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Woman identified in Virginia Street Shooting

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - BAKERSFIELD, CA. - A woman who was killed as a result of a shooting at an East Bakersfield home has been identified.

The shooting happened just before 7 p.m. on Nov. 2,  in the 1600 block of Virginia Street.

The woman has been identified as 31-year-old Rocio Gallegos. 

She was transported to Kern Medical Center where she died of her injuries.

Deputies said  the victims' three young children were in the home at the time of the shooting, but were not injured.

Ray Pruitt of the Kern County Sheriff's Office stated they believe this is a domestic violence case. It appears that at this point, it will be an attempted suicide and murder. 

The incident is till under investigation.

Anyone having information on this incident is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff's Office at (661) 861-3110 or contact Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040.

Anonymous "text" tips can be sent to TIP411 (847411).  Just type the key word "KCSO" prior to the message.

Man shot and killed at party identified

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - The identity of a man who was shot and killed at a Halloween party in east Bakersfield has been released. 

The coroner has identified the man as 18-year-old Eduardo Medina of Bakersfield.

KCSO is investigating the shooting as a homicide.

The shooting happened at a party in a vacant house on the 3200 block of Kentucky Street around 1 a.m. on Nov.1.

Officials said a private party transported Medina to Kern Medical Center where he died of his injuries.

If you have any information on the case, call the KCSO at  661-303-4592.

Woman dies after being struck by a vehicle

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - The coroner has reported the identity of a woman that died as a result of being struck by a vehicle.

Marcelina Weathers, 89, of Bakersfield was transported to Kern Medical Center and admitted to the ICU but later died due to injuries sustained.

The incident happened at the 2600 block of Fashion Plaza in Bakersfield around 11:30 a.m. on Oct, 26. She died on nov. 1.

Her family has been notified.

The 13th Honor Flight takes off today

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - Today, 40 Kern County veterans headed to Washingto D.C.  to visit the memorials built in their honor for the 13th Hhonor Flight Kern County.

The WWII and Korean War veterans were cheered on by loved ones and others grateful for their service as they make their way to board the plane.

The trip is free for each veteran. Honor Flight pays $1,500 for each vet to travel and stay in D.C. while they view their memorials, manyof them for the first time.

Funds for this trip came from the all-day media fundraiser in August, where the organization raised $41,000.

Johnny Garlic's slated for Marketplace location

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield foodies will have some new dishes to try, courtesy of the newest location of celebrity-chef Guy Fieri's restaurant chain Johnny Garlic's.

"I am thrilled to take Johnny Garlic's first step into Southern California with our new Bakersfield location," Fieri said in the release.  "We are confident that residents will love the flavor-packed dishes that go far beyond a typical dining experience."

Currently under construction in the Marketplace, the restaurant is set to open in January, according to a company press-release.  It will replace the Coldwater Creek clothing store.

The chain, which began with a location in Santa Rosa in 1996, offers an eclectic mix of lunch sandwiches, pasta dishes, seafood, steaks, ribs, and bison.  The Bakersfield location will be the eighth restaurant to bear the Johnny Garlic's name.

Restaurant co-owner Fieri rose to fame after winning the second season of The Next Food Network Star, launching his career as a TV host.

KCSO: Weekend shooting appears to be murder, attempted suicide

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern County Sheriff's investigators say a shooting Sunday night in east Bakersfield appears to be a murder and attempted suicide and likely a case of domestic violence. It happened on the 1600 block of Virginia Street.

A neighbor, Darrell Lawrence says this happened in front of the couple's young children.

"I went in there and said whoo eee," said Lawrence. "I jumped over the fence and went inside and seen both the bodies laying on the floor."

Deputies got called out around 6:45 Sunday night. They found what Lawrence did, a man and a woman both shot. Investigators believe the man shot and killed 31-year-old Rocio Gallegos, then turned the gun on himself.

"She had suffered a gunshot to the upper body. The male had suffered a gunshot to the head. Last I heard he is in very critical condition at Kern Medical Center," said Ray Pruitt, Public Information Officer for the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say three children, ages 7, 5 and 2 were in the home at the time of the shooting. Before deputies got there, Lawrence says he found the kids next to their parents.

