Officer involved shooting at Stiern Park in Bakersfield

July 8, 2015, 7:25 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA.-An officer involved shooting in southeast Bakersfield leaves one man dead. By our count, this is the tenth fatal officer involved shooting in Kern County so far this year. 

Bakersfield police got the call just before 6:00 p.m. of a man shooting a gun at Stiern Park on Monitor St. near Pacheco Rd. 

Just five minutes after that call came in, two officers arrived to confront the man who they say had the gun. That is when the shooting began. 

10-year old Daniel Hernandez was with his father and brother at Stiern Park in south Bakersfield when he saw a man walking with a gun. Hernandez says he heard several shots fired followed by an ambulance. 

The man laid in the park, lifeless, for close to an hour before BPD covered his body. 

Detectives say they recovered a gun. Bakersfield police say they are still investigating and the two fficers involved have been placed on administrative leave. 

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Body recovered from canal in Bakersfield

July 8, 2015, 11:03 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A body was found in Kern Friant Canal east of Coffee Road on Tuesday, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

Police say they were called to the canal by a man fishing in the area who discovered the body about 2:00 a.m.

Police say the body is that of an adult male. The man's name has not been released.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Don Cegielski at (661) 326-3552 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111

CHP: Man crashes truck into house on purpose then starts high speed chase

July 8, 2015, 11:38 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A man intentionally drove his pick-up into a home near Tehachapi before leading the CHP on a two county high speed chase.

The California Highway Patrol says James Edgar Mckie, 49, drove his truck into a home on Sand Canyon Road then took off.

CHP says there were two children inside the home at the time. Their condition is unknown.

Investigators say the driver led CHP officers on a high-speed chase on Highway 58, then onto Highway 14.

CHP officers performed the pit maneuver on the truck several times, until it finally came to a stop on the freeway in the town of Acton.

The shirtless driver got out and ran across several lanes of traffic before tumbling down an embankment where he was taken into custody.

Mckie was booked into the Kern County Jail on charges of Assault with a deadly weapon, DUI, and evading.

Kern County releases draft report on oil industry

July 8, 2015, 12:11 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Kern County's new Draft Environmental Impact Report is out detailing the petroleum industry's impacts on the county.

The Western States Petroleum Association revealed Wednesday that it is reviewing the document.

Officials with WSPA say nearly 85-percent of California's petroleum production occurs within Kern County.

The draft EIR is headed for a 45 day public comment period before final deliberations by the county planning commission, then the full board of supervisors.

If you would like to review the report, click here.

Girl with no right hand excels at pitching

July 8, 2015, 12:46 pm

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(WXII) An 11-year-old baseball pitcher in Greensboro, North Carolina is turning a lot of heads for a lot of reasons.

Brittany Apgar says she started playing baseball at age 2, and she's been hooked ever since.

But Brittany isn't like most of the ballplayers in Greensboro's Parks and Recreation "Bronco Division."

First off, she's a girl. More importantly, though, she's a girl without a right hand.

"When I first get on the field, I can feel everybody watching me. I feel like a nervousness. But then once I start throwing they can see I'm just there to play. Not play around," she says. 

In her 11 years, she's had 11 surgeries on this birth defect and expects more in the future, and it's impossible to slow her down.

She wears a special prosthesis when she bats, but her real love is pitching.

Even though he retired before she was born, Brittany says one of her heroes is Jim Abbott.

Abbott is another one-handed southpaw. He spent 10 seasons in the big leagues and threw a no-hitter in 1993. She says one of her goals in life is to meet him one day.

With the help of her father and coach, Tom, Brittany even copied Abbott's fielding method, balancing the pocket of her glove on the end of her right arm then quickly slipping that glove onto her left hand once she's delivered the pitch.

Brittany is a regular on all-star and travel teams.

A rising 7th grader- she hopes to play ball with the boys through high school.

"It was a goal to get people to accept me for who I am and to know that they won't take me for anybody different," she says. 

