Halloween descends on Orland

Store windows and neighborhood homes are filled with ghosts, vampires, spooky pumpkins and black spiders with huge webs.

Tonight is Halloween, but there still is time to get a costume at the last minute in downtown Orland.

The Glenn County Seniors Thrift Store is having a half-off sale on costumes for little ones and adults and will be open today on Fourth Street, volunteers said.

"A little bit of everything has been selling," store volunteer Sandy Rhoades said.

Rhoades added, costumes for little children have sold all the way to those for high school students who bought things for a slave dance, among others.

Lee Pestana, another volunteer, said a lady comes and buys a bunch of costumes every year and lets other people use them.

Monday afternoon, there were still some little tiger costumes, princess outfits and more left on the racks, but the women said the inventory has gone down throughout the month.

The store also is having a raffle on a witch plaque with tickets selling for 50 cents each. The drawing is today.

Pumpkin items, witches, black cats and more sold as well for Halloween decorations, Pestana said.

Next door, Sandie Briggs was putting out Christmas wares at Shaky Shingle Antiques on Monday afternoon.

She still had a few Halloween goods for sale, including black trees, ornaments, smiling pumpkin heads and witches to use for decorations, but said most people already had bought their Halloween things this season.

Garnet Hill also still had its windows decorated for the All Hallows Eve, but inside had Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas goods going up too.

And down Fourth Street, the Pioneer Express Thrift Store was almost sold out of everything, according to Stephanie Vogt of Flor's Janitorial.

The thrift store is inside the janitorial business and is run by William Finch Charter School high school students, she said.

All that was left Monday afternoon was a pumpkin head and a T-shirt, Vogt said.

"This past week everybody's been coming in," she said. "I guess this year everybody is really getting into it."

In the meantime, Halloween safety is a concern of law enforcement officials who offer some advice for trick or treaters tonight.

Orland Police Chief J.C. Tolle said the biggest thing is kids "have a tendency to dart between cars."

He advises parents to make sure they pull over along the curb and not stop in the middle of the street to let their children out of the car.

This can prevent youngsters from darting the other direction into the path of vehicle, he said.

"Halloween should be a fun time for your kids to get dressed up and enjoy themselves," Tolle said, but it is not just about how much free candy they can get.

He asks children to be courteous and respectful to people providing them treats, he said.

Tolle also suggests children and adults be aware of their surroundings and go in groups, not by themselves.

Go to neighborhoods you are familiar with as well and make sure cars see you before stepping out into the street in front of them, Tolle said.

Willows Police Chief Bill Spears also had safety tips for Halloween such as making sure you wear a costume that allows you to walk and see where you are going.

Light colors also make it easier for you to be seen, and costumes should be made from flame retardant materials.

Plan your trick-or-treat route a head of time and pick well lighted streets.

Reflective tape on costumes also makes it easier for motorists to see you, Spears said, based on experience and tips from the AAA Insurance Company.

Also ask a parent or older brother or sister to go with you if possible, he added.

Carry a flashlight with you and only cross the street at corners. Never cross between cars or mid- block.

Motorists should watch for children as they may get excited and run across the street in front of you, officials said.

Slow down and drive extra slowly in residential neighborhoods tonight, Spears said, and don't drive with a mask on as it can limit visibility.

Both Spears and Tolle also warn drivers their departments have DUI campaigns in effect this week to combat drunk drivers.

"If you have a drink or two, stay home," Tolle said. "Don't drive."

Extra patrols will be out in both Orland and Willows tonight to watch for impaired drivers.

Finally, children should wait until they get home to sort their treats and throw out anything that is unwrapped or does not look safe to eat.