Tattoo shop holds canned food drive
Bakersfield Woman's Club Festival of the Trees
The Festival of the Trees is one of many events Bakersfield Woman's Club hosts to raise money for local charities. Lisa Lemucchi attended the event this year and won a custom tree. "It's just a very fun event. You see people you don't see very often, it's a lot of fun" said Lemucchi.
The festival had a tree auction, with custom, donated, Christmas trees. And in between the auction anchors and reporters from all TV stations in Bakersfield modeled clothing from local boutiques.
The oldest member that attended the event was Gwen Scarrone. She joined in 1970 and enjoys watching the festival grow every year. "Well I think it's one of the nicest, nicest, things they have Bakersfield, and it is open to anyone that would like to go and that's the best part" said Scarrone.
Bakersfield Woman's Club Co-President Darrelyn Kundlinger said the event helps fund all of the clubs philanthropy's. "This is where we make all our money for the year to give out scholarships and to our charities that we support in the community" said Kundinger, "I just want to thank everyone for supporting the club, for supporting the event, which means supporting the community."
The event is sold out ever year and organizers recommend getting tickets early.
Two fires in downtown Bakersfield
Police say trees were on fire on 17th st. between E and G streets.
Arson investigators are now looking into how the fires started.
Police SWAT team arrests man for attempted murder
The police SWAT team took 30-year-old David Figueroa into custody around 7 p.m. at an apartment on Mt. Vernon Avenue, just off 178.
Police say Figueroa will be booked for attempted murder and participation in a criminal street gang.
Special Report: Women of fantasy football
Since 2012, the fantasy football industry has seen an increase of nearly a half million female owners and here in Kern County, many of them are playing in all-female leagues. Showing men they can make the right moves, and talk all the smack they want, because these ladies are in a league of their own.
Fantasy football is the virtual game of creating a dream roster of NFL players has blown up into a multi-billion dollar business.
Fantasy football commissioner Geta Pretzer said, "We started our fantasy football in 2006 and a friend of ours came up to us and said do you want to play fantasy football and we're like well we don't even know what that is."
Every year, more and more women are buying into the fantasy football frenzy that consumes NFL fans for months.
Fantasy football owner Leah Baldwin said, "My husband's played fantasy football for a long time and I was really annoyed having to watch football on Sundays and so I decided I would show him what annoying is and I would create a girls only league. I definitely out annoyed him."
Leah Baldwin doesn't have a favorite NFL team and has never been into football but she is one of many local women who decided to see what the fantasy football hype was all about.
Baldwin said, "We did the girls only league for two years and then the husbands realized that we were getting good at it and the husbands wanted in."
With a few seasons under her belt, Baldwin has learned the tricks of the trade to stay dominant in her league -- sacking any preconceived notions about women not knowing football
Leah's husband Paul Baldwin said, "A girl has won the league every year. - How do you guys feel about that? Not so good. It hurts a little bit but I think we've played co-ed for three years, four years and a guy has not won yet."
There are several different types of fantasy football leagues but the concept is pretty simple: draft a team -- usually made up of one or two quarterbacks, two to three running backs and wide receivers, a tight end, a kicker, and a defense -- all from different NFL teams. Then, that team is pitted against another team in an eight to twelve person league... and depending on what kind of league you're in, those players rack up points for their performance each week.
Success in fantasy football comes from just paying attention... but some of it is also just luck.
Fantasy football owner Becca Dillenbeck said, "RGIII was my quarterback and of course he hasn't played and he came back and didn't do great so that was kind of disappointing."
Fantasy football owner Pauline Perales said, "I stared off awful you start researching you know who to pick up, who not to pick up, and who got hurt and who didn't get hurt and now I'm in first place."
Perales and a group of coworkers have been playing in an all-female fantasy league together for years. with every passing season, the confidence builds... and so does the pressure.
These women are seasoned now but it took some time for them to accomplish fantasy football ferocity.
Now, the ladies are giving the men a run for their money when it comes to fantasy football.
According to Fantasy Sports Trade Association, of the some 33 million fantasy owners in the United States, about six million of them are women.
Bakersfield Homeless Center's Thanksgiving Dinner
Amy Ruffin and her four kids moved across the country, in hopes of new beginnings but a series of unexpected events became homeless. Ruffin said without the shelter she would be on the street. "This is my safe haven. I feel comfortable here. I feel safe here. I consider the homeless shelter my family so that's what I'm thankful for," said Ruffin.