In her next few operations, Brittany says her doctors will try to make joints in her right hand so that one day she'll be able to move her fingers.

Source: http://bit.ly/1fnuVCL

GET bus riders will see fare increase

July 8, 2015, 3:08 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Prices will be going up for GET bus riders.

The Golden Empire Transit's board of directors approved fare increases.

Single ride and day passes will go up by 25 cents.

A monthly pass will increase by $4.

A new 15 day pass will be available for $25 or half price for reduced fare customers.

Senior and disabled riders will also see a hike.

The day pass will go up 15-cents, the monthly pass will go up $2.

All bus routes to the Tejon Outlets will also jump up.

The rate increases take effect August 1.

Task force writes 93 citations for illegal fireworks

July 8, 2015, 3:21 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Final numbers are out for the number of people caught with illegal fireworks this Fourth of July.

Officials with the Kern County Fireworks Task Force say they received more than 1,100 calls from people reporting illegal fireworks.

Nearly 60 teams of firefighters and officers canvased the county, catching people, and writing tickets.

Ninety-three illegal fireworks citations were issued.

Each misdemeanor citation carries a maximum fine of 15-hundred dollars.

Seven people were arrested and 2,500 pounds of Roman Candles confiscated.

There were 11 fires sparked by illegal fireworks over the holiday weekend.

Deputies looking for missing 15-year-old girl

July 8, 2015, 4:22 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Deputies need your help finding a missing 15-year-old girl.  The sheriff's department says Marleen Hernandez was last seen walking in the area of Niles Street and Mt. Vernon Avenue in east Bakersfield June 18 around 1:30 in the afternoon.

She was last seen wearing a pink v-neck blouse, light blue jeans, and pink sandals.  Deputies believe she may be frequenting the area of Jefferson Park.  

If you have any information, call the sheriff's department at 861-3110 or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.  

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Date for free high school sports physicals announced

July 8, 2015, 5:49 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The date for free High School Sports Physicals has been announced.

The Kern High School District and Kern Medical Center are teaming up to provide free physicals for high school athletes on July 11 from !0 a.m. to !2 p.m.

It will happen at the KMC Sagebrush Clinics at 1111 Columbus St.

KMC and Kern High School District are working together on several initiatives this year to promote student-athlete’s safety and health.

Initiatives include free sports physicals, KMC physicians attending games to provide assessment and treatment, rapid access to care in the case of injury, and ensuring that injured students are returned to play safely.

“The District is looking forward to this partnership with KMC”, said Stan Greene, Director of School Support Services, “We are working together on programs that will improve assessment of injuries and treatment that ensures the athlete returns to play safely.”

BPD discusses deadly officer-involved shooting

July 8, 2015, 6:38 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Two Bakersfield police officers shot and killed a man who was reportedly shooting a handgun at Stiern Park on Monitor Street near Pacheco Road.

Officers responded to reports of a man shooting a gun the park just before 6 p.m. Tuesday. Police say just one minute after officers arrived, they reported they were involved in a shooting and requested medical aid.

The coroner's office identified the man who was killed at 47-year-old Daniel Hernandez, Jr. of Bakersfield. Family members gathered Wednesday night in the place where he was killed. 

The night before, police tape surrounded the area Hernandez laid lifeless less then 100 feet from onlookers.

Bakersfield Police Sergeant Joe Grubbs said, "It doesn't sit well the community sometimes. We understand that, but we have an obligation to protect the integrity of that investigation."

Grubbs says officers didn't immediately cover the body because it could interfere with the crime scene.

"The officers don't have that equipment in their vehicles, the barriers and that's really the crime lab's role," said Sergeant Grubbs.

The crime lab didn't arrive until about an hour after the shooting -- leaving the Hernandez's body visible as a crowd gathered.

Sergeant Grubbs said, "We've already had that discussion this(Wednesday) morning. Is there a better way that we can do this while still protecting the integrity of that investigation."

As police continue their investigation, people in the neighborhood are moving on.