"They were full of blood the children. And so I just grabbed the children stuck them over the gate and and the police came from there," said Lawrence.

Monday, the house was quiet and neighbors say it typically always was, with no problems. But now, blood stained the children's sidewalk art in front of the house. And, there is a single red rose someone placed nearby for what is likely the latest domestic violence victim and her children.

"If you are a victim try to have the strength to report it to us because we might be able to intercede and get some help," said Pruitt.

Lawrence says he believes the man was drunk Sunday night. The Sheriff's Department could not confirm that or disclose if the couple had past domestic violence issues. The Kern County Sheriff's Office encourages everyone to report cases of domestic violence if it's suspected. And, if you are a victim, you can call the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, 24-hours at 327-1091.

Kern County prepares for election day

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Preparations have been underway for months at the Kern County Elections Department, as election day draws near.

So far, election officials say it's still too early to know what the voter turnout will look like this year, but that they've received more than 54,000 vote-by-mail ballots thus far.  There is a caveat to the convenience of voting by mail, however, and that is making sure ballots are mailed long enough in advance to arrive by election deadlines.

"All ballots must be received by the elections office by election day," said KCED employee Susan Rooney.  "So, if you have not mailed them in time to reach us by election day, you may instead wish to drop them off at a polling site."

The elections office says that an important fact to remember on voting day is that you do not need identification to vote in person, unless it is your first federal election.

All polling places open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Faulty equipment implicated in SpaceShipTwo crash

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MOJAVE, CA - Investigators say they have uncovered important evidence in the crash of Virgin Galactic's space plane over the Mojave Desert that killed one of the two pilots onboard, discovering that the feathering system designed to reduce speed and stabilize the aircraft during re-entry deployed too early.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, cockpit video shows co-pilot Michael Alsbury unlocking the feathers to SpaceShipTwo Friday morning, just after the ship's rocket ignited.  A second lever must be pulled to activate the system, and the video and flight data confirm no one pulled that lever, with the feathering system apparently deploying on its own.

Investigators say it's an important factor in what is still the early stages of their work following the crash.

In the wake of the tragedy, Virgin's founder, Richard Branson, says the plan to take tourists to the edge of the Earth's atmosphere will continue.


Frustrated teachers in Delano charge administrators with incompetence

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BAKERSFIELD, CA.-Teachers in Delano vented last night and charged administrators with incompetence. They were frustrated with the superintendent of the Delano Union Elementary school district and its trustees. 

Teachers say they have been ignored in the past when any issue was brought to the school board's attention. They are also angry over spending issues, saying the board gave the superintendent a 19 percent raise, and the assistant superintendent a 10 percent raise, and yet won't allow substitute teachers to work a full five days, in order to save money at a time when the district has a shortage of substitute teachers. 

School Board officials say they are going to be looking into the issues brought up last night and will report back to the public at a future meeting. 

Members of NTSB continue their investigation into the SpaceShipTwo crash

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BAKERSFIELD, CA.-Members of the NTSB are heading back to Washington D.C. today to continue their investigation into the SpaceShipTwo crash, but they will maintain an active crash-site investigation for several more days in Mojave. 

Federal investigators believe they may have a key piece of evidence that could help explain why the spacecraft came apart over the Mojave Desert Friday. 

Another big clue that might help explain the crash may come from Peter Seibold, the pilot who survived by parachuting out of the space plane. The 43-year-old who has 17 years of flight experience is now recovering after surgery, but so far has not been well enough to speak with investigators. 

Voter privacy is said to be secure

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With so many votes being taken into account you may be wondering who has got their eyes on your ballot

A viewer contacted us this morning concerned about other people finding out who she voted for, but the Election's Department said, your votes are safe.

Kathy Smith said people called her in the past three elections, after she had mailed in her absentee ballot.

She said they would tell her that there were consequences for voting against her party.

But how did they know that she voted against her party... or for that matter even voted at all?

Kathy said "so if we were signed up as a republican and we voted democratically they would tell us our vote would not be counted...they told us the consequences for voting for Obama"

So, Kathy Smith took to protesting this election because she believed that people were tampering with her votes.

