Man sentenced for starting Nicolls Fire

May 26, 2015, 10:25 am

≫ Next: Man sentenced for taking knife onto Frontier campus

≪ Previous: Two people burned in Shafter house fire

FRESNO, CA- The man who started the Nicolls Fire near Wofford Heights will spend 6 years in Federal Prison.

Federal authorities announced the sentence Tuesday.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Edgardo Fournier, 46, admitted he was tending a marijuana grow in the National Forest when he lit two fires that ultimately became the Nicolls Fire.

The fire destroyed more than 1.600 acres causing over $6.5 million in damage.

The fire did not damage the marijuana cultivation site, which also caused significant damage to the land and natural resources of the forest.

This case was the product of an investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Karen Escobar prosecuted the case.

↧

Man sentenced for taking knife onto Frontier campus

May 26, 2015, 10:47 am

≫ Next: Elderly man injured in hit and run dies

≪ Previous: Man sentenced for starting Nicolls Fire

BAKERSFIELD, CA- A Bakersfield man who took a plea deal for bringing a knife onto the campus of Frontier High School back in March was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison.

Joshua Andrews, 23, pleaded no contest to various charges including first-degree burglary and possession of a knife at a high school.

Another charge of possessing a knife, a charge of possessing burglary tools, and a charge of resisting arrest were dismissed.

↧

Elderly man injured in hit and run dies

May 26, 2015, 11:17 am

≫ Next: Another arrest made in murder case

≪ Previous: Man sentenced for taking knife onto Frontier campus

BAKERSFIELD, CA- Bakersfield Police confirm the pedestrian struck in a hit-and-run Monday night in central Bakersfield has died.

George Washington Jackson, 78, was hit about 8:30 p.m. near 4th and P Streets.

The shopping cart Jackson was pushing was flew onto the grass nearby from the force of the crash.

Jackson was rushed to KMC but died from his injuries.

Police say they're still looking for witnesses who may have seen the vehicle that hit him.

If you have any information you are encouraged to call BPD at 327-7111.

↧

Another arrest made in murder case

May 26, 2015, 12:21 pm

≫ Next: Death toll rises in Texas floods

≪ Previous: Elderly man injured in hit and run dies

BAKERSFIELD, CA- There has been another arrest in the case of a body dumped in a orchard.

Bakersfield Police say Matthew Mejia, 25 was arrested by the California Highway Patrol Monday night.

Officers say Mejia was hiding in the backseat of a stolen car that had been stopped by the CHP in east Bakersfield.

Mejia was booked into jail for the murder of Justin Brewer, 31.

Mejia and several others are accused of holding Brewer against his will and killing him with a hammer in a home on Evening Breeze Avenue near Allen Road and Olive Drive.

Brewer's burned body was discovered in an orchard off Maricopa Highway.

The motive, according to Police, is that Brewer was accused of stealing a lap-top and at least two cell phones.

↧

Death toll rises in Texas floods

May 26, 2015, 1:58 pm

≫ Next: KCSO: Team of thieves hit Outlet store

≪ Previous: Another arrest made in murder case

(NBC News) At least 12 people have been confirmed dead and 13 remain missing in the wake of widespread flooding across Texas and Oklahoma.

The streets of Houston look like canals after flash floods swept across the city overnight.

More than ten inches of rain fell in some parts of the city in a matter of hours.

Cars, trucks and even tractor-trailers were no match for the rising flood waters that overwhelmed dozens of city streets.

Rescue crews carried out more than 500 high-water rescues throughout the night and into the day.

Meanwhile, in Wimberley the search continues for 12 people still missing after the Blanco River rose more than 28-feet in an hour, cresting at more than 40-feet Saturday night.

Read more: http://nbcnews.to/1PLaP5w

↧

KCSO: Team of thieves hit Outlet store

May 26, 2015, 3:34 pm

≫ Next: Head start hero

≪ Previous: Death toll rises in Texas floods

BAKERSFIELD, CA- Kern County deputies are hoping someone can help them identify a team of thieves they say hit one Outlet store for more than $10,000.

It happened May 8th at the Polo Ralph Lauren Store at the Tejon Outlet Mall.

Deputies say the store was the victim of a series of thefts by five suspects, two females and three males.

Security video surveillance of the five suspects was captured. Photos of the suspects are attached. The suspects may be from the southern California or Las Vegas area.