Ofelia Aguirre exercises at the park. She said, "I feel good. People were here at the park. Nothing changed."

Over the last few years community groups have made an effort to improve safety at the park, using it as a spot to hold walking groups and sports practice. They continued those efforts Wednesday.

Football coach Stephen Burrell said, "They having fun. They're getting ready. The season is getting ready to start in September and we're moving on."

By our count this is the tenth deadly officer-involved shooting in Kern County so far this year.

The two officers involved are on routine paid administrative leave. Police haven't released any information about the officers involved. 

Local country singer overcomes all odds

July 8, 2015, 11:25 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Scotty Crabtree is doing what he's always wanted to do, singing country music on stage in is hometown of Bakersfield.

It's something Crabtree began to believe when he was a teenager, and heard this from the legendary Buck Owens.

"Buck asked me what I wanted to do, I told him I wanted to be a country music singer for Bakersfield. He told me whatever you set your mind to, you can do it." Crabtree said.

Crabtree has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

But despite the crippling condition, Crabtree isn't slowing down.

He's writing an autobiography, has his own music company, own band, and was even inducted into the Bakersfield Country Music Family.

Crabtree said, "the people that told me I couldn't sing, I didn't let it get me down, it basically made me want to push harder. And I think what is keeping me still doing this, is the fact that Buck would want me to do this. And I have so many fans out there now because I have been doing this for years that I can't imagine stopping. I love doing what I do".

Crabtree got his first gig at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace back in 2007 and never looked back, living by the words he heard from his idol.

Crabtree said, "don't give up, keep going, keep doing what your dreams are and don't let anybody tell you, you can't do it."

Scotty Crabtree's band "Rodeo" will play their first show on Sunday, August 30 at Trout's Night Club for the "Rock for a Cure" benefit concert.

For more information, you can go to www.scottycrabtree.com.

House approves education changes

July 9, 2015, 7:05 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The House of Representatives approved a bill that would substantially change the No Child Left Behind law. The legislation, shifts much more responsibility from the federal government to states when it comes to accountability.

Nearly two dozen Kern County schools have been identified recently as being at-risk under no child left behind standards.

California received a waiver in may to opt out of accountability determinations this school year based on state assessments. The U.S. Department of Education approved the request due to new standards and tests under common core.

To reduce the education gaps for poor and minority students, "no child left behind" implemented math and reading tests.

If the House measure is approved it would give states more control over determining how well teachers teach and students learn.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Republican Congressman David Valadao voted in favor of the bill.

It will now go to the senate.

The senate is also working on a bill to change No Child Left Behind. It's called Every Child Achieves Act.

The White House says both versions are lacking strong accountability measures the Obama Administration believes are important.

Meantime, California teachers are expected to meet at the end of the month to discuss how to best implement the new California standards. That's happening July 31 at 33 locations around the state, including Cal State Bakersfield.

Report: Deputy driving 85 MPH, entered intersection against red light in deadly crash

July 9, 2015, 9:54 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A Sheriff's deputy driving nearly 85 miles per hour, entered an Oildale intersection against a red light and struck and killed a woman driving her car in 2014, a CHP crash investigation has determined.

The California Highway Patrol has forwarded the findings of its investigation to the Kern District Attorney's office for review.

The investigation was the result of months of work by the Central Division Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT).

The crash happened September 28, 2014, around 1:45 a.m. at the intersection of North Chester Avenue and West China Grade Loop.

The crash killed Nancy Joyce Garrett and injured Kern County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas John Clerico.

Deputy Clerico was responding to a call of a deputy needing assistance with a fight at the Long Branch Saloon, the CHP reported in a news release Thursday morning.

"Deputy Clerico traveled southbound on North Chester Avenue at 85 mph, with emergency lights and siren activated, entered the intersection with West China Grade Loop against a solid red light and struck the driver's side of Mrs. Garrett's vehicle which was traveling eastbound on West China Grade Loop," the CHP reported. "Mrs. Garrett sustained fatal injuries and Deputy Clerico received moderate injuries. Deputy Clerico was not seat belted at the time of this collision."

