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Maricopa girl recovering from burns

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MARICOPA, CA- A 5-year-old Maricopa girl is being treated for burns covering 60 percent of her body.

Fire officials say she and her 9-year-old sister were playing with matches and gas.

Kern county fire says a neighbor heard the girl screaming and jumped over the fence and took the
burning clothes off the girl and administered first aid.

Fire officials say the incident happened a few miles from the fire station and first responders were
able to have her airlifted within 20 minutes.

The incident is still under investigation.

Murder victim identified according to police

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The body found in an orchard a week ago has been identified.

Justin Brewer, 31, of Bakersfield died from blunt force trauma, according to the coroner.

Brewer's body was found near Taft highway and Interstate 5.

Jessie Gomez, 23, and Ernesto Lopez, 19, were arrested Saturday on suspicion of murder, and conspiracy.

Amber Sanders, 28, was arrested Thursday on the same charges.

Police say Brewer may have been killed at a home on Evening Breeze Avenue.

If you have information on this case, call Bakersfield Police at 327-7111.

CHP hosts Start Smart Class for young drivers

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The California Highway Patrol is hosting another Start Smart class for young drivers.

The class is free and teaches young drivers and their parents about safe driving habits, the consequences of making bad choices behind the wheel and tips on how to avoid a collision.

Parents and teens will be more aware, more educated, and better prepared to handle the stress of a new driver. Call today to register.

The next class is Tuesday May 12 at 6 p.m. at the CHP 420 Club 3910 Alfred Harrell Highway.

This is a free class; parents are highly encouraged to attend with their children. Please call the Bakersfield CHP Office at (661)864-4444 to sign up.

BREAKING: Tom Brady suspended 4 games by NFL

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(NBC)- Tom Brady, the star quarterback of the New England Patriots, was suspended for four games after an investigator concluded he was probably aware that team personnel let air out of footballs for a playoff game.

"Quarterback Tom Brady will be suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2015 regular season for conduct detrimental to the integrity of the NFL." the league said in a statement Monday afternoon. "Brady may participate in all off-season, training camp and pre-season activities, including pre-season games."

The league also fined the team $1 million and the Patriots must forfeit their first-round pick in 2016 and fourth-round pick in the 2017 draft. If New England has more than one pick in those rounds, they must forfeit the earlier pick and are barred from trading or encumbering the picks.

John Jastremski and James McNally, the Patriots clubhouse workers who were involved in the deflation of the balls were suspended indefinitely by the club on May 6. Neither can be reinstated without permission of the league and restrictions on their duties.

The investigator's report on the scandal known as Deflate-Gate, issued last week, faulted two Patriots employees in what it described as a probable scheme to deflate footballs for the AFC championship game, making them easier to grip.

Brady mostly sidestepped questions about the report in a public appearance last week. At a news conference in January, he denied wrongdoing: "I would never do anything to break the rules."

Brady, 37, has led the Patriots to six Super Bowls and four championships.

Men in heels raise money to fight domestic violence

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Over 50 men put on women's high heels over the weekend to help fight domestic violence.

The event called "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" was hels at the Outlets at Tejon and benefits the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault of Kern County and the Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita.

Organizers say  the participants proudly strutted their stuff and gave it their all as they walked a course around the Outlets at Tejon in support of their community and this vital cause.

McFarland Police investigate weekend shooting

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MCFARLAND, CA- McFarland Police are investigating a weekend shooting that left one person in the hospital.

Police say they got the call about 10:30 Saturday night.

The first officers on scene say they found a shooting victim inside a home in the 900 block of Davis Avenue.

The unnamed victim was taken to Kern Mediocal Center.

Police say they found the crime scene and recovered multiple shell casings.

They say the victim is an 18-year-old McFarland resident and his injuries appear non-life threatening.

Any one with information about the shooting should call Sgt. Jerrod Place at 661-792-2121 extension 3207.

Police looking for identity theft suspect

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Bakersfield Police are looking for a woman they say committed Identity Theft at a local bank.

On March 28th a female suspect entered the Chase Bank at 2050 White Lane, according to police.

They say she Opened and account using the victim;s identity.

The suspect is described as a: white female, long dark ponytail, wearing a black tank top, light colored jeans with tattoos.

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

Local family can't afford to bury baby allegedly killed by father

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Disturbing new details have been revealed in the death of a 4-month-old boy last month, who police say, died at the hands of his 20-year-old father.

According to police reports, the baby was violently shaken and thrown to the ground.

Officers say that's when Stepfon Jones began to kick his son because he wouldn't stop crying.

Jones is behind bars, charged with three felony counts including first degree murder.

His family says his 4-month-old son has still not been buried because they can't afford it.

"The last time we seen this child, this baby was smiling," said Tina James, aunt.

James said Monday afternoon she is in disbelief knowing how her nephew, Stepfon Jones Jr., died the night of April 25.

"This baby shouldn't of had to go through all that. Just to hear those details, it struck the whole family. We didn't know all that happened," said James.

According to police reports, Jones became angry at his baby and violently shook him.

Officers say Jones threw the 4-month-old onto a small bed where the baby landed on the floor.

Police say Jones then kicked the child up against a wall causing him to bounce off of it.

The baby was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"How, what went wrong where you shook this baby and threw it and kicked it. It's mental problems," said James.

Police reports state officers noticed the baby had a two inch bruise on his forehead when they first arrived.

Officers say the mother of the child told them she accidentally gave her son the bruise -- saying she hit his forehead on support poles when she took him out of his baby swing.

Police say that statement was inconsistent with the child's injuries.

According to the report, while at the hospital, officers say the mom admitted to officers that the previous day, Jones was mad because the baby was crying -- so he shook him, hit his head against the swing and threw him to the ground.

"I would have laid down for that baby, I would have laid in that casket right now if I could make that baby be alive today, I would have laid down for that baby," continued James.

The mother of the baby has not been arrested, but Bakersfield police say at this point in the investigation, nothing is off the table.

The family of 4-month-old Stepfon Jones Jr. says his 2-year-old sister has been placed into foster care.

The family hopes to bury little Stepfon soon and is hoping for donations.

They say if you would like to help, you can take your donation to the Jesse. E. Cooley Jr. Funeral home on Chester Avenue.

Teen pregnancy in Kern County

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BAKERSFIELD, CA.-May marks national teen pregnancy prevention month. The California Department of Public Health estimates teen pregnancy costs state taxpayers $1.7 billion a year. 

Kern County's teen birth rate is double the state rate. 

And while many local organizations are working on the problem, they all agree more needs to be done. 

Four at-home pregnancy tests told Fatima Chilel she'd be a mom to now one-year old Juan. Many teen moms had to grow up fast. 

There is a teen success group for teens with babies, or who have one on the way. Girls say teen pregnancy can happen after falling in love and not knowing how to get birth control.

Isabel Maldonado, 15, said yes to unprotected sex. That decision created 11 month old Nathan, who Isabel thought she'd have help raising. 

Four babies were born to teenage mothers in Kern County each day during 2013, the latest year for which statistics are available. 

Kern has the highest teen birth rate in California. 

The good news is the county's teen birth rate has declined over the years. The number of teens between 15 and 19 years old who use long-acting reversible contraception like UID's rose from less than 1 percent in 2005 to about 7 percent in 2013, according to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The Superintendent of Schools office was awarded a prep grant, which awards 400,000 a year for three years for targeted sexual health programs. The office will use the money to target teen in alternative education with high risk behaviors, along with foster youth. 

Christy Abney is an administrator at Joezer Youth homes, a safe house for young moms in foster care in an undisclosed location. Groups like this give young moms the education and support they need. 

Pregnant Teen Services:

Perinatal Outreach Program
(POP)
1800 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 903306
(661)321-3000
No fee. The Perinatal Outreach
Program (POP) helps pregnant
women obtain early and
continued prenatal care for a
healthy pregnancy outcome.

Black Infant Health
1800 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 903306
(661)868-0521
No fee. Clients enrolled in
program attend a series of
Prenatal and Postpartum
Education intervention Group
Sessions.

Nurse Family Partnership
1800 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 903306
(661)393-3159
No fee. Provides specially trained
Public Health Nurses who provide
home visits during pregnancy and
throughout the first two years of
the child's life.

Adolescent Family Life Program
2707 F St.
Bakersfield CA 93301
(661)324-0293
No fee. Pregnant/parenting teen
program for mothers and fathers.
Prenatal care, family planning and
adoption information. Parenting
classes on infant care and child
development. Case management
and support services.

Bakersfield Pregnancy Center
1801 21st St.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661)326-1907
Christian pro-life. No cost
pregnancy testing and options,
post-abortion counseling,
ultrasounds, health care, social
service referrals, baby clothes and
furniture.

