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CHP looking for volunteers in Mojave

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MOJAVE, CA- 

The CHP office in Mojave is looking for senior citizen volunteers.

The volunteers help employees with administrative duties and in the field.

The objectives of the CHP Senior Volunteer Program are:

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 4th. Interviews will commence March 2015.

McFarland USA opens strong at the box office

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- McFarland USA huffed and puffed it's way to a fourth place finish at the weekend box office.

According to studio estimates from ticket-sales firm Rentrak, the film about McFalrand's legendary cross country team pulled in $11.3 million.

McFarland also was a success with critics and audiences, earning a 77% rating from Rotten Tomatoes and an 'A' grade from audiences via Cinemascore.

In its second weekend, Fifty Shades of Grey finished in the top spot, grossing $23.2 million.

Kingsman: The Secret Service stayed strong with $17.5 million.

And SpongeBob SquarePants: Sponge Out of Water held on to the number 3 spot, earning $15.5 million.

Johnny Garlic's opens Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Johnny Garlic's opens Tuesday at 11:30 am.

It was last October when the restaurant chain owned by celebrity chef Guy Fieri announced it would open a location in the Marketplace in southwest Bakersfield.

The restaurant features an eclectic menu from lunch sandwiches and pasta dishes to seafood, steaks, ribs and bison.

Johnny Garlic's started in 1996 with a restaurant in Santa Rosa and now includes 7 locations.

Fieri rose to fame after winning the second season of The Next Food Network Star.

That launched his career as a TV host.

Possible tornado spotted near Belridge

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A possible tornado was spotted about 11:40 a.m. by people in the area of Belridge. That's just northwest of Buttonwillow.


The 17News weather team is working with the National Weather Service to confirm there was a weak tornado.


There are no reports of damage in the remote area and there are no homes nearby.


Stay with 17News for the latest on the breaking story.

Police need your help finding sex suspect

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Bakersfield police want your help finding a man they say made sexual gestures to 2 girls walking to school.

Police say on Thursday, February 20 at 6:40 a.m.2 girls were walking in the 800 block of Chico when the suspect stopped his vehicle in the middle of the street and made vulgar had gestures while leering at the girls.

One of the victims reported the same suspect approached her twice in the same manner during the past two week period.

The suspect is described as a: white male, 40-45, tall, heavy build, buzzed light brown hair, light complexion, wearing a red t-shirt with a red design on front.

The suspect vehicle is described as a: silver or grey 2000’s 4-door sedan with rear tinted windows.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective William Wesbrook at (661) 326-3558 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

CHP offers seminars for potential new applicants

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The California Highway Patrol is getting ready to start accepting applications for new officers.

The Central Division will be hosting several recruitment seminars to give an overview of the CHP and prepare applicants.

Information discussed will focus on the Department’s mission, purpose, and objectives as well as the duties of the CHP officer.

These seminars will assist the applicant in understanding the overall responsibility of becoming a CHP officer.

The seminars are an excellent resource for applicants preparing for the Physical Ability Test and Written Examination, Psychological Evaluation, Background Investigation, Academy Training, and a career with the CHP.

The success of each applicant is very important to the CHP. Therefore, we strongly encourage each applicant to attend a recruitment seminar. 

February 23, 2015 (Bakersfield)
Double Tree by Hilton
3100 Camino Del Rio Court
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Time-6:00 P.M.

Police looking for identity thief

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Bakersfield police are looking for a woman they say stole someone's identity.

They the suspect went into the Kohl's store on Rosedale Highway and bought merchandise with a credit cars she got using the victim's identity.

The suspect is described as a: white female, early 20’s, 5’6”, slim build, long black hair, wearing a tan long sleeved shirt, black pants, brown boots and a black beanie.

The suspect was in the company of a male subject who is wanted for questioning only regarding this case.