Garrett's family has filed a wrongful death claim on her behalf. Kern County denied the claim and a lawsuit was set to be filed, the family's attorney Chain Cohn Stiles reported in a news release.

"Nancy was a friendly neighbor, a caregiver for our community, an active blogger, and the pillar of her family," the law firm stated in the release. "At the time of the crash, she was returning home from a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game she attended with her family and friends."

The law firm was planning a news conference late Thursday morning to discuss the lawsuit and 229-page CHP report.

Man sent to death row for double murder gets resentenced

July 9, 2015, 12:11 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A man who was sentenced to death for a murder 30 years ago, has been re-sentenced to 2 consecutive life terms.

Constantino Carrera, 53, was convicted of the 1983 stabbing deaths of a Mojave couple.

He was on death row in San Quentin.

Then, in 2004, a federal judge threw out Carrera's death sentence on the grounds of prosecutorial misconduct.

Thursday a Kern County Superior Court judge re-sentenced Carrerra to 2 consecutive terms of 25 years to life.

Bakersfield doctor busted by feds for fraud

July 9, 2015, 1:03 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A Bakersfield doctor has been arrested by federal agents for insurance fraud according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Na Young Eoh, 41, was arrested and charged with conspiracy and health care fraud.

According to a federal indictment, Eho and two other doctors set up a scheme where they would systematically over bill insurance for services.

The feds say the doctors would add as many injured body parts for treatment as possible to generate higher billings.

The allegations state that Eoh would then refer all of his clients to a clinical psychologist who was part of the same group, for a psychological evaluation, regardless of the injury the patient reported.

According to federal officials, the psychologist submitted bills and reports for each patient that were virtually identical.
On one day, the psychologist billed a total of 291.2 hours for treating 14 patients, according to agents.

Between 2005 and 2012, the psychologist submitted claims for psychological services in workers’ compensation cases totaling in excess of $5.6 million, the feds said.

If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count of the indictment.

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Reports: BPD officer apparently not wearing seat belt in fatal accident; suspect said he hated police

July 9, 2015, 1:51 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Bakersfield Police officer killed June 26 in a high speed chase apparently wasn’t wearing his seat belt, according the medical examiner who performed an autopsy on him.

The post mortem ruled Officer David Nelson, 26, died of a torn heart artery and other massive internal injuries when his car hit a wall at Mt. Vernon Avenue and Panorama Drive at about 2:40 a.m. June 26, according to documents filed in support of the prosecution of the man accused of leading the officer on that chase.

All injuries were consistent with the officer not wearing a seat belt, according to the pathologist who performed the autopsy.

That defendant, Julian Hernandez, told investigating officers he hated Bakersfield police and “always ran from them,” according to the documents.

He admitted he had the shotgun later found near the scene of the fatal accident and “if he would have had it, if he was stopped, he would have started a shootout with police,” according to reports.
Hernandez, 32, is charged with five felonies, including vehicular manslaughter and possession of a gun by a felon. He has pleaded not guilty.

He said he covered the license plates of the car he was driving that night because he didn’t want to get caught with the shotgun, reports said.

The reports say Nelson told dispatchers he was traveling approximately 75 mph on Panorama Drive near Bakersfield College in his last radio transmission. Moments later, other officers found the accident scene and the mortally injured officer.

Attorney: Murder charges coming in officer’s death

July 9, 2015, 3:14 pm

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Charges will be increased to murder Friday against the man accused of causing the chase that ended with death of Bakersfield Police Officer David Nelson, one of the defendant’s attorneys tells Channel 17 News.

Julian Hernandez, 32, was charged Tuesday with five felonies, including vehicular manslaughter.

He pleaded not guilty at his Tuesday arraignment, and a pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Friday. Now, additional motions have been scheduled, including a motion to amend the charges and a motion to increase his bail.

One of his attorneys, Deputy Public Defender Peter Kang, said the charges will be amended to include an accusation of second-degree murder.

