Author: ldjudk1ns

As Halloween approaches, 10- or 12-foot-tall skeletons seem to be everywhere. Once upon a time, the only giant skeleton in our area was Mr. Bones in Chico. He stood guard in front of his home year-round, until he was kidnapped a few months ago. He (or someone who looks just like him) is apparently back now, along with some more normal-sized skeletons. As for the gentleman in the photo above, he is one of two giants and a handful of smaller skeletons in a yard on Yolo Street in Orland. Look (out) for them in the coming days before Halloween. Glenn County Observer photo by Donna Wilder.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

Shortly before dawn on Thursday, emergency dispatchers began receiving reports of a “barn fire” along Highway 99 between County Roads 8 and 9.

Orland Fire Chief Justin Chaney was among the first – if not the very first – emergency responders on the scene.

He immediately provided the exact location of the fire: Highway 99 at County Road 8.

Even more specifically, the fire was burning at the southeast corner of Highway 99 and County Road 8, at what many Orland area residents call the “Skidmore Compound.”

Indeed, on multiple occasions, emergency responders could be heard on the law enforcement and firefighter channels of the police scanner, making references to the “Skidmore Compound.’

For unknown reasons, many members of the Skidmore family take offense at this term.

“Compound,” however, is not a pejorative. It simply refers to a property with multiple residences that is isolated from other properties by natural barriers (bodies of water, forests, rough terrain, etc.) and/or artificial barriers (fences, walls, canals, etc.).

Anyway, at about 6:38 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27, emergency responders began to arrive at the Skidmore property.

It was quickly realized that the structure that was burning was not a barn, but a shop, and it was fully involved.

Responders also commented that numerous old vehicles were also burning.

Almost immediately upon his arrival, Chief Chaney requested the Corning fire dispatcher to ask the Capay, Artois, and Willows Fire Departments come to the scene as part of their automatic response agreement.

A short time later, mutual aid requests were also made of some area fire departments, including the Hamilton City Fire Department.

And a little later still, the Ord Bend Fire Department was asked to stage at the Orland Fire Station, because all of Orland’s units were at the Skidmore fire and someone may be needed to respond if there were additional emergencies elsewhere in Orland’s jurisdiction.

For a moment, responders were not certain that everyone on the property had been evacuated, but it was soon determined that everyone was out of the buildings and accounted for.

At the Skidmore property, power poles had caught fire and power lines were arcing, causing spot fires in the area.

PG&E was contacted and soon arrived at the scene.

The lines were deactivated.

By about this time, the sun was up and a large cloud of smoke could be seen over Orland and stretching to the south.

Within an hour or two, firefighters gradually began to be released from the scene; for example, at about 10 a.m., the Artois Fire Department was released, and at about 10:15 a.m., the Capay Fire Department was released.

At about 11:50 a.m., Orland firefighters were released from the scene.

Chief Chaney said he expected fires to rekindle, but he planned to return to the scene periodically to check conditions out.

And indeed, he did return to the scene in the early afternoon to do some “mopping up.”

A little later in the afternoon, he returned to the firehouse, where he was asked if it was known what caused the fire.

He replied that the official cause was “undetermined,” and it probably always would be.

He said that he and Hamilton City Fire Chief Dan James, a fire investigator, looked things over, but everything was so thoroughly burned that the actual cause would probably never be known with certainty.

Gregory Ball died on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. He was born in California to Edwin and Mary Ball on June 20, 1935.

He grew up in Walnut Grove, Stockton, and Santa Rosa. He loved camping, fishing with his dad, playing baseball, competitive tennis, and spending many summers in Alberta, Canada, where his grandparents had a farm.

He graduated from Santa Rosa High School with many lifelong friends and shared wonderful stories of their high school “high jinks.” He continued his studies at Santa Rosa Community College, where he won a tennis doubles league championship.

His love for tennis was lifelong, leaving many wondering how they just got beat by an old guy with a vintage Wilson wood racket and knee-high tube socks.

