and Michele until she moved out on her own.

While living in Virginia in 1985, Starlette met her husband, Robert Berry, when she was having a beach day with her sister, Scarlett. Robert was stationed at Norfolk at the time.

According to their families, Starlette and Robert were a perfect match, and the rest is history.

Starlette and Robert raised three children together: Joshua, Joseph, and Andrew Berry. Robert and she were consistently going from California to Erie, Pennsylvania, where her oldest son, Daniel, lived.

When her children were young, Starlette enjoyed traveling around the United States via Amtrak to visit family all over. Starlette was a loving wife and mother.

She was an activist and an active member of her community. She was a member of the Salvation Army, a strong defender of children and animals, and she would help anyone in need, always with a smile.

She enjoyed working at The Little Red Hen in Chico, where she tended to plants. She joined the Harvest Baptist Church in 2018, and remained an active member for the rest of her life.

She is survived by two of her sons, Joseph and Andrew Berry; sisters Michele (Joshua) Kohler Furry and Scarlett “Renee” (Bill) Reid Hawkins; sister-in-law Peggy Berry; brothers-in-law George and Willard Berry; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her two dads, Michael Kohler and Neal Reid; mother Linda Braswell; husband Robert Berry; sons Daniel Colvin and Joshua Berry; and nieces and nephews.

Donations in Starlette’s memory can be made to the Harvest Baptist Church of Orland; the California Autism Society; and the American Diabetes Society.

Services are planned for a later date at the Harvest Baptist Church, 1202 Railroad Avenue.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary of Orland.

Carl Edward “Ed” Melvin died at his home in Orland on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. He was born in Willows to Louise Melvin on June 30, 1974.

He graduated from Hamilton Union High School in 1992. While in high school, he was an excellent varsity basketball player and was known to make a slam dunk or two during games.

He enjoyed his time and friendships made in school.

After high school, he attended Butte College, where he took general education courses and worked at the student program at Johns Manville in Willows.

After college, Ed moved to Corvallis, Oregon. He was active in local basketball adult leagues and enjoyed creating multiple different art mediums. He was a talented wood sculptor and drew beautiful abstract paintings.

He was a “true warrior” with his battle with epilepsy and inspired his loved ones with his strength and courage. At the time of his epilepsy diagnosis, he worked at Georgia Pacific in Albany, Oregon.

In 2017, he sold his beautiful historic home in Albany and moved back to Orland. While in Orland, he continued to create beautiful artwork.

He was extremely friendly and chatted with everyone in his neighborhood. He was often seen around town, walking his beloved dog, Pickles.

Ed is survived by his mother, Louise Melvin; sister Cindy (Scott) Fleharty; and brothers Doug (Brandy) Melvin, Ken (Elizabeth) Melvin, Bill (Tosh) Melvin, and Lloyd (Kathryn) Melvin. He was a fun and loving uncle to Tianna, Teaunna, Johnny, Lauren, Kenny, Isaac, Isabella, Jack, Jacob, Bennett, and Matthew.

He was preceded in death by his best friend, Heather Jones.

A celebration of life is planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, at Wildflower Ranch, 23640 Malton Switch Road, Capay. All who knew and loved Ed are invited.

Memorial contributions can be made in Ed’s honor to:

Cure Epilepsy

420 Wabash Avenue, Ste. 650

Chicago, IL 60611

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

If law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard in our criminal justice system, then many Glenn County residents feel the system failed in the John Sanzone case.

Sanzone was a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy from December of 2021 to September of 2022. According to the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office, while Sanzone was on duty, he encountered a homeless man and arrested him.

During the booking procedure, the homeless man had $3,500 in cash on his person, which he was saving to pay for badly needed dental work. Sanzone stole the money.

When the man tried to recover his money upon his release from custody, Sanzone ran interference with the evidence custodian and sheriff’s administration to keep the theft from being discovered by superiors. Sanzone went so far as to drive the homeless man to another county.

At some point after charges were filed against Sanzone, he repaid the $3,500. He also surrendered his peace officer certification, which means that Sanzone is banned from ever again being a peace officer in California.

In exchange, the felony theft charges against Sanzone were dismissed.

And this is what has a lot of people upset. Some of the responses to the district attorney’s press release on the D.A.’s own Facebook page include:

Pamela Willis-Nunez exclaimed, “… charges were dismissed. They were dismissed!!!

Corinne Green posted, “So a cop steals $3,500 and gets let off with no charges. Lol. Wow, only in Glenn County.”

In a later post, she added, “Just shows the actual level of corruption in this county when a cop steals from a homeless man and walks free.”

The D.A.’s Office responded, “He did not walk free. He will never be a peace officer in California in his lifetime because of the criminal investigation. Many criminals will just do jail time or pay a fine … not lose their jobs. This person lost his job and career.”

Corinne Green replied, “Losing his job is the least that should happen, not the only thing. He literally stole from a homeless man.”

Karen Ayers posted, “Oh, so he can find another job. Nice spin on it, though.”

Pamela Willis-Nunez also responded to the district attorney’s comment that Sanzone lost his job, “No, he threw it away! Let’s erase everyone’s records then. Shame on you.”

Dave Devane wrote, “So, if he moves to Oregon or another state, he can become a criminal cop again?

“When CDL [commercial driver’s license] holders break the law, everything is double. As being professionals, they should know better.

“Yet whenever a LEO [law enforcement officer] breaks the law, they get slapped on the wrist or patted on the back.”

Later, Karen Ayers said, “It’s no wonder people don’t report. Our system is a shit show! Ya, I said it!”

The responses to the D.A.’s press release on the Action News Now Facebook page were even more scathing and more numerous.

