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Murder suspect arrested following standoff

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A murder suspect is under arrest following a standoff in central Bakersfield Tuesday evening.

Paul Ray Parra Junior, 34, surrendered to sheriff's deputies after barricading himself in a home in the 100 block of 17th Street.

Parra is suspected in the shooting death of Keith Hurst, 44, in Oildale on August 16th.

Deputies evacuated several nearby homes and called in the SWAT team. But before SWAT team members arrived, Parra came out peacefully.

Parra was booked into the downtown jail on one count of murder.

Local man's Centennial Plaza honorary brick was removed years ago without notification

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif.– Earlier in August, Citizens were able to stop the Bakersfield city council from removing commemorative bricks in front of CentennialPlaza.  However; some bricks were removed years ago, without notifying the people who paid for them.

A local World War II veteran honored his son with a commemorative brick after his son died from AIDS.

Jimmie Hill, a local veteran who purchased a brick to honor his son Kevin, who died in 1996, said that nobody told him that it was going to be removed.

"When they were put in, they were supposed to be forever,” Hill said. “And forever ain’t over yet."

In 1998, Hill and his wife spent $100 to purchase a brick in Kevin’s name in front of the plaza, borrowing the money from Hill’s sister-in-law.

A couple of years ago, the brick was removed due to damage.  Hill said he was not informed.

A family friend, who happened to be a part of the crew that was removing bricks that day, collected Kevin’s brick.  He gave it to Hill’s daughter, who then delivered it to Hill.

Now, the brick rests on the ground above Kevin’s remains, in the garden of the home he grew up in.

Hill wants others to find out what happened to their bricks, but doesn’t want Kevin’s to go back to the plaza.

Bakersfield City Councilman Terry Maxwell said the city wasn’t adequately equipped to deal with the damaged bricks.  He said he believes the administration made a poor decision by throwing them away, and that there “is just no doubt” that multiple peoples’ bricks have been removed.

“I would like to think that we can go back and figure out who has bricks there that did get destroyed, and replace them,” Maxwell said.

According to Maxwell, the council is in the beginning stages of addressing the problem, but he wants to find a way to replace the bricks which were removed.

Kern Parks discussing potential of allowing swimming in Lake Ming

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif.– The Kern County Parks and Recreation Commission will discuss a proposal this evening to allow swimming and personal watercrafts on LakeMing.

The monthly meeting will also discuss a fee increase for the following golf courses: Buena Vista, Kern River, and North Kern.

They will also discuss criteria options for the off-highway vehicle in-lieu funds, as well as lifetime camping passes for disabled/ POW veterans.

The meeting will take place at the BenAustinSeniorCenter, located at

1751 McKee Road
, 93307.

The public is encouraged to attend.

City councilman urges GET board members to resign in wake of strike

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - After the Golden Empire Transit strike that shut down bus service for more than a month, the Bakersfield city council is working to push out it's appointees to the GET Board, according to a letter from Councilmember Ken Weir.

In the letter, which is dated Aug. 21, Weir says that if two GET board members don't resign by on Monday, Aug. Sept. 1, the city council will consider removing them.

Weir states that he believes problems at GET run deeper than a labor dispute, based on his view of “conversations and the general demeanor at the Council meeting.”

"In my experience it is difficult, if not impossible, to effect change in an organization without a fresh outlook and approach," Weir says in the letter.

GET board members Norris Ledbetter and Howard Silver were specifically named, with Weir saying in the letter that if they leave now, it "will provide… a smooth, professional, and dignified exit" from the agency.

Weir warns that if they fail to comply, the city council may act during its Sept. 10 meeting.

Report claims $848 million in overpayments to CalWORKs recipients

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.– The California Common Sense non-profit organization released a report Wednesday, Aug. 27, that found $848 million in welfare overpayments could have been used to fund 8,000 more cases.

“For the better part of a decade, just as unemployment was rising and more families sought benefits, California’s social services absorbed cuts as the state diverted limited funds elsewhere,” said Executive Director of CACS Autumn Carter.

“We found that those deep budget cuts had very real unintended consequences,” she said, citing administrative errors and lack of oversight by California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids.  CalWorks assists low-income families with children with cash and welfare-to-work programs.

In its report, titled “California Welfare Overpayments: Fraud, Internal Errors, and Limited Investigation, CACS says CalWORKs staffing decreased by 22 percent between 2007 and 2008, which may explain why errors have become costlier.

CACS is a non-profit organization founded by Standford students and alumni which works to provide information to the public on how government works and “develop data-driven policy analysis.”

The full report is available on CACS’ website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Gun Violence Restraining Order' bill passed by California State Senate today Aug. 27

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California State Senate passed the “Gun Violence Restraining Order” bill (AB 1014), which would allow family members or law enforcement to petition a court to remove firearms from someone temporarily if it is believed the individual poses a possible threat of violence or injury. 

