Police looking for woman who stole car

February 19, 2015, 4:52 pm

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Police are looking for a woman they say brazenly stole the car of a Walmart employee.

Cops say the unidentified woman walked into the Walmart on Rosedale removed the victim's car keys from the victim's jacket pocket.

The suspect then exited store and stole the victims car, according to police.

They say the victim's jacket had been set aside while she was working.

The stolen car has already been recovered.

The suspect is described as a: white female adult, heavy build, short hair, wearing a white t-shirt and blue shorts.

The suspect was in the company of another subject who was occupying a: 2000 white Nissan Titan, 4-door pickup.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective James Jones at (661) 326-3567 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

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Police seek truck used in Memorial Hospital theft

February 19, 2015, 5:13 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Police are hoping the public can help them find a pickup they say was used in a theft from Memorial Hospital.

According to police, a white male driving the pickup went into a fenced area at the hospital hooked up a trailer with a commercial pressure washer on the back and took off.

The suspect vehicle, described as an: early 2000’s Chevrolet Z71 pickup.

The suspect is described as a: white male, 45-50, 5’8”-10”, thin build.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Eric
Littlefield at (661) 326-3813 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

County supervisors consider banning more fireworks

February 20, 2015, 10:58 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - County supervisors are considering a ban on certain fireworks and bumping up penalties for those who use illegal fireworks.

Supervisors are looking at banning Piccolo Petes, which have been modified to be used as explosions, and ground blooms, which spin along the ground and can run into dry brush, causing fires.

     

The proposed ordinance would increase the fine for people caught with illegal fireworks multiple times.

    

The ordinance would also add a social host clause to the ordinance, to hold people accountable who throw parties where illegal fireworks are used.

     

The public will have a chance to give input before supervisors render a decision.

CHP in Mojave looking for senior volunteers

February 20, 2015, 12:18 pm

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MOJAVE, CA - The California Highway Patrol’s Mojave office is looking for senior citizen volunteers who want to make a difference in their community.

Senior volunteers are CHP employees who assist in both administrative and field capacities.

If you're interested in participating in the program, here's a description of the requirements, duties and objectives:

Objectives:

• To assist the CHP in providing enhanced public service to the community.

• To provide an opportunity for senior citizens to make a definitive contribution toward improving public safety and service.

• To instill among participating volunteers an understanding and appreciation of the justice system, human relations, and ethics in the field of law enforcement.

 

Duties:

 

Administrative functions, such as filing, data entry, photocopying, answering phones, and assisting the public at the Front Desk.

 

Field functions, such as working at community events, directing traffic, surveys in high-traffic locations/school zones, deploy radar trailers, and shuttle vehicles/equipment. Senior Volunteers drive marked CHP cars in uniform while performing field duties. Volunteers attend shift briefings and occasionally ride along with officers, to learn and assist as an additional set of eyes in search of violators.

 

Requirements:

 

55 years and older

Can work a minimum of 16 hours per month

Pass background check

Have good driving record

Complete CHP Senior Volunteer training program

Citizens interested in the program may call Officer Darlena Dotson at

661-823-5500 No Later Than March 4. Interviews will commence March 2015.

Showtimes for opening day of 'McFarland, USA '

February 20, 2015, 12:31 pm

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List of McFarland USA Screenings in the Bakersfield Area: 

The movie is listed as 2 hours, 9 minutes long.

Reading Cinemas Valley Plaza 16

10:30 a.m., 11:10 a.m., 11:50 a.m., 1:20 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:40 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 8:20 p.m., 9:50 p.m., 11:10 p.m.

Regency East Hills Mall 

11:20 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 10:50 p.m. 

Edwards Bakersfield Stadium 

10:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 9:15 p.m., 10:00 p.m. 

Maya Cinemas

10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 10:20 p.m.

Fox Theatre Taft  

6:45 p.m., 9:15 p.m. 

KCSO on scene now of a body found near Lamont

February 20, 2015, 1:10 pm

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Update

According to officials on the scene, the body found in an orange grove near the intersection of Muller and Vineland, appears to be that of an adult male with signs of trauma to the body.

The body was discovered by a farm laborer. Work crews say they had not seen a body in the general area on Thursday. Officials are unsure how long the body has been in the orchard.

KCSO detectives are on scene of a body found in an orange orchard near the intersection of Muller and Vineland, north of Lamont. 

More information to come when available.

BPD looking for Target store robbery suspect

February 20, 2015, 1:35 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA  - The Bakersfield Police Department is seeking the community’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect wanted for robbery.

The incident occurred on Feb. 1 around 6:30 p.m. when two suspects, a male and a female, entered the Target store on Rosedale Highway, selected items, and fled the store without paying for the merchandise.

According to police, the suspects were then confronted by store employees. That's when police say the male suspect attacked an employee while the female suspect fled.

The female suspect was arrested.

The male suspect is described as being in his late 20's, 6' tall, and 170 pounds. He was wearing a blue jacket, black shirt, blue jeans, and black shoes. He also has a blonde goatee.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Todd Dickson at 661-326-3501 or the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.

