BPD searching for driver in deadly hit and run crash

January 18, 2015, 6:13 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The coroner's office has identified the pedestrian who was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Union Avenue Jan. 17.

The victim has been identified as 58-year-old Kenneth Ray Foster. 

     

The crash happened just after five last night on Union Avenue near the Truxtun Overpass, an area where Bakersfield Police said they are increasing pedestrian safety enforcement. 

    

BPD officials said they found Foster face down on the ground suffering from major trauma to his body. 

     

He was taken to Kern Medical Center where he later died.

     

Foster was walking across the street and was not in a crosswalk when he was hit. 

     

Union Avenue was partially closed as police investigated. 

     

A BPD official said the area has a high volume of pedestrian accidents. 

"The police department did conduct bicycle and pedestrian traffic enforcement today. We did conduct the enforcement within this general area, because we have had concerns with the bicyclists and pedestrians in the roadway, outside of crosswalks, being a hazard, and this [hit-and-run] is obviously evident of why we were out here conducting that," said BPD Sgt. Bill Ware.

By our count, this is the second pedestrian death so far this year. 

     

In 2014 25 pedestrians were killed on Kern County roadways. 

BPD is still looking for the driver who hit Foster. 

    

If you information call BPD at 327-7111.

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Two men arrested following officer involved shooting in Delano

January 19, 2015, 11:40 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Police in Delano are investigating an officer involved shooting following a pursuit Monday morning.  

Police say Benito Lopez, 33, was shot after pointing a rifle towards the officer.  They had been tried to stop the driver for what police say was a minor traffic violation.  

Police say Lopez was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. He was later booked into the Kern County Jail Facility for assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer, felon in possession of a firearm, drug possession, and gang related offenses.

The driver, Francisco Becerra Jr., 30, from Delano, was taken into custody without incident and booked in to the Kern County Jail facility for evading and resisting arrest.

The officer is placed on paid administrative leave pending the investigation by the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and an administrative investigation conducted by the Delano Police Department.

Drive-thru shooting of a Delano native.

January 19, 2015, 11:44 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Investigators say what started as a fist fight over a near fender bender turned deadly Sunday morning at a "Jack in the Box" in Moses Lake, Washington.

Delano native, Chris Guerra was shot in front of his friends while out celebrating his 22nd birthday.

The makeshift memorial at the "Jack in the Box" near Pioneer Way is the only reminder that Chris Guerra lost his life there.

His family still trying to understand how it could happen.

Ruben Guerra, Chris's brother said, "I was in disbelief. I couldn't believe that he would or any of my family would ever get shot or killed."

Family members say Chris Guerra has ten brothers and sisters.

He was born in Delano and moved to Washington State at age four.

Ruben Guerra said, "Christian was a happy person, he was always making you laugh."

Police say Guerra was in the drive-through early Sunday morning, when someone in a Yukon almost hit him.

Captain Dave Sands of the Moses Lake Police department said, "the first vehicle, which was the Yukon, backed up, almost striking the Ford Fusion which caused a verbal altercation between the drivers of the two vehicles."

Witnesses say the driver of the Yukon, Martha Mejia, tried to hit Guerra when he asked her to be more careful.

Police say more words were exchanged and Guerra got into an altercation with Mejia's passenger, Jason Williams.

At some point, Williams grabbed a gun and shot Guerra, just 90 minutes into his 22nd birthday.

Ruben Guerra said, "they were planning on coming here for Christmas to spend time with us, he just couldn't get out of work. It would have been great. It would have been the last time we would have saw him, but now we are not going to get that opportunity anymore, just because of some selfish people."

Martha Mejia and Jason Williams took off after the shooting, but were later arrested.

They are both charged with first degree murder.

Baker Hughes to cut 7,000 jobs

January 20, 2015, 9:42 am

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Oilfield service company Baker Hughes plans to cut 7,000 jobs as drilling activity slows following a steep drop in crude oil prices.

Baker Hughes made the announcement during a conference call Tuesday morning.

The company stated it will lay off 7,000 mostly in the first quarter of 2015, due to dropping oil prices and drilling slowdown.

"When we reflect on the marketplace, the bearish sentiment that has pervaded our industry is understandable, considering the steep drop in commodity prices in recent months," said Baker Hughes CEO Martin Craighead. "While market demand ended up being more resilient in the fourth quarter than many had predicted, the recent declines seen in rig counts will clearly affect results in 2015."

Baker Hughes reported revenues of $6.6 billion for the quarter and $24.6 billion for the year.

Baker Hughes is being acquired by Halliburton in a near-$35 billion deal.  Halliburton also announced Tuesday it would be trimming its workforce, but didn't specify by how many people.

"We expect our headcount adjustments to be in line with our primary competitors," Halliburton's Chief Operating Officer Jeffrey Miller said.