Bakersfield Recovery Services
708 Lincoln St.
Bakersfield, CA 93305
(661)869-1795

Haven Counseling Center
730 Chester Ave.
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661)327-4711
Eight-week course for
pregnant/parenting teen mothers
and fathers. Self-esteem exercises,
parenting and discipline skills

Bakersfield Crises Pregnancy
Center.
Cal-SAFE
Blanton Child Development
Center
315 E 18th St.
Bakersfield, CA 93305
(661)852-5651

Community Action Partnership
Kern Parent Child Center
300 19th St
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661)336-5236
ext.2581
Intensive case management for
pregnant teens. Counseling and
service referrals.

Shafter Youth Center
455 E. Euclid Ave.
Shafter. CA 93263
(661)746-8235
Supporting group for pregnant and
parenting teen.

Teen Success, Inc.
Clinica Sierra Vista
www.clinicasierravista.org
(661) 323-6086




Nepal Hit by 7.3-Magnitude Earthquake; At Least 36 Confirmed Dead

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A 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal on Tuesday, killing at least 36 people and triggering renewed panic on the devastated streets of Kathmandu.

The temblor came less than three weeks after 8,000 people died when a 7.8-magnitude quake rocked the Himalayan country on April 25.

"It was completely unexpected," 21-year-old nursing student Shristi Mainali told NBC News from Kathmandu. "At first we just felt like a shake, and we thought it was normal, we are having aftershock, but it didn't stop, so we got up and rushed to our garden. We could see the ground moving, shaking … in that moment you cannot differentiate whether it's the ground is shaking or it's your legs shaking."

David Chen, a 32-year-old who is from San Francisco, was at the ancient Changu Narayan outside Kathmandu when the quake hit.

"There had been aftershocks but they had all been very quick, just a few seconds. But this one, it just seemed liked it would never stop," said Chen, who was in Nepal helping map UNESCO world heritage sites as the director of engineering for San Francisco-based firm Skycatch. "It was really scary."

Nepal's National Emergency Operation Centre confirmed 36 deaths, with at least 1,117 others injured.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the epicenter of Tuesday's quake was close to Everest Base Camp and the Chinese border — about 51 miles east of Kathmandu.

It struck at a depth of around 11 miles. The April 25 quake was measured at 9.3 miles. Shallower earthquakes tend to cause more damage at the surface.

The USGS initially reported Tuesday's earthquake as being 7.4-magnitude but later downgraded the figure. It was followed over the course of about 30 minutes by further tremors registering magnitudes of 5.6 and 6.3.

Richard Ragan, emergency coordinator for the UN's World Food Programme in Nepal, said that initial reports suggested that some "structures collapsed, probably structures that were already in disrepair." However, he added that Tuesday's quake "doesn't appear to have cause a lot of damage" in Kathmandu itself.

Shockwaves were felt across northern India and as far away as New Delhi — which is located about 550 miles west of the epicenter. Buildings swayed for more than a minute in the Indian capital and people scurried into the streets.

Mark South, a British Red Cross worker based in Kathmandu, said the tremors were big enough to "scare the living daylights out of everybody."

He said: "From where I'm standing I can't see any damage but just a lot of very frightened people."

South added that there had been many smaller aftershocks since the quake of April 25 but that the latest temblors came after "a few relatively quiet days."

"People were just starting to relax and get back to some sort of normality," he said.

Donatella Lorch, a journalist who lives in Kathmandu, told NBC News that "hundreds of people were just standing in the middle [of the road]."

She added: "I was on fifth-floor terrace of a restaurant when it hit, sending tables sliding and people panicking. Walls and gates have fallen but so far I have seen no buildings collapse."

The April 25 quake flattened mountain villages and destroyed buildings, injuring at least 17,860 people.



CHP releases details of fatal crash

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The California Highway Patrol has released the names of the people involved in a fatal crash on Highway 58 Monday.

A 7-year-old boy was ejected from the SUV he was riding in and died at the scene.

The CHP says the boy's mom, Maureen Deanda, 35, caused the crash when she made an unsafe lane change in front of another vehicle in the left lane.

Officers say the the vehicle in the left lane was going about 70 miles an hour, but they only describe the mother's speed as "a high rate of speed".

CHP says Deanda's SUV clipped the right front of the other SUV causing both to veer left.

Investigators say Deanda's vehicle rolled several times and eventually flipped over the guard rail landing in a small ravine.

Deanda and her 13-year-old daughter, who was also in the vehicle, were airlifted to KMC.

