Local teacher up for big award and needs your vote

August 5, 2015, 5:38 pm

≫ Next: KGET employee will not be charged following arrest.

≪ Previous: Police: Two women, man accused of possessing stolen car

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.- A local teacher is up for a national award that will also benefit her students and you could help her win.

Ms. Jolie Brouttier from McKinley Elementary School is a top runner for the "Raise a Hand for Teachers."

The award recognized educators who have made a difference in children's lives.

Three teachers will receive $2,500 in classroom supplies and an additional $500 to shop for back to school clothes for themselves.

You have until August 3rd to cast your vote for Ms. Brouttier.

If you want to vote click here.

---

KGET employee will not be charged following arrest.

August 5, 2015, 6:02 pm

≫ Next: Update on manhunt for killer in eastern Kern County

≪ Previous: Local teacher up for big award and needs your vote

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Kern County District Attorney's Office says it will not file charges against a KGET employee arrested during a probation search.

The local chapter of the NAACP held a rally in downtown Bakersfield Tuesday night for Monte Wilson, calling his arrest unjust.

Wilson produces commercials and promotionial videos here at TV-17.

He was arrested July 23 on suspicion of conspiracy to participate in a criminal street gang, receiving stolen property and being a street gang member.

Wilson says he was there as a hired photographer to shoot an album cover at a location near "R" and 8th Streets when several members of the bakersfield police special enforcement unit showed up to do a probation search.

Wilson claims he was arrested after he started rolling his cameras during the sting.

"To call me a gang member and arrest me for being a gang member, I think that is a stretch and that's wrong. It was wrong. What do you need to do to be on a gang list? Is there some sort of criteria? I don't think all police officers are bad by any stretch of the imagination, I just think they made a mistake that day," Wilson said.

Officers say they found a stolen gun on one man and made several arrests.

Wilson has a clean criminal record.

Update on manhunt for killer in eastern Kern County

August 5, 2015, 7:56 pm

≫ Next: Search for killer continues

≪ Previous: KGET employee will not be charged following arrest.

$

0

0

Bakersfield - The search for a kidnapper and killer is now in its second week, in some of the roughest terrain in Kern County.

Ray Pruitt with the Kern County Sheriff's Office said, dead or alive they won't stop until he is found. "At least three different occasions he's broken into homes in the area and been able to obtain supplies" said Pruitt.

The manhunt is inflicting fear on a community that wasn't fearful before. Yolanda Ochoa lives in Kelso Valley. "We're kinda scared because we never locked the doors and now we mandatory locking the doors," she said.

A small army of law enforcement officers canvas the area 24/7 keeping folks awake at night. "They are flying on top of the houses every 15 to 20 minutes back and forth, so it's a lot of activity," said Ochoa.

John Marquette said the area is full of hidden caves and mines. "There are 30 to 40 places he can hide if he knows this area," said Marquette.

Officials said they are doing everything they can to get inside the mind of this man. "Our goal is to find him, get him out of this community, and take him into custody so the people up here can go back to their normal way of life," said Pruitt.

There are 18 agencies and community groups helping in the search. Officials said they do not know how much the search will cost.

Search for killer continues

August 5, 2015, 7:58 pm

≫ Next: Explosion, fire at mobile home park in southwest Bakersfield

≪ Previous: Update on manhunt for killer in eastern Kern County

$

0

0

The killer's identity is still unknown, but sheriff's officials say he's dangerous and has survival skills.

He's described as a man in his early 30s with long brown hair, possibly pulled back, wearing olive green clothing and a hat.

Sheriff's department spokesman Ray Pruitt said, "Our hope was that somebody would recognize the sketch and give some information that would point us in the right direction."

Pruitt says they believe the killer is either from the area, grew up in the area, or has special training to survive in these mountains.

"This is rugged terrain, these are tough conditions. Most people wouldn't be able to survive this long," said Pruitt.

Pruitt says they haven't made contact with him since he shot at deputies Saturday night, but he's confident the killer is still hiding out.

He said, "All indications are at this point that he is still in that five mile area."

Pruitt says they believe he's working alone, but he could be getting supplies from vacant homes.

"There's a possibility that he's been able to get into another home and is in a home that is unoccupied and we haven't found him yet or it hasn't been reported yet," said Pruitt.

The sheriff's department hasn't released any information on evidence they've collected.

If you believe you've seen the man that's being hunted, call the sheriff's department at 661-861-3110. If there is an immediate threat, call 911.

