More funding now available to replace your fireplace

December 25, 2014, 12:37 pm

≫ Next: One dead, others displaced after home fires in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, CA. - A new incentive program for residents is offering funding to replace high-polluting fireplaces.

The Burn Cleaner Incentive Program is an initiative to address the impact of residential wood burning in the valley. The program was recently approved for $3.6 million in funding by the district's governing board.

Applications are still being accepted for the program but there is a wait list, according to San Joaquin Valley Air.

SJVA said they have received thousands of applications from people looking to upgrade their fireplaces, which are up to 20 to 50 times cleaner with newer models.

Funding for the program began in September with an initial allocation of $2.1 million but SJVA said the demand was high and in November the program was awarded another $2 million but even that funding was quickly exhausted.

Now, the program was awarded another $3.6 million to address the increasing demand. This award brings the total funding for the program to $7.7 million.

The funding is expected to address the applicants onthe waiting list and new applicants for the remainder of the fiscal year.

However, some changes have been made in an attempt to accommodate the demand.

Vouchers for non-low-income residents are for $1,000, as opposed to the previous amount of $1,500.

The incentive for low-income residents will continue to be $2,500. Additionally, the district will continue to pay $500 for natural gas fired devices.

You can learn more and apply at valleyair.org.

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One dead, others displaced after home fires in Bakersfield

December 26, 2014, 9:35 am

≫ Next: Phantom santas bring holiday cheer

≪ Previous: More funding now available to replace your fireplace

BAKERSFIELD, CA. - One woman is dead following a southwest apartment fire, and multiple others had to find a new place to spend Christmas night after a home fire in Rosedale.

Firefighters were called to an apartment complex on Durham Court just after 9 p.m. on Dec. 25..

Firefighters forced their way in to the locked apartment and found a woman inside, unconscious and reportedly suffering from a heart attack.

Bakersfield Fire Department officials said she was transported to Kern Medical Center but died a short time later.

According to BFD, the woman was 83 years old. Her name has not been released yet.

A neighbor who tried to save the woman was treated for minor burns.

The fire was contained to one apartment, but smoke damage to the dwellings made it necessary to keep residents out.

And, another fire later last night in Rosedale left two displaced.

The Kern County fire department said it responded to the call of an attic fire in a single-story home at around 11:30 p.m. last night in the 16,600 block of Johnson Road.

The fire department said the fire was brought under control in approximately 45 minutes.but that two adults had to find another place to spend the night.

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Phantom santas bring holiday cheer

December 26, 2014, 10:36 am

≫ Next: Man injured in east Bakersfield shooting

≪ Previous: One dead, others displaced after home fires in Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, CA. - You may have received a gift from a secret Santa this Christmas, but what about a phantom Santa? Well, some unsuspecting children and emergency employees had a visit by the mysterious gift givers.

Worshipers from Valley Bible Fellowship church handed out toys and treats around town.

"I'm a phantom Santa because there are a lot of little kids that didn't get much for Christmas or anything and so we decided that we would come out and try to bless the community with what they have," said Steve Ratliff, one of the phantom santas.

At least 50 children at an apartment complex in north Bakersfield lined up as Santa looked through his van for toys.

"I think it's really nice that the community works this way," said Shanae Ibarra, whose son received a gift. "They know how this complex can be and they want to help them out."

The santas and their helpers also handed out doughnuts while kids waited in line. One of the santas said being with the apartment community was his gift this morning because he wanted to spend this Christmas with his whole family.

"Everyone on this ball of dirt that we call a planet that God put us on, we're all family," said phantom santa Marc Deleon. "We all come from the same thing. It doesn't matter who or what you are. We're all the same and they're just kids that need."

Both St. Nicks and their helpers also rolled over to Bakersfield Memorial Hospital where they delivered goodies to people in the emergency waiting room and handed out doughnuts to doctors, nurses and other hospital staff working the holiday.