He then transferred to Stanford University to study history and psychology and became a devoted Stanford Indians fan, closely following basketball, tennis, and especially football. A longtime and highly enthusiastic football season ticket holder, he savored taunting opposing fans with pearls such as: “Your coach drinks his own bath water!” and was most pleased by the recent strength of the Stanford football program.

After graduating from Stanford in 1957, he served in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps for five years and was activated for the Cuban Missile Crisis.

He had an amazing, near-photographic memory, which served him well throughout his long and successful career as a title insurance officer, underwriter, and title company general manager in Sacramento and San Francisco. His sharp wit and mischievous sense of humor enabled him to form many friendships with his co-workers, who viewed him as a business leader and a true expert in his field.

Above all, he was a dedicated and patient father who was always present sharing time, stories, and his caring love. His gentle and loving spirit was felt by all, especially his daughters, whom he always loved and supported as they pursued their dreams in ballet, musicals, culinary arts, and plays.

He always set the example of a true gentleman by opening their car door and pulling out their chair in a restaurant. He was also a dedicated grandfather four times over and never missed his grandchildren’s plays, musicals, ballet performances, or football games.

He bragged about his family to anyone who would listen.

Young at heart, he made many friends even into his old age, as he loved making people laugh, sharing his wisdom and showed true compassion towards all. Everyone loved his antics such as calling himself “Refugio Bandersnatch” at the barista counter and teaching his young Ukrainian and Russian friends antiquated expressions such as the “the best thing since sliced bread” and “colder than a well digger’s shovel.”

He had a special fondness for Russian chocolates and was always well-supplied by his caring friends.

He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends, as he was a true original with a great mind, dry sense of humor, vast understanding of history, and fantastic knowledge of sports trivia. He was a man who could eat an entire cake in one night and not gain a pound, and someone who refused to own a pair of jeans on principle.

At the ripe age of 86, he was baptized and left his agnostic views behind. “Rest in peace, sweet Gregory,” say his loved ones.

He is survived by his daughters Julia Ball-Dugan and Lisa Ball; son-in-law John Dugan; dear friend Dale Apodaca; and grandchildren Elaine, Jacob, Jacqueline, and Joya. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Edwin “Bill” and Mary “Kay” Ball; and his brother, Robert Ball.

All are invited to Greg’s memorial service at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29, at F.D. Sweet and Son Funeral Home in Willows. In lieu of flowers, Greg wished to honor his home caregivers of three-and-a-half years with memorial donations.

Responders look at the Honda motorcycle they had just moved out of the eastbound lane of County Road 200. Glenn County Observer photo by Larry Judkins.

Glenn County Observer

The Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol released the details regarding the vehicle versus motorcycle collision that occurred Tuesday afternoon on County Road 200.

According to the CHP, at about 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, Jose L.C. Martinez, 16, of Orland, was driving a 2007 Nissan sedan west on County Road 200, just east of County Road 12.

The Nissan was at a complete stop on Road 200 and Martinez was attempting to conduct a left turn into the Twin Oaks Mobile Home Park.

Meanwhile, Chris J. Smith, 36, of Orland, was riding a 2015 Honda motorcycle east on Road 200, just east of Road 12, at a stated speed of 40 mph.

For an unknown reason, Martinez conducted a left turn directly in front of Smith, causing the front of the Honda to collide with the right side of the Nissan.

As a result of the collision, Smith was ejected from the Honda and came to rest in the eastbound lane of Road 200.

According to CHP Officer Barone, Smith suffered moderate injuries consisting of a suspected broken right leg. He was transported by Westside Ambulance to Enloe Medical Center in Chico for treatment.

Neither Martinez nor his passenger, Yohana Nunez, 13, of Orland, was injured. Both were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Smith was wearing a helmet when the crash occurred.

Impairment was not a factor in this incident, and no one was arrested.

Surrounded by family members, Terri Jean (Strehle) Wilson died peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. She was born in Woodland to Elwin and Helen Strehle on Dec. 24, 1949.