Explosion, fire at mobile home park in southwest Bakersfield

August 6, 2015, 2:04 am

≫ Next: Bicyclist recovering after rescue near Golden Hills

≪ Previous: Search for killer continues

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A massive explosion erupting in a southwest Bakersfield mobile home park, hospitalizing at least one person and devastating homes there.

The Bakersfield Fire Department received a call at 1:00 a.m. Thursday. When they arrived a mobile home here near Planz and Stine was engulfed in flames.

We received reports on Facebook of people living quite a distance away being jolted out of bed by the explosion. With some saying they felt like the explosion was happening at their home. That man living inside the mobile home was saved by a heroic neighbor who BFD says pulled him to safety. He was taken to the burn unit at San Joaquin Community Hospital.
"It was just a massive explosion. It looked just like it was fire falling from the sky," said neighbor Darlene Littrell. 

Firefighters say 5 homes were damaged in total, including the one that exploded. Some had window damage, others had significant fire exposure.

The cause is under investigation.

Bicyclist recovering after rescue near Golden Hills

August 6, 2015, 5:20 am

≫ Next: Mobile home explosion leaves man with burns over 80% of body

≪ Previous: Explosion, fire at mobile home park in southwest Bakersfield

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A 15-year-old boy is recovering after falling nearly 25 feet on his bicycle Wednesday night in a ravine near Golden Hills.  
Kern County Fire officials say they were given a vague location, but were able to locate the bike after hiking approximately 1/2 mile down a ravine.

Fire officials say the bicyclist had complained of severe mid-back pain. Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet when he crashed.

Given the remoteness of the location, the Incident Commander opted to utilize KCFD Helicopter 408 for a Hoist Rescue.

That's because hiking the patient out would have required extensive man power and possibly exacerbated the back injury.

The helicopter arrived in six minutes from Keene Helibase.

The patient was immobilized on a backboard, placed in a stokes basket, and hoisted into the helicopter. He was transferred to a Hall ground ambulance at Tehachapi Airport.

Mobile home explosion leaves man with burns over 80% of body

August 6, 2015, 5:19 pm

≫ Next: Health department shuts down motel

≪ Previous: Bicyclist recovering after rescue near Golden Hills

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Bakersfield Fire Dept says an overnight explosion that left a man seriously burned was caused by an accumulation of gas that came in contact with an ignition source.

BFD says it happened near Stine and Planz Roads just before 1 a.m. Thursday.

The mobile home that exploded was destroyed.

Four other homes nearby were damaged by the fire, two significantly. Five cars were also damaged and another 8 homes suffered broken glass.

The man who was in the mobile home that exploded was taken to KMC with 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 80 percent of his body.

PG&E released this statement Thursday afternoon: "Our primary concern is the safety of the public and our employees; our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured. We continue to work closely with first responders in the area."

Health department shuts down motel

August 6, 2015, 5:48 pm

≫ Next: Search for alleged killer: A look inside possible hiding places

≪ Previous: Mobile home explosion leaves man with burns over 80% of body

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The health department shut down El Don Motel on Union Avenue after an inspection revealed serious violations.

County Environmental Health Director Donna Fenton says plumbing, electrical and sanitation issues caused the health department to shut down the motel.

Fenton said, "Each and every room had substantial, serious violations."

Fenton says a breaker box exposing live wires was enough to close the motel, but that wasn't the only violation. Inspection reports listed cockroaches, mold, deteriorating walls and non-working toilets.

"That's also a huge sanitation issue, it can spread disease. Those are the types of things that when we see it, we have to close that room immediately, but in this case the entire facility needed to be closed," said Fenton.

Human services, adult and aging services and flood ministries helped find new homes for the 16 people who lived at the motel.

According to the Kern County Assessor's Office, the same business entity owns both El Don Motel and Ramada Limited on Wible Road.

We tried contacting the motel owner, Pravin Patel. We spoke with his wife who wouldn't go on camera, but says they don't know anything about the violations.

A hearing is scheduled next week to determine what repairs must be made.

---

Search for alleged killer: A look inside possible hiding places

August 6, 2015, 8:12 pm

≫ Next: Bakersfield residents react to GOP presidential debate

≪ Previous: Health department shuts down motel

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD - U.S. Marshals and the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department joined the search Thursday for a killer in eastern Kern County.

There are now twenty agencies and volunteer groups involved.

Weldon local, John Marquette, knows the mountains where they are searching very well. He uses a Polaris off-road vehicle to get around and explore. "I'm a thrill seeker to the max," said Marquette. In his 15 years living in the Kelso Valley, he's discovered several mines and caves. "Ah, more than I can count. They're all over there, all over up here, probably some I've never even found," said Marquette.

One of the caves he visited Thursday had a new bottle of alcohol in it and a stench of urine. Another was nearly a mile long. "That would be a very good spot to hide. It would be very hard to find me," said Marquette.

Ray Pruitt with the Kern County Sheriff's Office said this is the largest search operation in the last ten years.

With the varying terrain and hidden hideouts, Marquette thinks if this alleged kidnapper and killer is from the area or a survivalist, it might be a while until they find him.

Officials are just waiting on a tip. "If we can identify this suspect that's going to help us in this investigation," said Pruitt.

If you recognize the man in the composite sketch call the Sheriff's Department at 661-861-3110.

Bakersfield residents react to GOP presidential debate

August 6, 2015, 11:42 pm

≫ Next: Search for a killer in eastern Kern enters tenth day

≪ Previous: Search for alleged killer: A look inside possible hiding places

$

0

0

Bakersfield, CA - Local Republicans and Democrats gathered in Bakersfield to watch the GOP presidential debate, those we spoke with say it didn't disappoint.

Dozens of people attended local viewing parties hosted by both Republicans and Democrats, all eyes were on Donald Trump. The top ten Republican candidates in the polls took the stage for the first debate of the 2016 presidential race.
Locals say Trump stole the spotlight.

Nicole Villaruz, Co-Chair of the Kern County Democratic Party, said “Trump's comments are always full of entertainment, he's very unfiltered. And for all of us here tonight, I think that he's given us a few laughs that we really enjoyed.
“Donald Trump has brought up a lot of very good conversation and I like that he's not afraid to say what's on everyone's mind and he's not playing a political game,” Nayeli Sanchez with the Kern County Republican party.

Members of the Kern County Republican Party got together at Rusty's Pizza in northwest Bakersfield for what they say was a great presidential candidate showdown. Chad Louie, member of the Kern County Republican Party, said “They touched on some of the major key issues, they talked about immigration; I think the country is really interested in hearing about. They talked about Common Core, which I think it's another hot topic.”

However, Democrats who met at Rusty's Pizza in northeast Bakersfield weren't satisfied with what they heard.
“Right now the biggest job for any voter whether you are Republican or Democrat is be informed of who these candidates are,” said Villaruz. Mark Martinez, Co-Chair of the Kern County Democratic Party added, “Donald Trump is probably going to go up in the polls. So, he's a lot of noise and lightning and I'm not entirely sure that is good for the country. But the audience seems to like it and it seems that he'll probably make Saturday Night Live this weekend.”

Most residents we spoke with say they are still undecided as to whom they'll vote for in the 2016 presidential election.

Search for a killer in eastern Kern enters tenth day

August 7, 2015, 8:47 am

≫ Next: Thieves pull out entire community mailbox, steal contents

≪ Previous: Bakersfield residents react to GOP presidential debate

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Crews continue to search the five square mile area near Jawbone Canyon Road and Kelso Valley Road.  That makes 19 agencies and volunteer groups now involved in the massive manhunt.  

17's Ryann Blackshere Vargas has more from Weldon:

Thieves pull out entire community mailbox, steal contents

August 7, 2015, 1:46 pm

≫ Next: Aurora Theater Shooter is sentenced to life without parole

≪ Previous: Search for a killer in eastern Kern enters tenth day

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA- A mailbox belonging to the West Day Ranch Development in Oildale was removed from its foundation and dumped about two miles away, after someone took all of its contents.

The empty, busted box was found on the corner of North Chester Avenue extension and South Granite Road, but with no mail in sight.

The address led our crew to this complex in the 700 block of West Day Avenue.

There, four bolts remain on the ground where it appears the mailbox once stood.

Property management was not aware the box had been taken until we arrived.

They declined comment until an investigation could be completed.

Phone calls to both the postal service and Kern County Sheriff's Office have not been returned as of 1 p.m. Friday.

Aurora Theater Shooter is sentenced to life without parole

August 7, 2015, 2:05 pm

≫ Next: Verizon says goodbye to cheap phones in exchange for 2-year contracts

≪ Previous: Thieves pull out entire community mailbox, steal contents

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA- Jurors in the Aurora, Colorado theater shooting trial have sentenced shooter James Holmes to Life Without Parole.