The bill was spearheaded by the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign, which is an advocacy group for sensible gun laws. The bill is also supported by other organizations like the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, the California State Sheriffs Association, Disability Rights California, the City of Los Angeles, Attorney General Kamala Harris and the California Psychiatric Association. 

Advocates moved forward with the bill, introducing it to the State Senate in May in the wake of the Isla Vista shooting near University of California, Santa Barbara where six students were killed.

Before the shooting occurred, the parents of the shooter had contacted law enforcement and requested assistance because they feared their son posed a serious threat to himself or others. Law enforcement responded that they were unable to do anything because their son did not meet specified criteria for them to intervene.

"Family members are often the first to spot the warning signs when someone is in crisis," said Assemblymember Nancy Skinner. "AB 1014 provides an effective tool to get guns out of the hands of loved ones to avoid these tragedies."

The legislation is similar to California’s domestic violence restraining order law, which provides the individual to challenge the court order.

"This bill would put California at the forefront, and give family members a powerful way to help prevent gun violence before it happens," said State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson. "Not only will it help keep family members safer, it will help make our communities safer."

The bill will now go to the State Assembly before being signed by Gov. Brown.

Second defendant in death of Fresno State fraternity pledge Philip Dhanens takes a plea deal

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FRESNO, Calif. - The second of three defendants connected to the binge-drinking death of Fresno State fraternity pledge Philip Dhanens, of Bakersfield, has taken a plea deal.

Louis Serrato, 30, who at the time was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity, pleaded no contest Wednesday in Superior Court to misdemeanor charges of hazing and furnishing alcohol to a minor, causing death.

Dhanens was 18 at the time of his death.  He went to a party on Aug. 31, 2012, along with 14 other fraternity pledges.

The pledges were locked in a room and told that they could not leave until they consumed eight bottles of hard liquor.

Police say Dhanens drank an estimated 37 one-ounce shots of liquor in roughly 90 minutes.  He died of alcohol poisoning later that night.

Serrato will be sentenced in Fresno County Superior Court on Sept. 16.

One other defendant has already pleaded no contest to the same charges.  A third defendant is awaiting trial, and claimed to be innocent.

Dhanens' family did not return KGET’s calls.  His former girlfriend, Zoe Tucker, said that she was advised by the family’s attorney not to talk about the case.

UPDATE: Vice principal arrested for possession of firearm while on Tevis Junior High campus has been released

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UPDATE: The Bakersfield Police Department has just released Kent Williams, ho was arrested this morning for possession of a firearm on the TevisJunior High School campus.

The Kern County District Attorney’s office and BPD have determined that it is not a violation of the “California Gun Free Zone” Act for a holder of a concealed weapons permit to possess a firearm on a school campus.  However, Williams did not have prior authorization by the district superintendant. As such, Williams is also in violation of the Panama Buena Vista Unified School District Board’s policy of possessing a firearm on campus without authorization.

Williams will remain on paid administrative leave until further notice.


BAKERSFIELD, Calif.– Tevis Junior High School Vice Principal Kent Williams was arrested today after Bakersfield police found him to be in possession of a firearm while on campus.

Williams, 51, possesses a valid concealed carry permit issued by Kern County, but did not attain prior authorization from the District Superintendent to carry a firearm while on a school campus.

The firearm was found in a backpack in Williams’ office.

The Bakersfield Police Department says Williams was in violation of Panama Buena Vista Union School District Board policy by possessing a firearm on campus without authorization from the school board.

The incident did not cause an interruption of school activities, according to BPD.

Police arrived on campus after being contacted by PBVUSD employees who learned of the possibility that an employee was in possession of a firearm on one of their school campuses.

Williams was arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail and placed on administrative leave by the school district.

BPD encourages anyone with information regarding this case to call them at 661-327-7111.  Anonymous texts can be sent to 274637 by sending BPDCRIMES along with a message.


New law provides outlet to donate to disaster relief funds

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SACRAMENTO, Calif.– A new state law going into effect this year allows Californian taxpayers an opportunity to donate to California Chapters of the American Red Cross using their tax returns.

The bill (AB511), authored by small business owner Richard Pan, was signed in to law last year. The law adds the American Red Cross to a list of 18 eligible organizations for voluntary contributions on the 540 Income Tax Form.

Funds donated will go to helping in disaster relief efforts, such as the recent earthquake in NapaValley. Since its inception the fund has raised more than $217,000.

“When disasters strike, so many people want to help,” added Pan. “By simply checking the ‘American Red Cross’ box on your tax forms, you can contribute to an organization dedicated to helping people get back on their feet.”

