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Police offer tips to avoid distracted driving

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BAKERSFIELD, CA-April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Bakersfield Police want to remind drivers just how dangerous distracted driving can be.

Police say the most popular and dangerous form of distracted driving is texting while driving. This distraction continues to be a growing issue that puts not only the “texter” at risk of being in an accident, but also passengers and innocent bystanders. Texting and driving makes it 23 times more likely that an accident will occur. Some studies now show that texting and driving is equivalent to driving after drinking four beers.

In 2012, about 1.3 million crashes involved cell phones. Teens are the most likely to text while driving, with approximately 77% of teens having admitted to texting while driving.

In California it is against the law to text while driving. The Bakersfield Police Department’s Community Relations Unit recommends the following practices to drive safely and avoid being distracted.

· Turn off, silence, or hide your cell phone from your view while you are driving so you do not become distracted by it.
· Set-up your smart phone to text for you while you are driving if you feel you cannot let someone wait to hear back from you. Many smartphone applications can send messages to incoming text messages that automatically say “I am driving, I will get back to you later”, or any message you choose to use.
· Have a fellow passenger do your texting for you while you are driving.

· If you are not driving, but you are texting someone who you know is, stop texting them until you know they have reached their destination safely.

· If you are in a vehicle and the driver is distracted, do not hesitate to ask them to put their focus on driving. Remember, it is your life too. Suggest the driver park in a safe location to text, or offer to drive for them if you can.

· Always remember…NO TEXT MESSAGE IS WORTH A LIFE.

Distracted driving crashes are 100% preventable. Working together, we can all help reduce driver distraction, save lives, and prevent injuries.

Girls Scouts looking for inspiring women nominees

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Girls Scouts of Central California South is looking for nominees for their 7th Annual Women Inspiring Girls Award.

The group says women from all over Kern County inspire the next generation to be the best they can be. Girl Scouts of Central California South seeks to honor these trail blazing women at the 2015 Women Inspiring Girls Luncheon on Friday, October 16, 2015 in Bakersfield.

The Bakersfield community can get involved by nominating a deserving woman they believe has made a positive impact in her career field, in the community, and a role model for today's young women.

Nominations are being accepted through Monday, May 18, 2015.

This award will honor three local women who have distinguished themselves through exemplary achievements while balancing their professional and personal lives.

They will join the 30 other women in Fresno and Kern counties who have been recognized for their life achievements. Nominations are available online at girlscoutsccs.org/women-inspiring-girls.

For further information on nominations, sponsorships for this event, or attending, please contact Tina McCallister-Boothe at (559) 291-5078 ext. 136. 

BPD: Suspects use sock to silence victim during robbery

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A man is reovering after a home invasion robbery at his Bakersfield home.

Bakersfield police say they got the call about 3:15 Monday morning from 5101 Belle Terrace.

The man who lives therer says he answered a knock at his door at 3:15 a.m. and was rushed by four suspects.

The victim told police two men and two women all African American and in their 20's bound his hands and feet and stuck a sock in his mouth.

The man said the suspects threatened him with a gun and then stole electronics.

Police say the victim was able to free him self after the suspects left and call 911.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Todd Dickson at (661) 326-3501 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

Honor Flight Returns

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Local veterans are back home after touring Washington DC this weekend as part of Kern County Honor Flight.

They got a warm welcome as they returned late Sunday night.

The first Kern County Honor Flight of the year took off Friday with 37 veterans many of them seeing the memorials for the first time.

This honor flight included World War II, Korean war, and Vietnam veterans.

CFO of Kern Regional Center has resigned

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The chief financial officer of Kern Regional Center has resigned.  An official with Service Employees International Union says Jon Gusman resigned his position Monday morning.  

A group representing workers and clients of KRC said they've had concerns about what they say is the improper use of money and lack of transparency.  They have called for the resignation of CEO Duane Law and board president Susan Lara.  

Earlier this month, more than one hundred parents and workers reportedly signed a 'no confidence' letter for Law and Lara.

Kern Regional Center is one of more than Regional Centers that coordinate and, in many instances, directly fund services for children and adults with developmental disabilities.