The jury could not come to a unanimous decision on death which means the alternative penalty of Life Without Parole becomes the default sentence. .

This was the third and final phase of the trial where both sides made a final plea for, or against executing Holmes.

In July 2012, James Holmes opened fire inside a movie theater, killing 12 people and injuring 70 others.

Verizon says goodbye to cheap phones in exchange for 2-year contracts

August 7, 2015, 5:23 pm

≫ Next: Gov. Brown allows parole for transgender inmate

≪ Previous: Aurora Theater Shooter is sentenced to life without parole

$

0

0

(NBC)- Verizon is revamping the way its customers pay for cellphone service. The nation's largest wireless carrier on Friday said it was doing away the practice of subsidizing your new phone in exchange for signing a two-year service contract.

The company unveiled new plans that offer a mix of discounts and price hikes and that require customers to pay for their smartphone. Under the new pricing scheme, every smartphone line is $20 per month.

Then, customers choose from one of the following four data packages:

        Small: $30/month for 1GB of shareable data

        Medium: $45/month for 3GB of shareable data

        Large: $60/month for 6GB of shareable data

        X-Large: $80/month for 12GB of shareable data

Each data package can be shared among up to 10 devices, including tablets and smartwatches, which will require a $10 and $5 monthly connection fee, respectively.

The new Verizon price plans will be available starting on Aug. 13.

Gone are the days of Verizon subsidizing phones in exchange for people signing two-year contracts.

Now customers will have to either sign up for a monthly payment plan to pay for their devices or buy them outright.

Already a Verizon customer? You'll be able to keep your current plan or switch to one of the new data packages.

Gov. Brown allows parole for transgender inmate

August 7, 2015, 8:17 pm

≫ Next: Update on East Kern County Manhunt

≪ Previous: Verizon says goodbye to cheap phones in exchange for 2-year contracts

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA- Gov. Jerry Brown is allowing parole for a transgender inmate who is trying to force California to become the first state to pay for sex reassignment surgery.

A federal judge in April ordered the state to provide the surgery, which had been scheduled for July. It was delayed after the state appealed.

The governor's office said Friday that Brown was taking no action on the Board of Parole Hearings' recommendation to release Michelle-Lael Norsworthy, which means her parole will proceed.

The decision makes it less likely that the 51-year-old will be able to have surgery funded by the prison before she is released. Parole board spokesman Luis Patino said it usually takes about a week for an inmate to be released after the governor allows a parole to proceed.

Brown decided Norsworthy is no longer dangerous, 30 years after she fatally shot Franklin Gordon Liefer Jr., 26, following an argument in a Fullerton bar in November 1985.

Norsworthy, then 21, was convicted of second-degree murder after she shot Liefer three times. He died six weeks later.

She is being held at Mule Creek State Prison, a men's prison in Ione, near Sacramento. Prison records refer to her by her birth name of Jeffrey Bryan Norsworthy, though she has lived as a woman since the 1990s.

She was diagnosed with gender identity disorder in 1999 and began taking female hormones. She began asking the corrections department for the surgery in 2012 after learning a judge for the first time had ordered Massachusetts to provide an inmate with the procedure. However, that decision was overturned on appeal in December, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene.

The 9th Circuit agreed to hear California's appeal of U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar's ruling and a hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The appellate court noted that the case raises serious legal questions about whether denying the surgery violates Norsworthy's constitutional rights against cruel and unusual punishment.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says it has met all of its legal requirements by providing Norsworthy with counseling and hormone therapy.

The state filed paperwork in federal court Friday saying it has agreed to provide sex reassignment surgery for another inmate, Shiloh Quine, 56, to settle a separate lawsuit.

"CDCR evaluates every case individually, and in the Quine case, every medical doctor and mental health clinician who has reviewed this case, including two independent mental health experts, determined that this surgery is medically necessary for Quine," corrections department spokesman Jeffrey Callison said in an emailed statement.

Quine, formerly known as Rodney James Quine, is serving a life sentence for murder, kidnapping and robbery.

Norsworthy testified at her parole hearing in May that she accepts responsibility for her crime. She said at the time, she was "pretty much drinking every day all day" but is now sober and attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in prison.

She said she also takes steps to control her anger and make better judgments.

