Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

Registration now closed

Author Talk with Tony Wright

Things Aren't Right: The Disappearance of the Yuba County 5

2024-09-07 14:00:00 2024-09-07 15:30:00 America/New_York Author Talk with Tony Wright This event explores the bizarre and tragic 1978 disappearance of Ted Weiher, Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Jackie Huett, and Gary Mathias in the Plumas National Forest in Northern California. Main Library - Community Learning Center - Leighton Auditorium, Auditorium Lobby

Saturday, September 07
2:00pm - 3:30pm

Add to Calendar 2024-09-07 14:00:00 2024-09-07 15:30:00 America/New_York Author Talk with Tony Wright This event explores the bizarre and tragic 1978 disappearance of Ted Weiher, Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Jackie Huett, and Gary Mathias in the Plumas National Forest in Northern California. Main Library - Community Learning Center - Leighton Auditorium, Auditorium Lobby

Main Library - Community Learning Center

Leighton Auditorium, Auditorium Lobby

This event explores the bizarre and tragic 1978 disappearance of Ted Weiher, Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Jackie Huett, and Gary Mathias in the Plumas National Forest in Northern California.

Things Aren’t Right: The Disappearance of the Yuba County Five explores the bizarre and tragic 1978 disappearance of Ted Weiher, Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Jackie Huett, and Gary Mathias in the Plumas National Forest in Northern California. Four of these men had intellectual disabilities while one was diagnosed with schizophrenia. On Friday, February 24, 1978, they left the Yuba County, California area in Madruga’s 1969 Mercury Montego to attend a basketball game in Chico, California. Four days later the car they were traveling in was found abandoned on a snow-covered road in the mountains of the Plumas National Forest, some 75 miles in the wrong direction from home.

Four jurisdictions of law enforcement would investigate and search for the missing men. Psychics were brought in, and there were strange reports of sightings of the five from numerous people. One witness came forward with an incredible story of seeing the men disappear into the forest that night. Yet every lead came to a dead end. About four months after they vanished, four of the five men’s remains were found some 12 miles from the car, with one discovered in a US Forest Service trailer with plenty of food and fuel to keep them alive for months.

Once described as ‘Bizarre as hell’, the case of the Yuba County Five has baffled law enforcement and the families of the missing men for over 45 years. Tony Wright has meticulously researched this case, earning himself the reputation of being one of the foremost authorities on the subject, and his conclusions are likely as close as anyone will come to making sense of this tragedy.

Tony Wright will discuss how he discovered the case and worked with the families to tell the stories of the five men. He will also discuss his personal research for developing an ethical true crime book. Tony will explore the theories behind their disappearance and how the case returned to the spotlight after 40 years.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Literature & Writing |

Main Library - Community Learning Center


Hours
Mon, Jun 02 8:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 03 8:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 04 8:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 05 8:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 06 8:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jun 07 8:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 08 Closed

Upcoming events

Fri, Jun 06, 4:30pm - 7:30pm
Richard Pfeil Family Courtyard
Join us for... more
Join us for a family friendly event to celebrate the start of the Summer Reading Challenge!

Cancelled
Sat, Jun 07, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Learn the... more
Learn the art of public speaking from South Bend's own Gentlemen & Scholars. Book signing to follow. For ages 14+.

Tue, Jun 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Leighton Auditorium
Journey... more
Journey back in time with Captain Curt in Dinosaur Dimensions! This captivating presentation will transport you to the age of dinosaurs with a fascinating glimpse into their lives. Ages 5 and up

Wed, Jun 11, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Beutter-Kernan Hall
In this... more
In this workshop you will learn the basics of mortgages and how to be prepared to apply for a loan and buy a home.

Thu, Jun 12, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Classroom A
Join us to... more
Join us to practice your French language skills and meet others in our community learning the language!

Thu, Jun 12, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Classroom C
An... more
An improvisation club for learning, sharing and performing improv. Club activities include fun, participatory improv games intended for club members to practice and refine their improv skills.