If anyone has information on their identities they are asked to contact Sr. Deputy Jeff Colbert at 661-868-5755, the Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110, or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.

↧

Head start hero

May 26, 2015, 5:43 pm

≫ Next: Kern's Meth Epidemic: Follow up with Deputy Hudnall's Wife

≪ Previous: KCSO: Team of thieves hit Outlet store

BAKERSFIELD, CA - One of the veterans is going on this week's Honor Flight thanks to the staff at his great-great- grandchildren's head start program. He's raising the two kids. And, the staff at the Sterling Center wanted to say thank you for his dedication to his family and his country.

Staff and students threw a parade for the Vietnam veteran before he heads out on Honor Flight.
They say it's a thank you that's way overdue.

With stars on their eyes and flags in their fingers, the kids at the Sterling Center line up for a parade, dedicated to Vietnam veteran, Jasper Hill. It all started with his hat.

"From the hat, he stated you know he always wanted to go on the honor flight Kern county," said Family Service Worker, Kimika Porter.

"It started with the hat. From there, we did the paperwork," said Family Service Worker, Genesis Hicks.

Almost everyday, the staff saw Mr. Hill and his hat dropping off his great-great-grandchildren who he's raising, 4-year-old Soiyah and 5-year-old Jaquell.

Wen Honor Flight opened up trips to Vietnam veterans, the people at Sterling Center signed Mr. Hill up.

"They seen that hat and they said how would you like to go to Washington. And I said hahaha. Somebody is joking. A couple months later I get a phone call. Oh, that was a dream and all of a sudden it came true," said Hill.

"He keeps on ticking like the Energizer bunny. He is an inspiration for all of us, all of the parents. He is a positive role model," said Porter.

Tuesday, he got personalized praise, thank you's he never got when he came home from Vietnam.

"It's great because we were treated like dogs when we come out of there. It wasn't right. We did as much as the others did. We didn't want to be there," said Hill.

He stepped up for his country. And, he continues to step up for his family, keeping his great-great-grandkids out of the system and taking care of them himself. And, that's something the organizers say is worth celebrating.

"Words really can't describe. I mean for him to serve our country, and then to be able to go see all of the different monuments in D.C., there are no words to describe it," said Hicks.

"We wanted to make sure that his day was very special. So, from the Sterling Head start this is how we celebrate our vet, Mr Jasper Hill," said Porter.

Jasper Hill served on the U.S.S. Coral Sea CVA 43 in the Vietnam War.

↧

Kern's Meth Epidemic: Follow up with Deputy Hudnall's Wife

May 26, 2015, 6:30 pm

≫ Next: Contact 17: Sweepstakes Scams

≪ Previous: Head start hero

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Following up with our coverage of the meth problem in the Kern Valley area. We caught up with William Joe Hudnall's wife, Carrie, and asked her what she thought about the story after she saw it.

Hudnall said after it the story aired, Joe's House has increased in size. "A lot of widows I know, I know a lot of them throughout the United States their husband's name is on a baseball field, a school, or a park, which is perfect for them, not my husband. Having a treatment program is right up his alley I couldn't have asked for a better way to honor my husband, I feel so much pride right now, that he can help those that he's arrested are now in the program and he can help them even though now he's not here," said Carrie Hudnall.

Hudnall encourages anyone in the Kern Valley struggling with addiction to take that first step and go to the Joe's House meetings. Visit our special Meth Epidemic section on our home page. You will also find previous stories and other information on how to combat the meth problem in your community.

↧

Contact 17: Sweepstakes Scams

May 26, 2015, 6:36 pm

≫ Next: Chopper crash west of Wasco critically injures pilot

≪ Previous: Kern's Meth Epidemic: Follow up with Deputy Hudnall's Wife

Alice Allard, 87, said over the last few months she has been harassed by several different fraudulent sweepstakes companies saying she's won millions. Allard said when one man called her six times in one day. "Everytime I told him I didn't want to talk to him and I wouldn't send any money for anything like this and there was fraud going around," said Allard.

If Allard tells them to stop she says they send her letters, saying she's won millions. "I thought, guys these look so real so I showed my daughter and she said we outta look into it," said Allard.

Her daughter, Charlynn McCarthy, convinced her not to respond to any of them. "Their generation was taught to trust and anything that looks official or legal they feel a responsibility to respond," said McCarthy.

According to a recent article released by the Federal Trade Commission, many of these types of sweepstakes scams target the elderly. "Someone that's going to stoop to preying on seniors isn't going to stop at cleaning out their bank accounts or stealing their identity for further fraud," said McCarthy.