Discount vouchers available to spay/ neuter your pet

February 20, 2015, 2:03 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - In honor of World Spay Day, Kern County Animal Services is offering residents half-priced spay/ neuter vouchers.

It all takes place on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at the Bakersfield shelter, located at 3951 Fruitvale Ave., between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“Spaying and neutering saves pets’ lives while reducing the pet overpopulation problem that shelters face every year,” said Nick Cullen, Interim Director for Kern County Animal Services.  “We hope that by making spay and neuter more available and affordable, that many more pet owners will join us on World Spay Day to help save more lives.”

The discount applies to the $20 lower-income vouchers, which will be discounted to $10. The voucher program is open to lower-income unincorporated Kern County residents.

Interested residents must complete an application and submit it to the Department for review. Upon review, the qualifying applicant will be asked to submit a $10 co-payment for the voucher. The voucher covers the remaining cost of the spay or neuter surgery for applicant’s dog or cat. 

According to organizers, pet owners are eligible for a maximum of four vouchers for the life of the program.

World Spay Day is an international campaign of The Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society International and Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association to promote the life-saving benefits of spaying and neutering pets.

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Pets of the week for February 20, 2015

February 20, 2015, 2:10 pm

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If you're interested in adopting our pet of the week, you can call the SPCA at 323-8353, or go down and visit the many animals they have up for adoption at the Bakersfield SPCA, located at 3000 Gibson street in northwest Bakersfield.

Obama looks to avoid halt on immigration plans

February 20, 2015, 2:28 pm

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The Department of Justice will ask a higher court to stay a Texas judge's ruling that put on hold plans to begin carrying out President Obama's immigration orders.

The White House announced on Friday, Feb. 20 that the request for a stay will be filed by Monday at the latest in a district court.

If granted, it would set aside a ruling on Monday from a federal district judge that blocked the US government from providing deportation deferrals for about four million undocumented immigrants.

Obama spokesman josh earnest says the federal government is also pursuing a separate full appeal of the judge's ruling.

"... we will seek that appeal because we believe that when you evaluate the legal merits of the arguments, that there is a solid legal foundation for the president to take the steps that he announced late last year to reform our broken immigration system," said Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary.

Jury deliberating in 'retrospective competency hearing'

February 20, 2015, 2:53 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Closing arguments wrapped and have gone to the jury in the "retrospective competency hearing" for convicted murderer Christopher Lightsey.

     

The state supreme court said Lightsey shouldn't have represented himself during his original competency hearing in 1995.

     

He was convicted of killing 76-year-old William Compton. 

Lightsey will be returned to death row if the jury finds he was competent, but if it finds he was incompetent to act as his own attorney, Lightsey could be re-tried on that murder charge.

Jury finds convicted murderer competent; will return to death row

February 20, 2015, 4:13 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Kern County jury has determined a convicted murderer was competent in 1994 and 1995 during his trial 20 years ago.  

Christopher Lightsey had been found guilty for the murder of cancer patient William Compton, 76, and had been sent to death row.  The State Supreme Court however ruled three years ago that a Kern County judge had violated state law by allowing the defendant to represent himself during a competency hearing and no attorney had been appointed.  

Since the jury found Lightsey was competent Friday, he will return to death row.  If the jury had found him incompetent, a new trial would have been scheduled.  

Lightsey was infamous for his courtroom outbursts during the three-month trial.

Man found dead in orchard now identified

February 21, 2015, 5:47 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The identity of a man found dead in an orchard in southeast Bakersfield has been identified by the coroner's office.

The man was identified as 32-year-old Jaime Puente of Bakersfield. He was found in an orange orchard near the intersection of Muller and Vineland roads, just north of Lamont.

According to the Kern County Sheriff's Office, a farm worker discovered Puente's body just before 11 a.m. on Feb. 19 while working in the area. 

   

Deputies added that the body showed obvious signs of trauma and may not have been there that long.

   

An autopsy is scheduled to determine cause and manner of death. The incident is being investigated as a homicide.

Hit and run victim dies of injuries

February 21, 2015, 5:58 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The bicyclist involved in a hit and run crash on Feb. 7 on Taft Highway has died, according to the coroner's office. 

     

The man is identified as 60-year-old Oscar Thomas Stonebarger died as a result of his injuries on Feb. 17 at Kern Medical Center. 

     

Stonebarger was struck by a teen driver on Taft Highway just west of Highway 99

    

The driver left the scene, but was later located, according to CHP officials. 

CHP adds the teen has not been arrested, but the case will be submitted to the district attorney.

Hockey game benefits local charities

February 21, 2015, 6:20 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Local law enforcment took to the ice today to battle it out with local firefighters. 

The 10th Annual Guns and Hoses hockey game at Rabobank Arena saw its share of bumps and bruises but this hockey match was for much more than bragging rights.

     

Organizers donated $3 from each ticket to benefit the Kern County Burn Survivors Trust, as well as support a young boy who was injured when he was thrown more than 40 feet from his skateboard.