She said, "how did somebody know exactly how we voted...exactly...and why did we only get the phone calls after we mailed in our absentee. it sounds like somebody is looking at it and calling us up and getting upset."

She says that the calls are coming from the Elections Department, but Susan Rooney from the County Clerk's Office says that is impossible.

Susan Rooney said, "it sounds like nothing in that phone call was correct if they actually received a phone call saying that information. Again, there is no way for someone to ascertain how they voted, and our caller ID should not display something specifically that says elections.... and we would never place a phone call like that."

She says the information is only available for specified legal purposes that have to do with campaigns, scholarly research or the media and is only available upon request.

She says the only information able to be seen is how a person is registered to vote, like whether they are a republican or democrat, and if a person has voted in an election. But never who they voted for.

If you have received these types of phone calls, like Kathy Smith, the Election's Office recommends finding out who they are affiliated with and reporting them to the department.

Their phone number is 868-3590.


Local group hosting forum for gay teens

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Youth Empowerment Pride Project is hosting a free forum Wednesday for residents to hear the stories of teens who identify as LGBT and to help stop bullying. YEPP understands that not everyone agrees with homosexuality but what the group doesn't understand is why that disagreement can often lead to discrimination.

Phillip Castro, 20, is a YEPP co-chair. He wants more safe spaces for fellow young gay youth in Kern County who often feel isolated.

"You feel alone. There are no resources for you," said Castro.

Castro went to what he calls a very conservative high school his freshman year and was afraid of identifying himself as gay.

"There is like the whole locker room thing where that gets weird because everyone is messing with each other and they're bullying other kids and no one wants to be in the locker room," remembers Castro. "And everyone brings up derogatory words in the locker room and stuff like that so it was pretty scary before i came out because I was like I don't want to be like that or that's not going to happen to me."

Thirty-four percent of ninth graders in Kern County reported being bullied last year, according to the Kern County Network for Children.

For LGBT teens who are bullied, they are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety than heterosexual teens says the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The mother of Tehachapi teen Seth Walsh said intense bullying led to his suicide back in 2010. But his death inspired an anti-bullying curriculum for sixth through 12th graders that includes mistreatment based on gender and sexual-orientation.

YEPP would like to see more programs and conversations on acceptance in schools and even churches.

"I don't have to be jewish to accept jewish individuals. I don't have to be baptist to accept baptist individuals. I don't have to be gay to be accepting of our gay community. I have to be a human being," said Audrey Chavez the co-chair of YEPP.

Castro knows acceptance from everyone may never happen, but he does hope more people choose cooperation over discrimination.

"Anywhere you walk into should be a safe space because you're uplifting the person's spirit, you're contributing to their well-being."

YEPP's forum begins at 6:30pm Wednesday at the Nile Theater in downtown Bakersfield.

Juvenile dies in SUV rollover on HWY 58

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - A 12-year-old girl has died in a vehicle rollover yesterday near Mojave, according to the coroner.

Blanca Liliana Carrillo Venegas, 12, was the passenger in an SUV that  left the roadway and overturned. 

The incident happened on Nov. 4 around noon on east bound 58, just west of Twenty Mule Team Rd, in Edwards, Calif.

Venegas died at the scene as a result of her injuries.

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the incident.

There is no mention on the driver or if there were other passengers in the vehicle.

Results for city council elections are in

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - Four Bakersfield City Council seats were up for election last night. Here's a look at how those races turned out.
In Ward 1, Willie Rivera has won over challenger Manuel Ramirez. Rivera had 64 percent of the votes.

In Ward 3, incumbent Vice-Mayor Ken Weir is releected with 60 percent over his two challengers --   Mark McCallum and Heidi Carter Escudero -- both with 20 percent.

In Ward 4,  incumbent Bob Smith won with a small lead over challenger Richard Schwartz. Challengers Joey Titus followed with nearly seven percent, and Daniel Mbagwu with five percent.

In Ward 7, Chris Parlier won the vacated seat by Russel Johnson with 47 percent of the votes. Harmeet Dhindsa followed with 29 percent, and Matthew Braman with just over 23 percent.