Perhaps the most interesting thing regarding this case in the Glenn County Superior Court records concerns two limine motions. A limine motion is one that is made to the court before a jury has been selected, asking the court to order the opposing party, its counsel, and witnesses not to talk about, or even mention, certain facts or evidence in the presence or hearing of the jury.

If the motion is granted, nobody is allowed to bring up those facts without first obtaining permission from the court, which must be requested outside the presence of the jury.

A person who violates a limine motion may be held in contempt of court. A violation may even result in dismissal of the party’s case.

In the Sanzone case, on March 7, 2025, the court was asked to (1) “exclude reference to Mr. Sanzone’s employment status”; and (2) “exclude reference and testimony of uncharged acts”.

Had the case gone to trial, the first limine motion would have prevented District Attorney Stewart and others from bringing up the fact that Sanzone’s employment as a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy had been terminated.

The second motion would have prevented the D.A. and others from mentioning any of several acts involving Sanzone that are alleged to have happened when Sanzone was an Oroville police officer. The Butte County case or cases that refer to these claims were apparently settled out of court, but The Observer maintains a copy of one of them.

One paragraph is especially relevant:

“On July 5, 2021, SERGEANT SEARS was on duty when a citizen, who suffered with mental illness, came in to the police department to report that Sergeant Sanzone had stolen $1300 from the citizen during a recent arrest. The citizen said he had come in to report this theft multiple times, and he was told by one sergeant that the citizen could not make that type of complaint and was told to leave. SERGEANT SEARS looked up the police log history and saw that the ‘sergeant’ who told the citizen he could not make such a complaint was John Sanzone himself. On July 8, 2021 and again on July 9, 2021, the citizen came in to again report the theft of his money by John Sanzone…” (paragraph 39).

It must be emphasized that these allegations against Sanzone are just that: allegations. Sanzone was never convicted of anything in Butte County.

Some might suggest that while the members of the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office and the Glenn County Superior Court may have been reaching for a “higher standard” in the Sanzone case, they ended up shooting themselves in the foot.

Surrounded by members of his family, Donald “Don” J Taresh died peacefully at his home in Glenn County in the evening of Friday, May 9, 2025. He was born in Taylorsville, Plumas County, California, to Jay and Marjorie Taresh on November 3, 1943.

He was raised in Chico, where he attended Chico High School. It was there that he met his soulmate and love of his life, Peggy Miller, whom he married on December 28, 1963.

They were almost inseparable for 56 wonderful years. Together, they raised “two sets” – Don and Shelly, and Bob and Nikki.

In 1965, the family moved to Glenn County, where Don accepted a job as a farmer at Knight Ranches. He continued to farm there for the next 60 years, right up until his death.

He is survived by his son, Don Jr (Kellee) of Orland; daughter Shelly Fisher (Tim) of Willows; son Bob of Willows; daughter Nikki Foster (Scott) of Orland; grandchildren Cody Taresh, Tyler Fisher, Trent Fisher, Brett Burbank, Austin Burbank, Hunter Foster, Mallory Foster, Westin Foster, Wyatt Foster, Kyle Taresh, and Matthew Taresh; great-grandchildren Brantley, Brynlee, Landon, Oakley, and Aidyn; brother Darryl Taresh; sisters Pam Brannan, and Penny McKinney; and his beloved Yorkie, Bella.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jay Taresh; mother Marjorie Taresh; and his adoring wife, Peggy Taresh, who died in 2020.

A Memorial Service is planned for 10 a.m. on Friday, May 23, at the Masonic Cemetery, 6525 County Road 9, Orland. A Celebration of Life is scheduled to follow at the Ord Bend Community Hall, 3241 Highway 45, Glenn.

Arrangements are under the direction of F.D. Sweet and Son Funeral Home, Willows.

Robert William Hamilton died peacefully at Enloe Hospital in Chico on Sunday, March 2, 2025. He was born in Stockton to Bob and Gladys Hamilton in February of 1938.

He was three years old when his father, a dairyman, moved the family to a dairy ranch in Artois. He attended Artois School and Willows High School.

Deeply connected to the area, he returned in retirement to live near where he grew up.

In 1956, he joined the United States Air Force and was eventually stationed at Hamilton Air Force Base in Marin County. While there, he met and married Becky Marlow, with whom he had a daughter, Cindy.

After his discharge, the family returned to Willows briefly before relocating to Mountain View. He became a union carpenter and later a general contractor.

He also owned and operated a trucking business for a time, hauling fruits and vegetables across the western United States.

Bob had many talents and interests. He was a master woodworker, an accomplished welder, and a skilled mechanic who could fix almost anything, always with great attention to detail.

He loved traveling and, together with Becky, fulfilled a goal of visiting all 50 states, as well as Canada and Mexico, before turning 50. He never hesitated to drop in on old friends during his travels.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping, and proudly earned his private pilot’s license, once flying his family across the country for vacation. He was also an avid reader, with an extensive personal library spanning many topics.

He had a deep interest in his family’s roots and spent countless hours researching the Hamilton genealogy and traveling to learn more about his ancestors. He loved sharing this information with his family.

He is survived by his daughter, Cindy Picetti (Paul); granddaughters Annette Picetti-Grosjean, Katrina Picetti, and Breanne Picetti-Orfitelli (Jarrod Orfitelli); great-grandchildren Luke, Emma, and Sara Grosjean, and Gianni and Chiara Orfitelli; his dear friend Karleen Price and her family; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Gladys Hamilton; his sisters Lois Franke, Doris Ray, Mary Suhr, and Barbara Treutle; and his grandson, Matthew Picetti.

Bob will be interred at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery, Igo. Family and friends are warmly invited to join in honoring his memory and celebrating a life well-lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Robert W. Hamilton to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization.