Jury convicts man of murder for woman's death

October 2, 2014, 3:40 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A jury found a man guilty Thursday for the stabbing death of a woman back in May.  Alejandro Leon, 31, was convicted of first degree murder for the death of Evelyn Chuca in May on a property on Edison Highway.  


Prosecutors say Chuca's burned and dismembered body was found by deputies on May 11.  The jury heard evidence that Chuca received seven stab wounds to her back and Leon had told a witness, "Look what I did," referring to her body.  


Leon is scheduled to be sentenced December 3.  He faces 55 years to life in state prison.  

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National spotlight beams on local mother and her business

October 2, 2014, 6:02 pm

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TEHACHAPI, CA - The national spotlight is beaming on a local mother and her made-from-scratch business. It's called Handcrafted Honeybee and it's located in Tehachapi.

Right now, it's a finalist in Martha Stewart's American-Made contest.

Stacia Guzzo started the do-it-yourself beauty and skin care kit business about four years ago. Out of over 4000 entries in Martha Stewart's online voting contest, Handcrafted Honeybee is now ranked fourth and Guzzo hopes to get enough to take first place and win.

"It started when I had kids and I wanted to know exactly what went on their skin. That's when I started making things myself," said Guzzo.

Stacia and her husband keep bees. Instead of throwing out left over wax, she got the idea to make do it yourself care kits, customizable deodorants, lip balms, masks, and beauty supplies.

"To be able to say oh I made this especially for you or I personalized this for you but they have no idea how to do it they just saw something great on Pinterest and they wish they can be that person who made it, I make it possible for you to be that person," said Guzzo.

Guzzo's kits caught the attention of the make-it mogul, Martha Stewart in September. Handcrafted Honeybee became the buzz on Stewart's American Made online competition, beating out thousands to become a finalist.

Guzzo wrote a song and shot a video to get votes she still needs to win the grand prize $10,000, and priceless national advertising with Martha Stewart. It allow this creative mom to stay at home with her boys and be the boss of her beauty business.

"It helps me to stay at home with them and to help teach them about integrity and honesty in business and meeting new people and getting creative. My three-year-old will put on an apron and say, Mom, lets make lip balm today," said Guzzo.

The close family gets closer to winning with every vote for Handcrafted Honeybee, a business made of a little bees wax, a lot of creativity, and loads of love.

"I want people to hear about it because I'm convinced that once people know about it they are really going to love the idea," said Guzzo.

The online contest ends October 13 and Handcrafted Honeybee is currently in fourth place. If you would like to vote for her, visit : http://www.marthastewart.com/americanmade/nominee/88349/style/handcrafted-honey-bee

To see Guzzo's videos, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYz2doaBLlo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-EVyNZf91Y

Bakersfield's AIDS Project to hold walk to raise funds for local people with AIDS

October 3, 2014, 8:52 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield's AIDS Project is hosting a three-mile walk to support local people with the disease.

The walk will be at Ricky's Retreat at 910 Grace Street, Saturday, and is dedicated to the memory of Michael Viola, who died Sept. 12. Viola was a part of BAP's HIV positive speakers bureau and former board member of the organization.

BAP hopes to raise money with the walk for programs that will help Kern County residents living with AIDS.

Home surveillance cameras are helping police crack down on criminals

October 3, 2014, 9:01 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA.-Home surveillance cameras have become a top commodity and they are helping police crack down on criminals. 

Phillip Forbes, a homeowner in southwest Bakersfield credits his security cameras for capturing a quality picture of a man attempting to burglarize his home. That photo led to three arrests. 

Police were able to identify and arrest 18-year-old Zacheary Keys, as well as 18-year-old Dontrel Louis and 18-year-old Dallas Muniz for co-conspiracy.

Local security companies say burglaries on camera happen often and say sales on surveillance equipment has increased dramatically within the last couple years. 

Bruce Busacca, owner of Secure Systems, says with new technology and apps for your camera system, more people are relying on surveillance. 

The three 18-year-olds face charges of burglary and attempted burglary and police say one of them, Zacheary Keys, confessed to an additional four offenses. 