Sat, Jun 14, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Classroom C
Explore how... more
Explore how AI is transforming the workplace and how you can use tools like ChatGPT to your advantage.
Register

Mon, Jun 16, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Classroom B
Begin... more
Begin climbing your family tree with an introduction to genealogy research.

Tue, Jun 17, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Beutter-Kernan Hall
The... more
The Affordable Care Act has significantly transformed healthcare since 2010. Oak Street Health will present care models and discuss key players in our area’s senior patient care.

Wed, Jun 18, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Ballroom A
Calling all... more
Calling all entrepreneurs! This is your opportunity to meet with an Indiana District Office Specialist, Sharon Harvey, and ask her questions about starting and maintaining small businesses in Indiana.

Wed, Jun 18, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Classroom C
English... more
English Conversation Group allows English language learners to practice English together. Each meeting will have a conversation topic. For more information or to register, email m.anderson@sjcpl.org.
Register

Wed, Jun 18, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Classroom B
A club for... more
A club for aspiring illustrators and artists with a passion for comic books, cartooning, and illustrative storytelling.

Wed, Jun 18, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Ballroom (A+B Combined)
Community... more
Community yoga classes offered with the aim of making yoga accessible to all.

Wed, Jun 18, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Classroom E
English... more
English Conversation Group allows English language learners to practice English together. Each meeting will have a conversation topic. For more information, email m.rangel@sjcpl.org.
Register

Sat, Jun 21, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Beutter-Kernan Hall,Richard Pfeil Family Courtyard
Calling all... more
Calling all story tellers! This is a chance to share a 5-minute story following the theme "moments in time." All are welcome to join and listen. Registration required to share a story.
Register

Sat, Jun 21, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Classroom C
Join us to... more
Join us to play social deduction games (similar to Among Us) which are fun for adults, teens, and older kids! These games are great for individuals, groups, or families!

Tue, Jun 24, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Richard Pfeil Family Courtyard
Enjoy fun,... more
Enjoy fun, high-energy soccer program with a focus on skill development and character development in a non-competitive environment. For ages 5-8.
Register

Tue, Jun 24, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Classroom E
Grab a cup... more
Grab a cup of coffee and gab about a classic! Each quarter we'll discuss a seasonally-chosen title from classic literature!

Wed, Jun 25, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Beutter-Kernan Hall
Community... more
Community yoga classes offered with the aim of making yoga accessible to all.

Wed, Jun 25, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Leighton Auditorium
Join us for... more
Join us for an evening with Nghi Vo, author of “The City in Glass”

Thu, Jun 26, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Auditorium Lobby,Leighton Auditorium
In... more
In celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month, join us for a reception and panel discussion followed by a screening of the award-winning 2023 drama Fremont.

Thu, Jun 26, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Classroom A
Join us to... more
Join us to practice your French language skills and meet others in our community learning the language!

Thu, Jun 26, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Classroom C
An... more
An improvisation club for learning, sharing and performing improv. Club activities include fun, participatory improv games intended for club members to practice and refine their improv skills.

Mon, Jun 30, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Auditorium Lobby,Leighton Auditorium
This trio... more
This trio of romantic comedies prove that fate (and a little mischief) can change everything. Stay afterwards for a discussion with Professor Tiffany Bidler from Saint Mary’s College!

Tue, Jul 01, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Richard Pfeil Family Courtyard
Enjoy fun,... more
Enjoy fun, high-energy soccer program with a focus on skill development and character development in a non-competitive environment. For ages 5-8.
Register

Tue, Jul 01, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Classroom E
Do you... more
Do you watch movies or any type of show? If the answer is yes, and even if the answer is no, then please join as we discuss movies, shows, music, etc. There is no required viewing for this club.

Tue, Jul 01, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Classroom B
Are you a... more
Are you a writer looking for critique partners? Join our monthly Writers' Critique Meet to read a sample of your writing and get immediate feedback from your peers.