Ruffin had a long list of all the things she is thankful for, despite all of the trials she faces. Her oldest son Braillin said he is thankful for his mom. "It makes me feel happy for my mom to take us places for the things we need. so like if we need food she knows where to go," said Braillin.
The Ruffin's were one of many families that gathered Sunday at the shelter for a full Thanksgiving meal.
Louis Gill, the CEO of Bakersfield Homeless Center, said they prepare enough to feed 500 people. "The fact that our community makes sure that those that don't have the opportunity to provide this meal still get to have that experience with their family, it's a wonderful community and i am grateful that we live here," said Gill.
Support from the community and Bakersfield Homeless Center helped Tommy Wellworth, get back on his feet. Now Wellworth volunteers, as a way of saying thank you. "It lifts their spirits it makes them know that somebody cares," said Wellworth.
The Bakersfield Homeless Center is always in need for donations and volunteers. If you would like more information call 322-9199.
Washington Post: Grand jury reaches decision on Ferguson police officer
"The announcement gave no indication of whether Wilson, 28, will face state charges in the August shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, which triggered a frank conversation about race and police interaction with African-Americans," the newspaper reported.
The Washington Post reported officials were planning a news conference for later Monday.
No indictment in Ferguson shooting
The announcement shortly before 6:30pm Pacific time.
Police are staged and standing by across the St. Louis area. Barricades line the St. Louis County Justice Center, braced for the decision and whatever may follow.
Wilson claims he shot Brown in self defense during a confrontation in August; the killing triggered widespread protests and violent clashes.
Ferguson: No indictment
After months of anticipation and anxiety, a grand jury handed down its decision Monday.
"They determined that no probable cause exists to file any charge against Officer Wilson, and filed a no true bill to the five indictments," St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch announced.
"They are the only people who have heard and examined every witness and every piece of evidence," he added.
President Obama spoke from the White House after the announcement, calling for calm even as protests were erupting on Ferguson's streets.
"To those in Ferguson, there are ways of channeling your concerns constructively and deconstructive. Michael Brown's parents understand and a vast number of protesters
understand it as well," Mr. Obama said.
Read more: http://nbcnews.to/1Fm5ffe
Frozen turkey deliveries kick off week for "Love for Thanksgiving"
It is only the start, but the people behind "Love for Thanksgiving" delivered 1,400 frozen turkeys Monday to get this party started. In all, 3,200 turkeys will be distributed.
Since they will only have the ability to cook 1,800 turkeys in their deep pits, 1,400 were delivered frozen to those families who want to cook their own.
Some of them went to volunteers at Jefferson Elementary School. "Love for Thanksgiving" delivered the rest.
The frozen turkey deliveries only mark the start of what is to come. On Thanksgiving morning anyone who wanted to cook their own turkey will get all of the warm fixings delivered to them as well.
This year an estimated 5000 people will volunteer to help deliver warm meals to nearly 3000 homes around Bakersfield on Thanksgiving morning.
The McAllister Ranch Project in southwest Bakersfield is back on track
Joe Aguirre of Suncal Public Relations said yesterday that Suncal is preparing to purchase the 600 acres next spring from current owners, Buena Vista Storage District and Rosedale Rio Bravo Water Storage District.
The development will feature 1,100 homes and an 18 hole public golf course. Suncal is expected to market the property to home builders by the end of next year.
Two sisters convicted in Bakersfield mortgage fraud scheme
According to a news release, the case against the two sisters focused on their involvement in an extensive mortgage fraud scheme that ran from October 2005 to May 2007.
Sanchez and Montalvo were both convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud. Sanchez was also convicted of 11 counts of mail fraud. Montalvo was also convicted of 10 counts of mail fraud and one count of money laundering.
Court documents indicate, between October 2005 and May 2007, Sanchez and Montalvo conspired with co-defendants Eric Hernandez, Monica Hernandez, and Patricia King to defraud mortgage lenders by submitting false loan applications and fraudulent supporting documentation, causing the lenders to fund mortgage loans for the defendants' benefit on the basis of false and misleading information. During this time, Eric Hernandez and Evelyn Sanchez were employed at mortgage brokerages in Bakersfield. The defendants submitted loan applications to lenders that included material misstatements concerning the borrowers' income, assets, and employment, and false statements concerning the borrowers' intent to reside in the properties as owner-occupiers, among other false statements.
The defendants also fabricated false supporting documentation and submitted it to lenders in support of the loan applications. The total losses in the scheme were approximately $6 million.
