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Robin Williams hanged himself: Marin County Sheriff

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(NBC Bay Area) -- Robin Williams killed himself by wrapping a belt around his neck, and he also may have tried cutting his wrist with a pocket knife, according to a preliminary investigation by the Marin County Sheriff's Department.

Speaking to a bank of reporters on Tuesday, Lt. Keith Boyd said Williams' personal assistant found his body a day earlier seated in a chair near the closet door with a belt around his neck in his Tiburon home about 11:45 a.m.

Williams' left wrist also had several lacerations, Boyd said. A pocketknife was found in a bedroom nearby. There was what appeared to be blood on the knife, but Boyd said they haven't positively identified who it belonged to.

Boyd confirmed what Williams' publicist had stated on Monday. The iconic actor and comedian had "been seeking treatment for depression." He declined to say more, citing federal privacy laws.

In addition, Boyd stressed the findings by Marin County Chief Forensic Pathologist Joseph Cohen were preliminary, and he would not discuss whether the 63-year-old had left behind a message for anyone.

"We are not discussing the note, or a note, at this time," Boyd said.

Boyd also did not know if Williams had taken any drugs or alcohol before he committed "suicide by asphyxia." That information won't be known until a toxicology report is returned.

Boyd recounted a brief timeline of events that led to the shocking discovery.

Williams' wife, Susan Schneider, last saw her husband Sunday about 10:30 p.m. She retired to one room to go to sleep, and her husband went into another, Boyd said. That was the last time anyone saw him alive.

It wasn't until the next morning at 11:45 a.m., that Williams' personal assistant knocked on a bedroom door. There was no response, Boyd said. When the assistant went in, Williams' body was seated in a chair, and "cool to the touch." The "distraught" assistant called 911 at 11:55 a.m., Boyd said.

Boyd said it's unknown at this point exactly what time Williams killed himself, but the actor was pronounced dead on Monday at 12:02 p.m. when firefighters arrived.

It was well known that Williams had persistent battles with drug addiction, as he often made light of his cocaine use during his 1980s standup routines.

Williams returned to rehab last month. He said he had not relapsed, but was working on maintaining his sobriety.

GET: Proposal going to union members for vote

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BAKERSFIELD, CA -- There's a possible breakthrough in the ongoing strike between Golden Empire Transit and the union representing drivers, mechanics and other employees.

Transit officials say after several hours of discussions, union officials agreed to take GET’s latest offer to striking employees for a vote without a recommendation. GET offered a 3 percent, one year extension on the existing contract retroactive back to July 1.

Union officials indicated they would meet with employees on Wednesday to present the proposal . Employees would vote on Thursday. If employees vote to accept the proposal on Thursday, it then would go to the GET Board of Directors for approval. Employees could return to work as soon as Friday.

If service resumes on Friday or over the weekend, GET customers may use expired passes until Monday, August 18. GET staff is ready to exchange passes at the Downtown and Southwest Transit Centers within 1 to 2 days after service resumes.
 

Robin Williams spending time in Kern County

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TAFT, CA -- Robin Williams spent some time in Kern County back in 1985.

That's when he came to film a movie in Taft called "The Best of Times" with Kurt Russell.  The film centered on a football rivalry between the teams from Bakersfield and Taft.

In fact, Russell and Williams cast that memory in some wet cement near the corner of Sixth and North Streets in Taft.

The two signed the wet sidewalk and Robin Williams planted his handprints there.


GET to replace all partially used bus passes

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BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Still no deal on day 29 of the GET bus strike. Two Golden Empire Transit board members will address the city council at its Wednesday meeting, and give council members an update on negotiations.

Starting Tuesday, GET says it will begin replacing all partially used 31-day passes and summer youth passes, that went unused due to the strike.

To receive a replacement pass, customers can bring in person or mail their partially used pass to GET's administration office at 1830 Golden State Avenue.