     

In the end, it was the firefighters who came away with the victory, winning 5-to-4.

      

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Team Firestopper come to Wasco

February 21, 2015, 6:20 pm

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WASCO, CA - The American Red Cross and PG&E teamed up to put on a Firestopper event in Wasco. Team Firestopper helps families with fire safety knowledge and supplies.

Organizers say they want to empower the community to be prepared for any emergency. People of all ages participated in the Firestopper seminar at the Wasco Veterans Hall. Event coordinator Amy Mayer said 41 families attended the event. "We wanted to reach out to this community because they are in need of the education as well as materials," said Mayer.

The families learned how to use a fire extinguisher, make an evacuation plan, maintain and install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and also hands only CPR. "Once the residents attend all the stations they receive a free reusable grocery bag that has a fire extinguisher, smoke alarm, surge protector, free of charge, and we feed them lunch," said Mayer

Darren Lewis lives in Wasco with his wife and five children. He said he was thankful he attended the seminar. "The equipment they gave me was great but the knowledge they gave me, you can't even put a price on what they taught me, at all," said Lewis.

Kern County Fire Captain Tyler Townsend said If you missed out on the event it's not too late. He said, "For those who were not able to attend today they can find out more information from the red cross and you can visit your local fire station so you can be better prepared for any disaster or emergency."

Organizers said the American Red Cross can help install up to three smoke alarms in your home for free just call the Kern County office 324-6427.

Read Across Bakersfield

February 22, 2015, 5:26 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The community celebrated the 8th Annual Read Across Bakersfield event Sunday. More than 500 people attended to celebrate the importance of reading, and the birthday of the great author, Dr. Seuss.

The Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association (BETA) put on the event for free to promote literacy in our community for the entire family. BETA President Michelle Johnson organized the event and says she is happy with the turnout. "We really want the community to know how much we care about their children and that we are doing thing for them outside of the classroom just to see all the children smiling and the parents happy truly makes our day" said Johnson.

This event was a community effort with seven different community sponsors and sixty volunteers. Ten-year-old, Kauri Calvin said she loves to read and had fun with her friends. "I jumped in the bounce houses, I got my face painted, I ate ice-cream," said Calvin

Brittany Porter is a mother and passionate about literacy. She says she is thankful for Read Across Bakersfield. "The better you can learn how to read the farther you can get in life," said Porter. Her daughter Breayah Porter says she enjoys to read with her mom and wants to be a writer after college. "When you pick a book out you don't know what your reading but when you open the book up there could be an amazing story inside," said Breayah, "I hope kids everywhere get to read a good book."

Brooklyn Moore is ten-years-old and is a Dr. Seuss fan. She shared advice to younger kids just starting to read. "They should start off with small books and then work their way up then they will learn new vocabulary and the words will get easier for them as they keep reading," said Moore.

If you couldn't attend today's event the 18th Annual Read 2 Children Day this Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and Wilson Library. For more information contact Michelle Johnson at 327-4567.

Early morning crash leaves one man in the hospital

February 22, 2015, 5:41 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A 20-year-old man was injured after an early morning crash in east Bakersfield. 

According to the California Highway Patrol,  the accident happened around 2 a.m. on Edison Highway, just east of Mount Vernon Avenue. 

     

The driver was identified by CHP as Hivar Garcia, who was reportedly driving at a speed of 55 miles-per-hour behind Francisco Castrol, who was driving 30 miles-per-hour before the two colided. 

     

Garcia was taken to Kern Medical Center with major injuries. 

     

Castrol was not injured.

    

CHP is investigation what caused the accident.

Clubs look to promote pit bull image

February 22, 2015, 5:50 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Members of local car, motorcycle and pitbull clubs invited the public out to enjoy a day of peace and goodwill, as well as show off some nice cars and bikes.

The event was held at the Golden State Mall parking lot on F Street on Feb. 22.

     

Pitbull club members were also at the event today to share a message with the community: that pitbulls are a loving breed and that they have been given a bad image lately.

     

Members are referring to two recent attacks involving pitbulls.

"If you see a dog, especially a pit bull, they're not all vicious as everybody says. and just come on out next year, we're going to be doing it bigger and better," said Mark Sanchez. 

Organizers said the event is the second year the clubs have met up and plan to host more free events for the community.

Local church celebrates Black History Month

February 22, 2015, 5:56 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - As many in the the community celebrate Black History Month, one church in Bakersfield is doing more to help African-American youth learn about their heritage.

Youth group members of the Cain Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church have been presenting speeches about historical figures this month that have made an impact in African-American culture.

On Feb. 22, the church met for the final celebration of those events.

     

Church members also celebrated at Mill Creek park and wore traditional African attire as they shared in rememberance of Black History Month with the community.

"So many times throughout the year you tend to forget everything that people have done, and everything they've done before in black history to pave the way for the things that we're doing now," said pastor Tim Conlon.

Conlon said he hopes their message will inspire more young people to make an impact in their communities.