That crime, punishable by a sentence of 15 years to life in prison, indicates responsibility for a death caused by reckless disregard for human life.

In a related story, police reports confirm Nelson, 26, was not wearing his seat belt when his car hit a wall at Mt. Vernon Avenue and Panorama Drive at about 2:40 a.m. June 26.

Hernandez told investigating officers he hated Bakersfield police and “always ran from them,” according to the documents.

He admitted he had the shotgun later found near the scene of the fatal accident and “if he would have had it, if he was stopped, he would have started a shootout with police,” according to reports.

Hernandez, 32, is charged with five felonies, including vehicular manslaughter and possession of a gun by a felon. He has pleaded not guilty.

He said he covered the license plates of the car he was driving that night because he didn’t want to get caught with the shotgun, reports said.

The reports say Nelson told dispatchers in his last radio transmission that he was traveling approximately 75 mph on Panorama Drive near Bakersfield College. Moments later, other officers found the accident scene and the mortally injured officer.
 

Final two volumes released from independent study on fracking

July 9, 2015, 4:47 pm

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Sacramento, CA -- The final two volumes of a comprehensive, independent scientific study of well stimulation are out tonight and they conclude that fracking is harmful to human health, air quality, and our state's water supply.

The three volume study is required by Senate Bill 4, signed into law September 2013, which established regulatory standards governing unconventional drilling.

Volume one was released in January.

Volumes two and three were released Wednesday.

The scientists who authored the study conclude that operations close to human populations present substantial public health concerns including disproportionate risks on sensitive populations, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.

The study says fracking and other extreme methods are often performed at shallow depths, which presents a higher risk of groundwater contamination, which groundwater monitoring may not detect.

The study also raises concerns about waste disposal, including unlined pits that allow chemicals to evaporate into the atmosphere as air pollutants, leak into aquifers, and contaminate soil.

About 95 percent of reported hydraulic fractures in California are in the San Joaquin Valley, nearly all in four oil fields in Kern County.

Click here to read the final two volumes.

http://www.ccst.us/projects/hydraulic_fracturing_public/SB4.php

Police release the names of officers involved in deadly OIS

July 9, 2015, 5:14 pm

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Bakersfield Police have released the names of two officers involved in a fatal officer involved shooting Tuesday.

Senior Officer Jose Galvan and Jesus Trinidad were the officers that fired at Daniel Hernandez, 47, killing him.

Galvan has 9 years on the force, Trinidad is a rookie.

More details about the shooting have also been released by Bakersfield Police.

BPD says The original call was for a man with a gun shooting at Stiern Park. Police say one witness told them Hernandez had fired into his car but did not injure him.

Police say when Galvan and Trinidad arrived, Hernandez pointed the gun at them and ignored repeated commands to drop it. Both officers fired and Hernandez died at the scene.

Both officers are on routine paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

Latino population increase

July 10, 2015, 7:45 am

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - New population estimates from the Census Bureau show for the first time Latinos are now the largest ethnic group in California.

As of July 2014 about 14.99 million Latinos live in California, edging out the 14.92 million whites in our state.

Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jay Tamsi said, "The Latino community is very important. It's vital. It's going to shape and mold the future."

Kern County's population is 51.5% Latino.

UFW Immigration Coordinator Luis Guerra said, "The Latino community plays a huge roll in Kern County. This is definitely a large agricultural community and a lot of our Latina community does play a huge roll in bringing food to our tables and help you and I every single day."

Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jay Tamsi says the population increase is reflected in local business growth.

Tamsi said, "There's been about a 30%-40% increase in small businesses as of today."

UFW Immigration Coordinator Luis Guerra says the new numbers are encouraging for Latino voter influence in the upcoming election.

Guerra said, "Allow our elected officials to really focus on the issues that effect their representative community which is now largely, majority Latino."

"The Latino community is very important. It's vital. It's going to shape and mold the future," said Tamsi.

Imperial County has the largest percent of Latinos followed by Tulare County.