Shafter Police Detective Joshua Stephens said if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. "If you are getting sent thousand dollar checks in the mail and your not expecting it their is a ninety percent chance it's a fraud and you need to keep that in mind," said Stephens.

Stephens said any sweepstakes asking for a fee is a scam. "The thing that people need to realize is not to give out personal information whether that's an address, phone number, name, birthday, primary account number, social security number. those things are personal that you need to maintain for yourself," said Stephens.

If you come across a scam letter or receive a scam phone call, contact the FTC at ftc.gov or call them at 1-877-FTC-HELP.

↧

Chopper crash west of Wasco critically injures pilot

May 27, 2015, 9:36 am

≫ Next: Student journey to graduation

≪ Previous: Contact 17: Sweepstakes Scams

WASCO, CA- A crop dusting helicopter crashed west of Wasco Wednesday morning according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

Spokesman Ray Pruitt said it happened just after 7:30 am.

The chopper caught fire after crashing and the pilot suffered severe burns, according to Pruitt.

The pilot was airlifted to Grossman Burn Center at San Joaquin Community Hospital.

Pruitt said the crash happened shortly after the pilot had lifted off and at least one co-worker was in in the area at the time.

The chopper is from a company called Vince Dusters out of Buttonwillow.

Deputies say they are securing the crash site until the FAA can arrive and assume the investigation.

↧

Student journey to graduation

May 27, 2015, 9:37 am

≫ Next: Local community colleges get cash from state

≪ Previous: Chopper crash west of Wasco critically injures pilot

BAKERSFIELD, CA.-Many teens will move the tassle on their graduation cap from one side to another this week, marking the end of high school and the beginning of a new journey into adulthood.

For many of the students graduating tonight at Vista West continuation high school, the journey was particularly difficult.

If you had asked Jalisa Ramey a couple years ago if she expected to graduate from high school, she would have told you no. She bounced around from school to school, uninterested.

But after making a deal with her father, her life completely changed.

Jalisa walked the halls of five different high schools before attending Vista West. That's because when she was at school, she could only thing about what was going on at home.

Her dad could see the hurt in his little girl's eyes.

Both starting winning their battles, dad began feeling much better and Jalisa's grades improved. She is heading to Paul Quinn college, a historically black college and university of Dallas, Texas. Dad has mixed feelings.

Jalisa has already changed her mind about what's possible in life.

Jalisa will spread her message of perseverance tonight as Vista West's graduation speaker.

↧

Local community colleges get cash from state

May 27, 2015, 11:09 am

≫ Next: Animal services to highlight foster program

≪ Previous: Student journey to graduation

BAKERSFIELD, CA- The state has awarded the Kern Community College District $9.5 million for the development of career pathways.

Career pathways are a set of courses designed to prepare a strident for a specific career in which there is a high demand for trained workers.

The Kern Community College District consortium proposal included the establishment, enhancement, expansion, or further articulation of nine career pathways which align with short and long term Kern County workforce needs:

· Agricultural Mechanics
· Business Management
· Residential/Commercial Construction
· Energy and Power Technology
· Engineering Technology
· Patient Care
· Networking
· Operations Pathway
· Welding & Materials Joining Pathway

The grant from the California Department of Education California Career Pathways Trust will provide for human resources support, program equipment and supplies, contracts and licensing. Under the funding structure, the Kern Community College District consortium plans include partnership with local industry sectors to provide internship opportunities in related fields to the student’s career pathways, and the further alignment of courses from high school to college. Dual enrollment courses, providing simultaneous high school and college credit, will be added to the curriculum to further streamline the educational process for students.

↧

Animal services to highlight foster program

May 27, 2015, 11:28 am

≫ Next: Free medical lecture aims to prevent strokes

≪ Previous: Local community colleges get cash from state

BAKERSFIELD. CA- Animal lovers can get a chance to offer a temporary home to a kitten or puppy this weekend.

The Kern County Animal Services is holding a baby shower themed event to highlight its foster program and let the public know how they can help save the lives of homeless pets in our community.

The “Tiny Paws Kitten & Puppy Shower,” will be on Saturday, May 30th from 10 am to 1 pm at the Bakersfield shelter located at 3951 Fruitvale Avenue.

