Orland resident Charles Dale Walker died in Orland on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. He was born in Antioch, Calif., on Aug. 2, 1943.
Growing up, he loved music, fishing, boating, water skiing, camping, animals, farming and all things outdoors. He was drafted into the Army and after boot camp was assigned to accounting school at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Ind.
It was there that he met Una “Tim” Timaline Haney, marrying her nine weeks later on Oct. 9, 1965. She says, “He was the sweetest person I have ever known and was very positive and encouraging in all things and at all times. He was the steady rock in the family.”
During his military service, he was stationed in Ft. Greely, Alaska, serving his country during the Vietnam war.
A Christian man, Mr. Walker nurtured his family in Christian education by being faithful to take them to church all of their lives. He was a good husband and father to his four children and their families, supporting them in all their pursuits.
His love language was giving gifts and provision. He loved the pursuit of knowledge and information: history, geography, science, and technology.
He pursued higher education at Diablo Valley College, in Concord, Calif., then earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Olivet Nazarene College, Kankakee, Illinois, with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Christian Education.
Over the years, he served in supportive roles in many areas of church ministry, including choir directing, song leading, children’s ministries, all forms of technical equipment as well as administrative support.
He enjoyed traveling and sightseeing, and had a keen mind, remembering historical events, dates, people, and places with encyclopedic accuracy. He also enjoyed gardening, tracking weather patterns, coin and stamp collecting, and aquariums.
He retired after 27 years with T.D. Williamson as a pipeline master technician, where his work took him all over the world and he loved to talk about his travels and the mementos he collected.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Tim; sister Mrs. Donna Farley; daughters Mrs. Rebecca (Becky) Snow, Mrs. Mary Ann Burkett, and Mrs. Cassandra Lonestar; son Charles (Chuck) Walker Jr.; 21 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Mr. Charlie E. Walker, and mother, Mrs. Frances Mae Walker.
His loved ones agree, “We will cherish his memory as a person and as a role model of a godly man whose good deeds will follow after him and continue to bless our lives.”
They quote James 1:17a, “Every good and perfect gift is from above.”
Here are the road closures in Glenn County as of 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9, as provided by the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Emergency Services:
Old Highway 99 from Second Avenue in Willows, north to County Road 39;
Highway 162 from the Willows City Limits on the east side of town to County Road P;
Capay Avenue from First Avenue to Third Avenue;
County Road FF between Roads 9 and 200 (Newville Road);
County Road G between Roads 9 and 200;
County Road 25 from County Road F to Road H;
County Road 35 from County Roads D to H;
County Road 39 from Highway 99 to County Road P;
County Road 48 from County Road KK to Road 47;
County Road KK between Roads 49 1/ 2 and 48;
County Road D from Road 65 to Road 68;
County Road F from Road 68 to the Colusa County Line;
County Road 68 between Interstate 5 and County Road D;
County Road 67 from County Road Z to the Butte County line;
Forest Highway 7 from the forest boundary in the east to the Mendocino County line in the west; and
County Road 309 from the forest boundary.
The Observer will attempt to periodically update this situation throughout the rest of the week.
Old Highway 99 between County Roads 48 and 39, north of Willows, is again closed due to flooding, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office reported at 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 9.
This stretch of 99, which for decades has been prone to flooding in rainy years, was shut down more than 24 hours earlier, but was reopened by early Sunday afternoon, Jan. 8.
Other flooded or storm-related road closures in Glenn County as of 7 a.m. on Monday include:
County Road 39 from Highway 99 to County Road P;
County Road 67 from County Road Z to the Butte County line;
County Road 48 from County Road KK to Road 47;
County Road 35 from County Roads D to H;
County Road FF between Roads 9 and 200 (Newville Road);
County Road G between Roads 9 and 200;
Forest Highway 7 from the forest boundary in the east to the Mendocino County line in the west; and
County Road 309 from the forest boundary.
The Observer will attempt to periodically update this situation throughout the day and the rest of the week.