Wed, Jul 02, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Classroom C
English... more
English Conversation Group allows English language learners to practice English together. Each meeting will have a conversation topic. For more information or to register, email m.anderson@sjcpl.org.
Register

Wed, Jul 02, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Classroom B
A club for... more
A club for aspiring illustrators and artists with a passion for comic books, cartooning, and illustrative storytelling.

Wed, Jul 02, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Classroom E
English... more
English Conversation Group allows English language learners to practice English together. Each meeting will have a conversation topic. For more information, email m.rangel@sjcpl.org.
Register

Wed, Jul 02, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Ballroom (A+B Combined)
Community... more
Community yoga classes offered with the aim of making yoga accessible to all.

Thu, Jul 03, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Classroom A
Join us to... more
Join us to practice your French language skills and meet others in our community learning the language!

Thu, Jul 03, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Classroom C
An... more
An improvisation club for learning, sharing and performing improv. Club activities include fun, participatory improv games intended for club members to practice and refine their improv skills.

Tue, Jul 08, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Richard Pfeil Family Courtyard
Enjoy fun,... more
Enjoy fun, high-energy soccer program with a focus on skill development and character development in a non-competitive environment. For ages 5-8.
Register

Wed, Jul 09, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Beutter-Kernan Hall
Learn about... more
Learn about the impact of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation and how to identify and combat these phenomena.

Sat, Jul 12, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Classroom C,Richard Pfeil Family Courtyard
Calling all... more
Calling all story tellers! This is a chance to share a 5-minute story following the theme "pathways." All are welcome to join and listen. Registration required to share a story.
Register

Sat, Jul 12, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Classroom D
Always... more
Always wanted to learn how to code? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll use ChatGPT to help you build your first real project in Python—no experience needed.
Register

Tue, Jul 15, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Richard Pfeil Family Courtyard
Enjoy fun,... more
Enjoy fun, high-energy soccer program with a focus on skill development and character development in a non-competitive environment. For ages 5-8.
Register

Tue, Jul 15, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Beutter-Kernan Hall
Receiving a... more
Receiving a dementia diagnosis for a loved one is often overwhelming. Families face emotional challenges and must make new decisions regarding care options.

Wed, Jul 16, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Classroom C
English... more
English Conversation Group allows English language learners to practice English together. Each meeting will have a conversation topic. For more information or to register, email m.anderson@sjcpl.org.
Register

Wed, Jul 16, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Classroom B
A club for... more
A club for aspiring illustrators and artists with a passion for comic books, cartooning, and illustrative storytelling.

Wed, Jul 16, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Classroom E
English... more
English Conversation Group allows English language learners to practice English together. Each meeting will have a conversation topic. For more information, email m.rangel@sjcpl.org.
Register

Wed, Jul 16, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Ballroom (A+B Combined)
Community... more
Community yoga classes offered with the aim of making yoga accessible to all.

Thu, Jul 17, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Classroom C
An... more
An improvisation club for learning, sharing and performing improv. Club activities include fun, participatory improv games intended for club members to practice and refine their improv skills.

Thu, Jul 17, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Classroom A
Join us to... more
Join us to practice your French language skills and meet others in our community learning the language!

Sat, Jul 19, 11:00am - 3:30pm
Beutter-Kernan Hall
Guest... more
Guest speaker Laura Street Chaplin will share three presentations on organizing your family history research, including strategies for paper and digital files, plus a process for tackling the project!

Sat, Jul 19, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Classroom C
Join us to... more
Join us to play social deduction games (similar to Among Us) which are fun for adults, teens, and older kids! These games are great for individuals, groups, or families!

Mon, Jul 21, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Leighton Auditorium
Student... more
Student chamber ensembles participating in the 2025 Addicott Chamber Music Festival at IU South Bend perform at the SJCPL!