State water conservation regulations proposal

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The State Water Resources Control Board says some water districts in Kern County will face steeper cuts after the release of the second draft of mandatory regulations on water conservation.

The state Water Board's Chair, Felicia Marcus, spoke during a press call Saturday morning about the draft. "We're in a drought like we have not seen before so all Californians need to step up more and prepare that it wont rain or snow much either, because we know that we don't know when it will end," said Marcus. Regulators say this new draft comes after they received more than 250 comments and suggestions on the first proposal, mandating some areas cut usages more than others. Now water suppliers are divided into nine tiers measuring average gallons per capita.

Tim Ruiz is the General Manager of East Niles Community Services Water District, one of eight Bakersfield municipal water companies that is required to reduce water use by the maximum tier, 36-percent. "The states telling everyone to conserve, conserve, and how does that effect the water purveyors, well I think we're going to see a decrease in our water demands," said Ruiz.

Ruiz says laws and landscaping will take the brunt of the new regulations. "No one is used to that drastic of a cutback and so it's going to mean quite a transformation on landscaping," said Ruiz.

Officials say the state will keep track of water use and non-compliance could result in fines up to 500 dollars a day. The water board is accepting feedback and plans to release another draft Wednesday and a formal proposal by April 28.

McFarland police handing out free gun locks

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MCFARLAND, CA- McFarland Police are handing out free gun locks.

The department said it received 100 gun locks from Project Child Safe.

They are cable style locks police say prevent children and at-risk people from using the gun.

The locks are free of charge and can be picked up at the McFarland Police Department, 401 W, Kern Avenue, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5p.m.

Blue Bell launches massive recall

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(NBC News) Blue Bell Creameries has announced it is recalling all of its products from retail outlets nationwide amid heightened concerns about possible listeria contamination.

Blue Bell began recalling products last month after three deaths in a Kansas hospital were linked with contaminated ice cream. After stepped up testing in late March, more bacteria was discovered in half gallon containers of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream.

On Monday the company announced the wide sweeping recall of products made at all Blue Bell facilities nationwide. It includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snacks.

"We are heartbroken about this situation and apologize to all of our loyal Blue Bell fans and customers," Blue Bell president Paul Kruse said.

Consumers who have brought Blue Bell products are urged to return them for a full refund.

California Highway Patrol honors officer Gerald Harris

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BAKERSFIELD, CA.-The California Highway Patrol honored one of its own. Gerald Harris was killed in 1974 while directing traffic during an accident. 

41 years after his death, the CHP dedicated the highway 99 and 58 interchange in his name. 

The CHP says officer Harris is 1 of 227 officers to be killed in the line of duty. The CHP says not every fallen officer has a memorial sign, but is honored in a different and special way. 

The family of officer Gerald Harris unveiled the sign to dozens of people who attended the dedication. 

The CHP says Harris was killed in 1974 when he was struck by a car at the intersection of Brundage Ln. and Wible Rd. 

Officers say he was directing traffic at a crash site. The driver who struck Harris left the scene, but was later arrested. Harris' family says today's memorial dedication was worth the wait. 

Holly Lopeteguy says she was eight years old when her father died and has little memories of him. But, she says through friends and family, and this memorial sign, his memory will be kept alive. 

The CHP also says when drivers see the sign, they want them to remember the sacrifices made by all CHP officers protecting our roadways. 

Federal panel updates mammogram recommendations

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(NBC News)- A committee that's been attacked for its controversial mammogram recommendations for half a decade clarified that advice Monday, saying they have been misunderstood.

The panel says women in their 40s can get mammograms every year if they want to, but said it really needs to be up to a woman to decide if she wants to risk the anxiety of getting a false positive result — one showing a breast lump that turns out not to be cancer, after all.

So the recommendations remain the same — women over 50 should get a mammogram every other year. Women 40 to 49 should decide what they want, based on their health history, and it's not clear if women over 75 should bother with mammograms.

"The science shows that some women in their 40s will benefit from mammography, most will not, while others will be harmed," the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) says in its updated mammography recommendations.

"Of the potential harms, the most serious is unneeded diagnosis and treatment for a type of breast cancer that would not have become a threat to a woman's health during her lifetime. The most common harm is a false-positive test result, which often leads to additional tests and procedures. While some women do not mind the anxiety that accompanies a false-positive mammogram, other women consider this a harm."

The group notes that women over 40 who have a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer may benefit more than average by getting early screening.

The recommendations are important because the 2010 Affordable Care Act requires health insurers to pay for screening procedures that the group recommends strongly. But mammograms have become an exception, because many doctors and groups like the American Cancer Society tell women to get annual mammograms starting at age 40.

Dr. Michael LeFevre, immediate past chair of the Task Force and a family medicine expert at the University of Missouri, says the group wants to clarify its advice.

"After the 2009 breast cancer screening recommendation was published, it immediately became clear that our recommendation for women in their 40s was interpreted by many as a recommendation against mammography for anyone in their 40s," LeFevre said in a statement.

"In fact, we intended it to be a recommendation in favor of empowering women with the knowledge to help them make an informed choice."

But the clarification has not made critics happy. The American College of Radiology, which represents the experts who interpret mammograms, says it's not helping matters.

"Adoption of draft United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) breast cancer screening recommendations would result in thousands of additional and unnecessary breast cancer deaths each year," the group said in a statement.
"Thousands more women would experience more extensive and expensive treatments than if their cancers were found early by a regular mammogram."

In reality, most insurance companies do cover mammograms recommended by a doctor, however.

Several studies have suggested that routine mammograms don't necessarily save women's lives, even if they detect breast cancer earlier.

And at least one study has showed that many women suffer intense anguish after they get called for a follow-up mammogram when a radiologist has spotted something suspicious.

Breast cancer is a leading killer of U.S. women. Every year, it's diagnosed in 200,000 women and a few men, and kills around 40,000.

The USPSTF also looked at 3-D mammography and said there isn't enough evidence yet to say whether it should be recommended. And it said while it's known that women with dense breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer, it's not clear if doing more frequent mammograms would help them.

Guilty verdicts in east Bakersfield serial rape case

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BAKERSFIELD, CA – Billy Ray Johnson is the masked rapist, a Bakersfield jury declared Tuesday afternoon, convicting the 34-year-old of 24 felony charges.  

Johnson faced 26 felony counts, including assault, burglary and rape. Johnson also faced gun possession and gang charges. Johnson terrorized east Bakersfield in the summer of 2013. He was convicted of breaking into four homes at night, raping three women and assaulting a fourth by hitting her in the head five times with a pistol.

Jurors agreed that Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer proved Johnson raped two of the women using a condom and one without. One victim said Johnson forced her to shower after he raped her. He also was convicted of molesting an 11-year-old girl after raping her mother.

Zimmer produced DNA evidence at trial she said linked Johnson to three of the crime scenes. Johnson’s DNA was found on a phone cord used to tie up one of the victims and on a bathtub handle where he was said to showered one of his victims. Johnson’s semen also was discovered inside the pants worn by one of the victims.

Johnson's defense team insisted there were numerous flaws in the prosecution's argument that DNA evidence connected Johnson to the crimes. Defense attorney Paul Cadman argued DNA evidence and shoe prints found at the various crime scenes were inconclusive and did not prove that Johnson was responsible for the rapes. Johnson may have burglarized the homes before, Cadman suggested, explaining why Johnson’s DNA could be found there.

The defense also argued detectives made numerous mistakes, contaminating crime scenes and not failing to check in certain cases for fingerprints or hair.

Johnson testified in his own defense that he began burglarizing homes as a child to make extra money. He admitted to burglarizing homes in the summer of 2013, but said he did not wear a mask as described by the victims and insisted he was not the rapist. He also testified he is a gang member and slept with multiple women, but said he would never rape someone.



Firefighters contain fire caused by lightning

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Fire crews have contained a lightning caused fire at the top of Black Mountain near Golden Hills.  

Officials say just after 1:30 Tuesday afternoon, Kern County Fire received multiple calls for a lightning caused fire at the top of Black Mountain, west of Golden Hills.  Officials say incoming crews hiked in with hand tools and chain saws. KCFD Helicopter 407 was the first unit on scene and supported the operations of ground crews by making five water drops.