She graduated from Willows High School in 1968. She worked at Glenn General Hospital as a PBX operator and she worked part-time at Peterson Tractor before her retirement.

She lived in many places before finally settling back in Willows. In 1988, she married the love of her life, Jeffrey Wilson.

She was a fun-loving, free-spirited person who loved music, dancing, and socializing with family and friends. She went by many nicknames, including Mamie (as she was lovingly known by her grandchildren and family friends) and Mama Sox (as she was known as by her son, Kevin, and daughter-in-law, Kelly).

Her hobbies included traveling and spending time with her family. She loved the song, “Me and Bobby McGee,” by Janis Joplin, so her family played it for her as they all gathered to say their goodbyes prior to her death.

She was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her children, Wendy Ward, Kevin (Kelly) Kampschmidt, Jacob (Amy) Wilson, and Jarrod (Loni) Wilson; grandchildren Delainy, Mollie, Jaycee and Karson Ward, Violet and Gwen Wilson, and Connor, Brooklyn, Willow and Knox Wilson; brother Jim Strehle; and fur baby dachshund, Maggie May.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son-in-law, Jim Ward; and sister-in-law, Judy (Rinehart) Strehle.

A celebration of life is planned from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, at the Willows Elks Lodge, 150 South Shasta Street. The family asks that you please share your favorite memory of Terri at the celebration of life.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Willows Elks Lodge Purple Pig Fund in Terri’s name.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

It sure seems like vehicle accidents involving motorcycles have gone way up in 2022.

There was another one in Glenn County today, Tuesday.

At about 3:20 p.m. on Oct. 25, emergency responders began to be dispatched to a report of a vehicle versus motorcycle accident on County Road 200 in front of the Twin Oaks Mobile Home Park, just east of where County Road 12 intersects with 200.

Judging from police scanner traffic, Glenn County probation officers were the first at the scene. They were soon followed by Orland police officers, California Highway Patrol officers, ambulance personnel, and Orland firefighters.

It was heard on the scanner that the biker had an injury to his leg.

A vehicle that may have been involved in the collision appeared to have pulled into the mobile home park and parked in a space near the entrance.

Little more about the accident is known at this time. Watch for an update in the next day or two.

Joyce Raye (Adkins) Holder died on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. The youngest of four siblings, she was born to Raymond and Mabel Adkins in Tulelake, a logging community, on July 15, 1939.

She was the daughter of two extremely hard-working parents during extremely tough times. In the late 1940s, she moved to Griffin Creek and attended Griffin Creek Elementary, then later moved to Eagle Point, where she graduated high school in 1957.

In October of 1957, she welcomed the birth of her daughter, Cynthia, and in July of 1959, her son, Jonathan.

During the late 1950s and early 1960s, she was a homemaker. She would spend days, along with her mother, enjoying going out and picking various fruits and vegetables to can every year, often dragging her children along to help pick.

There was always the smell of homemade pies, bread and vegetables around the house.

Her work ethic, which was passed down from both her parents, was first seen when she started working seasonally with her mother, packing pears in Medford, Ore., for the Gordon Green Company. She later worked full-time for Cartwright’s Meat Packing before moving to Northern California in 1969.

After moving to Orland, she worked at Musco Olive company before being hired as secretary at Cal-West Seeds in Artois, later becoming the manager of the plant and retiring with 25 years of service.

Joyce met her best friend and the love of her life, Robert “Bud” Dean, in 1979, and after retirement they enjoyed traveling all over the United States and Canada in their R.V. She enjoyed baking, cooking, and camping, especially at the beach where she loved the ocean, sand, and breeze.

She also loved birds, especially hummingbirds, and spent many hours watching them enjoying the numerous bird feeders and birdhouses that she made for them.

