Briefs: Garamendi to host first town hall meeting

US Rep. John Garamendi will host his first town hall in Marysville as its 3rd Congressional District representative on Saturday.

Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, will take questions on any topic pertaining to the federal government and Congress, and all members of the community are invited. Some public officials are also scheduled to attend along with members of Garamendi's staff.

The town hall will be from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. at the Lee Burrows Center for the Arts, 630 E St., in Marysville. Garamendi will also host a town hall earlier Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon at Woodland Community College in Woodland.

Sacramento

Former Marysville pastor dies

The Rev. Father Demetrius T. Dogias, 73, pastor emeritus of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation in Sacramento, died Monday at his residence in Sacramento.

Before retiring in 2007, he presided over services once a month for many years at Ahepa Hall in Marysville, while serving at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Roseville.

"He ... could get the attention of young people and the older people," said church member Dino Lekos of Yuba City Wednesday.

Survivors include his wife, four children, two brothers and six grandchildren.

"He was a dear and beloved friend, and great spiritual adviser, to me, my wife and my family," said Andrew J. Kantargis of Yuba City.

Arrangements include services Friday at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 600 Alhambra Blvd. in Sacramento, with the Orthos and Divine Liturgy prayed at 8 a.m. and the funeral service at 11 a.m.

Yuba-Sutter

A-D seeks Korean War vets

With the 60th anniversary of the armistice of the Korean War coming this summer, the Appeal-Democrat is planning a series of stories profiling those who served in that war.

We would like to find veterans who served in Korea, including soldiers, doctors, nurses and other personnel willing to recount their experiences.

The Korean War is sometimes referred to as the "forgotten war." We would like to talk to people directly involved in the war to help make sure it isn't forgotten.

If you served in the war and are willing to recount your experiences or know a Korean veteran who would be willing to be profiled, call City Editor Eric Vodden at 749-4769 or email him at evodden@appeal-democrat.com.

Yuba City

Vets celebration postponed

Welcome Home Heroes, planned in celebration of military personnel returning to Yuba-Sutter, has been postponed.

The event was scheduled Feb. 15 in Yuba City, sponsored by the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 9, Marysville.

Marysville

Yuba City man pleads not guilty to attack

A Yuba City man with a lengthy criminal history pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to randomly attacking a stranger outside a Marysville Taco Bell.

Michael Lee Leonard approached a 52-year-old Yuba City man about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday around 10th and G streets and assumed a fighting stance, Marysville Police Sgt. Chris Sachs said.

Sachs said Leonard was "dancing around like a boxer" and then punched the victim in the face at least once.

The victim was hospitalized with a large facial cut that required suturing, according to a probable cause statement.

Leonard, 44, was booked into the Yuba County Jail on $50,000 bail for suspicion of battery with serious bodily injury.

He is set to appear again Feb. 13 in Yuba County Superior Court.

According to court records, Leonard's criminal history includes convictions for drunken driving in a stolen car, robbery, burglary and battery.

Marysville

Man arrested for meth possession

A Marysville man, wanted in Sutter County, was arrested Wednesday after police said he was blocking the wrong Marysville traffic lane while holding more than 20 grams of methamphetamine.

Andrew M. Martinez, 36, was booked into the Yuba County Jail on suspicion of controlled substance possession for sale and controlled substance possession, police said in a statement.

Martinez was idling in a Toyota sedan in the wrong lane of 14th Street when officers made contact. Martinez admitted having an outstanding arrest warrant from Sutter County, police said.

Details on the arrest warrant were not available.

Officers found numerous small plastic bags containing methamphetamine in his pockets and in the car, Sgt. Chris Sachs said.

Authorities estimated the street value of the methamphetamine between $500 and $600.

Sutter County

No-contest plea in theft case

A Yuba City man, arrested for metal theft three times since late December, pleaded no contest to theft charges on Wednesday in Sutter County Superior Court.

Randy Dean Gorham was sentenced to three years in the Sutter County Jail after admitting to two counts of grand theft and a single count of commercial burglary, authorities said.

Gorham, 56, admitted using a wheelbarrow to burglarize Valley Pump & Motor on North George Washington Boulevard on Dec. 27.

During a recent interview, Gorham said he was ashamed of this criminal record, but couldn't find work and needed the money.

"I don't like what I'm doing, but it's hard," Gorham said.

He was picked up again with stolen scrap metal on Jan. 3 using the same wheelbarrow to steal from the same business.

He was arrested a third time Jan. 26 trying to sell stolen scrap metal.