"I put those in the lifesaver category; nurses, doctors, policeman, fire. I mean what's a little bit of doughnuts you know?" said Deleon.

Santa also visited Mill Creek Park where he handed out blankets and hygiene products to the homeless, along with boxes of cologne.

Next year the group wants to raise at least $5,000 dollars on the GoFundMe fundraising website and deliver even more gifts around town.

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Man injured in east Bakersfield shooting

December 26, 2014, 11:01 am

≫ Next: No injuries in Rosamond mobile home fire

≪ Previous: Phantom santas bring holiday cheer

BAKERSFIELD, CA. - Kern County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating a shooting in east Bakersfield that has one man in the hospital.

The shooting happened in the 1000 block of Flower Street around 7:30 a.m.

According to KCSO, they found an unoccupied vehicle in an alley that had apparently collided with a fence.

Deputies said they then located a male in the backyard of a nearby residence suffering from gunshot wounds. He was then transported to a nearby hospital.

According to KCSO, his injuries are non life-threatening. His identity has not been released.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone has information on this case they are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.

Anonymous text tips can be sent to TIP411 (847411). Just type the keyword “KCSO” prior to the message.

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No injuries in Rosamond mobile home fire

December 26, 2014, 11:35 am

≫ Next: Taking advantage of post holiday deals

≪ Previous: Man injured in east Bakersfield shooting

ROSAMOND, CA. - Fire crews were called out to a mobile home fire in Rosamond on Christmas night after receiving a tip about smoke and flames, according to the Kern County Fire Department.

The fire happened just after 9 p.m., Dec. 25. KCFD received a call about the fire concerning a single-wide mobile home in the 2400 block of Sierra Highway.

According to KCFD, no residents were home at the time.

Fire crews forced entry, conducted a search of the residence, then extinguished the fire.

KCFD said the fire was contained in 20 minutes.

Photos courtesy of KCFD.

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Taking advantage of post holiday deals

December 26, 2014, 6:48 pm

≫ Next: AirAsia flight missing

≪ Previous: No injuries in Rosamond mobile home fire

Some shoppers were out today excited about the sales, others came out just to use a gift card and make returns, but most were over the holiday rush.

Katy Hudson, the president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service said, "now is the time to start making a plan and really think about getting out of debt. Set a budget, take a good hard look at your income and your expenses and look into the future. Start looking towards next Christmas. Now would be a really great time for people to start setting aside some money every month, what ever your Christmas budget is, divide it by 12 and start setting it aside now."

Katy Hudson says if you are making returns, try and get store credit or gift cards if you can, and save them for sometime down the road like a birthday or anniversary.

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AirAsia flight missing

December 27, 2014, 11:48 pm

≫ Next: Pedestrian accident in southeast Bakersfield

≪ Previous: Taking advantage of post holiday deals

A passenger jet is missing with 162 people on board. Roughly an hour before the scheduled landing -- AirAsia flight 8501 lost contact with traffic control.

The flight was on its way from Indonesia to Singapore. It left the airport at about 5:30 a.m. local time Sunday and was expected to arrive roughly three hours later.

AirSsia says the pilot wanted to change the planned flight route because of weather. then communication with the plane was lost.

17 News spoke with a Bakersfield man who is on vacation in Indonesia. He says he has flown on AirAsia multiple times.

Shayn Pullano said, "The air crafts, at least in my experience are very well maintained, and it's a newer fleet and the flight crew is very well trained and very courteous."

"There are quite a few people very concerned. Locally, the host family that I am staying with here they've been contacting family and friends in Surabaya just to ensure that their all safe and accounted for. At this point there have been no negative reports of anybody missing at this point in their family, but they are still waiting to hear back from a couple of people to make sure," said Pullano.

AirAsia says people from four nationalities were on board -- Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. Of those passengers, 16 kids and one infant were on the flight.

Search and rescue crews have been activated.

President Obama has been briefed on the plane's disappearance. White House officials say they will continue to monitor developments.