The public can learn about Kern County Animal Services’ foster care program, sign-up to become a foster parent, meet current fosters and their parents

The Department’s foster care program saves lives by providing kittens, puppies and event adult animals a stable home environment where they can be nurtured and loved, recover from any medical issues, grow strong and healthy and, even gain confidence and overcome the obstacles of a previous home.

Donations from Kern County Animal Services’ Foster Shower Wishlist are used to help foster parents care for their new fosters with no out-of-pocket expense. “We are always in need of foster parents to help us care for homeless animals, but if you can’t foster, think about donating an item or two to help those who can” said Nick Cullen, Interim Director for Kern Animal Services.

For more information on the foster care program, please contact the foster coordinator at 661-868-7131 or email foster@co.kern.ca.us

↧

Free medical lecture aims to prevent strokes

May 27, 2015, 2:20 pm

≫ Next: Near drowning in southwest Bakersfield Wednesday

≪ Previous: Animal services to highlight foster program

BAKERSFIELD, CA- Preventing strokes will be the goal of a free lecture at San Joaquin Community Hospital.

It's called "Stroke Strategies: How to Prevent, Recognize and Respond to a Stroke".

The lecture will be Thursday May 28 from Noon to 1 p.m. at the SJCH Conference Center 1524 27th Street.

The talk will will feature Michelle Hartshorn, Executive Director of The Brain and Spine Institute.

Please RSVP for this free lecture and lunch by registering on this page or calling 661-869-6560 or email seth.wade@ah.org.

Organizers say seats are still available.

↧

Near drowning in southwest Bakersfield Wednesday

May 27, 2015, 4:01 pm

≫ Next: Car smashes into school bus

≪ Previous: Free medical lecture aims to prevent strokes

BAKERSFIELD, CA- A five year old boy was taken to the hospital Wednesday afternoon after falling into a swimming pool.

It happened just before 1 p.m. on Duncanson Drive near White Lane and Old River Road in southwest Bakersfield.

Officers say the boy was breathing when officers arrived.

Bakersfield police say it was an accident and no charges are expected.

According to the Department of Public Health, drowning and near drowning is the leading cause of death in children under five in California

Fire officials say it's important to always know where your children are when playing around a pool.

And if you have a pool fence, make sure it has a self-locking mechanism.

Also, have an exit alarm on the door leading to the pool.

↧

Car smashes into school bus

May 27, 2015, 4:17 pm

≫ Next: East high grad is proof of resilience

≪ Previous: Near drowning in southwest Bakersfield Wednesday

BAKERSFIELD, CA-The California High Patrol is investigating a crash between a car and a Bakersfield City School District bus Wednesday afternoon just before 3.

There were no kids on the bus at the time of the accident at Quincy Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue.

CHP says witnesses told them the car was doing 60 miles an hour when it smashed into the back of the stopped bus.

The driver of the car suffered moderate to major injuries and was taken to the hospital.

The driver of the bus was uninjured.

CHP says they are investigating whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

↧

East high grad is proof of resilience

May 27, 2015, 6:18 pm

≫ Next: Local rescue helps out Kern County Animal Services

≪ Previous: Car smashes into school bus

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Bakersfield East High School graduate is proof of resilience. Ruben Tellez Junior was hit by a car during track practice two years ago and nearly died. Wednesday, not only did he graduate on time, he did so with a 4.0 GPA and became the first in his family to get a high school diploma.

As Tellez walked to his diploma, it's the finish line of one of the most challenging races of this runner's life. It began when he was hit by a car April 22, 2013.

"Honestly, I feel like many kids think it was the worst thing that could have happened to me. And, I think it was the best thing that ever happened to me," said Tellez.

Tellez was a sophomore, at track practice,running on College Avenue.
That's when Driver, Jose Cruz Miramontes, jumped the sidewalk and hit him and another student, then left.

"I went flying apparently and my friend broke his ankle. If my head were to get, or my brain were to get any more swollen, I would have probably have died," said Tellez.

Tellez was in critical condition for two days and stayed in the hospital for a week.

Back at East High School, staff and students, some who didn't even know the quiet sophomore, were pulling for him to heal.

"I just didn't know that many people cared for me," said Tellez. "Like, I just looked back on my life and I was like, I didn't do anything. And, I just wanted to do something for my school."

His junior year, he did. Not only did Tellez continue running track, he joined the Associated Student Body, turning the once shy student into a school leader.

"It just opened my world to so many possibilities. It was amazing," said Tellez.

