When Veronica Casteneda of Biggs met Annie Zammitt of East Biggs for the first time, she had just one request when Zammitt mentioned she was going to Hawaii in two days - to please meet her son Private First Class Noel Gomez, currently serving in the U.S. Army.
Gomez had married Lupe Sanchez, the daughter of Santos and Marta Sanchez of Biggs, August 19, 2011, before he was sent to Hawaii. Lupe holds two jobs in Waikiki, one at Bed, Bath & Beyond and the other at The Levi Store.
Gridley High School students both in the chorus and marching band expressed their appreciation to local Veterans Saturday night with a free dinner of stuffed chicken breasts, along with great entertainment.
Parents of the students were very much involved in preparing the excellent meal.
A special connection was set in place once the Gridley High band members announced their intention of performing in the Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary Parade December 7, 2011. They understand the significance of their upcoming performance, in particular for the Veterans who helped them reach their goal to pay for 75 students to travel to Hawaii.
To call someone a fixture at their job may not sound completely complementary, but in this case, James Golden has been a fixture at the Butte County Fairgrounds for 27 years and it is definitely a compliment.
With more and more limited funds each year, Golden never let that slow him down when it came to making the fairgrounds look good, whether it was fresh flowers planted in barrels throughout the grounds like this year or the buildings covered in new paint in time for the fair.
It had been 77 years and two days since Deputy Arthur Dewitt Miner was stabbed in the line of duty on Hazel Street in Downtown Gridley, when the City of Gridley placed a beautiful plaque in his honor along with fireman Anthony Soares who was also stabbed but lived through his injury.
On Saturday, a gathering of City and County officials, family members of both men, an honor guard and bagpipe player had one thing in mind - to remember the two men who should have been honored long ago.
Although the final numbers are not in for the "Tickled Pink 2 Breast Cancer Walk," it is certainly safe to say the event raised several thousands of dollars on Saturday just like last year.
Appropriately held at the Donald E. Sullivan Medical Specialty Center, where the Biggs-Gridley Memorial Hospital's Digital Mammography is now located, those in attendance were invited to see the new mammography, new Dexa-Scan and X-ray up close and personal.
Vice Mayor Dave Garner reminded fellow Council members and City staff Monday night to attend the special dedication Saturday, October 22, 2011 to pay tribute to Arthur DeWitt Miner, the officer who was stabbed on Hazel Street in 1934.
Gridley-Biggs Police Chief Gary Keeler will begin the ceremony with the invocation being given by retired Police Chief, current GBPD Chaplain Jack Storne followed by Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey at the special ceremony to unveil a plaque in Miner's honor along with A.D. Soares, who was also injured while transporting a citizen to jail.
On October 24, 1934, Miner died due to peritonitis and pneumonia in the right lung after being stabbed on October 20, 1934.
Miner's daughter and granddaughter who live in Marysville and Soares two sons Brud and Dan all plan on attending the City's unveiling ceremony set for Saturday, at the site of the stabbing at Virginia and Hazel Streets where the memorial sign will be placed. A reception will be held following the ceremony at the Gridley Museum.
He is one of the nicest people around, always jovial, never a mean thing to say about anyone, and next month, believe it or not, Mel McLaughlin, better known as "Mr. Biggs," will be the recipient of some no-doubt good natured ribbing.
After all, who could come up with anything to roast this gentleman about? Will the people of Biggs make fun of him for his great attitude, infectious smile, or the fact that he is always quick to compliment people?
The Western Swing Society held it's 30th Hall of Fame Music Festival September 29 through October 2 and Gridley's Marty Martin was one of 12 inducted. The not-for-profit corporation was founded in 1981 to preserve and promote Western Swing Music. Individuals are honored each year for their involvement in preserving this music either by performances, media activities such as broadcasts and publications or extended volunteer service in societies supporting western swing music.
Family members from as far away as Germany came to celebrate Rachel Dhillon's 100th birthday last Thursday at the Gridley Recreation Senior Nutrition Lunch.
Wheeler Ranch and Feed of Biggs, along with Nutrena Showmaster and Bar-Ale Sunglo feeds, are proud to announce the winners in the Champion Award Program. Local area 4-H and FFA members took many top honors at this years Silver Dollar, Yuba-Sutter and Butte County Fairs.
Various prizes were awarded including jackets and chairs. To qualify for the prizes, Nutrena Showmaster or Bar-Ale Sunglo feeds must be purchased. If an animal is chosen Champion or Reserve Champion, prizes will be awarded accordingly.
They are at it again. The four Ethington sisters as many know them by have taken on a new face, that being of advocates for Breast Cancer Awareness. Stirred by sister Sam's own battle with breast cancer, the sisters are once again putting on the Tickled Pink Breast Cancer Walk, in memory of their mother Verda Jensen who died of Breast Cancer in June of 2009.
Members of area churches spent the past few weeks planning a commemoration of the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001 to be held in Gridley at Daddow Park.
Master of Ceremonies Pastor John Sparks thanked everyone for coming and led the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance before introducing Pastor Bill Hammond who gave the invocation to those in attendance.
Rachel Dhillon may be of small stature but her attitude more than makes up for it upon meeting her for the first time.
Rachel will turn 100-years-old on September 22, 2011, but you wouldn't believe she is even close to that age by her appearance and her spunk.
Arjhan Dhillon is her third husband and they have been married eleven years after meeting at a home for senior citizens in Yuba City.
Podiatrist Dr. Sean Stoddard has joined the medical staff of Biggs-Gridley Memorial Hospital as a surgeon who specializes in reconstructive foot and ankle procedures and ankle joint replacements.
The saying, "You can't go home again," did not ring true for Brenda Nakamoto last Thursday night at the library, when she returned for a book signing of her newly released, "Peach Farmer's Daughter."
Over 60 people came to hear Nakamoto read excerpts of her memoir and purchase a signed copy, many of them peach farmers themselves, who knew her growing up.
Thanks to the Gridley-Biggs Police Department, the National Night Out held at Farmers Market on Highway 99 Tuesday was a big success with many people attending.
The police department was well represented with officers, Chief Gary Keeler, Sgt. Rodney Harr who was in charge of the event, animal control, volunteers and Explorers.
She has a smile that lights up not just one room, but several- and just like the Missette competition held at the Butte County Fair last year, 12-year-old Brianna Brockman came away a winner at the 30th Annual California State Youth Accolades.
Youth Focus, Inc., sponsors the scholarship competition each year with the cooperation of the California State Fair and for gals who like to perform and compete, like Brockman, this is the perfect venue.
"Mr. Biggs," the nickname bestowed upon Mel McLaughlin, started the Ninth Annual Biggs Fourth of July Parade by introducing the Butte County Civil Air Patrol, with Honor Guard duties, followed by the Butte County Royal Court.
The Holy Trinity Association committee beamed with pride as they watched the people of the community flock the Portuguese hall to celebrate Gridley's Centennial Festa (The Feast of the Holy Ghost).