KCSO asking for help finding SpaceShipTwo debris

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - The Kern County Sheriff's Office is reporting that debris from the SpaceShipTwo Crash has been found as far away as 35 miles from the vicinity of the crash site.

KCSO is now asking for the public's assistance to notify them immediately if any pieces or items from the space craft are found. 

KCSO also advises to leave the materials untouched, and as found.

You can call the Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 to report any findings.

Results of Nov. 4 elections

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - Here's a rundown of yesterday's elections results.



In the Governor's Race, Jerry Brown made history winning his fourth term as California's governor.

Brown was in Sacramento last night and pledged to stay the course with an agenda of fiscal restraint.

Brown did little campaigning, instead focusing on passage of ballot Propositions 1 and 2 that he said are key to his final years in office.

Kashkari ended his campaign before supporters in Costa Mesa last night..
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In the race for the 23rd Congressional District, republican incumbent Kevin McCarty retained his position as well as house majority leader in the 114th Congress.

McCarthy faced democrat and Raul Garcia.

McCarthy won with nearly three quarters of the vote.
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In the 14th District State Senate race, republican Andy Vidak won, moving over from the 16th District due to redistricting.

Vidak won by 10 percent over his democratic challenger Luis Chavez..

Vidak said water will be a key component as he moves forward.
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In the race for the 21st Congressional seat,  incumbent David Valadao will return to Washington.

Valadao won by 20 percent over his democratic challenger Amanda Renteria.

Renteria held back tears as she spoke to supporters and offered her concession before eleven last night in downtown Bakersfield.

Valadao Tulare and Kings county, while Renteria won the Kern County vote.
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In the race for the 32nd Assembly District, incumbent Rudy Salas defeated republican challenger Pedro Rios.

Rios had 47 percent of the vote to Salas' 53 percent.
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In the 16th District race for State Senator, Jean Fuller won with 74.76 percent of the vote over challlenger Ruth Musser-Lopez
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In the 26th District Assembly race, Devon Mathis won with 69.34 percent of the vote over Rudy Mendoza.
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In the 34th District Assembly race, Shannon Grove won with 74.63 percent ofthe vote over challenger V. 'Mari' Goodman.
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In the 36th District Assembly race, Tom Lackey won with 68.7 percent of the vote over challenger Steve Fox.
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In Ward 1, Willie Rivera has won over challenger Manuel Ramirez. Rivera had 64 percent of the votes.

In Ward 3, incumbent Vice-Mayor Ken Weir is releected with 60 percent over his two challengers --   Mark McCallum and Heidi Carter Escudero -- both with 20 percent.

In Ward 4,  incumbent Bob Smith won with a small lead over challenger Richard Schwartz. Challengers Joey Titus followed with nearly seven percent, and Daniel Mbagwu with five percent.

In Ward 7, Chris Parlier won the vacated seat by Russell Johnson with 47 percent of the votes. Harmeet Dhindsa followed with 29 percent, and Matthew Braman with just over 23 percent.
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In the race for Kern County Assessor-Recorder, John Lifquist won with 61 percent of the votes.

Lifquist is a chief appraiser in the assessor's office, which assigns values to properties across the county for the purpose of collecting taxes.

His challenger Russell Johnson was a Bakersfield City Councilman. Johnson vacated his seat to run for the assessor's seat.





Here are the results for the rest of the statewide elections:

In the Lieutenant Governor's race, incumbent Gavin Newsom won against his republican opponent Ron Nehring, with nearly 56 percent of the vote.
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In the Secretary of State race, Alex Padilla won with 52.5 percent of the vote over republican candidate Pete Peterson.
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In the Controller's race, Brtty T. Yee won with 52.8 percent over republican candidate Ashley Swearengin.
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In the Treasurer's race, John Chiang won with 57.7 percent over republican challenger Greg Conion.
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In the Attorney General's race, incumbent Kamala D. Harris won with 56.3 percent of the vote over republican challenger Ronald Gold.
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In the Insurance Commissioner's race, incumbent Dave Jones won with 56.3 percent of the vote over republican challenger Ted Gaines.
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In the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction, incumbent Tom Torlakson won with 52.1 percent of the vote over challenger Marshall Tuck.
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The three candidates for State Supreme Court were all approved.

