KCFD: Fire at abandoned house is suspicious

June 18, 2015, 1:27 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Kern County Fire Department is investigating a fire at an abandoned house near Lamont.

It happened just before 10 Thursday morning in the 8800 block of Panama Road.

According to KCFD the first arriving crews found the house already in flames. Downed power lines near the house made conditions dangerous for firefighters until they could be secured.

Firefighters were able to control the fire in about a half hour. The house sustained $50,00 in damage, according to KCFD.

Fire Investigators were called to the scene and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

They believe the fire to be suspicious at this time.

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East Bakersfield family burned out of home

June 18, 2015, 3:25 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A Bakersfield family is burned out of there home after a Thursday morning fire, according to the Bakersfield Fire Department.

It happened about 11:30 a.m. at a home on Chico Street near California and Union Avenues.

When the first engine arrived everyone had already evacuated the house.

Crews put the fire out in about 9 minutes. Damages are estimated at $100,000.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Seven people were displaced by this fire and referred to the Red Cross.

Job fair shows job seekers opportunities they hadn't considered

June 18, 2015, 3:59 pm

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DELANO, CA- You never know what you'll find when you head out to a local job fair.

So is the story from one woman who attended the Kern County Department of Human Services job fest in Delano Thursday morning.

It ended at noon at Cesar Chavez High School but it's a good reminder why these things are such a good resource for anyone looking for work.

"I'm seeing a lot of things I didn't even know I was interested in and because I got here I grew an interest from learning from it from employees that are actually there," said one attendee.

Thursday, 71 employers were there and more than 800 people showed up looking for jobs. That's more than four-times last year's applicants.

Anyone who missed the job fest can get resume assistance or job search assistance at various locations throughout the county or go the Department of Human Services website.

Two alarm house fire sends one to hospital

June 18, 2015, 4:26 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Heavy smoke and fire tore through a Bakersfield home Thursday afternoon.

Two people suffered 1st degree burns and one person was taken to Kern Medical Center according to the Bakersfield Fire Department.

It happened just before 3 p.m. at home on Baldwin Drive near Valley Plaza Mall.

The first crews reported a working fire in a small house with several structures nearby.

Neighbors helped evacuate a family out of one of the nearby homes that was being threatened by the flames.

Crews reported ammunition was detonating inside the fire.

BFD said moderate winds along with a large amount of stored debris and weeds allowed the fire to spread to structures next door.

A second alarm was called to protect other exposed structures.

According to arson investigators, the fire was started by people burning trash. Damage is estimated at $250,000.

Prayer gathering tonight for Charleston shooting victims

June 19, 2015, 11:47 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - There will be a prayer gathering this evening for the victims and families in the Charleston, South Carolina church shooting. 

The "our Hearts are with Charleston" gathering will be at the Kern County Liberty Bell, located at 1415 Truxtun Ave. at 6:30 p.m.

The event is hosted by the Bakersfield chapter of the NAACP.

Drive-by shooter wanted by BPD

June 19, 2015, 11:58 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the community’s help in identifying and locating an unidentified shooter and suspect vehicle wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. 

According to BPD, on June 4, at 7:19 p.m., two victims were standing on a sidewalk near Lowell Park, located at 800 4th St., when an occupant of a white, early to mid 90s 4-door vehicle, similar to a Buick Skylark, began firing shots at the them. 

Police said the suspect vehicle fled eastbound on 4th Street and that the victims fled the area on foot and did not contact them to report the incident. 

It is not believed that either of the victims was hit by the gunfire. 

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Mike Gerrity at 661-326-3273 or the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111. 

Man who led authorities on high-speed chase now identified

June 19, 2015, 12:33 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A man who was arrested after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase through the Kern River Canyon has been identified.

On Thursday, 23-year-old Jacob Potochnik led officers on a chase with speeds reaching 60 miles-per-hour. The pursuit ended when Potochnik moved the chase to a dirt road and lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a fence.

Potochnik then fled on foot.

Deputies then set up a perimeter with the assistance of the Sheriff's Office Air Support and a K-9 Unit. The California Highway Patrol also assisted in the perimeter search.

But before Potochnik was caught, he was detained by resident Donald Gregory, who spotted Potochnik and held him down while officers made their way to them and arrested Potochnik.

According to KCSO, the incident started when an officer with the Kern High School District initiated a traffic stop. 

Potochnik was reportedly driving erratically on Highway 178 near Mile Marker 33 in the Kern River Canyon before being pulled over, according to KCSO. A deputy with KCSO arrived to assist with the stop and that's when Potochnik took off in his vehicle.