She is survived by her brother, Norman Adkins of Medford, Ore.; daughter Cynthia Holder of Willows; son Jon Holder of Brea; grandchildren Scott, Kayla, Stephanie, Curtis, Ryan and Ricky; and great-grandchildren Addison, Aniya, Aryana, Dominic, Cillian and Caffery.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Jeanette Wright of Phoenix, Ore.; brother Richard “Dick” Adkins of Grants Pass, Ore.; longtime life partner Robert “Bud” Dean of Willows; and granddaughter Renee Holder of Washington, D.C.

It is planned for this loving mother and grandmother to be laid to rest alongside Bud at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Medford, Ore., where her parents and siblings have also been laid to rest.

Glenn County Observer

A Southern California driver who was unfamiliar with Glenn County roads sustained minor injuries when he crashed his VW early Friday morning.

According to the Willows Area Office of the California Highway Patrol, at about 2:15 a.m. on Oct. 21, Phillip Barton, 52, of Irvine (Orange County), was driving a 2014 Volkswagen north on Sixth Avenue, south of County Road 9, at 60 to 65 miles per hour.

As he approached the intersection with Road 9, he realized too late there was a stop sign.

He attempted to stop but was unable to do so. He drove his vehicle through the stop sign and crossed County Road 9.

His VW struck several pieces of PG&E equipment located near the intersection.

According to CHP Officer Gilliam, Barton sustained minor injuries from this crash and was transported to Enloe Medical Center in Chico for evaluation.

He was wearing his seatbelts at the time of the accident.

He stated he was unfamiliar with the roadway.

Neither alcohol nor drugs were suspected as factors in this crash, and there were no arrests.

By Larry Judkins

Glenn County Observer

A Willows man whose name came up during the investigations of two recent shootings in Glenn County has been sentenced for possession of ammunition by a felon.

On Monday, April 25, of this year, the district attorney’s office charged Jaydien Mounivong, just days shy of turning 22, of Willows, with the following felonies: possession of a firearm by a felon; possession of ammunition by a felon; possession of a machine gun; and discharge of a firearm with gross negligence.

On Friday, July 8, Mounivong pled not guilty to all these charges. Then, on Wednesday, Aug. 10, he pled guilty to one of the charges: possession of ammunition by a felon.

On Friday, Oct. 14, he was sentenced for both the previously mentioned charge and for violation of felony probation for auto theft. He received 210 days in jail and two years’ probation.

On April 26, The Glenn County Observer reported:

“Five people – three adults and two juveniles – were taken into custody late Monday night following a shooting at the Grindstone Rancheria north of Elk Creek.

“At about 9:34 p.m. on April 25, the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office received a call that the occupants of a silver Honda (California license plate number 7LNC822) fired several shots in an unknown direction as the vehicle left the Rancheria.

“Glenn County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Rancheria (3600 County Road 305) to canvass the area and to find the Honda. The vehicle was found heading towards Orland and a pursuit was initiated.

“On at least one occasion, the Honda reached a speed of well over 100 miles per hour. Around 10 p.m., the vehicle yielded on County Road 200 (Newville Road), west of County Road E, and a felony car stop (a stop made at gunpoint) was conducted.

“Orland police officers provided assistance at this scene.

“Fifteen or so minutes after the stop, all five occupants of the Honda were detained. Initially, the occupants were said to consist of four adults and one juvenile, but this was later changed to three adults and two juveniles.

“Two of the three adults were from Willows, while the third was from Orland. Both juveniles were from Orland, although they had separate residences.

“The Observer knows the names of the children but will not publish them. One of them is less than three months away from turning 18, while the other is a mere 13 years old.

“Law enforcement officers reported finding some casings, thought to be .40 caliber, at the Rancheria. A .40 caliber Glock was reportedly found in the Honda.

“As 11 p.m. approached, a deputy at Grindstone Rancheria told a deputy at the vehicle, ‘There is at least one casing … within 50 yards of a residence.’

“The deputy at the vehicle asked, ‘Did you find any impact points [i.e., bullet holes]?’

“The first deputy answered, ‘Negative on impact points.’

“The second deputy requested that the first contact the resident and ask if they know any of the occupants of the vehicle.