While what led to Tellez's graduation is a distant blur, it gave him focus to graduate with a 4.0, be the first in his family complete high school, and look to Bakersfield College to start the next leg of his life's race.

"I just had a whole different outlook on life like I can do more and I pushed myself to do it and I did," said Tellez.

The man who hit Tellez, Jose Cruz Miramontes, served one year and four months in jail.

Tellez says he wants to study architecture and plans to try out for B.C.'s track team.

↧

Local rescue helps out Kern County Animal Services

May 27, 2015, 6:43 pm

≫ Next: El Nino: What does it mean for California?

≪ Previous: East high grad is proof of resilience

TAFT, CA - The Kern County Animal Services is getting some extra help from an animal rescue in Taft. This comes after Wings of Rescue cut ties with the county earlier this month when nearly a dozen animals from the county's shelter got sick and some even died.

Unity Thrift Outreach and Rescue in Taft took 18 dogs from the county shelter to making sure they are strong and healthy for the next flight.

Trixie Hodges, is the President of Unity. She said the non-profit has seven foster homes. Every home is special with one specifically for dogs from Kern County Animal Services, they stay about two weeks then head to various shelters across the country. "We stepped up to help the county with their dogs and keep them in quarantine and hope that the relationship is mended between Wings of Rescue and the county," said Hodges.

Kern County Animal Services Interim Director, Nick Cullen, is thankful for Unity's help he hopes more community members will follow Unity's lead. "They stepped up and allowed us to make use of their expansive network of foster animals through our efforts and their collaboration there is going to be 18 dogs getting on the next flight here," said Cullen, "If folks want to be supportive of their community offer to be a foster parent, support your local shelter, again we appreciate all that the community does as far as adopting animals and offering to be foster parents for these animals that need a home."

Unity Thrift desperately needs foster parents and donations if you would like to get involved, call 661-765-5165.

↧

El Nino: What does it mean for California?

May 27, 2015, 11:25 pm

≫ Next: Summer programs around Kern County

≪ Previous: Local rescue helps out Kern County Animal Services

"El Nino" is an atmospheric phenomenon, where the easterly trade winds in the equatorial Pacific weaken. This allows for the release of the warm surface water build up near Indonesia, and a general warming of the entire Pacific Ocean.

But how does a warmer ocean affect the amount of rain we get in California?

Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Hanford, Brian Ochs said, "if you have warmer sea surface temperatures over a larger area of the tropical Pacific you'll have more of a moisture source to tap into. Usually during our active seasons where we get a lot of precipitation we get these atmospheric rivers that will set up."

Atmospheric rivers coined the "Pineapple Express" because they form near Hawaii and the tropical Pacific.

Right now, the temperature of the sea surface is just a couple degrees above average, but it's forecast to get warmer as we head into next winter.

And a warmer Pacific means a stronger "El Nino" and the potential for more rain.

The questions is, how warm will the ocean get?

Brian Ochs said, "you're looking anywhere around zero to around five degrees Fahrenheit. So there is a lot of uncertainty as far as how strong the 'El Nino' is going to get."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's Climate Prediction Center has issued an "El Nino Advisory", saying there's a greater than 80% chance "El Nino" will last through next winter.

But so far, it only gives central and southern California a 35% chance of above average precipitation.

We will have a better idea on how warm the ocean will get and how strong the "El Nino" will be in the next few months.

But for now, we can expect a hot and dry summer.

↧

Summer programs around Kern County

May 28, 2015, 7:44 am

≫ Next: Family of five displaced after Taft fire

≪ Previous: El Nino: What does it mean for California?

BAKERSFIELD, CA.-The 2014-2015 school year comes to an end today, putting a pause on school life, but teachers want to make sure learning doesn't stop.

Teachers say summer is a time to relax and for students to take a break. But, the brain is a muscle that must be exercised all year long so local educators offer these tips to ensure students retain what they've learned during the school year and are prepared when the school bell rings again in the Fall.

Summer may be the time to catch a game, but it's also time to catch up academically.

The Bakersfield City School District is opening 11 summer learning centers to the community for a second year and students in each grade will receive a summer learning packed.

Teachers at Valley Oaks Charter school, which supports home school families, suggest taking advantage of community programs.

And while some programs do have a fee, at Bakersfield Christian high, that means staying active.

And for high school seniors, summer is the time to think about the future.

For a list of programs offered at each school plus additional summer programs, click on the hot link icon.

↧

Latest Images