Co-defendants Eric Hernandez, Monica Hernandez, and Patricia King previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the scheme. Eric Hernandez was sentenced on Sept. 16, 2013, to 10 years and 10 months in prison. King was sentenced on April 23, 2012, to three years and one month in prison. Monica Hernandez is scheduled to be sentenced on January 5, 2015.
This case is the product of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kirk Sherriff and Henry Carbajal III are prosecuting the case.
Sanchez and Montalvo are to be sentenced on February 2, 2015, by United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii. The maximum statutory penalty for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud is 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The maximum statutory penalty for one count of mail fraud is 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine, and for money laundering is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.
This case was investigated and prosecuted in coordination with the President's Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force. The task force was established to wage an aggressive, coordinated and proactive effort to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. With more than 20 federal agencies, 94 U.S. attorneys' offices and state and local partners, it is the broadest coalition of law enforcement, investigatory and regulatory agencies ever assembled to combat fraud. For more information on the task force, please visit http://www.StopFraud.gov.
Preparation day for "Love for Thanksgiving"
The almost endless amount of volunteers made short work of preparing nearly 2000 turkeys for the deep pits.
The birds are basted, spiced, bagged, wrapped, then placed in cages to await their final destination... an underground oven.
This faith-based cooking bonanza brings together people from 14 different local churches to give away food for body and soul.
These compassionate consumers spent almost $50,000 to buy these birds, and after they're cooked the final phase of their mission comes on Thanksgiving day.
Organizers say you can head to the Costco on Rosedale Highway Thanksgiving morning between 5:30 AM and 6 AM to help deliver the meals to the families in need.
Alleged stalker says he is 'misunderstood'
A local family shares their story of thanksfulness
One Bakersfield family says this Thanksgiving they will still have thankful hearts despite their adversity.
The McHorse family moved to Bakersfield three years ago. They live a beautiful home and have good jobs. Everything was normal until July when Devin diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Devin, 17, and his little sister Rylee, 10, are their parents Lee and Shelley's only children. "When I first heard it was cancer I thought it's just the worst, you think is my son gunna die?" said Lee.
According to the National Cancer Institute Devin is one of 9,190 new cases of Hodgkin Lymphoma reported in the U.S. this year, making Hodgkin's Lymphoma less than 1% of all new cancer cases in the U.S. Devin said, "I was stage two B, stage one is in the neck, stage two is in the chest, and stage three is below the ribcage."
Devin's little sister Rylee was afraid, "It made me feel scared because nobody wants one of their family members to have cancer." Devin goes through chemo treatments and only had one surgery, inserting his Portacath. Devin said, "It's where they inject the chemotherapy, it goes straight into the heart and they just pump the chemo into there and all the hydration and stuff." Devin's mom said that the beginning of chemo was rough. "Everyday was a bad day, he was running high fevers, his pulse rate was up, he was anemic, he was sleeping all the time," said Shelley.
New test results came less than a week ago, after fighting for over four months. "Our first scan when we first found out you could see in my chest, it was like black everywhere, where the cancer was, and the scans now when we got them I couldn't see any black at all," he said. This new clean report gives the McHorse family something to be thankful for right before the holidays. "The first thing that comes to mind is, I am thankful that my cancer was treatable and that we were able to beat it you know, and get it all behind us," said Devin.
Lee, Devin's father, said that he believes that the family's positivity aided in Devin's cancer-free report. "Being thankful has brought our family together, a little closer. we took it for granted, now it kind of brought it out into the open for all of us to realize how much we do care and love for each other," said Lee.
If you would like more information on his journey go to Devin's Facebook support page.
Arvin Christmas parade cancelled
Two groups offering free Thanksgiving meals Thursday
The Mission at Kern County wants to make sure that residents who have nowhere to go for Thanksgiving still have something to be thankful for this holiday.
Every year the Mission holds a Thanksgiving feast for their residents and the old town Kern community.
Staff and residents of the mission have been canvasing nearby neighborhoods, inviting people who have hit on hard times to join them for a traditional turkey dinner.
The Thanksgiving meal is being served Thursday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Mission at Kern County on 21st Street.
You can also join the Bakersfield Burrito Project for its 6th Annual Thanksgiving community outreach event in downtown Bakersfield Thursday morning.
Last year the group handed out breakfast burritos and set up stations to hand out clothing, shoes and hygiene kits to the local homeless and anyone else in need.
They'll be at Millcreek park at 21st and Q Streets from 10 a.m. to noon.
Reminder: Thursday trash collection moved to Friday.
Exercise and eating tips for Thanksgiving
KCSO offers helpful tips for holiday traveling
From KCSO: