Bakersfield news

• T-38 transfered from Meadows Field to Shafter

  23-01-2015 23:55
  
  A local monument outside of Bakersfield's Meadows Field Airport will be moved to a new location to commemorate veteran pilots in Shafter, California.
  
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• 'First Look': Bakersfield College chosen as a 4-year degree community college

  23-01-2015 23:48
  
  Having the opportunity of obtaining a four-year degree at a community college is not always an option. A community college is usually the platform for students to transfer to a four-year college or university.
  
  But on Tuesday, students attending or planning to attend Bakersfield College now have that option.
  
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• KCSO: Man arrested linked to additional crimes

  23-01-2015 23:44
  
  During the afternoon of January 21, the Kern County Sheriff's Office received several calls reporting a black man walking into homes in the south Bakersfield area.
  
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• California unemployment falls to 7 percent; few new jobs

  23-01-2015 23:30
  
  Job gains in areas such as trade and transportation, financial activities, educational and health services, hospitality and government were offset by major losses in construction, information, and professional, business and other services, the California Employment Development Department reported Friday.
  
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• Mom of Ashley Arellano reacts to her being found

  23-01-2015 23:29
  
  The family of Ashley Arellano has been waiting on pins and needles all week for any word about their missing daughter.
  
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• Soon more stores able to participate in WIC program

  23-01-2015 23:27
  
  SACRAMENTO, CA - A moratorium on new grocery stores to applying  for authorization in the WIC program (Women, Infants, and Children) is set to be lifted on Feb. 1.
  
  “This positive step will improve availability and access for the approximately 1.4 million women, infants and children who participate in the California WIC program,” said Dr. Ron Chapman,  California Department of Public Health (CDPH) director and state health officer.
  
  The moratorium was put in place
  
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• $2 gasoline: 'for consumers it's very, very good'

  23-01-2015 23:26
  
  For the first time since 2009, most Americans are paying less than $2 a gallon. Just three months ago experts were shocked when it fell under $3.
  
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• Southern California to get Santa Ana winds

  23-01-2015 23:21
  
  A brief but powerful round of Santa Ana winds are expected to move into Southern California, with gusts in some areas predicted to top 60 mph.
  
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• Kobe to be re-examined before deciding injury fate

  23-01-2015 23:00
  
  Kobe Bryant's torn right rotator cuff will be re-examined Monday before the Los Angeles Lakers decide whether the superstar guard needs potentially season-ending surgery.
  
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• Free electronic recycling event Saturday

  23-01-2015 22:46
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A free electronics recycling event will be held on Saturday, Jan 24.
  
  The event is happening on 90001 Stockdale Highway, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  
  All of the proceeds will go to benefit California State University Bakersfield.
  
  Please notice the types of items accepted and not accepted.
  
  Items Recycled: 
  
  TV sets, flat screens, computers, monitors, VCRS and DVDs, cable boxes, laptops, cell phones, Nintendo/Sony/Xbox, camera equipment, car batteries, recha
  
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• Low-cost pet vaccination event on Saturday

  23-01-2015 22:40
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern County Animal Services is hosting a low-cost vaccination, licensing, and microchipping event for residents on Saturday, Jan. 24.
  The event is happening from 9 a.m. to noon at North Beardsley Park, located at 901 Airport Drive.
  "Responsible pet ownership is a community goal and we want to help all unincorporated pet owners utilize these services to protect their pets and keep them safe," stated Nick Cullen, Shelter Supervisor for Kern County Animal Services.
  
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• Covered California enrollment event on Saturday

  23-01-2015 22:32
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Clinica Sierra Vista is hosting an enrollment event to assist the public with enrolling in Covered California and Medi-Cal.
  
  The open enrollment period ends on Feb. 15, so residents are urged to take advantage of events where professionals are on site to assist in the process.
  
  Most uninsured individuals will face a tax penalty if they are not enriolled in a qualified health plan.
  
  There is no deadline to enroll for Medi-Cal.
  
  The penalty is $365 or 2 percent o
  
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• Head of Kern Community Foundation resigning

  23-01-2015 22:30
  
  The president and CEO of the Kern Community Foundation has resigned after five years to take a job in Vero Beach, Fla., the nonprofit announced Friday.
  Jeffrey R. Pickering is leaving at the end of May to become CEO of the Indian River Community Foundation and to be closer to family in Central Florida.
  
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• Same man suspected in incidents in both PD, SO jurisdiction

  23-01-2015 22:23
  
  A man called a "suspicious subject" by police has now been identified as the suspect in multiple incidents in Kern County Sheriff's Office jurisdiction, including one at Munsey Elementary School.
  
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• Kidnapping, trespassing, and burglary suspect arrested

  23-01-2015 21:44
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield police have arrested a man who they said entered several women's unlocked homes in southwest Bakersfield.
  The first call came in Tuesday, Jan 20, in the 4600 block of Bloomquist Drive.     Police received three additionall calls from woman reporting the same incident in the 100 block of Bermuda Court, 2400 block of Pinion Springs Circle, and the 2500 block of Olmo Court.     According to BPD, at one address, 53-year-old Calvin Cartwr
  
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• New unemployment numbers still high for Kern

  23-01-2015 21:32
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Local unemployment numbers are out today, showing improvement from a year ago. However, the numbers are up slightly from November.     Kern County's unemployment rate for December 2014 is 9.9 percent. That's down one percentage point from December 2013.      Kern County is still above the state unemployment rate of 6.7 percent.
  
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• County officials look to declare a fiscal emergency

  23-01-2015 21:26
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The county administrative office is proposing that the board of supervisors declare a fiscal emergency to help manage ongoing budget deficits for the general fund. 
  The office cites escalating pension costs, lower projected property tax revenue from oil properties and the impending cost of a new jail.     Declaring a fiscal emergency would allow the county to access reserve funding to offset a possible deficit.     County administrative off
  
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• Rehab center evacuated during small fire

  23-01-2015 21:16
  
  A small fire forced an evacuation Friday morning at a rehabilitation center.
  
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• Ashley Arellano found in northern California

  23-01-2015 21:09
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The 13-year-old girl who ran away from her Oildale home has been found in northern California and the man who Sheriff's officials say helped her run away is in custody.
  Sheriff's officials say Ashley Arellano was seen Monday afternoon in Twenty Nine Palms with 28-year-old Aaron Weirich.
  Officials say Arellano ran away early monday morning with the help of Weirich.      A warrant was issued for Weirich for felony child concealment and contributing to the
  
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• Investigators looking into fire at rehabilitation center

  23-01-2015 20:56
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - An investigation is underway into what caused a fire this morning at a rehabilitation center in northeast Bakersfield. 
  City fire officials said the fire started in a closet inside Kern Rehabilitation and Sub-Acute center on Height Street.      Fire officials said a sprinkler system helped contain the fire until crews arrived.   The building was evacuated and no one was injured.
  
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• Two-year-old Taft rape case now solved

  23-01-2015 20:48
  
  TAFT, CA - Detectives with the Taft Substation have solved a two-year-old sexual assault case on Tuesday with the arrest of the prime suspect.
  
  Detectives say the incident happened two years ago when a 22-year-old victim asked a male subject to use his cell phone. 
  
  The victim reportedly followed the male subject inside a home under construction where he raped her.
  
  The subject was identified as 54-year-old German Tapia of Bakersfield.
  
  He was arrested without incident at h
  
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• Missing girl Ashley Arellano found

  23-01-2015 20:40
  
  The Kern County Sheriff's Office is reporting that Ashley Arellano has been found and that  Aaron Weirich is in custody.
  More details to come.
  
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• Support rally for local law enforcement today

  23-01-2015 20:24
  
  Dozens of people are expected to gather around the Liberty Bell to show support for Kern County law enforcement, Friday. 
  
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• Update: BPD identified K-Mart robbery suspect

  23-01-2015 20:14
  
  Update 1/23:According to the BPD, the suspect in the robbery case has been identified, though no arrests have benn made as the investigation is ongoing.
  
  The BPD said the suspect was identified as a result of numerous tips from citizens.
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield police are looking to the public to help them locate a suspect wanted for robbery.
  
  The incident took place on Nov. around 11:45 a.m. at the K-Mart located at 3600 Wilson Rd.
  
  The suspect is accused of leaving the
  
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• Man arrested for 2012 rape in Taft area

  23-01-2015 19:55
  
  A man has been arrested on suspicion of raping someone in July 2012.
  
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• Panel gives students a closer look at the lives of farmworkers

  23-01-2015 19:52
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A group of southland students are getting an education on the lives of farm workers in Kern County.
  Nine students from the University of La Verne met with several organizations at the Spotlight Theater on Jan. 22 -- including the United Farm Workers Union and the Dolores Huerta Foundation.     The students are here as part of a service tour to learn about our state's agricultural history.
  "We are just learning and getting a small taste of what farmworke
  
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• Sheriff's detective solves 2-year-old case

  23-01-2015 19:52
  
  A Taft Substation Sheriff's Detective has solved a two-year-old sexual assault case and has arrested a man in connection with the crime.
  
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• You can save on Amtrak fares to Bakersfield

  23-01-2015 19:39
  
  Visitors to Bakersfield can now save 15 percent when they take Amtrak to the city.
  
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• Locals gathering today to honor law enforcement

  23-01-2015 19:27
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Many citizens are gearing up today to show their support for local law enforcement.
  The "Law Enforcement Thank You Rally" is set to be held at 3:30 p.m. today at the Kern County Liberty Bell on the corner of Truxtun and Chester in Downtown Bakersfield.     Organizers said thank you letters will be available for the public to sign -- and balloons will be released to honor those who have died while serving in law enforcement.
  
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• Liberty High School pays tribute to Honor...

  23-01-2015 19:26
  
  Liberty High School students not only paid homage to the upcoming Grammy Awards during this morning's pep rally, but also to WWII veteran Robert Bovee.
  
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• AB60 workshops helping new drivers

  23-01-2015 19:25
  
  AB60 is helping give many undocumented immigrants around the state a chance to drive legally, but implementing the new law has swamped the DMV and left a lot people with more questions than answers.
  
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• Right to Life vigil in downtown Bakersfield tonight

  23-01-2015 19:15
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Right to Life Kern County plans to hold its third annual prayer vigil tonight in downtown Bakersfield.
  The group calls it the "Remembering Roe Candlelight Prayer Vigil."     It's set to take place on 16th Street, near the Planned Parenthood clinic.     The BPD reports 16th Street will be closed between Pine and Myrtle streets from 6 to 8:30 p.m.     The group reports on its website that featured speakers will include pas
  
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• Right to Life vigil in downtown Bakersfield last night

  23-01-2015 19:15
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Right to Life Kern County plans to hold its third annual prayer vigil tonight in downtown Bakersfield.
  The group calls it the "Remembering Roe Candlelight Prayer Vigil."     It's set to take place on 16th Street, near the Planned Parenthood clinic.     The BPD reported 16th Street was closed between Pine and Myrtle streets from 6 to 8:30 p.m.     Speakers included pastor Ted Duncan of Calvary Bible Church and Deacon John
  
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• Law enforcement appreciation rally planned for Friday

  23-01-2015 19:15
  
  A Law Enforcement and First Responders Appreciation Rally is planned for Friday.
  
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• Small fire put out at Kern Rehabilitation Center

  23-01-2015 19:07
  
  Around 8:30 a.m. a worker at the Kern Rehabilitation Center on Height Street reported a fire in the closet area.
  
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• VP Biden visits Los Angeles to discuss college

  23-01-2015 19:04
  
  Vice President Joe Biden is visiting Los Angeles on Friday to talk about helping more Americans go to college, three days after President Barack Obama called on Congress to make two years of community college free.
  
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• DNA ties prisoner to notorious Calif. serial killings from 1976

  23-01-2015 18:54
  
  DNA evidence linked an Oregon prisoner to at least two of the six serial killings of young women that terrified the San Francisco Bay Area and a city in Nevada four decades ago, investigators say. He is suspected of the other slayings.
  
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• BPD searching for burglary suspect

  23-01-2015 18:21
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the community's help in locating a suspect wanted for burglary.
  
  The incident occurred on Dec. 24, 2014 around 4:23 a.m. outside of Clerou Tires, located on 530 E. 21st St.
  
  According to BPD, the suspect forced entry into a vehicle that was parked outside of the business and stole items.
  
  Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective James Jones at 661-326-3567 or the Bakersfield Pol
  
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• Clinic expected to re-open today after receiving threats

  23-01-2015 18:05
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Three local child guidance clinics are expected to re-open today, after a violent threat prompted their closures yesterday. 
  The Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic closed three of its offices on Jan. 22, two in Bakersfield and one in Delano. 
  Staff members said an unknown caller left a threatening message Tuesday night on the office voicemail.      The message was reportedly violent, indicating a planned attack on the clinic would
  
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• 70 years after Auschwitz liberation, a survivor remembers

  23-01-2015 16:56
  
  Now, 70 years later, as the world marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Wise is one of the few remaining survivors who were actually there when the terror in Auschwitz finally ended.
  
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• Verizon awards $20,000 to Delano school

  23-01-2015 16:41
  
  Verizon Wireless will be presenting Paramount Academy, a private school in Delano, a grant for $20,000 to help stimulate educational growth in the field of science.
  
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• Sex offender involved in child custody dispute

  23-01-2015 07:58
  
  Two years ago, a mother lost custody of her daughter to a registered sex offender. Now, the mother is going back to court to try and regain custody.
  
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• Sex offender child custody dispute

  23-01-2015 07:58
  
  Two years ago a mother lost custody of her daughter to a registered sex offender. Now the mother is going back to court to try and regain custody.
  
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• Community roundup: Kern earns mixed grades for tobacco control

  23-01-2015 07:18
  
  The American Lung Association gave Kern County its usual bashing in an annual report that graded the region's tobacco control policies.
  
  The association rates cities nationwide in its "American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control 2015" report.
  
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• Environmental group says oil and gas industry hurts air quality

  23-01-2015 06:21
  
  The environmental group Earthworks has released a report that raises questions about possible adverse health effects from living near oil and gas production.
  
  The 56-page report, "Californians At Risk: An Analysis of Health Threats from Oil and Gas Pollution in Two Communities," examined air quality around oil wells in Lost Hills in Kern County and Upper Ojai in Ventura County.
  
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• Housing forecasts: Price increases will slow

  23-01-2015 06:18
  
  Bakersfield single- and multifamily housing prices will continue to rise in 2015, albeit at a slower pace than in each of the last two years, according to a pair of market forecasts released Thursday.
  
  A report by local appraiser Gary Crabtree predicted the median sales price of existing, single-family homes in the city will increase 6 percent to 7 percent, down from 2014's 12.9 percent and 2013's
  
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• CITY BEAT: Council turns away new development standards

  23-01-2015 06:14
  
  GUIDELINES FAIL TO ADVANCE: An ordinance that would have added to city development standards failed to even get a first reading Wednesday after about a half hour of debate among Bakersfield City Council members.
  
  Ordinances don't fail every day, and this council usually finds agreement on a plethora of issues.
  
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• BPD: DUI checkpoint this weekend in Bakersfield

  23-01-2015 05:35
  
  On Saturday, January 24, 2015, the Kern Avoid DUI Task Force will be conducting a DUI / Driver’s License Checkpoint in the greater Bakersfield area.
  
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• Leak fixed at Bakersfield Walmart

  23-01-2015 04:36
  
  Walmart reported Friday that the leak was fixed.
  
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• Leak at Bakersfield Walmart not sitting well with some customers

  23-01-2015 04:36
  
  Walmart customers notice it before they even get into the store - a backflow device is leaking in the parking lot at the East Hills Mall location.
  
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