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Pedestrian accident in southeast Bakersfield

December 28, 2014, 12:05 am

≫ Next: Infant injured in suspected DUI crash

≪ Previous: AirAsia flight missing

BAKERSFIELD, CA - CHP is investigating a crash involving a pedestrian in a wheelchair tonight in southeast Bakersfield.

The crash happened on Casa Loma Drive near Madison Street.

When a 17 News photographer arrived, the car was still at the scene and a wheelchair was tipped over in the roadway.

Officers say the pedestrian was taken from the scene before they arrived. CHP hasn't released any other information.

The pedestrian's condition is unknown.

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Infant injured in suspected DUI crash

December 28, 2014, 12:15 am

≫ Next: Deputies looking for man suspected of robbing woman at Dollar General

≪ Previous: Pedestrian accident in southeast Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A man is in jail accused of being drunk and endangering a child when he crashed his car Saturday night on south Allen Road near Ming Avenue.

Police say 31-year-old Matthew Cuba was speeding when he lost control of his vehicle causing it to roll over and crash into a wall.

A 4-month-old child was ejected from the vehicle. Police say the infant has major injuries but is in stable condition.

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Deputies looking for man suspected of robbing woman at Dollar General

December 29, 2014, 10:45 am

≫ Next: Bear Valley Association ex-employee arrested for embezzlement

≪ Previous: Infant injured in suspected DUI crash

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Deputies need your help finding a man suspected of robbing a woman in the parking lot of Dollar General on Bernard Street in east Bakersfield.

Deputies say on the night of October 28, 2014, the suspect entered the Dollar General Market at 258 Bernard Street and attempted to steal several items from the business.

When employees of the business confronted the suspect, he had a bulge near his waistband and claimed to have a firearm. Three days later, a suspect with a similar physical description shoved a female victim up against her vehicle in the parking lot of the business and stole her wallet. During this robbery, the suspect was described as wearing a white shirt and cheetah print pants. In both incidents, the suspect fled on foot from the business and was last seen in the area of Alta Vista Drive and Knotts Street.

If you have information on this suspect, call Detective Levig 661-391-7593 with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office or Secret Witness (661-322-4040).

Anonymous tips: Text TIP411 (847411) and type “KCSO” prior to the message.

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Bear Valley Association ex-employee arrested for embezzlement

December 29, 2014, 11:34 am

≫ Next: BVPD: Bear Valley Association ex-employee arrested for embezzlement

≪ Previous: Deputies looking for man suspected of robbing woman at Dollar General

BEAR VALLEY, CA - Police in Bear Valley have arrested a former BVSA employee accused of embezzlement. Investigators say the Bear Valley Springs Association (BVSA) reported to the police in October several inappropriate fiduciary transactions made by Michelle Haughton, their Accounts Receivable Clerk.

Haughton, according to a news release, was hired by the BVSA in December 2012 as their clerk. She was placed on suspension on October 14, 2014 for the improprieties. Two days later, Haughton resigned her position via email.

In their investigation, Bear Valley Police discovered over $2000 had been embezzled from the BVSA. After completing the investigation and submitting it to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office, an arrest warrant was issued for Haughton’s arrest.

On Friday, Bear Valley Police Officers arrested Haughton, without incident, at her residence in the 24000 block of Marcel Drive in Golden Hills. She was then processed at Bear Valley PD and later transported to Bakersfield where she was booked into the county jail on two Felony Charges of embezzlement & Grand Theft.

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BVPD: Bear Valley Association ex-employee arrested for embezzlement

December 29, 2014, 11:34 am

≫ Next: 17 News Investigation: $153 million of taxpayer money spent on HECA project

≪ Previous: Bear Valley Association ex-employee arrested for embezzlement

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17 News Investigation: $153 million of taxpayer money spent on HECA project

December 29, 2014, 4:15 pm

≫ Next: Firefighters rescue rock climbers in Kern River Canyon

≪ Previous: BVPD: Bear Valley Association ex-employee arrested for embezzlement

Federal spending on a clean energy project planned for west of Bakersfield has ground to a halt, at least temporarily, as regulators await documentation proving the project is still viable, a 17 News investigation has learned.