One Glenn County road that was closed due to flooding early Sunday morning, Jan. 8, was reopened early in the afternoon, but several others remained closed throughout the day.
Highway 99 between County Roads 39 and 48 was closed around 5 a.m. Sunday. However, it was opened back up in the early afternoon.
Other road closures included County Road 48 from County Road KK to County Road 47;
County Road 35 from County Roads D to H;
County Road FF from County Roads 9 to 200;
County Road G from County Roads 9 to 200;
County Road 25 from County Roads F to H;
Forest Highway 7 from Forest Boundary, west to county line; and
County Road 309 from Forest Boundary west.
Additionally, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office reports that water is ponded on Highway 45, south of County Road 24.
Rain began returning to Glenn County late Sunday evening, so more road flooding and storm damage may occur overnight.
Lifelong Glenn County resident Kathleen Teresa Alves Hurlburt died peacefully at Glenn Medical Center in Willows on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. She was born to Manuel Bernard and Palmira Abreu Alves, their fifth daughter, on April 15, 1929.
When she was 18 months old, the family realized that she could carry a tune, so they began to teach her to sing. She was soon singing at many social functions. She always sang whenever anyone asked and never had to be coaxed.
She attended several schools in the area and graduated from Willows High School in 1947. It was there that she met her husband of 71 years, Harold Dunell Hurlburt. In 1951, they were married in a large formal wedding at St. Monica’s Catholic Church.
She was employed at the Glenn County Title Company as a secretary-title searcher-bookkeeper until her first child was born. She devoted her life to her husband and raising their four children.
She was an avid gardener, particularly with miniature roses. Family and friends often received bouquets of roses on special occasions.
She became interested in oil painting, for which she was exceptionally skilled. She made many paintings, including portraits of her family.
Summer Sundays for many years were spent at local lakes, water skiing with sister Ginny’s family from Maxwell.
She is survived by her children, Jane (Glenn) Hodding, Ann Hood, Curtis (Kathy) Hurlburt, and Brian (Shona) Hurlburt; grandchildren Chad Hodding, Hillary Hodding, Tyler Hood, Alexander Hood, Rachel Thomas, Frank Hurlburt, Corie Hurlburt, Joshua Hurlburt, Emily Sohnrey, Kalen Hagins, and Kendal Jauregui; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dunell.
A viewing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12, at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, followed by a Rosary at 7p.m. A Funeral Mass is planned at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, followed by burial at the Willows Catholic Cemetery.
Charitable donations may be made to the St. Monica’s Building Fund, or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of F.D. Sweet and Son Funeral Home of Willows.
After many years of health issues, Robert ‘Rob’ Tarleton of Willows died peacefully at Enloe Medical Center in Chico on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022. He was born in Auburn, Calif., to George and Katherine Tarleton on July 8, 1954.
He attended school in Auburn until his junior year of high school, at which time he transferred to Chico High School, graduating in 1972. He was in the first paramedic class to graduate from Butte Junior College (now Butte Community College) in the Spring of 1976, and worked for several years at Enloe Hospital.
In the spring of 1981, he graduated from CSU, Chico, with a degree in Business Administration. He finished his employment years working in the commercial insurance field.
He had many interests in his healthy years, including woodworking, bicycling, golfing, windsurfing, reading, but most of all spending time with his family and friends. He was loved by his family and will be missed.
His loved ones declare, “God rest his soul and give him peace.”
He is survived by his wife, Susan; daughters Lauren, Natalie, and Rebecca Qualls of Minden, Nev.; sister Carol Brugger of Carson City, Nev.; and several nieces, nephews, granddaughters, and a grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents and older sister, Nancy Hechlinski.
Here are the latest bookings from the Glenn County Jail. Remember: Everyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Friday, Dec. 30:
7:54 a.m., Chester William Johnson, 39, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging continuous sexual abuse of a child, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14, sexual penetration with force on a child under the age of 14, and willful cruelty to a child that could result in injury or death (all felonies). Bail was set at $315,000. He was taken into custody at 6204 County Road 17, Orland, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
Saturday, Dec. 31:
2:52 a.m., Hermelindo Gonzalez Salgado, 33, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging burglary, vandalism, and possession of stolen property (all felonies). Bail was set at $35,000. He was taken into custody at Tehama and Sixth Streets by an Orland police officer.