The male subject is described as a: white male, late 20’s, 5’8”, medium build, wearing a black sweatshirt over a white t-shirt, blue jeans and white athletic shoes.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Andrew Burich at (661) 326-3543 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

Police looking for forgery suspect

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Bakersfield Police hope someone recognizes a man they want for forgery.

Police says the suspect went into the Vape Zone at 4113 Ming and made a purchase with the victim's credit.

The suspect is described as a: Hispanic male, 30’s, 5’9”, medium build, short black hair, blue short sleeve shirt, dark sweat pants and athletic shoes with tattoos on his right arm.

The suspect was in the company of a second male subject who is wanted for questioning only regarding this case. The male subject is described as a: Hispanic male, 30’s, 5’9”, medium build, short black hair, wearing a black t-shirt.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Andrew Burich at (661) 326-3543 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

Police catch serial bank robber

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Bakersfield police say they have caught the man who robbed the Wells Fargo on Panama Lane.

On February 18, 2015, 64 year old Calabasas resident Johnny Carlson turned himself into the Victorville office of the California Highway Patrol indicating that he had robbed a bank in Rocklin, California.

Bakersfield police detectives were aware of the robbery in Rocklin, California and suspected that the suspect in the Bakersfield robbery was the same suspect.

Bakersfield police detectives were contacted by Rocklin police detectives after Carlson had turned himself in. On February 20, 2015, Bakersfield police detectives responded to the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto, California where they
interviewed Carlson regarding the Bakersfield bank robbery.

Carlson was arrested for an outstanding warrant for robbery in relation to the Bakersfield Wells Fargo Bank robbery on February 17, 2015.

Program to help veterans at Glenwood Gardens Tuesday

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Glenwood Gardens is hosting a Veteran's Aid and Attendance seminar at their facility on Calloway Drive Tuesday morning.  

It's scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday and is expected to run until 10:30.  For more information, call Glenwood Gardens, call 587-0221.  Here's some information about aid and attendance from the Veteran's Administration website.  

The Aid & Attendance (A&A) increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount if you meet one of the following conditions:

You require the aid of another person in order to perform personal functions required in everyday living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, attending to the wants of nature, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment

You are bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities requires that you remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment. You are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity

Your eyesight is limited to a corrected 5/200 visual acuity or less in both eyes; or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less

Housebound

This increased monthly pension amount may be added to your monthly pension amount when you are substantially confined to your immediate premises because of permanent disability.

How to Apply

You may apply for Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits by writing to the VA regional office where you filed a claim for pension benefits. If the regional office of jurisdiction is not known, you may file the request with any VA regional office. You should include copies of any evidence, preferably a report from an attending physician validating the need for Aid and Attendance or Housebound type care.

The report should be in sufficient detail to determine whether there is disease or injury producing physical or mental impairment, loss of coordination, or conditions affecting the ability to dress and undress, to feed oneself, to attend to sanitary needs, and to keep oneself ordinarily clean and presentable.

Whether the claim is for Aid and Attendance or Housebound, the report should indicate how well the applicant gets around, where the applicant goes, and what he or she is able to do during a typical day. In addition, it is necessary to determine whether the claimant is confined to the home or immediate premises.

Kern Regional Center gets bad report from state

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A state audit reveals serious problems at the Kern Regional Center.

The state has given KRC 45 days to fix the problems.

California's Department of Developmental Services lodged a complaint with Kern Regional Center on December 11.

In it, DDS outlined a myriad of concerns about how KRC is operated.

The state says these concerns stem from years of client complaints.

"I don't think that we disregarded any comments. if there are concerns that are expressed to us, we respond to them," said Duane Law, the CEO of Kern Regional Center.

But the state disagrees.

The audit cites numerous issues, calling KRC non-compliant.

DDS cited insufficient oversight by the board, lack of knowledge, low morale and lack of trust, and said KRC is in a critically fragile state.

"We have a survey that we have discussed as a board and approved, and will be sending it out shortly to all eight thousand consumers, all four thousand vendors and to our staff and other community partners. kind of just getting a good assessment of how we are serving our community," said Susan Lara, KRC Board President.

In December, a parent of a former Regional Center client told us the center wasn't doing its job.

"When the Kern Regional Center is sending out denials, they're not sending out explanations on why the children of the families are being denied services," said Kelly Lank.

In the amended January notice, DDS listed findings of its November investigation.

The results raised quite a few eyebrows.

On a 10 scale, not a single staff member rated morale as being higher than five. Most put morale between one and three.

KRC staff told DDS they didn't feel valued, and that they believed the administration doesn't care about consumers or families.

Staff also said communication is extremely poor, and said training has lacked since the director of client services left the organization more than four months ago.

Law and Lara contend those that KRC serve remain the centers top priority.

"I think it didn't catch us off guard but there are certain insights that they've provided to us during the process that we were not maybe aware of, or at least aware of the significance of those issues, so now we are redoubling our efforts to focus our time and attention on those issues," Law said.

Metrolink crash leaves 28 injured, some severely

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OXNARD, CA- Dozens of Southern California commuters were injured Tuesday morning when a Metrolink train derailed after slamming into a vehicle abandoned on the tracks. The accident occurred at the start of morning rush hour.

Shortly before dawn, a commuter train collided with a truck in Oxnard.

The impact knocked three of the train's five cars to their side injuring 28 of the 51 people on board.

"The extent of injuries ranged from significant head trauma and extremity trauma to neck and back injuries.....and generally, normal trauma that you would think from being thrown around, " said Steve Carroll from the Ventura County Emergency Medical Service.

Four of the injured are listed in critical condition.

Debris from the truck was scattered at the marked crossing and at a nearby intersection. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene.

"We don't know why, but he was found a little while later, some miles down the road, unharmed. he is currently in police custody," said Sgt. Sergio Martinez, Oxnard fire.

Officials say the truck was stopped on the track when the collision occurred something the train's
crew realized, but not soon enough.

"They did initiate emergency protocols early, so they were going significantly slower than 79 miles per hour at the time of impact," said Joe Garces of Oxnard Fire.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Railroad Administration
are sending investigators to the scene.

County Supervisors update fireworks ordinance

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Kern County Supervisors have made some changes to the county's ordinances on fireworks.

Supervisors Voted 3-2 on Tuesday to approve the new ordinance.

The sticking point was 2 popular fireworks.

The Piccolo Pete's and Ground Flowers were to be banned under the ordinance.

But some said those are the biggest sellers and banning them would be devastating to the non-profit groups that rely on fireworks sales.

In the end, the ordinance was approved without the ban on those two fireworks.

The ordinance adds provisions for social liability and increases fines for repeat offenders.

That means a homeowner that hosts a party where illegal fireworks are being used can be held responsible.

Kern County Animal Services offers spay/neuter vouchers

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Tuesday is world spay day and unincorporated Kern County residents are receiving a special deal on getting their pets spayed and neutered.

On Tuesday Feb. 24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. people who live in the county can go to Kern county Animal Services on Fruitvale to pick up a voucher.

The Humane Society of the United States and Kern County Animal Services are teaming up to offer vouchers to low-income residents for just ten dollars.

Qualifying pet owners will be eligible for a maximum of 4 vouchers.

George Zimmerman won't face federal charges

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The Justice Department says the government will not pursue federal civil rights charges against George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin three years ago.

Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder in the shooting.

He said that he was acting in self-defense when he killed Martin, during an altercation in a gated community in Sanford, Florida.

The shooting stirred a national debate about race and guns.

Shafter man faces life in prison

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FRESNO, CA — A Shafter man faces life in prison after pleading guilty to federal drug charges.

United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced today that Santos Acevedo Gutierrez, 41, resident of Shafter, pleaded guilty yesterday to possession with attempt to distribute methamphetamine and agreed to the forfeiture of over $10,123.