Senior living community receives recognition

January 20, 2015, 10:33 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Bakersfield senior living community has recently received national recognition by a group committed to helping older adults.  

Rosewood was named an official certified center for successful aging by Masterpiece Living.  That's a specialty group looking to help older adults age in a better way .  

According to a news release, this recognition is awarded to forward-thinking, progressive leaders in the field of aging who are actively committed to furthering the successful aging movement.

“What a great honor to be named a Certified Center for Successful Aging! Today’s seniors live purposeful lives, and expect forward-thinking programming and services so they can age successfully,” said Ellen Renner, executive director at Rosewood. “We’ve equipped residents and team members with tools to do just that, and we hope to not only set a positive example for senior organizations in Bakersfield, but also to organizations across the country.”

This certification is awarded to senior living communities that meet qualitative and quantitative criteria that reflect integration of successful aging principles in the areas of culture, outreach, leadership, team member engagement, resident engagement and purposeful programming.

Rosewood is among eight other communities in the country to achieve this certification and one of two ABHOW (American Baptist Homes of the West) communities to become certified. Along with other communities, ABHOW owns and manages Rosewood and The Terraces of Phoenix, a community located in Phoenix, Arizona, which was also named as a CSA.

Bakersfield man pleads guilty to shining laser at helicopter

January 20, 2015, 12:11 pm

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FRESNO, CA - A Bakersfield man pleaded guilty Tuesday to aiming a laser pointer at a Kern County Sheriff's helicopter while it was flying 500 feet above the ground.  

Federal prosecutors say as a result of the laser strikes, last year by Timothy Wilson, 46, the tactical flight officer experienced a feeling of pressure, throbbing, and irritation in his eyes that lasted 30 minutes and the flight crew was forced to divert attention away from its law enforcement responsibilities.

The federal statute that makes it a federal crime to knowingly aim the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft was signed into law in 2012 by President Obama in response to increasing threats posed by laser illuminations of aircraft. Last year, there were 3,894 reported laser strikes in the United States, or 10.67 incidents per day.

Wilson is scheduled for sentencing on March 30, 2015, before Senior United States District Judge Anthony W. Ishii. Wilson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, along with forfeiture of the seized lasers. The actual sentence, 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 is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar is prosecuting the case.

Bakersfield College chosen for four-year degree program

January 20, 2015, 1:32 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield College has been named as a test site for the state’s new program to offer four-year college degrees at community colleges, the Kern Community College District will announce Tuesday afternoon.

It soon will be possible to get a four-year college degree at Bakersfield College, the college’s district will announce Tuesday afternoon.

BC was one of only 15 formerly two-year community colleges chosen for a pilot program, according to the Kern Community College District.

The college has announced a 3 p.m. news conference to provide more details.

Bar Association names new president

January 20, 2015, 2:46 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Kern County Bar Association has a new president for 2015.  Seth O'Dell was a deputy district attorney for Kern County and is a partner at Swanson O'Dell.  He has practiced law in California for more than 10 years.  

Before coming to Bakersfield, O’Dell hailed from a small farm in upstate New York, according to a news release.  

In his personal life O’Dell is married to the love of his life, Christine. They recently welcomed their first child, a daughter Alexis.

He has spent significant time in service to the Kern County Bar Association.   O'Dell has served as a board member, officer, and on various committees. He is dedicated to being an actively and positively engaged President of the Kern County Bar Association in 2015.

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Jury convicts man for domestic violence murder

January 20, 2015, 4:10 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Bakersfield man faces 15 years to life in prison for the beating death of his wife in October 2013. Jorge Aceves-Cortez was found guilty Tuesday of second degree murder for the death of Maria Cortez.  

Prosecutors say Aceves-Cortez was abusive to his wife throughout the relationship and the wife had been trying to leave that relationship.  The wife had been punched in the head numerous times according to prosecutors and had died from blunt force trauma.  Prosecutors say the wife's children had witnessed the killing. 

Aceves-Cortez is scheduled to be formally sentenced February 19.  

Middle school student recovering after stabbing

January 21, 2015, 8:24 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A 13-year old boy is recovering today after being stabbed by a 12-year old during an after school fight near Sierra Middle School.

The stabbing happened around 3:30 p.m. on Jan 20., a block away from the east Bakersfield campus.

The Kern County Sheriff's Department said the pair was walking home from school when they got into a fight.

According to KCSO,  that's when the younger student pulled out what they say was a pocket knife and stabbed the other student in the lower back.

The victim was able to make it home.

Then his mother took him back to school to report the incident.

According to KCSO, he was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Meanwhile the suspect was detained for questioning.