Two people in the other vehicle were from Nevada and were uninjured.

The CHP said drugs and alcohol were not a factor.

Another arrest made in shooting of pregnant woman

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Another suspect has been arrested in the shooting of a pregnant woman on Monterey a week ago.

The Kern County Sheriff's says James Rios turned himself in Monday at the Mexican border.

Rios was booked into the Imperial County jail on his warrant for attempted murder.

Rios' brother, Anthony Rios, is still outstanding and believed to be in Mexico.

James Rios is pending extradition to Kern County.

Investigators say three men confronted Mario Bravo, 34, and his pregnant wife, 33-year-old Adrianna Bravo, 33, May 5 outside their east Bakersfield home. One of those men, who hasn't been identified, shot the couple.

Mario Bravo was shot multiple times in his torso. Adrianna Bravo, who was 8 1/2 months pregnant, was hit once in the hip. Sheriff's officials say that shot also injured the baby.

The mother and father are expected to survive.The baby's condition is not known.

Two plead guilty in Bakersfield drug ring

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Two men pleaded guilty to being part of a meth and heroin ring that worked in Bakersfield, according to The U.S. Attorney's Office.

Arnoldo Delgado Garcia (Delgado), aka Fabricio Rene Delgado-Perea, 35, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty on Monday to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, and in the same case Erik Gesus Rivera, 28, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, from May 2013 through January 2014, Delgado and Rivera regularly distributed methamphetamine and heroin to various drug dealers and users in Kern County. During this time period, Delgado admitted that he distributed between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine and over 1,000 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin. Rivera admitted in his plea agreement that he was involved in the distribution of between 15 and 45 kilograms of methamphetamine, and on January 29, 2014, he was found to be in possession of over a pound of crystal methamphetamine and several ounces of heroin that were intended for distribution. According to the plea agreement, Delgado was the supplier for co-conspirator Jose Cruz, 28, of Bakersfield. On April 27, 2015, Cruz pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge.

This case is the product of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, Kern County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southern Tri-County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Delaney is prosecuting the case.

Cruz is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill on July 20, 2015. Delgado and Rivera are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge O'Neill on August 3, 2015. Cruz and Delgado face a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Rivera faces a maximum statutory penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine. The actual sentences, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Kern's Meth Epidemic: The Kern Valley

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KERN VALLEY, CA - The Kern Valley Sheriff's Department Substation covers an area of about 8-hundred square miles. A lot of land for such a small outpost battling a meth problem considered to be one of the worst in Kern County.

Enrique Bravo is the Sergeant for the Kern Valley substation and has seen first hand how methamphetamine has affected this small community. "This drug is the devil's drug, I just don't understand how people can inject this into their bodies but they do," said Bravo. Sergeant Bravo often talks about the past and his Mayberry version of the Kern Valley. "The unfortunate thing about drugs is it's changing it for the worst," said Bravo.

The substation has the task of checking up on parolees, many of them have a history of meth use. One of the regular stops is the home of Theresa Albert. They deputies enter the home and search for anything that violates Albert's parole. She has a history of drug use. "I got arrested a bunch of times for meth, crystal meth," said Albert. She said she started at a young age."I got a hold of it when I was fourteen, it was just around and stuff so I did it," said Albert.

Don Richey, 57, happened to be at Albert's home at the time of the probation sweep. He said meth ruined his life. "I guess you always wonder what you would be if you never did dope, you know...but I guess you will never know that," said Richey. He has lived in the Kern Valley for 24-years. "The original reason I moved up here was to get away from it, boy was that a mistake," said Richey.

A mistake so many in the Kern Valley area make. According to the Kern Stop Meth Now Coalition, Kern Valley has higher per capita prevalence rates for methamphetamine related offenses than Bakersfield, Sergeant Bravo wants change. "For years I used to feel good about taking these people to jail, but over time my efforts were not making a dent in our community," said Bravo.

After every probation stop Sergeant Bravo checks on the welfare of the parolee, asking them questions and offering them any help they need. "It's up to me to try and help these people, the time is now, it's not tomorrow because the stats are going higher and higher, it's proven that jail and incarceration doesn't help there has to be someway else." said Bravo.

In 2006, Kern Valley Sheriff's Deputy, William Joe Hudnall was run off of the road by an attorney under the influence of methamphetamine. That attorneys choice to use meth before getting behind the wheel left Hudnall's wife a widow, his kids fatherless, and his body 100-feet down a rocky slope.