Deputies later determined the vehicle Potochnik was driving had been reported stolen from Bakersfield. 

According to KCSO, Potochnik was arrested for possession of stolen property, reckless driving, delaying/obstructing an officer, hit and run, trespassing, evading a peace officer, driving without a license, speeding, and an outstanding warrant for shoplifting. 

He was booked into the Central Receiving Facility and his bail is set at $42,873.

Local students represent at the national History Day competition

June 19, 2015, 12:58 pm

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WASHINGTON D.C. - Some of our local students proudly represented Kern County on the national stage as they competed for top honors.

And now, the results are in for the National History Day Competition in Washington D.C. 

Alexis Hill, Maxwell Barrera, Theodore Armijo, Kaitlyn Hillis and Candace Maurer from Cato Middle School placed 10th in the junior level of the group project category for their project, "Leadership and Legacy of the Mississippi Summer Project: Opening the Doors to Change."

Jessica Stump from Fruitvale Junior High placed third in the junior level of the research paper category for her paper, "William Wilberforce and His Legacy of Freedom."

Other local participants (all in the junior level) included Mikaela Vargas from Thorner School in the individual performance category and Rayce Flores, Jacob McEntyre and Charles Welch from Highland School in the group exhibit category.

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Wall Street Cafe closed

June 19, 2015, 2:08 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Wall Street Cafe in Downtown Bakersfield has closed its doors for business.

The cafe is located at 1818 L St.

The note on the door reads: "Sorry!! Closed for reorganization."

A request for comment to the owner was not returned.

Families face Charleston Gunman

June 19, 2015, 2:21 pm

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(NBC News) As accused killer Dylann Roof stood in court Friday, the most powerful words didn't come from the judge.

Roof stared straight ahead as family members of the victims talked about their loss.

"I would just like him to know that I forgive you, my family forgives you," Anthony Thompson said. Myra Thompson, 59, was one of nine people killed in the horrific attack at Emanuel African Episcopal Church on Wednesday.

An unidentified daughter of victim Ethel Lance also spoke.

"I think he took something very precious away from me. I will never talk to her ever again. I will never be able to hold her again. But I forgive you," she said. "You hurt me. You hurt a lot of people. May God forgive you," she said. "And I forgive you," she repeated.

Roof has apparently confessed to carrying out the massacre inside the Emanuel A.M.E. Church, at one point even telling investigators he "almost didn't go through with it because everyone was so nice to him".

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

DUI checkpoints tonight in Bakersfield

June 19, 2015, 2:31 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Officers will be looking for people who make the mistake of drinking and driving Friday night. 

The Kern avoid DUI Task Force will be conducting four separate DUI and driver license checkpoints sometime in the greater Bakersfield area.

     

As always, if you suspect an impaired driver on while out on the roadways, you are encouraged to call 911.

Kern fire crews assist in wildfire containment in Modesto

June 19, 2015, 2:43 pm

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MODESTO, CA - Firefighters have fully contained a wildfire in Modesto that burned multiple structures on Thursday.

The Escalon Fire burned 40 acres, five out buildings and one home.

     

Evacuated residents were escorted back to their homes.

Fire officials said the smoke was visible from the fire more than 20 miles away.

     

Modesto is about 200 miles north of Bakersfield.     

No injuries were reported, and no cause has been revealed yet.

Community fan drive a success

June 19, 2015, 2:58 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Thanks to the generosity of many of you, hundreds of people in Kern County will be able to stay cool.

     

KGET teamed up with the Volunteer Center for our annual Fan Drive.

This year, there were more than 500 applications for fans, submitted by the elderly, disabled and low income families.

     

And thanks to the community, 340 fans were donated along with $2,600.

     

Volunteer Center executive director Brenda Ratliff said the total amount donated should be enough to help the 519 people who applied for a fan keep their cool in this blistering heat.

BBQ at The Mission to benefit local programs

June 19, 2015, 3:30 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Third Annual "Top Sirloin BBQ Fundraiser" is happening tonight at The Mission at Kern County.

The event takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and is happening at 821 E. 21st St.

Proceeds from the BBQ fundraiser benefit the life changing programs operated at The Mission at Kern County.

A sirloin dinner with sides will be served for $15, or $120 for a reserved table of eight.  

Tickets are available online HERE or they can be purchased directly at The Mission at Kern County.