Merle Haggard visits his childhood home

January 21, 2015, 8:54 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Local country legend Merle Haggard went back to his roots today, and visited his childhood home in Oildale -- an old railroad boxcar.

It's the first time he's returned since the early 1970's.

And come next month, the boxcar will be on display at the Kern County Museum. 

When Haggard toured his childhood home, he said  it looks a lot smaller.

But, he said his memories there are still as vibrant as they were decades ago.

The country music icon’s home will soon be on display for everyone to see.

Haggard said growing up here --- life was normal -- and coming back today he can still recall what his home and neighborhood used to be like.

"I remember the alley, I remember the railroad tracks. There was a lawn here and we had trees on both sides. Nothing here looks like it did then --this was a neighborhood that wasn't old like it is now,” Haggard said.

Haggard said he knew he wanted to leave Oildale at an early age to pursue a life of his own.

Little did he know he would help form the Bakersfield sound.

And with a legacy that has helped many lives, people here in Kern County wanted Haggard's fans to know more about his life and upbringing in this old boxcar.

“Had no way of knowing that somebody was going to be interested in moving this boxcar to the museum," Haggard said.

Crews have been working non-stop to prepare moving this piece of local history to its new home -- the Kern County Museum, spearheaded by Glenda Rankin.

"As soon as the museum gets the plans drawn for the foundation for the boxcar and it goes to the building department and gets approved and gets built which we hope is within the next three weeks. I know that's pushing it but we hope that gets done and then we can move the boxcar out here," said Rankin.

“As we do this, we're figuring the story we want to tell with it, how it will be interpreted. For the most part, this will be sort of a slice of life. It will be a look at how they lived in this house," said Roger Perez of the Kern County Museum.

Museum officials said this is one place where the boxcar may sit permanently, giving the Kern County Museum a taste of the Bakersfield sound and the legacy of Merle Haggard.

Many people helped raise money to transport and renovate the boxcar, which will cost around $50,000.

If you would like to volunteer and help restore the boxcar, contact the Kern County Museum.

Head-on collision on highway leaves one dead

January 21, 2015, 9:22 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A man involved in a head-on crash overnight on Weedpatch Highway, has died.

   

The crash happened just after 9 p.m. on Jan. 20.

     

According to witnesses, the driver of the car was headed south at a high rate of speed when he crossed the center divider and slammed into the semi headed north.

     

The road was closed as emergency crews worked to free the man from the crumpled car.

     

He was taken to the hospital where he later died.

According to the CHP, the driver was a 30-year-old male from Arvin.

Community searching for missing teen

January 21, 2015, 9:36 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The family of a missing Bakersfield 13-year-old girl is pleading for her safe return.

Jennifer Arrellano reported her daughter Ashley missing on Jan. 19 to the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

     

The family told deputies she was last seen with  long-time family friend, 28-year-old Aaron Wierich.

     

Deputies said she is a runaway and not considered at risk or in danger.

     

But the family disagrees.

"I just can't believe that there's not more involvement -- you know with trying to find him and get her back home. She is not an out of control teenager. They say she is an out of control teenager. She is an honor student. She plays the cello. She's in choir; she play softball; she doesn't have bad friends -- they do all the same activities. She's just an innocent girl that was manipulated," said her mother, Jennifer.

Arrellano is 5 feet tall, 95 pounds with dark brown hair and eyes and braces.

     

Wierich was last seen driving a blue, 2000 Chevy Venture Minivan.

     

The driver's side back window is broken.

  

If you have any information on this case, you are urged to call KCSO at 861-3110

BPD looking for suspicious suspect

January 21, 2015, 12:10 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - BPD is warning the community regarding a suspicious subject.

According to BPD, a suspicious subject entered an unlocked residence in the 100 block of Gorrill Street and made contact with the female residence. 

According to BPD, the resident said the suspect began talking to the resident as if the two are acquainted.

The suspect reportedly put his arms around the resident, at which time the resident denied the subject's claims and the subject fled the residence on foot.

According to BPD, they received a similar call one hour earlier from a residence in the 1000 block of South Williams Street.

According to BPD, the suspect knocked on the resident's door and made similar statements.

The resident then called police and the suspect fled.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Rex Davenport at (661) 326-3559 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111. 

The photo is a composite sketch provided by BPD.

Man faces 15-year sentence for murdering his wife

January 21, 2015, 12:29 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Bakersfield man was convicted on Tuesday, Jan. 20 for the beating death of his wife.

Prosecutors said Jorge Aceves-Cortez killed Maria Cortez in October 2013 in front of their children.

     

They say Maria Cortez was trying to leave the abusive relationship when she was strangled.

     

A jury convicted Aceves-Cortez of second degree murder.

    

He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life when he is sentenced Feb. 19.