Skateland back on the market after deal falls through

October 3, 2014, 9:31 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The oldest skating rink in Bakersfield is back on the market, after a potential buyer failed to complete the paperwork.

Skateland co-owner Natalie Dunn-Fries said that the buyer did not show up in time to finalize the deal, but did not sign the notice of cancellation, so it's now up to the family to decide what comes next. 

Although the rink will not remain open for business while the owners await another buyer, it will be available for rental. Dunn-Fries said the Diamond Divas and Diamond City Minors roller-derby teams will continue to practice at the location, as long as they pay rental fees.

Skateland opened in 1955. The potential buyer had plans to turn the building into a warehouse. The family hopes a new buyer will emerge who will reopen it as a skating rink.

Law enforcement, family and friends gathered to remember police chief Eric Matlock

October 3, 2014, 9:42 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA.-Law enforcement, family, friends and community members gathered to remember retired Bakersfield police chief Eric Matlock and his legacy. 

A huge crowd celebrated his life at Hillcrest Memorial Park. The gathering in the chapel was followed by a motorcade that escorted Matlock's family to his grave site. 

After chief Matlock was laid to rest, his wife was presented with the flag that draped his casket. Attendees met at the Fire Hall after the funeral for a reception. 

Chief Matlock lost his battle to cancer on September 25. His family asks that all donations be made to the Bakersfield Police Activities League. 

Video purportedly shows ISIS beheading of British hostage

October 3, 2014, 1:21 pm

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A newly released ISIS video that purportedly shows the execution of British hostage Alan Henning was released Friday.

Henning, a volunteer who traveled to Syria to deliver food and water, was kidnapped by ISIS in December, and had previously been threatened with execution during the execution-video of David Haines in September.  He was a taxi driver from around Manchester, England.

In the video, an American aid worker was reportedly threatened with execution.

Read more from NBC News.

Rexland Acres residents on the lookout for psyllid

October 4, 2014, 6:11 pm

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Bakersfield, CA - The California Department of Food and Agriculture is increasing the number of Asian Citrus Psyllid traps in south Bakersfield.

The CDFA announced Friday that an Asian Citrus Psyllid was found in the Rexland Acres area. This discovery will expand the previous quarantine boundary line in Kern County.

All citrus trees in this area are being closely watched. Employees of CDFA are going door to door looking for people with citrus trees.

Salvador Luque lives in Rexland Acres and has citrus trees in his back yard.

"They came and checked the trees to make sure the bug that they are looking for wasn't in it. they brought like a little paper with tape or something. and checked the trees," said Luque.

People who live in the Rexland Acres area received fliers from the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program.

George Pacheco doesn't have citrus, but learned about the disease through the CDFA door to door visit.

"I don't have any citrus at all so he went on and that was our extent of our conversation he moved on down the road to knock on other doors to see what was going on in those areas there," said Pacheco

Residents also say that if there is a citrus tree in the yard then the state department will put up a psyllid trap in the tree. This psyllid is dangerous because it can transmit a disease called Huanglongbing also known as Citrus Greening, which kills citrus trees.

Next week they will begin to spray the quarantined areas.

Residents who they think they see the Asian Citrus Psyllid are asked to call Kern County Department of Agriculture at 868-6300.

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Joe Biden visits Bakersfield

October 6, 2014, 7:17 pm

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Vice President Joe Biden will come to Bakersfield tomorrow.

He will attend a "Rally for the Valley" in support of democratic congressional candidate Amanda Renteria at California State University Bakersfield, which is being held at the Icardo Center at CSU Bakersfield.

Renteria is running against incumbent republican David Valadao for California's 21st Congressional District.

We know the vice president will arrive at Meadows Field Airport from LAX tomorrow afternoon.

The details of how he is getting from the airport to CSUB have not been released.

Airport officials say he will be flying in on Air Force Two and that his arrival will not interrupt any other flights.

CSUB spokesperson Irma Cervantes says the building has a capacity of 2500 people, and the Renteria campaign is handling the tickets.