You should also include your mailing address if you want your new pass mailed to you.  Once service resumes, passes will also be exchanged at the downtown transit center.


History project leads to a teens future

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BAKERSFIELD, CA -- An award-winning history project is shaping a local teens future.

This June, Jessica Stump won first place in the National History Day competition for her research paper on Henrietta Lacks.

"It's really the personal aspect of the story that grabbed hold of my heart," said Stump.

But Stump threw all she had into a story over 60-years old after reading the One Book, One Bakersfield's feature on Henrietta Lacks.

"I read it and I became intrigued with the topic and I was just so fascinated," said Stump.

In 1951, Lacks was treated at Johns Hopkins Medical Center for cervical cancer. Doctors there removed some of her tumor's cells.

While Henrietta died, researchers found the cells they took were the first ever to live and thrive outside the body. Without consenting the Lacks family, researchers shared the cells that would help Jonas Salk create a polio vaccine, and make headway fighting cancer, aides and diabetes. They were distributed worldwide and believed to have saved millions.

They were known as the HeLa cells, after Henrietta Lacks. But, Lacks family didn't know that until the 1970's.

"I just want more people to learn about Henrietta and learn about how we all have to be ethical we have to make sure things are handled correctly," said Henrietta.

Stump's history research took her to Baltimore to Johns Hopkins. This is what they told her.

"Actually, on the day you are coming there is an all day Henrietta Lacks symposium at which the Lacks family will be speaking. And they said well you can come if you'd like. And we said yes, please," said Stump.

There, she not only interviewed, but befriended the Lacks family.

Stump learned the Lacks family now has a say on how the HeLa cells are used. And Stump and the Lacks are collaborating creating a nationwide online curriculum for others to learn about Henrietta and importance of ethics.

"It's changed my life tremendously. If I hadn't learned about Henrietta, I don't even know what I would be doing in my life right now," said Stump.

Henrietta's great granddaughter, Veronica Spencer, is in Bakersfield Tuesday and will be joining Stump as the Kern County Board of Education recognizes her work at 6:30 PM.

Stump says the online curriculum should be ready by the end of the school year. And, she is also planning on writing children's books with the help of the Lacks family.

KHSD board president discusses high-profile case

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Kern High School District board president is demanding action against its insurance carrier and legal team.

Board president Chad Vegas said the district inappropriately handled the case of an autistic girl, whose parents successfully sued the district saying the girls was sexually assaulted by another student in an independence high school bathroom in 2009.

Vegas claims Self-Insured Schools of California or SISC didn't notify the board of a possible settlement and was unethical during its investigation of the case.

"Frankly on both counts of not notifying us of a settlement offer and of not protecting the privacy of an innocent victim, SISC has acted unethically," said Vegas.

The KHSD board president lashed out at the board of education Tuesday night, about its regulation of SISC. Vegas and the victim's family members are looking to the county superintendent of schools to rectify the situation.

The victim's father said, "My family has been the victim of your employee, SISC's abuse."

Her father, who we are not identifying to protect the identity of his daughter, says SISC and the district violated their privacy.

He said, "A private investigator was paid by your employee, SISC, to videotape my daughter leaving the front door of my home and getting into the van and then following her to school and video taping her with her teachers and aides."

The girl was reportedly videotaped to prove she was not emotionally damaged by the alleged bathroom assault. Vegas says SISC should be fired.

"As a division of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, I ask that you take whatever action you legally can," Vegas said.

The Kern County superintendent of schools says there will be an investigation into what practices were utilized.

A jury awarded the family $1.5 million in damages in May. SISC filed an appeal.

SISC sent 17 News a statement Monday, which states in part, "The Self-Insured Schools of California, after very careful deliberation, has elected to file a notice of appeal based on information received indicative of possible juror misconduct during deliberations. the filing of the notice further protects our right to pursue the appeal."

16-year-old killed in rollover crash on I-5

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A northern California teen was killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 5 Tuesday night.