Kathryn Mickle Werdegar, Associate Justice -- 72.3 percent yes vote

Goodwin Liu, Associate Justice -- 66.7 percent yes vote

Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar, Associate Justice -- 67 percent yes vote
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Here are results of the six ballot propositions for the state of California.

Proposition 1 passed. The measure would authorize the government to borrow $7.5 billion for state water supply infrastructure projects.

Propostion 2 passed. The measure would require annual transfer of state general fund revenues to a budget stabilization account. It would also require half the revenues be used to repay state debts and limit the use of remaining funds to emergencies or budget deficits.
    
Proposition 47 passed. The measure would require a misdemeanor sentence instead of felony for certain drug and property offenses. It was approved with close to 59 percent of the vote.

Proposition 45 failed. The measure would have required Insurance Commissioner's approval before health insurer can change its rates or anything else affecting the charges associated with health insurance. Provides for public notice, disclosure, and hearing, and subsequent judicial review.

Proposition 46 failed. The measure would have required drug testing of doctors. And, require a review of statewide prescription database before prescribing controlled substances. Increases $250,000 pain/suffering cap in medical negligence lawsuits for inflation. 

Proposition 48 failed. The measure's "NO" vote means the state's compacts with North Fork and Wiyot would not go into effect. As a result, neither tribe could begin gaming unless new compacts were approved by the state and federal governments.

KCFD signs contract with Ventura County Fire Dept.

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Bakersfield, CA. - The Kern County Fire Department has announced they have concluded negotiations in a contract agreement with Ventura County Fire Department to provide emergency response services to the residents of Lockwood Valley.

The Lockwood Valley community is in a remote are of Ventura County that is closer to the Frazier Mountain Park area, which is serviced by KCFD.

KCFD reports that the contract incorporates a fair compensation for their services to the remote location.

“This is another great example to two local government agencies working together for the safety of our communities," said Kern County Fire Chief Brian Marshall.

The fire response team will incorporate three engines and a Battalion Chief, which KCFD said will create added safety for first responders.

School unveils mural to combat obesity

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BAKERSFIELD, CA. - The Greenfield Union School District is partnering with the Kern County Champions for Change Program to fight childhood obesity.

Together they unveiled a mural this morning at Greenfield Middle School.

The mural was painted by 200 students and dedicated to promoting healthy eating and living.

The district and Champions for Change have been partnering for 10 years to teach more than 3,500 students yearly from preschool to 8th grade and parents about eating healthy and exercising.

"It's about making healthy choices and our green team has worked closely with the resource center and our director of nutrition in working with our students and cafeteria staff in making healthy choices in what we eat during the day during lunch and even by breakfast," Sandy Welch, Greenfield Middle School Principal.

Greenfield students received nutrition education in the afterschool success program and during harvest of the month activities where they get to taste different fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as learn to incorporate them into a recipe.

KCSO investigating a homicide in Wasco

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Wasco, CA. - Detectives with the Kern County Sheriff's Office have found a body in Poso Creek in Wasco, a quarter-mile way of Highway 43, near Blankenship and Palm Avenues.

A homicide investigation is currently underway.

More as new info is available.

How to thank a veteran with a homemade card

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - You can honor a local veteran in a unique way next week.  In honor of Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, the Kern County Library invites you to stop by any Kern County Library branch during regular operating hours between Monday, November 10, 2014 and Saturday, November 15, 2014 to create a Thank-You Card for a local veteran.

Library officials say table space and supplies will be provided for families and anyone interested in expressing appreciation for veterans through a homemade Thank-You card.

At the end of the project, the Kern County Library will deliver all of the homemade Thank-You cards to the Kern County Veterans Services Department for distribution to local Kern County veterans. The Art Card Project is a part of a larger Cal Humanities grant funded state-wide community reading and discussion initiative, in which the Kern County Library is the coordinating agency for Kern County: Our Veterans, Our Communities.

The Art Card Project hopes to increase public understanding and empathy for those who have served. Through the creation of a Thank-You card, community members and families can show their appreciation and support to Kern County veterans, service members, and military families.
  
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