The Butte County District Attorney’s Office filed residential burglary charges against 10 Magalia residents and one Paradise resident after a long stretch of thefts from a woman’s home on Lovelock Road in Magalia.

According to a press release issued Friday by District Attorney Mike Ramsey, a 64-year-old woman living at the remote property reported being burglarized in April 2024, after which multiple burglaries were reported at the same home.

During the incidents, the home was heavily damaged and left open to the point that local wildlife such as bears were able to access the interior.

After investigating the string of thefts, the following people were arrested: Sean Anthony Crua, 43; Mary Ricca, 59; Gavin Dominguez-Feathers, 25; Breanna Maier, 32; Matthew Bacon, 44; Kayla Groebel, 34; Nicholas Brown, 37; Sefo Sipa, 37; Joey Kupiheanapeahi, 42; Michael Barnett, 29; and Lindsey McLaughlin, 37. All are residents of Magalia except for Sipa who is from Paradise.

In his press release, Ramsey said six more suspects have been identified as well.

All 11 of those arrested are expected to return to court for additional arraignment on July 9 and 10.

Bail was set at $50,000 for each of those arrested. Sipa, Groebel, Bacon, Ricca and Brown have all posted bail.

Cannabis bust

Three people were arrested after the Butte County Sheriff’s Office busted an alleged illegal cannabis grow at the 7000 block of Martha Lane in Palermo on June 18.

A press release issued Friday by the Sheriff’s Office said detectives found 322 live plants in a greenhouse located on the property. Detectives spoke with multiple people at the scene but ultimately arrested Palermo residents Wilfred St. Louis, 54; Marlon Shortridge, 44; and William St. Louis, 18.

During the investigation, deputies allege that guns and ammo were found as well as a 7-year-old who was, according to the release, “living in deplorable conditions in a trailer adjacent to the grow site.”

The child was removed by Butte County Children’s Services.

Wilfred St. Louis was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, along with maintaining a place for selling a controlled substance. William St. Louis was also arrested on suspicion of being a felon with guns and ammo.

Shortridge was arrested on suspicion of felony child endangerment.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking those with possible information related to this case to call the investigations unit at 530-538-7671.

Fireworks

Independence Day is around the corner and while only certain cities of Butte County — Oroville, Gridley and Biggs — allow for fireworks, concerns over fire-risk are high after 2024’s Thompson and Park fires.

Cal Fire issued a press release Friday morning, noting that Safe and Sane fireworks begin sales on Saturday and providing warnings and guidelines for the pubic.

“Prevent fires and injuries and always check local regulations before buying,” the release said. “Note that fireworks bought outside California are illegal without a license. Consider enjoying a professional display instead of purchasing fireworks.”

Cal Fire asks that users only purchase and use approved Safe and Sane fireworks and practice extreme caution.

Those using fireworks should always read instructions, have an adult present, light only one at a time and keep a bucket of water and hose ready and close.

Fireworks should only be used outdoors and away from dry grass or other fire fuels and flammable materials. Once a firework has been used, it should be extinguished in a bucket of water.

It should also be noted that transporting fireworks through cities and counties where they are banned is illegal.

“Since 2024, fireworks have caused over $35 million in property damage across California, sparking 1,230 fires,” said Chief Daniel Berlant, California State Fire Marshal, in a statement. “It is your responsibility to prevent fires and injuries. Don’t let your Fourth of July celebration end in flames.”

Additionally, the Butte County DA’s Office provided its own press release regarding fireworks that said lighting and possessing fireworks outside of legal zones — Oroville, Gridley and Biggs city limits — could carry a fine of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.

“Do not buy fireworks within a city and believe just because they are designated as ‘Safe and Sane’ that they can be taken out of the city,” Ramsey said in the release. “No fireworks can leave the city limits.”

Ramsey went on to note that the Thompson Fire was started by fireworks that were labeled Safe and Sane.

Medical tech

Oroville Hospital says it is the first hospital in Northern California to perform Histotripsy, a non-invasive, FDA approved, method that uses pulsed sound waves to effectively destroy tumors in the liver.

This robotic-assisted Histotripsy procedure is performed and controlled by interventional radiologist, Dr. Kevin Burns, who is the No. 1 “physician in the world to perform this treatment,” according to the hospital’s press release.

The facility says results from this treatment are immediate with most patients returning home the same day with minimal discomfort and able to return to normal activities quickly.

To date, the hospital has completed more than 100 cases, making it fifth in the country overall and second so far in 2025 for treated cases.

Thunderstorms

Starting Monday, thunderstorms are expected to begin in mountainous areas above 3,000 feet.

A forecast from the National Weather Service’s Sacramento office said residents and travelers in these areas should practice caution as isolated thunderstorms have a chance of starting fires and creating dangerous conditions.

Storms are expected to start on Monday and last through Thursday.