It happened just before 11 p.m. near Ashe Road.

CHP officers said Corey Robert McGuire, 18, of Vacaville, was driving northbound on I-5 when for unknown reasons his vehicle left the roadway and overturned.

His passenger, Joseph Kenneth Meyers, 16, of Vacaville, suffered fatal injuries at the scene.

The CHP said both of the teens were wearing their seat belts.

The investigation is ongoing.

Man in critical condition after a shooting in south Bakersfield

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BAKERSFIELD, CA.-A man is in critical condition after a shooting that happened just before 12:30 a.m. in south Bakersfield.  

Deputies were called to the 2100 block of south M St., just south of Ming Avenue for a victim of a shooting. 

When deputies arrived, they found a 40-year-old man suffering from several gunshot wounds to the torso. 

Deputies said they are looking for two to four men in a white vehicle who left the scene.

The investigation is ongoing. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 861-3110.

Man arrested, dog shot and killed after chase ends in Lamont vineyard

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LAMONT, CA - A man is under arrest and his dog is dead after a car chase that ended in a Lamont vineyard.  The chase ended, in a field off Sycamore and Wheeler Ridge Road.

Deputies say it started around 7:30 a.m. when they received a report of a stolen car.  Deputies spotted the car and tried to stop the suspect, but they say he fled, and they gave chase.  It ended near a vineyard when the suspect crashed the car, and took off, again on foot. "Fled on foot with his dog into the grape vineyards behind us. Suspect was tracked by the deputies, and during the process of taking him into custody, the suspect's dog attacked one of the deputies and the deputy was forced to shoot the dog," says Lt. Todd Bishop, Kern County Sheriff's Department. 

The dog died.  Neither deputies or the suspect were injured.


Youth football safety clinic coming to Bakersfield

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Youth football coaches are participating in a first-of-its-kind player safety clinic on Sat., August 16 at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Bakersfield. The clinic is part of the Heads Up Football program, an initiative led by USA Football, the official youth football development partner of the NFL and its 32 teams.

During the clinic, Jason will guide them through a series of drills to reinforce proper tackling mechanics that focus on reducing helmet contact, feature education on concussion recognition and response, and instruct on proper helmet and shoulder pad fitting. This group of coaches will then teach Heads Up Football to their youth league coaches, players and parents.

SCHEDULE: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

· Concussion awareness, 8:20 a.m.

· Heat and hydration, 9:10 a.m.

· Helmet and shoulder pad fitting, 10:20 a.m.

· Heads Up Tackling classroom training, 11 a.m.

· On-field Heads Up Tackling drills, 1 p.m.



Panera Bread hiring for new Bakersfield location

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BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Officials with Panera Bread say they are looking to fill several positions at its new store on California Avenue which is under construction.   The store in the 4100 block of California Avenue is expected to open sometime in September, 2014 according to a company spokesperson. 

To apply for a job, you can click on the following link. 

www.panerabread.com

Sheriff's office: Victim notification program is available

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The sheriff's department is participating in a victim notification program set up U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Homeland Security Investigations Victim Notification program. 

Sheriff's officials say Homeland Security Investigations, and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, are committed to protecting the public and ensuring that the rights of victims and witnesses are carefully observed. The Victim Notification Program allows eligible victims and witnesses to obtain reliable and timely information regarding a criminal alien’s release from custody.

The program does require victims and witnesses to register with (HSI) in order to receive notification of a criminal alien’s release. To assist (HSI), the Sheriff’s Office has placed a hyper-link on the Sheriff’s Office website to allow Kern County residents easy access to sign up for the program.

To access the (HSI) hyper-link, simply log onto the Sheriff’s Office website at www.kernsheriff.com and click on the hyper-link, www.ice.gov/victim-notification/


Confusion leads to sales tax mistakes at Tejon outlets

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If you are one of the more than 200,000 people who have shopped the Outlets at Tejon, you might have been overtaxed.