PG&E may face fines from CPUC for 2012 death of contractor at Kern power plant

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SAN FRANCISCO– Pacific Gas and Electric Company may face fines of up to $50,000 from the California Public Utilities Commission for the 2012 death of a contract worker at Bakersfield’s Kern Power Plant.

On June 19, 2012, PG&E hired Cleveland Wrecking Company to dismantle four empty fuel storage tanks at the plant. 

CWC employee Luis Roberto Minjarez, 51, died from injuries he sustained after a portion of a fuel tank wall collapsed inward as it was being dismantled.

CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division determined PG&E to have failed to properly evaluate safety during contract bid proposals, to have failed to adequately provide project safety review and oversight, and to have neglected to evaluate safer alternatives for the dismantling process.

CPUC is alleging that PG&E attempted to contract out its safety procedures, and failed to work to mitigate hazards.

Additionally, CPUC claims that PG&E failed to properly and thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident.

PG&E was charged by CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement division with violation California Public Utilities Code Section 451, which requires public utilities to furnish and maintain as necessary to promote safety.

CPUC says PG&E’s infringements are subject to fines between $500 and $50,000 for each violation, for each day, and orders for implementing new operational and policy measures may be issued.

 

 

 

 

 

Taco Bell announces giveaway for eleven lucky fans

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Taco Bell is offering fans an opportunity to win free food for life with their “Eleven Everlasting Dollars” contest.

Not unlike Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket sweepstakes in the movies, Taco Bell is releasing 11 altered dollar bills in 11 US cities for lucky fans to find. The winning bill will have a special serial number granting the finder a lifetime of free food from Taco Bell.

You can track where the bills might be found by visiting the fast food chain’s website.

However, you might need a lucky charm to find one as the odds of finding one of the bills are one in 2.4 billion.

Local groups push eateries to serve water upon request only.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif.– The Water Association of Kern County and the Kern County Farm Bureau will announce in a press conference their initiative urging local restaurants to only serve water to guests upon request. Organizers have labeled the move as an effort to save water during the drought situation.

The conference will be held at on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at the Café Med on

Stockdale Highway
, and will include Bakersfield City Councilmember Russell Johnson, who has joined the campaign.

The group has printed table tents for local establishments making patrons aware of the drought and that water is served on request only. The table tents are offered at no cost for restaurants.

“Ensuring water is there to support our local agricultural economy and to quench our resident's thirst is all of our responsibility,” said Johnson. “The displays will serve as a reminder to residents in Bakersfield that they can make little changes that will ensure our community has a water supply to sustain our local population and commerce.”

Local veteran presented with five medals by Congressman Kevin McCarthy

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During the Honor Flight fundraising event today, one local veteran was presented with five medals by Congressman Kevin McCarthy that earned during his service in WWII.

The medals were presented to 90-year-old Lee Neukirchner at the Wall of Valor in downtown Bakersfield. Neukirchner served in the US Air Force from 1943 to 1946 during WWII, and, fought in Normandy on D-Day.

Neukirchner received the Army Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, World War II victory Medal, The Honorable Service Lapel Button, and a Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar.

Taft superintendent placed on administrative leave

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TAFT, CA - The Taft City School District Board of Education has placed its superintendent on administrative leave, following his second DUI arrest in five months.

Ronald Bryant was convicted in March of misdemeanor DUI.  Investigators have not released any more details about his latest arrest.

But the Taft City School District Board met in closed session Thursday afternoon and announced he's on leave until the legal matter is worked out.

In his place, the board named Julie Graves its acting superintendent.


Golden State Mall has found a new owner

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif.– The Golden State Mall was sold today, according to the Kern County Assessor’s Office.

The mall was in foreclosure but is now out of bankruptcy so its new owner becomes its lender, McDivitt Development.

The mall had closed in June when the owner filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and store owners and vendors were forced to move out.

It is still unclear what the future of the mall will be as a spokesperson from McDivitt was unavailable for comment.


Plastic bag ban approved by state assembly

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SACRAMENTO, Calif.– The State Assembly approved a bill (SB270) today, which will phase-out single use plastic bags from grocery stores, as well as convenience stores and pharmacies. The bill is now headed toward the state senate for consideration.

The bill is supported by a coalition of environmental advocacy, business, and local government groups, including: Californians Against Waste, Environment California, Heal the Bay, Clean Seas Coalition, California League of Conservation Voters, Coastkeepers, Surfrider, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council, California Grocers Association, and the California Retailers Association.

Proponents argue that the plastic bag ban is a step forward in cleaning up the environment, as well as preserving marine life, birds, and other wildlife.

“A throw-away society is not sustainable.  With SB 270 we have an opportunity to greatly reduce the flow of billions of single-use plastic bags that are discarded throughout our state.  This is good for California and reflects our values as a state that cares about the environment, sea life and wildlife,” said Senator Alex Padilla.

