Marysville Appeal-Democrat

Sexual predator placed in Yuba County

Sheriff says he is here as a part of his rehabilita­tion

- By Jake Abbott jabbott@appealdemo­crat.com

Despite significan­t pushback from the former sheriff, district attorney, and other local officials, sexually violent predator Eldridge Chaney Jr. from Monterey County was placed in Yuba County in 2017 as part of his transition back into society.

His stay in a District 10 house on Ellis Road has been relatively quiet, though a few local residents have expressed

pated in the event.

Doctors/veterans

“The doctors all have previous military experience and employees here are veterans as well,” said Larsen.

According to Reid, his dental practice had participat­ed in a similar nation-wide event in the past but felt they were not reaching those that really needed the services.

“We really wanted to make sure we were helping those that really need it and the Stand Down does a great job reaching those people,” said Reid.

Dr. John Brady said most of the veterans that came into the office on Thursday had not received dental services in quite some time.

“Its a great event,” said Brady. “It gets a lot of people more comfortabl­e with coming in to the dentist.”

Brady, Reid and their associate Dr. Spencer Wilson attended dental school together before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2010 and served together for the next few years.

The office even hung up a photo of the trio in full combat gear from their days in the military in the waiting room to honor the day dedicated to veterans.

According to Reid, the dental practice offered services that can be completed in the office the same day, including cleanings, fillings and extraction­s.

“I would love to be able to offer additional services like dentures in the future because a lot of people that come in need them but that is something we have to send out,” said Reid.

Reading, Reid & Wilson will continue to provide free dental services to veterans

today as well, but appointmen­ts coordinate­d by the Stand Down are required and Stand Down volunteers said Thursday afternoon that all of the slots had been booked.

No-cost Glasses

Back at Beckwourth Riverfront Park, Dr. David Bradley, of Bradley Optometry in Yuba City, worked with VSP Vision Care to provide eye exams to the hundreds of veterans at the Stand Down.

The mobile lab where the eye exams are done is also able to make sameday glasses.

An Army and Air Force

Reserves veteran, Bradley said he has been participat­ing in the Stand Down event for over 10 years.

“I come from a big military family,” said Bradley.

According to VSP Mobile Clinic operations manager Linda Kendrick, the majority of veterans they provide service to during the event have not been seen by an optometris­t in some time and cannot afford eyewear should they need it.

“Many of the veterans coming in are walking away with a pair of glasses at no cost to them,” said Kendrick.

Ray Adams, VSP lab technician, said each pair of glasses takes about 20 minutes to make and he is able to make about 25 to 30 pairs per day.

“Its a rewarding job,” said Adams, an Army veteran who served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. “Its nice to share stories with other vets. Its like a small family.”

Hair Stylists

Stylists and shop owners Anne Kelley and Shannon Studhalter were busy with their scissors and razors, giving over 50 haircuts to both men and women on Thursday, during the event.

“If we have a service to offer then why not come out here and do it,” said Studhalter. “I love that locals can come out and help locals.”

Kelley, who attended the Stand Down for the first time this year, said it is a fun and rewarding event.

“I will definitely be back,” said Kelley. “Its been so much fun and an honor to serve those that served our country.”

Army veteran Michael Yandell, of Sheriden, said this was also his first time attending the Stand Down while getting a “high and tight” hair cut.

“There is so much camaraderi­e at this event,” said Yandell. “Everyone is so willing to help each other.”

Yuba-sutter Veterans Stand Down volunteer Cathy Klaker said nearly 300 veterans attended the first day of the event on Wednesday and hundreds more were in attendance Thursday, although the final total was not available at the time of publicatio­n.

“I’m really impressed at the amount of community involvemen­t the Stand Down creates to help veterans,” said Reid.

 ??  ?? Eldridge Chaney
Eldridge Chaney

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