One shopper checked her receipts and noticed she was charged different sales tax amounts at different stores, some as high as 8.5 percent. So, she contacted 17 News.

The shopper says she was charged the higher tax rates at Gymboree, Rack Room Shoes, Skechers, and Tony's Pizza.

Outlet managers confirmed Wednesday there is confusion among some of the stores about sales tax. They say the outlets are located in unincorporated Kern County. Therefore, the sales tax should be 7.5 percent.

But, their mailing address and zip code indicate they're in Arvin.

In Arvin, the sales tax is 8.5 percent.

Barry Zoeller, Vice President of Corporate Communications, says before the outlets opened, center management sent a memo to all of the stores stating what the sales tax should be, 7.5 percent.

Yet, some did not lower it and are not making the switch until they get official word from the State Board of Equalization.

Zoeller says they've requested the state to make contact with those stores and are waiting for them to do so.

"Well, we apologize if any of the stores collected more sales tax revenue than what they should have. And, we tried to notify them all in advance, and it's just one of those opening pain type of situations, especially confusing when you are located in unincorporated Kern County and your mailing address shows Arvin," said Zoeller.

Zoeller could not say how many stores were charging the higher sales tax. He just said "a handful" are.

The stores the shopper encountered charging more, all told Zoeller they are in the works of lowering the tax to 7.5 percent. But, they did not say how long that would take.

Zoeller recommends if you were overtaxed and want a refund, contact the store where you made the purchase.

City in the Hills second park eliminated

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - City in the Hills will not get its second park. The Bakersfield City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to swap the proposed park land for land that will be used to expand the Mesa Marin Sports Complex. 

Almost a decade ago, the initial developer promised a park to residents. While city councilmembers said they were sorry the promise was broken, they feel expanding Mesa Marin is better for the city as a whole. 

The city council chambers were packed Wednesday night with a small contingent in the first row to speak out against the proposed land swap. The proposed swap would be eleven acres proposed park land in City in the Hills for 20 acres of land across Highway 178 adjacent to the Mesa Marin Sports Complex. 

The City of Bakersfield plans to expand the sports complex with the additional acreage. The developer acquiring the park land plans to put more homes in its place. To some residents at the meeting, this is unacceptable. 

"Everything about this project has been wrong," said Krystina Steed, a City in the Hills resident. "It has not been developed as presented. It seems like back room deals have been made. I pray that the city councilmembers here tonight think about what's in the best interest of our neighborhoods more so than what's in the best interest of investors." 

Vice Mayor Ken Weir's district encompasses City in the Hills. He proposed the swap, saying Wednesday that developing the sports complex will bring in commercial development. But he and Councilmember Russell Johnson sympathized with the disappointed residents in the audience.

"I can understand your frustration. I can understand it, but being on the city council sometimes you have to make tough decisions," said Vice Mayor Weir. 

"I really feel bad that you are not going to get the park that was promised to you," said Councilmember Johnson. 

It's unclear at this point when development of both properties will commence. 

Local Law Enforcement is holding public forum tonight

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BAKERSFIELD, CA-The Kern County Sheriff's Taft substation and Taft Police Department are hosting a public forum tonight at 7 p.m. in Taft. 

Officials will provide information to residents including local crime statistics, the sheriff's neighborhood watch program, the crime prevention unit and recruitment. 

Other agencies will be on hand to answer questions including the California Highway Patrol and animal services. 

It will be held at the west side Recreation and Parks Districts Auditorium in Taft. 

For more information, call 763-8554.

Plea bargain ends case against deputy in double-fatal traffic case

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Sheriff's deputy will not spend any time in jail after a plea bargain Thursday morning that ended the felony manslaughter case against him. The prosecutor said the deal was necessary after the defense won a key legal ruling before the trial began.