Kern County Fire Department's Helitack training

June 20, 2015, 10:03 pm

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The Kern County Fire Department spent Wednesday evening training its "Helitack" crew, so they're prepared for battle with wildfires this summer.

Captain Tyler Townsend said, "Kern County is a contract county, so we support fires throughout California... We've already sent teams out to assist with fires"

Townsend says they are expecting a busy summer, so any extra training helps.

Due to the drought, crews didn't use any standing water in lakes or ponds to fill up the chopper's water tank.

Instead, they trained with mobile dip sites and "water tenders" where a team used a hose to fill the tank, then the helicopter dropped the water over an imaginary fire.

The water tank holds up to 300 gallons of water, but depending on the altitude and air temperature, fire officials say they often don't fill it all the way.

The helicopter pilots also trained with night vision goggles.

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Two women die in rollover crash in Arvin

June 21, 2015, 5:45 pm

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ARVIN, CA - A deadly crash in Arvin claims the lives of two women.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash happened just before 5 a.m. on Bear Mountain Boulevard, near General Beale Road.

     

The vehicle veered off the roadway for unknown reasons and crashed through a barb wire fence, CHP officers said.

    

The driver and front side passenger were both ejected during the crash and died at the scene.

    

CHP officers said they were not wearing their seat belts.

     

The coroner's office has identified the passenger as 22-year-old Angelica Gonzalez Figueroa of Lamont.  

     

The 22-year-old driver has not been identified.

     

A third passenger, 22-year-old Belen Lares of Bakersfield, suffered major injuries and was taken to Kern Medical Center.

     

Belen, reportedly, was wearing her seat belt.

     

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor. CHP is investigating the crash.

Kern County Rugby Festival

June 21, 2015, 5:46 pm

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Hundreds of high school rugby players from all over the Southwest competed at the Kern County Soccer park this weekend. Girls and boys all competing for a chance to make the U.S. All-American team.

USA Women High School All-American head coach, Farrah Douglas, says this So-Cal regional competition is her time to scout. "They are are competition to go to Stars and Stripes which is the beginning to becoming a part of the high school all american program which is the entry way to play for the United States," says Douglas.

President of Kern County Rugby Club, Wicus Postma, wants the community to join in on the fun. "It's the fastest growing sport in the U.S. and so I think this tournament is showing Bakersfield how popular it could be," says Postma.

With the Olympics around the corner, it's a good way to get a hands on rugby experience. "It's a sport where all different athletic abilities can find a place and compete, and there is a big part of rugby that is about family and community and I think that is the special thing about our sport," says Douglas.

For information on the Kern Rugby Club click the links below

Kern Rugby Club 

Http://www.kcrugby.com/v4/index.aspx

The Youth Rugby League is in partnership with Kern County Rugby Club

http://norfun.org/sports/youth-rugby-league/

Father and two sons OK after rollover crash

June 21, 2015, 5:57 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A father and his two sons involved in a crash Sunday are lucky to be alive, according to a California Highway Patrol officer on the scene.

According to CHP, the crash happened around 3:15 p.m. on Highway 99, just north of Laredo Highway.

The driver and his two sons, one an adult and one 16 years old, were on their way to meet up with the father's ex-wife in Paso Robles when the truck overturned, landing in an orchard, said CHP.

The driver suffered moderate injuries and his adult son received a broken arm. 

     

The 16 year old received minor injuries.

     

CHP officials are also reminding everyone to drive safely, especially on holidays.

"I would like to remind people, especially on holidays, and at all times, drive with care.but on holidays you don't want to make that a day your family is going to remember in a bad way forever," said Sgt. James Nabors.

TNN: 3 homes burn in South Taft

June 22, 2015, 10:59 am

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TAFT, CA- A house fire in South Taft spread to two more homes Monday morning, according to the Kern County Fire Department.

It happened just after 9:30 a.m. in the 400 block of Naylor Avenue in South Taft, according to KCFD. 

Pictures from Taft News Now show one home in flames and two others with heavy fire damage.

KCFD says the main fire fully engulfed the home before the first crews arrived and the spread to the houses on each side. They say the houses there are very close together.

It is not clear if the first house is occupied but fire officials believe the other two houses had people living in them.

No one was injured.

Baby found dead at Union Ave. motel

June 22, 2015, 11:46 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Kern County deputies are investigating the death of a baby at the El Don motel Monday.

A woman staying at the motel with three children and a boyfriend reported the death.

The motel is near Union Ave. and Belle Terrace.

Deputies say they are still in the early stages of the investigation and will have more details as the learn more.