The Department of Energy pledged roughly $408 million to help build the Hydrogen Energy California plant near Tupman.
Five years later after that pledge was made, the owner of the project, SCS Energy, has spent about $153 million of that federal taxpayer money from the stimulus program aimed at creating jobs with shovel-ready projects after the recent recession.

But no shovel has hit the ground and only 27 jobs have been created.That's $5.5 million per job.

"It's a waste,” said Tom Frantz of the Sierra Club. “I hope people learn a lesson and don't try that type of project here again."

The $4 billion plant would create hydrogen gas by burning coal. The hydrogen gas would then be used as a fuel to produce electricity. The plant also will produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that would be captured and used to boost nearby oil production.

"It's good for the state it's good for the nation,” HECA Spokeswoman Tiffany Rau said in April.

17 News placed more than a half dozen calls over the last four months trying to get an update from parent company SCS Energy about HECA. Rau eventually emailed back to say the HECA team is tied up and it was not a convenient time for an on-camera interview. HECA backers had nothing new to report but insisted SCS Energy planned to move forward with construction on the project in 2015.

But the HECA project faces a slew of serious hurdles including what to do with the plant's main byproduct: carbon dioxide. It's a greenhouse gas that must be captured and not released into the atmosphere for HECA to qualify as a clean energy project. The tentative plan was to ship the carbon dioxide to a yet-to-be built facility operated by Occidental Petroleum. The gas would be used in a nearby field to help tease oil out of the ground.

But Occidental Petroleum dissolved, jettisoning its California oil assets into a separate company called California Resources Corp. Representatives for California Resources Corp. also declined to be interviewed on camera for this story.

"The company is not currently in negotiations with the developer of the Hydrogen Energy California project. Therefore, we have nothing to add to this story," spokeswoman Holly Arnold wrote in an email.

The HECA plant also requires coal to burn, and too is embroiled in controversy. The City of Wasco approved the expansion of the Savage coal facility in March to increase its annual shipments from 900,000 tons to 1.5 million tons to help facilitate the HECA plant's needs. But Franz and the Sierra Club have sued Wasco, saying a proper environmental review was never performed.

SCS Energy is paying savage $35,000 a month for the option of using the coal and has paid close to $100,000 to help Savage Coal fight the suit.

"With a lack of transparency and accountability and with the millions of dollars of taxpayer money, why would you invest taxpayer money if you didn't have the project being viable?" said Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield).
None of those misgivings has slowed the spending of federal money awarded to the project under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 in the throes of the recession.

17 News filed a flurry of requests with the Department of Energy seeking detailed records of where your money was spent. After months of waiting and appeals and our request being directed to the wrong place several times, we received a ream of reports with key portions blacked out like a list of risks the plant poses and possible solutions.
Also blacked out, the hourly rate and compensation of SCS Energy executives and employees paid in part under the federal grant. That's a HECA business secret, federal regulators said.

SCS Energy was paying $18,000 a month for an information center on Front Street in Buttonwillow, more than $37,000 over five years. Today the building sits empty.

And taxpayers shelled out $3,100 a month to rent office space in a legal firm up in San Francisco and almost $4,000 a month for an office in Concord, Mass.—SCS is headquartered.

Spokeswoman Tiffany Rau's consulting company has consistently billed the government around $18,000 … more than a half million dollars all told.

Records show more than $10 million in taxpayer money went to purchasing credits to off-set the estimated 500 tons of pollutants HECA plans to release in the air every year.

And there's $97,000 that went to consultant Daniel P. Schrag. The Harvard professor is also a member of the President Obama's Council of Advisers on Science and Technology. Schrag has is a big fan of the project even though in June of last year he urged the Obama administration to 'wage a war on coal'. Taking HECA money and advocating against coal does not create a conflict, Schrag said.