The deputy probably will be able to keep his job with the Kern County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities say Deputy John Swearengin hit and killed 30-year-old Chrystal Jolley and 24-year-old Daniel Hiler in December 2011 as Hiler and Jolly were pushing Hiler's motorcycle across Norris Road.

The California Highway Patrol, which conducted the investigation, said Swearengin was traveling 80 mph without his emergency lights and sirens on. The investigation ruled Jolley and Hiler were not at fault in the crash.

The CHP report said Swearengin told investigators he had his accelerator pedal all the way down in his patrol car, as he responded to a call.

Swearingen was charged with two counts of manslaughter with gross negligence. He had previously been disciplined by the Sheriff's Department for poor driving and prosecutors intended to use that record to prove a pattern that demonstrated gross negligence in the fatal accident.

But defense attorney David Torres argued the personnel records were inadmissible in the trial, and Judge John Lua agreed with him.

Without that key evidence, the charges had to be reduced, according to Deputy District Attorney Michael Yraceburn.

Yraceburn left the courtroom Thursday morning saying he was disappointed in the rulings. The prosecutor said he met with relatives of Hiler and Jolley Wednesday night and they agreed to the plea deal offer.

"This case should never have been filed," Torres said after the hearing Thursday.

Torres said he believed Swearengen would likely be able to keep his job as a deputy even with the misdemeanor on his record.

Swearengin had been charged with two counts of felony vehicular manslaughter. He faced up to 12 years in prison for both counts.

He pleaded no contest to one count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence. As part of the deal, he will serve no jail time but be required to do 480 hours of community service.
 

Sheriff's office: Back to school safety tips

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The sheriff's department has some safety tips they would like to share with parents of children who are returning to school. 

You can help prepare your children for the experiences they will face at school each day and help create a safer school environment. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office would like to provide the following tips for advice on how to protect your children, and how to teach them to protect themselves.

Getting to School:

Give yourself plenty of time as you and your children adjust to the new school schedule.
Map out a safe way for your children to walk to school or to the bus stop.
Work with other parents in the neighborhood to ensure that children in the neighborhood are supervised closely to and from school.
Work with your neighbors and your child on identifying “safe houses”, or homes of neighbors who your child is familiar with if your child is scared or needs help on the way to/ from school.
Point out places they should avoid, such as vacant lots, alleyways, and construction areas.
Encourage your children to use the “buddy system”.
Teach your children to never speak to strangers, or go anywhere with a stranger, and let them know its okay to report if a stranger tries to approach them.
Teach your children to always be aware of their surroundings. Be aware of slow moving vehicles or parked vehicles that appear to be occupied. Choose a different route or walk on the opposite side of the street.
Children need to pay attention to traffic signals and use crosswalks with a crossing guard if available.

Bus Safety:

Make sure your children arrive at least five minutes early for the bus.
Make sure your children know to stand on the sidewalk while waiting for the bus.
Teach your children to make sure the bus driver can see them before walking in front of the bus, and to never walk behind a bus.
Be aware that bullying often happens on the bus. Ask your children about their bus rides, who they sit with, and what goes on in the bus. Encourage them to report any bullying behavior.

After School:

Have your children check in with an adult as soon as they get home.
Show them how to properly lock all doors and windows.
Make sure they know to never open a door to a stranger.
Establish a set of rules; who can come over, when homework must be done, and any chores they must do before you get home.
Find a trusted neighbor who will allow your children to come over in case of an emergency.
Establish strict rules regarding Internet usage.

At School:

Teach your children to resolve problems without fighting.
Encourage your children to report bullying behavior, either as a victim or a witness.
Ask school officials if Internet use is monitored closely.
Ask school officials about the safety and emergency plans for the school, all schools are required to have one.

Bullying:

Listen to children and encourage them to talk about their day.
Take all complaints about bullying seriously, if you don’t your child may not tell you next time.
Watch for symptoms such as withdrawal, a drop in grades, or new friends.
Notify the school immediately if you think your child is being bullied, and make sure the school investigates and takes action.
Praise your children when they are kind to others.
Teach children self- protection skills; how to walk and talk confidently, stay alert to their surroundings, and to stand up for themselves verbally.