According to court documents, on April 30, 2014 Kern County Sheriff Deputies executed a search warrant at Gutierrez’s home in Shafter, CA and seized approximately four pounds of methamphetamine as well as a digital scale, packaging materials and over $10,000 in United States Currency.

Gutierrez is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on May 18, 2015 at 8:30 AM. Gutierrez faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine.

Any sentence, however, would 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

Jean Fuller elected to lead State Senate Republicans

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- State Senator Jean Fuller has been elected Senate Republican Leader.

Fuller represents Bakersifeld in the State Senate and will assume her new duties in November.

“Jean Fuller is a respected legislator who has earned the trust of our Caucus during her time in the State Senate, and after handily winning re-election last fall she is a great choice to serve as our next Republican Leader,” Senator Huff said. “She is highly thought of by Republicans and Democrats and I know she will build on the success we achieved last year by electing Republicans in three Democrat majority districts. Our goal remains to continue earning the trust of Californians, which will bring more balance to the Legislature. Jean will be an outstanding Leader and I’m thrilled to work with her during the transition period over the next few months. The people of California will be well served under her leadership.”

“Bob has led the Republican Caucus with distinction and I have been impressed with his term as leader,” said Republican Leader-Elect Fuller. “Over the next several months I look forward to working closely with him to ensure a smooth transition and to build upon his successes.”

Senator Fuller has been a member of the California Legislature since her election to the 32nd Assembly District in 2006. She was first elected to the Senate in 2010 and reelected in 2014 to represent the 16th Senate District.

Bakersfield man pleads guilty to meth distribution

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FRESNO, CA — A Bakersfield man faces 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine for his role in a meth ring.
The man pleaded guilty to federal drug charges Monday.

Federal officials say Edwin Rigoberto Mayorga-Fajardo, 42, tried to distribute five pounds of methamphetamine to a government informant.

When law enforcement tried to pull him over he started a high speed chase.

During the chase officials say the defendant threw packages of meth from his car.

Eventually the defendant was stopped and arrested and approximately four pounds of methamphetamine was recovered.
Mayorga-Fajardo is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on May 18, 2015 at 8:30 AM. Mayorga-Fajardo faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would 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.

Transit officials to hold public meeting

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Kern County leaders want your input on the future of bus service in our area.

They hope public feedback will tell them the best places to place future transit centers.

Kern COG will host a workshop to introduce the Metropolitan Bakersfield Transit Center Study, which examines prospective sites for future transit centers. The public is invited to provide input and learn more about transit centers.

The meeting is at the Bale Library Auditorium, 701 Truxtun Avenue on Thursday Feb.25 from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Golden Empire Transit (GET) and Kern Transit will join the meeting to offer a hands-on opportunity to learn how to use public transit immediately following the presentation. Agency officials will also have their buses parked in front of the library for public display.

Taft Federal Prison guard sentenced

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FRESNO, CA— A prison guard at the Taft Federal prison will now find himself behind bars.

Ramon Cano, 28, used to be a guard there but was busted smuggling meth, heroin, cell phones, cash and booze into the prison.

The feds say Cano teamed up with an inmate on the inside who paid him cashe for his smuggling services.

Now Cano will do 30 months in a federal prison.

In sentencing Cano, Judge Ishii stated that Cano abused his position of trust and compromised the integrity and safety of the Taft Federal Correctional Institution. Judge Ishii went on to state that a correctional officer must be held to a high standard of conduct and failure to uphold this conduct can seriously endanger all those within the confines of that prison. Ramon Cano abused that trust and his acts warranted the sentence imposed.

“Cano’s criminal activity of introducing contraband into the prison placed fellow correctional officers and inmates they supervised at risk,” said FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Gliatta. “Those who abuse trusted roles for personal gain threaten the safety and security of the institutions neighboring communities. Such actions also threaten the reputation and safety of all corrections personnel.”
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