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Vets wanted for new volunteer program

January 21, 2015, 12:49 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A new program by Optimal Hospice Care is currently recruiting military veterans from all branches of service to participate in the Vet to Vet Volunteer Program.

Volunteers involved will become part of a team of caregivers who provide comfort and dignity for hospice patients who proudly served our country.

Volunteers will visit patients regularly and provide companionship and camaraderie, helping vets feel that special bond they once had.

If you are interested in learning more about our program, please contact the volunteer department at Optimal Hospice Care by calling 661-716-4000 or email rfrankhouser@optimalcares.com 

Child support payments can now be made at MoneyGram locations

January 21, 2015, 1:52 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Kern County Department of Child Support Services is offering parents alternative routes to conveniently make child support payments.

MoneyGram locations throughout California can now be used to make child support payments in cash.

Previously, parents could only make payments in cash by stopping by the local Bakersfield child support branch.

To make a payment through MoneyGram, parents will need their personal Participant ID Number and the group "receive Code 14630." 

MoneyGram will also charge child support customers a $1.99 convenience fee. 

According to the Kern County Department of Child Services, payments can take up to three days, so they advise to plan accordingly.

There are approximately 6,200 MoneyGram locations in California that provide bill payment services.

Locations can be found at www.MoneyGram.com/Locations or 1-800-926-9400.

Multiple Measles cases reported in California

January 21, 2015, 2:22 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The California Department of Public Health has confirmed a total of 59 cases of Measles in California as of the end of December 2014.

"If you have symptoms, and believe you may have been exposed, please contact your health care provider. Unless you have an emergency, it is best to contact your health care provider by phone to prevent spread in doctor's offices." said Chapman. "The best way to prevent measles and its spread is to get vaccinated."

According to CDPH, 42 of the confirmed cases stem from initial exposure that occurred in December at Disneyland or Disney California Adventure Park.

Of the confirmed cases, the CDPH said five of those confirmed cases include Disneyland employees.

The CDPH advises if you have visited a venue, such as theme parks, airports, etc., where there is a large population of attendees both national and international should "be considered to have a plausible exposure to measles."

The CDPH describe the spread of Measles as:

"Measles is a highly infectious, airborne disease that typically begins with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes,         and within a few days a red rash appears, usually first on the face and then spreading downward to the rest of         the body."

The CDPH advises the best defenxe against Measles is to be vaccinated.

They are continuing to investigate suspected Measles cases.

Local woman encourages others to volunteer

January 21, 2015, 6:11 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A woman from Bakersfield is encouraging others to support our military men and women by dedicating 10 hours this year to help veterans. She posted the challenge on her Facebook page Monday night -- and already hundreds of people are showing their support.

Laura Mitts says she felt inspired to reach out to veterans after seeing the film that broke the box office record on opening weekend -- "American Sniper." It's a war drama about the true story of Navy SEAL sharpshooter Chris Kyle.

Mitts grew up in a military family.

"My father had his leg blown off in the Korean War, lived with it, he was only 19. He never let it stop him from doing anything," Mitts said.

Seeing "American Sniper" hit close to home.

Mitts said, "I stood up to move over to let other people out and I had to sit back down I was that moved and really kind of moved as I walked out of the theater and it hit me, I just have to do something."

Mitts shared her feelings on Facebook.

She said, "I wrote a post and next thing I knew people were responding."

Hundreds of people pledging to donate their time, giving back to veterans.

Gordon and Suzanne Galindo responded to the post saying, "Count us in!"

Bakersfield National Cemetery Support Committee president Tom Pasek says the need for volunteers is seemingly endless.

Pasek said, "There are veterans that need everything from companionship to just somebody to talk to."
"Them simply knowing that the community is behind them is extremely important, particularly for those with PTSD."

Mitts says commitments of all sizes are welcome.

"It's just in your heart decide, I'm going to do something, take a vet to lunch, just anything that makes them smile and gives back," said Mitts.

This campaign doesn't have any specific guidelines, just take it upon yourself to help local veterans.

Special Report - Maddie's Mommy Mondays

January 22, 2015, 12:10 pm

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SPECIAL REPORT - MADDIE'S MOMMY MONDAYS

I'm overjoyed to share some 'personal' news with you...

Even though my husband and I have our hands full with little Eli, who is almost one year old by the way, baby number two is on the way!

Our new little bundle will be joining us in a few short months in early july.

So on that note, I am inviting you all to share in my journey as we add to our family.

     

For the next few monday mornings on 17 News at Sunrise, I'll bring you information about a number of topics related to pregnancy and raising your baby.

     

It's all fun and enlightening information that I hope you'll enjoy.

     

I've also set-up a Twitter page dedicated to "everything babies." You can follow along and tweet me your questions too @17sMommyMondays.

Stay tuned for Madie's Mommy Mondays only on 17 News at Sunrise.