8:54 a.m., Alvin Javier Maradiaga, 40, of Hamilton City, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging using or being under the influence of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. He was taken into custody on First Street at Shasta Avenue, Hamilton City, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
12:30 p.m., Jonathan Medina Chavez, 37, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a controlled substance (a misdemeanor), and a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Total bail was set at $15,000. He was taken into custody at 1125 Green Street, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
7:33 p.m., Alberto Melesio-Molina, 27, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging attempted murder, and battery with serious bodily injury (both felonies), and a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Total bail was set at $188,000. He was taken into custody at 3992 Highway 99, Orland, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
Sunday, Jan. 1:
2:13 a.m., Francisco Valdivia-Rodriguez, 30, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at 234 Sixth Street by an Orland police officer.
Monday, Jan. 2:
6:46 a.m., Joseph Elwin Robert Workman, 38, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging infliction of corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant (a felony). Bail was set at $25,000. He was taken into custody at 600 North Humboldt Avenue, apt. #164, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
Tuesday, Jan. 3:
8:37 a.m., Mike Chester Dacey, 40, of Willows, was returned to the custody of the Glenn County Jail for alleged felony violation of probation. Bail for the fresh charge was set at $35,000, but he was also booked without bail. He was taken into custody at the Glenn County Probation Department, Willows, by a probation officer.
1:37 p.m., Stephanie Ranee Wright, 34, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at zero. She was taken into custody at North Butte Street and First Avenue by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
Wednesday, Jan. 4:
12:37 a.m., Joseph Ryan Corona, 28, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of a drug (a misdemeanor). Bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody on Highway 99, just north of County Road 68, by a California Highway Patrol officer.
10:13 a.m., Eduardo Alejandro Barajas, 41, of Arbuckle, surrendered himself to the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (both misdemeanors). Bail was set at zero.
3:37 p.m., Gabriel Lopez Baeza, 43, of Willows, was booked into the Glenn County Jail without bail on charges alleging violation of post-release community supervision (a felony). He was taken into custody at the Glenn County Probation Department, Willows, by a probation officer.
10:55 p.m., Jorge Luis Sanchez, 34, of Hamilton City, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery on a spouse, ex-spouse, date, etc., damaging or destroying a wireless communication device, and driving while under the influence of alcohol (all misdemeanors). Bail was set at $10,000. He was taken into custody at 714 Humboldt Avenue, Willows, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
Thursday, Jan. 5:
8:42 p.m., Efraim Gabriel Alvarez, 47, of Gridley, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor), and a warrant alleging driving with a license suspended for driving while under the influence, and failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge (both misdemeanors). Total bail was set at $5,000. He was taken into custody in the 800 block of Walker Street by an Orland police officer.
4:39 p.m., Veronica Burrows, 26, of Elk Creek, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging battery on a spouse, ex-spouse, date, etc. (a misdemeanor), and felony vandalism. Bail was set at $15,000. She was taken into custody on County Road 305, lot #19, Elk Creek, by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
1:52 a.m., Alisa Christine Chambers, 41, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging public intoxication (a misdemeanor), felony vandalism, obstructing or resisting an executive officer (a felony), and battery against a police officer (a felony). Bail was set at $60,000. She was taken into custody at 745 Paigewood Drive, apt. #45, by an Orland police officer.
Readers: Please remember that in our criminal justice system, the accused is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Very few facts regarding the case below are known with certainty. Please do not engage in threats against the individual in this story.
However, not only is the presumption of innocence a basic premise of our system of government, so is the concept of a fully informed public. Ignorance and democracy cannot exist simultaneously.
You are entitled to know what there is to know so far regarding this case.
Anyway, at about 10:37 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, Deputy Ramirez received a report of a cold sexual assault of juveniles at an address on County Road 17 near Orland.