She said "We anticipate that we are going to have more people interested in attending the event than we have space for. We know that more tickets were handed out that we have space for, so we do want to make sure that the public knows that just because they have a ticket that does not guarantee admission"

　

Cervantes also says only people who have tickets will be allowed in the building.

Doors open at 1 pm and the program will begin at 2 pm Attendees will not be able to leave until the event is over sometime between 4 and 5 pm, but plan on being there about four to six hours.

She suggests everyone should arrive early to line up because once they reach capacity, the doors will close.

Cervantes says that Secret Service will be screening everyone as they arrive so plan on bringing as little as possible and come as early as possible

Cervantes says parking will be on a first-come, first-serve basis... which is limited.

So car pool if you can, and if their lot is full plan on parking somewhere else like The Marketplace or take a GET Bus to campus.

Wasco clown sightings result of a photo project

October 7, 2014, 9:07 am

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WASCO, CA. - Social media has taken an interest in a clown in Wasco who has been posting pictures of himself at local establishments, causing a stir with locals and comentors following the trend.

An interview with the Wasco clown, who requested to remain annonymous, revealed that the social media postings are part of a year-long photography project conducted by his wife. 

The couple will be posting the pictures from their photoshoot every day this month.

There are now reports of copy cat clowns terrorzing streets but apparently nothing of a criminal nature, according to law enforcement.

"I am unaware of any crimes committed by clowns," said Sgt. Ian Chandler. "I am looking into it; it's my understanding there is a Twitter account and possibly a Facebook account in this. 

"We have had no reports of any assaults by a clown nor have we any arrests of any clowns at any time I have been here and i  have been here two years."

The photographed clown and his wife said they did not expect to start a trend, and did not mean to cause any harm.

They also said they do not condone any violence or social media accounts of the other halloween actors.

Two found shot at recycling center, one dead

October 7, 2014, 11:11 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - Bakersfield Police have reported that two people were found shot inside a recycling center located at 407 E. 18th street.

At 7:39 a.m. Bakersfield police responded to a call at the Truxtun Recycling Center where they found an adult male and an adult female both suffering from gunshot wounds. The man, 65 year old Kyo Bo Song, was the owner of the recycling center and was pronounced dead at the scene.  The woman was rushed to Kern Medical Center with major injuries, she has not yet been identified

According to the detective on the scene, there are two suspects based on witness reports who described two males of unknown race wearing dark clothing.

Police made no comment on any motive or if it was a robbery

Blanton Academy, located at 330 East Truxtun Avenue, was placed on lock-down during the early stages of the investigation as a precautionary measure, but the lock down was lifted once the scene was safe

The investigation is on-going and no arrests have been made at this time.

Last December, Song was arrested on charges of illegally recycling, and pleaded no contest to not properly reporting records.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Bakersfield Police at 327-7111.

Vice President Biden visits CSUB

October 7, 2014, 11:16 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Organizers say 2,790 people turned up to see Vice President Joe Biden Tuesday afternoon in Bakersfield. Biden was rallying support at California State University, Bakersfield for two Democratic candidates running in hotly-contested races.

Biden attended the "Rally for the Valley," supporting Democratic congressional candidate Amanda Renteria, at the Icardo Center at CSUB. Biden helped drum support for fellow Democrat Renteria, who is running for the 21st Congressional District against incumbent Republican David Valadao. Renteria shared the stage with Democratic State Senator Alex Padilla, who is running for California's Secretary of State.

Biden spoke for about half an hour, focusing on rebuilding the middle class. He said the middle class is still in trouble, but there is hope for attaining the American dream.  Increasing minimum wage and pursuing immigration reform was also on the agenda.

Both Renteria's and Padilla's campaigns are hoping Biden's visit will attract more voters to each Democratic candidate. Renteria is looking to unseat Republican Congressman David Valadao who holds a double digit lead in the polls.

Watch the video above for Vice President Biden's entire speech.

Settlement agreement reached with two oil firms

October 7, 2014, 11:44 am

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FRESNO, CA. - The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has reached separate agreements with Occidental of Elk Hills (OXY) and VIntage Production (Vintage) California for administrative civil liabiliy penalties totaling $476,784.