“Long before I met them, I published extensively on this and I have been a broad fan of this technology,” he said. “Nobody could pay me enough money to just lie about this type of technology. That is certainly not enough money to make me just fabricate information. My reputation and my credibility are too important.”

Although the project could still be viable, critics say if the plant is never built ... it will amount to a colossal waste.

“Why would you invest taxpayer money if you didn't have the project being viable,” asked McCarthy, the Congressman who represents the district. “Who is making that decision? Because the taxpayer didn't get to make that decision.

“That's one of the reasons I voted against the stimulus,” he said.

There is no deadline on when the federal funds have to be used or withdrawn.

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Firefighters rescue rock climbers in Kern River Canyon

December 29, 2014, 5:32 pm

≫ Next: Driver electrocuted in dump truck at industrial park north of Bakersfield

≪ Previous: 17 News Investigation: $153 million of taxpayer money spent on HECA project

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Two rock climbers will ring in the new year safe and sound thanks to Kern County firefighters.

The two men were dangling over Highway 178 in the Kern River Canyon around 2:30 Sunday afternoon. They were about 125-feet above the road. One climber had fallen and hurt himself.

The CHP closed Highway 178 for about 45 minutes while rescue crews set up specialized equipment to bring the climbers down. "The rescue was very technical in the sense that the equipment we were using -- like the ladder truck -- forced us to close Highway 178 and the canyon so the truck could place its outriggers securely on asphalt," said battalion chief Shawn Whittington, Kern County Fire.

Fire officials say the climber who fell suffered minor injuries. He was transported to an area hospital to be checked out.

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Driver electrocuted in dump truck at industrial park north of Bakersfield

December 30, 2014, 12:21 pm

≫ Next: Police looking for man suspected of auto theft

≪ Previous: Firefighters rescue rock climbers in Kern River Canyon

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A dump truck driver is dead, electrocuted while he was offloading dirt when part of his truck hit a power pole.

It happened just before 11 Tuesday morning, just off northbound Highway 99, just south of the Highway 46 off ramp.

The CHP tells us the driver had a load of dirt he was dumping, when part of the truck hit and electrified the pole.

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Police looking for man suspected of auto theft

December 30, 2014, 4:55 pm

≫ Next: Drilling company may layoff 700 local employees

≪ Previous: Driver electrocuted in dump truck at industrial park north of Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Police need your help to identify a man accused of stealing a car in east Bakersfield. Police say sometime between December 4, and December 5, the victim’s vehicle was stolen from the 4400 block of Lantados St.

The investigation led detectives to Sam’s Liquor at 318 White Ln. where they obtained surveillance footage of the suspect. Police describe the suspect as a: Hispanic, 20’s, 5’6”-9”, thin build, mustache and goatee, wearing a white “Nike” t-shirt and grey baseball cap with red trim.

If you have information regarding this case, call Detective Chris Bagby at (661) 326-3568 or Bakersfield police at (661) 327-7111.

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Drilling company may layoff 700 local employees

December 31, 2014, 8:37 am

≫ Next: Man dies as a result of Highway 178 crash

≪ Previous: Police looking for man suspected of auto theft

BAKERSFIELD, CA. - A drilling company is warning the state it may layoff as many as 700 local employees.

Ensign Energy Services filed the worker adjustment and retraining notice with the state on Dec. 22.

According to the company's website, the "warn" notices issued provide protection to employees, their families, and the community by requiring employers give notice 60 days before a plant closing or mass layoff.

Ensign reports it's unsure whether the 700 Bakersfield layoffs will be permanent.

The Calgary-based drilling company is the first to announce such a significant downsizing as crude oil prices have tumbled 50 percent in the last six months.