Deputy Ramirez met with the caller, Zandi Lin Lawrence of Corning, and her two juvenile step-grandchildren.
Deputy Ramirez initiated an investigation. He concluded his investigation, and it was turned over to the Major Crimes Unit for further action.
According to the sheriff’s log for the Dec. 24 incident, other “involved parties” included Glenn County Child Protective Services, 127 East Walker Street, Orland; Chester William Johnson of Orland; Camelia Vivian Johnson of Orland; Christopher Spangler of Orland; River Jay Hope Johnson of Orland; and two anonymous and presumably juvenile victims from Orland.
At about 7:54 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, Chester William Johnson, 39, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging continuous sexual abuse of a child, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14, sexual penetration with force on a child under the age of 14, and willful cruelty to a child that could result in injury or death (all felonies).
His bail was set at $315,000. He was taken into custody near Orland by a Glenn County Sheriff’s deputy.
On Thursday, Jan. 5, the Glenn County District Attorney’s Office charged Johnson with alleged continuous sexual abuse of a child, and lewd or lascivious acts with a child under the age of 14 (again, both charges are felonies).
The matter is next set to be in court (Donald Cole Byrd presiding) at 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13. At this hearing, Attorney Robert L. Marshall, who works out of Oroville, may be retained.
Attorney Marshall attended law school at CAL-Northern School of Law in Chico. He was admitted to the State Bar of California on May 17, 1999.
A man from Thornton, Calif., was “stabbed several times” in a fight south of Orland early New Year’s Eve.
At about 7:24 p.m., Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to 3992 Highway 99, between County Roads 25 and 27, on a report of an altercation involving a knife.
Shortly after the call went out, a deputy asked for an update on the location.
The dispatcher said the reporting party “is stating they are outside the property.”
The deputy then asked if it is the mobile building, or the single residence.
The sheriff’s dispatcher responded, “The RP states that he is near the multiple buildings.”
At about 7:31 p.m., the Orland Fire Department dispatcher said, “Attention Orland fire personnel: Stage outside the area until PD clears the scene; stabbing victim; 3992 Highway 99 W.”
Deputies began arriving on scene and observed a Hispanic male adult fleeing the area. A deputy said, “We’ve got one running in field south of our location.”
A moment later, a deputy said, “One at gunpoint,” then, “One detained.”
A deputy then reported that they were attempting to locate a victim, “if we have one.”
A law enforcement officer asked, “Is anyone outstanding [unaccounted for]?”
At about 7:36 p.m., the Orland fire dispatcher announced, “Fire personnel are clear to enter the scene.”
A deputy suggested a perimeter be set up and they “start talking to people.”
A deputy asked the sheriff’s dispatcher, “Do we have any history at this residence with a person named Alberto? Not sure of the last name.”
The dispatcher gave a last name (Melesio) and confirmed there has been a history.
Actually, just the previous day, at about 5:05 p.m., Deputy Thompson was dispatched to 3992 Highway 99 to contact Alberto Melesio “regarding information to a citizen. The deputy was unable to contact Melesio at his self-described address,” according to the sheriff’s log item.
As 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve approached a law enforcement officer informed another one that there is a person “walking away from the house on the east side.”
Firefighters began leaving the scene. A minute or two after getting back to quarters, at about 7:58 p.m., the fire dispatcher requested firefighters return to the scene.
A firefighter asked about the ambulance, and, at 8:08 p.m., the dispatcher tells him it is coming from Corning.
The dispatcher tells a deputy that a patient at the hospital is trying to refuse care.
Shortly thereafter, firefighters were again back in quarters.
Meanwhile, deputies spoke with witnesses who alleged Alberto Melesio stabbed the victim, Alejandro Arnulfo Cruz Garcia of Thornton, several times.
Alberto Melesio-Molina, 27, of Orland, was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging attempted murder, and battery with serious bodily injury (both felonies), and a warrant alleging failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge.
The Glenn County Observer 