---

Update on East Kern County Manhunt

August 8, 2015, 6:49 pm

≫ Next: Frank Gifford dead at 84

≪ Previous: Gov. Brown allows parole for transgender inmate

$

0

0

Bakersfield, CA.

Certain hunting zones are off limits until the manhunt is complete. According to hunting maps the D-9 hunting zone is closed. Lawrence Frenes lives in the Piute Mountains and bought his hunting tags to hunt in that area. "It's a sought after area there's good hunting up there bear and deer," said Frenes.

According to Sierra Gateway Sporting Goods employee, Dalton Hambelton, hunting season for archery in D-9 opens next week. "I'm confident in our law enforcement that the will find this guy soon before hunting starts," said Hambelton.

"We got people from LA San Diego all over California to hunt that area," said Frenes.

Tyson Davis of the Kern County Sheriff's Department said they are working with the Forest Service to inform the public of the closures. "We're hoping to have the suspect in custody before that but if the suspect is not and the search is continuing the hunting area will be closed," said Davis.

Frenes said he cannot get a refund for his D-9 hunting tag. "There not going to expend deer season because of this one guy," said Frenes.

Frank Gifford dead at 84

August 9, 2015, 12:13 pm

≫ Next: Officials investigating fatal shooting in Rosamond

≪ Previous: Update on East Kern County Manhunt

$

0

0

Football player, Pro football Hall of Famer, veteran sports journalist, and Bakersfield High School Driller Frank Gifford, has died.

His family confirmed his death just hours ago.
They released this statement: 

"It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and friend, Frank Gifford. Frank died suddenly this beautiful Sunday morning of natural causes at his Connecticut home. We rejoice in the extraordinary life he was privileged to live, and we feel grateful and blessed to have been loved by such an amazing human being. We ask that our privacy be respected at this difficult time and we thank you for your prayers."

Gifford was 84 years old.
A BHS alumnus, Gifford played for the Drillers in the late 1940s, before moving onto college football at Bakersfield College and the University of Southern California, eventually making it to the professional level with the New York Giants.

He was also one of the most prominent commentators on ABC's "Monday Night Football," and inducted into the NFL hall of fame in 1977. He married Kathie Lee Epstein, current TODAY show host, in 1986.

Officials investigating fatal shooting in Rosamond

August 10, 2015, 6:41 am

≫ Next: Coroner identifies man shot and killed at sports bar in south Bakersfield

≪ Previous: Frank Gifford dead at 84

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Investigators in Rosamond are still looking for the person who shot and killed a man.  That man was found dead inside his car.

It happened around 12:30 Sunday morning. The coroner has identified the victim as 27-year-old Howard James Burley the third, of Highland.

The sheriff's office says Burley was found, shot, inside a vehicle at the intersection of Fernwood Street and Armstrong Street in Rosamond.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

If you know anything about this incident, you're asked to call KCSO at 661-861-3110 or the Secret Witness line at 661-322-4040.

Coroner identifies man shot and killed at sports bar in south Bakersfield

August 10, 2015, 6:47 am

≫ Next: Day 13 of manhunt in eastern Kern County

≪ Previous: Officials investigating fatal shooting in Rosamond

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The coroner has released the name of the man shot and killed at a sports bar in south Bakersfield.

It happened at the El Escorpion sports bar on South Chester Avenue just before two Saturday morning.

When Kern County sheriff's deputies arrived they found 30-year-old Elvis Garcia Gonzalez suffering from a gunshot wound.
He died at the scene.

No other details have been released.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Kern County Sheriff's office, that number is 661-861-3110.

Day 13 of manhunt in eastern Kern County

August 10, 2015, 7:05 am

≫ Next: AIS Cancer Center partners with Tehachapi foundation

≪ Previous: Coroner identifies man shot and killed at sports bar in south Bakersfield

$

0

0

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Kern County Sheriff's Department says they still believe the killer is hiding somewhere in that area. They say they've collected evidence that suggests he is still in the area, and connects him to three crimes.

More than 125 deputies continue to search mines, caves and hiding spots throughout that target area near Jawbone Canyon Road and Kelso Valley Road.

Local, county and federal agents are now part of the search.

Deputies have been searching for close to two weeks now. Lots of overtime and 12 hour shifts searching through the desert like terrain.

Some residents have expressed to 17 news their amazement of the killer's survival skills. Residents suspect the killer may be from the area because of his perceived knowledge of the area.

If you have any tips or information you're urged to call the sheriff's office at 661-861-3110.