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Man dies as a result of Highway 178 crash

December 31, 2014, 10:15 am

≫ Next: CAPK offering food boxes for drought impacted families

≪ Previous: Drilling company may layoff 700 local employees

BAKERSFIELD, CA. - An adult male, who was reportedly driving over 100 miles an hour in the fast lane of westbound Highway 178, has died after crashing his vehicle, according to the California Highway Patrol.

According to the CHP, the vehicle hit the embankment, then turned over and hit the Bernard overpass.

CHP originally reported the man was dead upon arriving at the scene, but after CPR was administered on him, he was transported to Kern Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

CHP later confirmed the man died in transit to KMC.

The CHP is reporting roadways near the scene are now open.

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CAPK offering food boxes for drought impacted families

December 31, 2014, 11:03 am

≫ Next: Bakersfield polar bear plunge happening tomorrow

≪ Previous: Man dies as a result of Highway 178 crash

BAKERSFIELD, CA. - Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank will continue to serve families affected by the drought by offering prepackaged food boxes.

Families able to receive services are those that can confirm unemployment is a direct result of the drought.

The following is a list of dates for emergency food distribution:

Saturday, Jan. 3: 9-11 a.m., Lamont Pentecostal Church of God, 9901 Velma Ave., Lamont.

Monday, Jan. 5: 5-7 p.m., Wasco Parks and Recreation office, 1280 Poplar Ave, Wasco.

Tuesday, Jan. 6: 5-7 p.m., Isaiah's Sober Living I and II, 1904 Clarendon St., Bakersfield.

Thursday, Jan. 8: 4-6 p.m., Arvin VFW, 1025 S. Derby St., Arvin.

Friday, Jan. 9: 5-7 p.m., La Mission de Jesus, 188 San Juan St., McFarland.

Monday, Jan. 12: 5-7 p.m., Under Grace Commuity Fellowship, 1705 N. Chester Ave., Oildale.

Thursday, Jan. 15: 5-7 p.m., New Life Center, Old Sears Warehouse, 4313 Shepard St., Bakersfield.

Saturday, Jan. 17: 9-11 a.m., Lamont Pentecostal Church of God, 9901 Velma Ave., Lamont.

Tuesday, Jan. 20: 5-7 p.m., Wasco Parks and Recreation office, 1280 Poplar Ave, Wasco.

Wednesday, Jan. 21: 5-7 p.m., World of Pentecost, 3015 S. Fairfax Road, Bakersfield.

Thursday, Jan. 22: 4-6 p.m., Arvin VFW, 1025 S. Derby St., Arvin.

Saturday, Jan. 24: 9-11 a.m., Tehachapi Salvation Army, 538 E. Tehachapi Blvd., Tehachapi.

Tuesday, Jan. 27: 5-7 p.m., Buttonwillow Recreation Park, 8653 Station Road, Buttonwillow.

Thursday, Jan. 29: 5-7 p.m., Kern County Department of Human Services, 101 E. California Ave., Bakersfield.

Saturday, Jan. 31: 9-11 a.m., Lamont Pentecostal Church of God, 9901 Velma Ave., Lamont.

Remember -- You can dial 211 for help finding food assistance if you are in need.

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Bakersfield polar bear plunge happening tomorrow

December 31, 2014, 11:37 am

≫ Next: Reminder: No trash pick up on Thursday

≪ Previous: CAPK offering food boxes for drought impacted families

BAKERSFIELD, CA. - The folks at the McMurtrey Aquatic Center are inviting the public to join them for the annual Polar Bear Plunge, happening the morning of New Year's Day.

Take the plunge and swim 25 yards through ice-filled waters, or ride the slide and make a splash into the icy water.

There will also be hot chocolate served.

The fun happens at 11 a.m. on Jan. 1, at McMurtrey Aquatic Center on 1325 Q Street.

Participants between the ages of seven and 17 must have written parental consent.

The cost is $5 to take the plunge, or $25 plunge in and receive a sweatshirt.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. and closes at 11:30 a.m.

Swimsuits only, no wet suits, cotton t-shirts, pants, water shoes or other articles of clothing allowed.

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