Hudnall's partner Daures Stephens has now retired from the Kern County Sheriff's Department. "I couldn't be any closer to a patrol partner as I was with Joe," said Stephens. Since Hudnall's death Stephens still thinks about all the good times they had together. "I believe when somebody dies in that manner, too early on the job, it needs to have some type of meaning," said Stephens. He felt like a sign on the side of the freeway didn't give Hudnall's legacy the honor it deserves Sergeant Bravo agrees. "Every time I would pass by Joe Hudnall's picture at the station it's like he was talking to me, do something about this problem, do something about this problem, and I finally realized, it's Joe's house that were going to name it," said Bravo.

Joe's House, a place for addicts to go and be set free. Hudnall's wife Carrie Hudnall says her husband Joe wanted to see an end to the Kern Valley meth epidemic. "When Daures called me and told me, I had no words and I am not usually a speechless person. For one that they wanted to attach my husband's name to something so amazing as this, to help people get off of drugs without them going to rehab they can't afford, or go to court, or something they don't want, this is something if they want to turn their they can," said Hudnall.

Joe's House is not a part of the Kern County Sheriff's Department it is upstairs at Faith Community Church in Wofford Heights. Pastor Neil Preston leads the meetings, working the steps and letting anyone walking in the door share their story. Many who attend say the meetings can get emotional but its all a part of breaking the chains of addiction and mending old relationships. "There are people there that I or Joe and I have arrested. I held there hands to place handcuffs on them and now I hold their hands while they say a prayer before we leave, if that's not full circle I do not know what is," said Stephens.

Jeff Plante said before he got clean from meth he was Stephens and Bravo's worst enemy. "He was a cop and I was the bad guy," said Plante. Now he can pose in a picture with them, smiling, proud of his new life. "It's just awesome, I had to get a picture of that, I never thought that I would be sitting in the same room as Stephens and Bravo, you know, and with no drama, it's just the love of God," said Plante. His faith, his love for Jesus Christ is what he says keeps him clean. I mean I tried other programs and stuff, it's Jesus, Jesus works, the blood of Christ can break any addiction and it's like I said it was like that," said Plante.

Joe's House gives addicts a sense of accountability and with the faith base it has an extra element former addicts say is the only thing that works. Christy Leuton is an adviser for Joe's House. She said she has stayed clean from meth because of her faith based recovery. "I believe God supernaturally delivered me from the addiction, because I don't think about, I don't want to use I don't have feelings of wanting to relapse, it's gone," said Leuton. "It's the only way they are going to beat this addiction is through Jesus Christ and Joe's House," said Bravo.

Now with over 30 members, Joe's House is changing Kern Valley, one soul at a time. "I am hoping people take advantage to get clean and turn their lives around, and in a round about way my husband will be apart of that with out physically being here," said Hudnall.

Although Deputy Hudnall is not alive his legacy, lives. "I see that being around a long time, unless somebody has an answer that get methamphetamine to go away tomorrow," said Stephens.


If you would like to contact, donate, or get involved with Joe's House visit this website:
http://www.enforumcommunity.us/#!jeff/c1f1r

For information on the Kern County Sheriff's Department, Kern Valley Substation visit this website:
http://www.kernsheriff.com/FieldOps/Substations/KernV/Pages/default.aspx

For information on combating the meth epidemic visit the Kern Stop Meth Now Coalition Website:
http://www.kernstopmethnow.com/

For more information on statistics from "The Impact of Methamphetamine in Kern County": 
http://www.co.kern.ca.us/artman2/kcmh/uploads/1/MethImpactStudy-FinalReport-August2009.pdf

Pest that can cause serious damage to citrus is here

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Citrus growers are already battling our state's drought, but they're also having to contend with the threat from a tiny pest known as the psyllid.

Now that pest has shown up in the middle of Bakersfield.

The pest can carry the same disease that wiped out Florida's citrus crop a couple years ago.

The latest find was in Bakersfield's Westchester neighborhood last week.

The bug tested negative for "citrus greening".

Officials have canvassed the area.

Traps have been set within 9 square mile area and there will be spraying, but it will be restricted to a half-mile radius from the actual find.

If you live within that area and have citrus trees in your yard, the California Department of Agriculture will be paying you a visit to explain the process.

If you find a psyllid on one of *your* citrus trees, call the pest hotline at 1-800-491-1899.

Man finds treasure in dresser bought at estate sale

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(KCRA) It was an amazing find in an old dresser.