Crews have contained the fire and will be on scene for additional mop up work.  Fire officials say the storm cell that passed through Tehachapi caused multiple lightning strikes. Helicopter 407 was utilized for reconnaissance of the area and no other fires were located.

Investigation continues into unprecedented prison shooting

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DELANO, CA- Its a situation no one can remember ever happening before.

A shooting onto prison grounds that injured a correctional officer.

The correctional officer who was hit at North Kern State Prison is recovering after officials say a suspect or suspects opened fire from outside the prison Monday night.

The Department of Corrections says the 52-year-old officer was struck in his stab-resistant vest and was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Prison officials say they have added extra security today as the investigation continues.

They say about 10 to 20 rounds were fired into facility yard *A*.

Officials say they have interviewed witnesses, but would not comment on what they said.

Officials say around 7:45 P.M. a 52-year-old correctional officer was shot.

They say the high caliber bullet struck the officer's stab-resistant vest.

"We don't know exactly where the suspect was situated when the shooting occurred but it appears from a preliminary look at the scene that the shots came from an area southwest of the prison grounds," said Kern County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Ray Pruitt.

Tuesday afternoon, a press conference was held at the prison but officials said little information could be released because its an ongoing investigation.

Officials say this was the officer's 18th year working for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

"I spoke to him this morning and he's doing well. He said he's still in shock that this happened to him and he's thankful that he wasn't injured more severely and he's just thankful he was wearing his vest," said Lt Tom Mattson with North Kern State Prison.

The Sheriff's Office along with other law enforcement agencies called off the search for a suspect or suspects early this morning saying their efforts were unsuccessful.

They hope the public comes forward with any information they have.

"Members of the public or folks in this community that may have been driving around the area between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. last night, if they saw anybody off the road or shooting weapons whether it was for sport or any other reason, to please call the Sheriff's Department or the Delano Police Department," said Vince Adams, Chief Deputy Warden of North Kern State Prison.

Prison officials say following the shooting every inmate and staff member was accounted for.

They say this was the first incident to their knowledge where an active shooter opened fire from outside the prison.

The Department of Corrections would not release the officer's name for safety reasons.

If you have any information, call the Sheriff's Office at 861-3110.

You can also call the secret witness hotline at 322-4040.

County to seek public input on libraries futures

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- County Supervisors will involve the public in the recent controversial discussion whether to privatize local libraries.

Kern County Administrative Officer John Nilon announced a public outreach plan.

The county will allow feedback through the use of a questionnaire, public meetings, and taking into account library staff opinions.

The CAO says the goal is to improve library services whether the county moves forward with privatization or not.

If you would like to see the dates and times of the meetings or look at the questionnaire, click here.

Guilty verdict in trial of the masked rapist

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BAKERSFIELD, CA - After two days of deliberations, the man we can now definitively call the masked rapist, Billy Ray Johnson, was found guilty of every charge and all of the enhancements against him except one.

Victims, detectives, and Johnson sat on the edge of their seats as the clerk read each felony count as guilty. Throughout the 40 minute reading of the verdict, Johnson never turned around or showed his face. One of his victims received a pat on the back, another sighed and whispered "yes", two detectives even gave each other a fist pump. Johnson looked defeated and the victims looked relieved. In all, Billy Ray Johnson was found guilty of rape, burglary, possession of a firearm, and every enhancement except one involving a firearm.

Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, said she was grateful for the jury's wisdom. "I'm truly amazed by the courage shown by the victims in this case these nine women and children suffered horribly at the hands of the defendant," said Zimmer. Johnson's defense attorney, Paul Cadman, said otherwise. "I respect the jury's decision but Mr. Johnson is really disappointed he's not the East side rapist," said Cadman.

However, after jurors were dismissed Judge Gary Friedman gave his condolences to a female juror, who had a grandfather who passed away last Friday. This was the first time the defense said they had heard about this and moved for a mistrial. "Sorry about your loss tells me somebody had a big loss so it's just not fair and we will be asking for a new trial," said Cadman. He said Johnson is entitled to a verdict decided by clear minded jurors.