According to the US EPA, 88 percent of plastic bags are not recycled, with more than 14 billion handed out by retailers. CalRecyle estimates that about three percent are recycled in California.

However, the plastics industry is opposed to the legislation, stating it will penalize consumers and enriches grocery chains, who will charge customers for reusable or paper bags.

UPDATE: Golden State Mall has found a new owner

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BAKERSFIIELD, Calif. - Golden State Mall’s new owner has confirmed the building will get a new look and purpose.

According to new owner Don Judkins, the mall will become Golden State Medical, as it will be gutted and remodeled for medical offices, with all new electrical, air conditioning, and elevators.

The back portion of the building is set to become an assisted living complex.

No timeline has been set for completion and a  cost estimation has not been given at this time, though Judkins said it will be “millions of dollars” to renovate.



BAKERSFIELD
, Calif.
– The Golden State Mall was sold today, according to the Kern County Assessor’s Office.

The mall was in foreclosure but is now out of bankruptcy so its new owner becomes its lender, McDivitt Development.

The mall had closed in June when the owner filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and store owners and vendors were forced to move out.

It is still unclear what the future of the mall will be as a spokesperson from McDivitt was unavailable for comment.

Two GET board members refuse to step down

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - It was a showdown at the Golden Empire Transit board Thursday afternoon that didn't go as planned for the Bakersfield City Council.

Two GET board members announced they will not leave their positions.

This comes on the heels of Vice Mayor Ken Weir requesting both appointees step down next week.

The two board members, Howard Silver and Norris Ledbetter, made the announcement during a news conference Thursday at GET headquarters on Golden State Avenue.

They say they will not step down because they have performed their jobs faithfully.

Both board members were appointed by the city council, Ledbetter in 2007 and Silver in 1984.

The five-member board includes two city members, two county members and one chair member.

On Thursday, Silver said until new route changes were implemented, there weren't any problems at GET.

Last week, Vice Mayor Weir sent them a letter, urging the members to resign or face removal.

He also said he believes there are deeper problems at GET beyond a labor dispute that resulted in a month-long strike.

The letter goes on to say that by resigning, they would "eliminate the need to further embarrass them and diminish their years of service."

The letter also thanks Ledbetter and Silver for their years at GET

During the news conference, Silver responded.

"If we're removed, if the Board of Directors are removed, here is a system that has really progressed, has really done so much in this community and they're going to bring in five new people who could be qualified in whatever they do, but not having any kind of public transportation experience. It's not going to be good," said Silver. "It's going to take a long time to recover."

Earlier this month, the county-appointed chairwoman of the GET board retired, saying she planned to spend more time with family.

Supervisor Leticia Perez said Thursday she will request a new GET board, one that benefits the community in a better way.

Vice Mayor Weir also said Thursday afternoon after the news conference, since both members won't step down, there will be an item on the agenda at the September 10 city council meeting to remove Silver and Ledbetter.

If councilmembers approve, the city will immediately start looking for their replacements.

Teen raises money for Honor Flight Kern County

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- One of the biggest World War II buffs in town just may be Ethan Lockman, 14. He asks veterans about their time in the war every chance he gets.

"All these veterans, these are Americans who changed history and made it the world as we know it now. And I think that they should be honored for what they did," said Lockman.

To honor the veterans, Ethan sent a letter back in May to all of his family members asking them to donate to Honor Flight Kern County and send a World War II veteran to Washington, D.C. His goal was to raise $1200. By June he had raised $1800.

That's enough money to send one veteran to D.C. on the next honor flight. Ethan will also be there as a guardian to that veteran, who he'll meet soon.

Ethan's dad rewarded his efforts by taking him to France in June for the 70th anniversary of the Normandy invasion.

"I'm very proud of Ethan, said Dalton Lockman, Ethan's dad. "I learned more about history and more from my son than I possibly could have ever imagined."

Ethan believes each veteran is a living history book with lessons every generation needs to learn.

"I think that if we learn about the past, we can learn for the future," said Lockman.

Ethan teaches us that donation time is any time of the year. No need to wait for a fundraiser.

The next honor flight is taking off September 20.

BC's water conservation event looks to educate community, raise awareness

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Student Government association at Bakersfield College will be hosting a water conservation awareness event called “Rally for Water for the Central Valley.” The event will take place at BC, on Sept. 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event is promoted as an opportunity to educate the college community, as well as the public, on the drought’s impact and learn water conservation tips. There will also be a forum for students to ask questions to farmers and water district officials, who will be discussing the current water crisis.

During the event, Greg Wegis, president of the Kern County Farm Bureau and a representative from the Water Association of Kern County, will address major issues in Kern County due to the drought’s impact. Educational materials on water conservation will be provided from local chamber of commerce and community leaders.

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