A man shopping at an estate sale hit the jackpot with an item he purchased for less than $100 purchase.

In that chest of drawers, he found a treasure chest full of gold, silver and antique jewelry.

Read More: http://bit.ly/1HbELQD

Supervisors discuss county housing plan

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Kern County Board of Supervisors is set to discuss Tuesday the county's housing plan for this fiscal year.

Supervisors expect the plan that covers fiscal years, 2015-2016 through 2019-2020, to cost the county more than $7 million.

Supervisors will detail the plan and take comments from the public at the meeting before potentially approving the plan or making any changes.

To see a full list of proposed projects click here.

Shafter breaks ground on city's largest development

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SHAFTER, CA - Shafter made history Tuesday breaking ground on the largest development project ever in the city.

It's called Gossamer Grove. It starts right at the edge of Bakersfield, at the corner of 7th Standard Road and Verdugo Lane and spans to the north and west covering more than 950 acres.

Three thousand homes, two schools, businesses, and nine parks are all part of the master plan.

"Most of our citizens never realized when we annexed out here because they didn't see any change, But we go to 7th Standard all of the way to SR 99 and it does connect the two cities," said Shafter's Mayor Cathy Prout.

The development brings Bakersfield and Shafter together at 7th Standard. But, Mayor Prout says the construction is convenient for employees at the nearby logistics park.
More than 6,000 jobs have been created there in the last 6 years.

"Well, you know when you bring jobs in you see the sustainability we need today jobs and housing and coming together so we don't have to commute quite so far, it's really is quite important," said Mayor Prout.

It was important, too, for Lennar developers to leave little carbon footprint. Each of the 3,000 homes planned will have solar panels, plug-ins for electric cars, and USB plugs. And, the homes will only have backyards with low water shrubs in front. They estimate that will cut water use 35% over traditional landscape.

"We have a dual water system that is being installed for both potable for the home and non-potable for landscaping and fire suppression," said Mike Miller, Lennar Central Valley Division President.

Two elementary schools are part of the plan as are 11 acres set aside for retail, which could keep homeowners happy spending money in Shafter, rather than making a run to Bakersfield.

"We're actually already in discussions with a company to have a gas station out here so we'll get that going up pretty quick it sounds like," said Miller.

The grand opening on the first phase is set for October of this year. It will consist of 12 model homes and a park paying tribute to Shafter's history in aviation.

They have not yet determined how much the homes will cost.

Kern County Board of Supervisors address promoting greywater use

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - With the continuing drought the Board of Supervisors decided Tuesday, they would begin an outreach to community members about the importance of installing greywater systems at home. Greywater is untreated waste water that has not been tainted by toilet waste. It's usually bathroom sinks, tubs, showers, and washing machines. County officals say most of this greywater can be reused for things like watering landscaping.

There are three types of greywater systems that were discussed at the meeting. A clothes washer system, which applies only to washing machine water. And a simple or complex system which applies to showers, sinks, or baths. In order to have the simple or complex greywater systems, you have to have a permit from the county.

Kern County Engineering Director Greg Fenton says the average load of laundry consumes about 40 gallons of water so depending on how many loads you do, it could cut back significantly on potable outdoor water use. "The clothes washing machine system that should be a fairly straight forward inexpensive system to construct, and I would encourage people that are building a new home to think about incorporating a simple or complex system into the home or at least plan for it in the future so they can at least connect it at some point in time down the road with minimal alterations to the existing structure," said Fenton.

Fenton said the county wants to get the word out and make the public aware that these greywater systems are available.

If you would like more information, you can call Kern County Engineering Department at 661-862-5100.

BPD: Girl from Fresno rescued at local motel

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BAKERSFIELD, CA-
UPDATED 4:26 p.m. 

Bakersfield Police say the teen from Fresno traveled voluntarily to Bakersfield to work as a prostitute. The man she was with, Kitteran Patton, 36, was arrested for human trafficking. The juvenile girl is in protective custody.

_______________________________________________


Bakersfield Police rescued a teen girl Wednesday who they say may have been a victim of human trafficking.

It started when BPD relieved a call from a person in Fresno who said they were texting with someone who had been kidnapped.

According to police the 15-year-old girl was able to describe the kind of car she was in and the people who were holding her via texts.

Police say the victim texted she was at the Motel 6 on Easton Drive in Bakersfield, but she didn't know the room number.

Police were able to locate the girl and arrest one suspect. Two others are outstanding.

If you have any information about this case, call BPD at 661-327-7111.
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