If you would like further information on school safety, or are interested in other crime prevention topics, please contact Crime Prevention Specialist Ashley Glover at 661-391-7559 or by email at glovera@kernsheriff.com

Police release additonal information on Target burglary

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Police need your help to identify two additional women and a suspected car associated with a burglary at the East Hills Mall Target in June. 

Police say the group entered the Target store at 3401 Mall view Rd., loaded a shopping cart with televisions and other merchandise and left the store without paying. Once outside the store, the group loaded the items into a waiting vehicle and fled the area. On this offense there were two suspects as well as a suspect vehicle not previously described. The new women are described as black, 30-35, 5’6”-8”, 260 lbs., black hair, medium complexion, wearing a multi-colored floral print shirt under a white vest and light colored pants.

The other woman is described as black, 30-35, 5’7”-8”, 280 lbs., black hair, light complexion, wearing a pink house dress.

The vehicle is described as a: mid 1990’s grey Buick Park Avenue, four-door.

If you have information regarding this case, call Detective Chris Bagby at (661) 326-3519, Detective Joel Luera at (661) 326-3947 or Bakersfield police at (661) 327-7111.


Police seek man suspected of burglary at Lowe's

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Police are asking for the public's help to identify and locate a man accused of burglary.  Police say on the evening of June 30, 2014, he entered the Lowe’s home improvement center located at 1601 Columbus St. and selected a high value item. He left the store without paying for the loss and fled in the suspect vehicle.

Police describe the man as Hispanic, late 30’s to early 40’s, 5’7”-10”, shaved head, moderately muscular build, distinctive upper and forearm tattoos, “flat bill” style ball cap, black t-shirt with multi-colored logo, black knee length shorts, blue, black and gray “Vans” style shoes.

A suspected vehicle is described as a: newer model four-door possible Toyota or Honda.

If you have information regarding this case, call Detective Chris Bagby at (661) 326-3519 or Bakersfield police at (661) 327-7111.


Change coming to GET board, city cites management problem

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A surprising twist in the GET Bus saga, as the strike continues in its 31st day.

Thursday afternoon, the Board of Supervisors said change is in order for the Golden Empire Transit Board.

Wednesday night, City Councilmembers discussed the removal of two GET board members, which are appointed by the council --saying mismanagement is the problem.

Multiple councilmembers say the board has not been dealing with issues appropriately, especially in the last 18 months.

"I think there's lots of symptoms, there's one common denominator," said Councilmember Russell Johnson.

Johnson said that common denominator is CEO Karen King.

During the city council meeting, Johnson said King is the root of the problem of GET's mismanagement.

"I don't want to make the same mistake that was made with Kern Health Systems where for over a year that dragged on, said Johnson. Members were added to the board to try and balance out the issue and at the end of the day all that really needed to happen was we needed a new CEO."

King said the changes made to the bus system was to attract new riders, and when it comes to the strike, she said finances are to blame for the delay in a deal.

"The recession has has dragged on, the economy has not recovered to the extent that would allow us to give a larger increase," said King.

But while some councilmembers focused their attention on King, others wanted two Golden Empire Transit board members, appointed by the council, to be removed -- Howard Silver and Norris Ledbetter.

"Anytime in between the beginning and end of their terms, we have the right to remove and potentially open up those seats for reappointment," said Councilmember Willie Rivera.

However, the two motions supporting the removal of Silver and Ledbetter failed.

Councilmeber Johnson says he believes the removal of those members could be discussed again at a future city council meeting.

Supervisor Leticia Perez wouldn't tell us when the change for the entire board would happen, but did say "look to see how things unfold."

Multiple drivers told 17 News Thursday if CEO Karen King leaves, they will go back to work regardless if they get a raise.
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