The penalties are for discharging oilfield fluids into unlined pits in violation of a Central Valley Water Board order (CVWB).

The order only permitted that certain types of fluids could be discharged.

Both companies have agreed half the settlements will serve as an administrative penalty with the other half to be used for supplemental environmental projects.

An investigation by the CVWB determined that OXY and Vintage discharged non-drilling fluids to unlined sumps next to OXY and Vintage oil wells in Kern County between Jan. 1 2012 and Nov. 15 2013.

Prosecutors argued the disharging posed a threat to groundwater quality and that the two companies violated California Water Codes for unpermitted discharges of wastewater.

"Discharges of oilfield wastewaters to unlined pits must be done in compliance with our existing orders and with the Tulare Lake Basin," said CVWB assistant executive officer Clay Rodgers. "We continue to be concerned that similar discharges may have occured elsewhere in the Central Valley and are working to ensyure that discharges of oilfield-derived wastes are in compliance with the Basin Plan and protective o water quality."

The CVWB is a California state agency responsible for the preservation and enhancement of water quality.

BC closed until 6 pm due to water line rupture

October 7, 2014, 12:09 pm

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Bakersfield College Panorama Campus Closed Until 6 p.m. Today

Bakersfield College's Panorama Campus, located in northeast Bakersfield, is closed until 6 p.m. today due to a water main break. Due to the loss of water, no restroom facilities or food services are available, so staff and students have been evacuated from campus. At this time, the location of the break has been determined and water has been shut off to the campus.

This closure is only until 6 p.m. at this time and does not affect the Delano Campus, Weill Institute, or other satellite campuses of the college. At this time, Bakersfield College's Panorama Campus is expected to return to full classes at 6 p.m. Offices will resume their normal business hours on October 8, 2014.

Updates to this closure are posted on the www.bakersfieldcollege.edu <http://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu> website.

CAPK offering help to drought affected families

October 7, 2014, 1:00 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - Families affected by the drought can look forward to supplemental food boxes provided by CAPK Food Bank.

Emergency Pre-Packaged Food Boxes will be distributed to needy families who are specifically impacted by the drought, according to a release from the Community Action Partnership of Kern.

Individuals that are eligible to receive a Food Box will be asked to self-certify that they live in a household where drought conditions have caused their underemployment or unemployment.  

Families wishing to take advantage of the services can dial 2-1-1 for help finding the nearest food assistance location.

The following is a list of dates and places where Food Boxes can be picked up:

DROUGHT EMERGENCY DISTRIBUTIONS –  OCTOBER 2014

Wednesday October 8, 2014

Isaiah’s Sober Living  I & II 5pm-7pm

1904 Clarendon St

Bakersfield, CA 93307

Saturday October 11, 2014

LAMONT PENTACOSTAL CHURCH of God ….. 9AM-11AM

9901 VELMA AVE.

LAMONT, CA. 93241

Monday October 13, 2014

Department of Human Services, front parking Lot….5pm-7pm

100 E. California Ave

Bakersfield, CA 93307

Friday  October 17, 2014

ARVIN VFW ….5pm-7pm

1025 S. DERBY ST

ARVIN, CA. 93203

Monday  October 20,2014

OILDALE …Under Grace Fellowship.….. 5pm-7pm

1705 N. CHESTER AVE

BAKERSFIELD, CA. 93308

Tuesday  October 21, 2014

Valley Faith Fellowship…  5pm-7pm

15570 County Line Rd

Delano, Ca 93215

Saturday October 25, 2014

Tehachapi  Salvation Army … 5pm-7pm

538 East Tehachapi Blvd 

Tehachapi, Ca  93561

Monday October 27, 2014

WASCO Parks & Rec….5pm-7pm

1280 POPLAR AVE

WASCO, CA. 93280

Thursday  October 30, 2014

Ridgecrest  Salvation Army … 5pm-7pm

151 N Downs street

Ridgecrest, Ca 93556

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Arvin residents welcome new spray-park

October 7, 2014, 2:37 pm

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ARVIN, CA - The city of Arvin celebrated its new spray park Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The spray-park is located at Smothermon Park, in the 800 block of Walnut Drive. It utilizes an underground water-tank to provide 100-percent recycled water, according to Kern County Fifth District Supervisor and Chair Leticia Perez, who attended the event.