“The first deputy replied that he had already tried to contact the resident, but there was no answer.

“The three adults were booked into the Glenn County Jail at 11:51 p.m. They are:

“Armani Khammaloun, 18, of Willows, who was booked into the Glenn County Jail on charges alleging possession of a machine gun, and criminal conspiracy (both felonies). His bail was set at $80,000.

“Brianna Mounivong, 19, of Orland, who was booked into the jail on charges alleging evading a peace officer (a misdemeanor), willful cruelty to a child with possible injury or death (a felony), and criminal conspiracy (a felony). Her bail was set at $100,000.

“Jadien Mounivong, 21, of Willows, who was booked into the jail on charges alleging possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, possession of a machine gun, and criminal conspiracy (all felonies). His bail was set at $90,000. [Bold added for this Oct. 23 report.]

“The two juveniles were also arrested. Presumably, they were taken into custody by probation officers.

“Deputies cleared the scenes at about 2:15 a.m. on Tuesday.

“By late Tuesday morning, no shooting victims had been reported.”

This, of course, was the incident that resulted in Mounivong recently being sentenced for possession of ammunition by a felon. However, he was also sentenced for “violation of felony probation for auto theft.”

It is not clear when or where this auto theft occurred. However, Glenn County court records and jail records both indicate that Mounivong was convicted of at least one crime as a juvenile.

For example, on Nov. 17, 2020, when Mounivong was 20, a Glenn County probation officer committed him to the jail for “failure to obey an order of the juvenile court.” And the Glenn County Superior Court records for a 2020 closed case involving Mounivong refers to a concurrent “juvenile case.”

The other recent shooting case in which Mounivong’s name came up was reported by The Glenn County Observer on July 2:

“An Orland area man reportedly suffered ‘multiple gunshots’ at the Cedar Hills apartment complex in Willows Tuesday evening.

“According to the Glenn County Sheriff’s log, at about 9:19 p.m. on June 28, sheriff’s dispatch received a call regarding a group of 10 people outside apt. #163 at the Cedar Hills apartments, 600 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows.

“Four gunshots were heard just before the 10 people ran off. Deputies responded to the complex to conduct an area check.

“Glenn Medical Center called sheriff’s dispatch and reported that a man was brought in with multiple gunshot wounds. The wounded man was identified as Jacob Jonathan Doughtie.

“Doughtie’s address was given as 5689 County Road 200, Orland. This address is located east of County Road 206 and the Graves Cemetery….

“Another ‘involved party’ … listed as being present at the June 28 event [was] Jadien Mounivong….”

It is to be understood that Jadien Mounivong was not and presumably still is not considered a suspect in the June 28 shooting. However, another Mounivong, Jonathan Mounivong, was initially listed by the sheriff’s office as a “known suspect,” but so far neither he nor anyone else has been charged in the incident.

Glenn County Observer

Not only do seatbelts save lives, so do child and infant safety seats.

At about 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, emergency responders were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 162 at County Road D.

According to the California Highway Patrol, S. Rai, 22, of Yuba City, was driving his 2022 Freightliner north on County Road D, approaching the intersection of Highway 162.

Meghan Cohan, 30, of Willows, was driving her 2020 Chevy Tahoe west on Highway 162, approaching the intersection at Road D.

Rai came to a stop at the stop sign, but for unknown reasons after he stopped, he failed to yield to westbound traffic on Highway 162 and entered the intersection directly into the path of Cohan.

The front of the Freightliner collided into the left rear of the Chevy Tahoe.

According to CHP Officer Jaime Vasquez, only Cohan sustained any injury, and it was minor (complaint of pain).

Although an ambulance had responded to the scene, she declined to be transported.

Her two children (Madelyn Cohan-Howole, 8, and Emmett Cushman, 3 months) were also in the Tahoe but were uninjured, as was the driver and sole occupant of the Freightliner.

All safety equipment (seatbelts and child safety seats) was in use in both vehicles.

Neither alcohol nor drugs were factors in this accident, and there were no arrests.