Sentencing and a hearing for the motion for a mistrial is scheduled for May 19. The maximum sentence possible for Johnson is 150 years to life in prison.

Robbery in Ridgecrest caught on camera

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Rami Agram says it was 9:45 P.M. Sunday night when a thief ran into the East Ridge Market in Ridgecrest... threw some sand in his face, jumped the counter and began to attack him.

The surveillance video captures it all.

Agram says the two other accomplices stole a case of beer and some candy and ran off while Agram was preoccupied with his attacker.

Eventually, Agram managed to pull the mask off his attacker's face, and that's when the robber broke away, jumped over the counter and ran away.

A frightening incident, but Agram says he was more surprised than anything else.

Rami Agram said, "I'm feeling good, not bad... I have some pain in my neck, but that's it. But my job, I like my job, I do a good job you know... I'm feeling good."

Police say there's a partial view of the person's face, but no arrests have been made yet.

If you know anything about the incident you're asked to call the Ridgecrest Police Department at 760-499-5112.


Second shooting at Delano area prison this week

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DELANO, CA-
UPDATED 12:51 p.m.

The state Department of Corrections says the inmate at Kern Valley State Prison who was shot has died.

He was shot by a corrections officer who was trying to stop an assault on another inmate. CDCR says 2 inmates were attacking another so the officer fired one warning shot from a Mini 14 rifle.

When the inmates didn't stop the assault he fired once more hitting one of the attacking inmates. The victim of the assault was taken to the hospital with head trauma.

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An inmate was shot in the chest Wednesday morning at Kern Valley State Prison, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

KCSO says because the shooting happened inside the prison property, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will handle the investigation.

There is no word yet if the inmate was shot by a corrections officer or what the inmate's condition is.

Kern Valley State Prison is across the road from North Kern State Prison where a corrections officer was shot Monday.

The two prisons are both on Cecil Way west of Delano. 

Rabobank taking old cell phones for recycling

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- Rabobank Arena is giving people a chance to get rid of old cell phones responsibly.

From now until the end of May Rabobank Arena will take unneeded cell phones and recycle them in partnership with Alianza Recycling and AEG 1Earth.

Phones will be collected at all Arena and Theater events through the end of next month, including the US Army All-Star Bowl April 24th, Marvel Universe Live May 7th-10th, and the Eagles on May 26th.

“We are happy to celebrate Earth Month at our facilities by collecting unwanted cell phones from members of the community,” said Rabobank Arena Director of Operations Adam Miller. “By partnering with Alianza Recycling to safely dispose of these cell phones, we hope to keep harmful chemicals out of our air and water supply.”

Guests wishing to recycle phones may bring them to the Guest Services booth in the Arena or Theater. For more information on the recycling program, call 661-852-7300.

Escaped inmate turns self in after 40 years

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(WLEX) An escapee from a North Carolina prison has turned himself in to Kentucky police, 40 years after he escaped.

Clarence David Moore escaped from the Henderson County Prison Unit in 1976 after being convicted of larceny charges. That prison shut down in 2002. Moore was in jail on larceny charges.

Moore turned himself in because he is very ill and he has no Social Security or insurance to receive medical care. Moore had also been living with a woman who had no idea about his past.

Service aims to be more convenient than DMV

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BAKERSFIELD, CA- A local service aims to help drivers save time and frustration for a price.

Express Registration Services is a state-approved registration office.

It offers many of the same services as the Department of Motor Vehicles, such as vehicle registration, transfer renewals, transfer of ownership and replacement of plates. They do not offer driver's licenses.

ERS does charge a fee on top of your DMV fees starting at $23. There are locations in Bakersfield, Delano and Wasco.

Here is a list of locations:
Express Registration Services
514 chester ave
634-0354
Delano
1420 High St Suite E
Delano, CA 93215

Wasco
917 7th St
Wasco, CA 93280

Bakersfield Office
1310 Chamberlain Ave
Bakersfield, CA 93305

Earlimart
497 E Center Ave Suite A
Earlimart, CA 93215
www.BakersfieldDMVServices.com

Here is a link to other companies that have partnered with the DMV: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/bp_locator/bplocator_top


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