Perez said the park is in a central location for residents, and the spray-park addition will add another reason for Arvin residents to come out and enjoy the outdoors during hot days.

"I can think of few things more worthy than funding projects that bring families out, keeps kids moving, keeps us recreating," Perez said. "It's really a great day to celebrate."

Funds for the project came from a community development block grant.

Sheriff's deputies placed on leave after one shoots gun outside Golden West Casino

October 7, 2014, 4:33 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Two off-duty Sheriff's deputies were placed on administrative leave after allegedly for discharging a personal firearm in the Golden West Casino parking lot Sept. 29.

Deputies Robert Patrick and Patrick Klawitter were involved in the incident, which occurred at around 4:30 a.m., according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office. Other deputies were dispatched to the parking lot after receiving a report of an illegal shooting.

The Sheriff's Office says the two deputies were attending the casino that evening as patrons. According to the investigation, one of them discharged his personal pistol while in the parking lot.

A criminal complaint has been submitted to the Kern County District Attorney's Office for the negligent discharge of a firearm, and destruction of evidence.

Dodgers eliminated from playoffs

October 7, 2014, 5:23 pm

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From NBC Southern California:

Clayton Kershaw was working a shut out before giving up a three-run home run in the seventh inning, and it would be all the St. Louis Cardinals needed to knock the Los Angeles Dodgers out of the playoffs.

The Dodgers fell to the Cardinals 3-2 in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday.

Read more.

New 3D scans more efficient in detecting breast cancer

October 8, 2014, 9:25 am

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Only one center in Kern County has 3D imaging technology called Tomosynthesis, which recent studies have shown to detect 40 percent more cancers than usual two dimension scans.

Quest imaging is that center, which is part of San Joaquin Community Hospital, and doctors there said they've detected 30 cancers in patients they would not have seen in a 2D scan.

     

"With the 3D imaging the image where the cancer is it stands out from the background," said Dr. James Cusator, Radiologist at Quest Imaging. "Just looking at what the 2D image shows, it looks no different than the area....when you're just reviewing on a standard mammogram to the image. So without the 3D images this would be a very easy cancer to pass by."

    

The Journal for American Medical Association has also found that 3D scans increase cancer detection rates.

The FDA-approved machine costs around $800,000 dollars which is why not all hospitals have them just yet. Some hospitals across the country charge $50 or $100 dollars for the 3D mammography, but Quest said they don't charge patients extra.

"We thought it was a benefit to the community and not a financial incentive but more just to bring something in and improve cancer detection," said Cusator.

Cusator said patients are exposed to more radiation as a result of 3D scans, but he says the increase is not a significant health risk. He said the 3D scan exposes patients to as much radiation as a plane ride from Charlotte, North Carolina to Los Angeles.

Anyone can receive a 3D scan at Quest through a doctor referral. For those who aren't covered by insurance or want to get a scan, Quest is offering $99 dollar scans the entire month of October.

   

Shooting threat via Yik Yak post has Liberty on alert

October 8, 2014, 12:18 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - Parents and students at Liberty High School are on edge today after a shooting threat posted on a social media app.

Many students were being picked up from the campus this morning by nervous parents.

Cindy Robinson from the Kern High School District said extra patrols were placed at Liberty in response to a shooting threat posted last night on the social media platform Yik Yak.

"There's this ap called Yik Yak and everybody is posting stuff about each other. Just rumors and saying stuff about each other and someone posted they were gonna shoot up Liberty. And another said if they got a thousand likes they were going to do a 'Sandy Hoo'k at Liberty," said student Savanah Alderete. "Everybody is like flipping out and all their parents are here."

I heard about it in school and i was just nervous and i actually started really freaking out. everybody was saying oh, it's not really going to happen, but you never know," said student Joy Palkovic.

The school district said  there have been no actual incidents, although they are on alert.