Bakersfield news

• 'First Look': Smart, retirement planning tips for baby boomers

  06-02-2015 23:32
  
  If you are over the age of 50 and still haven't planned your retirement, now may be the time to start thinking about you're next moves.
  
  "Things start happening really quick once retirement hits," said Steven Van Metre, financial planner who will be teaching a Boomer Retirement Planning class at the City Centre Building next week.
  
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• Fracking puts California governor, environmentalists at odds

  06-02-2015 23:16
  
  Because he has refused to ban hydraulic fracturing for oil, protesters, or "fracktivists," have dogged Brown for more than a year, even interrupting his speech at the Democratic Party convention last spring.
  
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• Sick sea lion pups show up on California beaches

  06-02-2015 23:12
  
  Sick and starving sea lion pups are turning up on California beaches at a time when they should be nursing with their mothers in the Channel Islands or Mexico.
  
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• Thief drops from Fresno store ceiling, steals $40,000 in jewels

  06-02-2015 23:11
  
  Investigators say the thief broke in through the roof and rappelled down into Marlene's Jewelry in Fresno around 4 a.m. Tuesday.
  
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• Facebook's Zuckerberg, wife donate $75M to San Francisco hospital

  06-02-2015 23:09
  
  Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan, are donating $75 million to the San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center to complete an acute care and trauma facility.
  
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• Man charged as LA County cracks down on immigration scams

  06-02-2015 23:07
  
  A Los Angeles County man faces several criminal charges following an undercover investigation into the unlicensed practice of immigration law.
  
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• Stanley Cup champion LA Kings slumping in their repeat bid

  06-02-2015 23:04
  
  The Stanley Cup champions are in a profound funk with 31 games left in their regular season. After blowing a third-period lead in their 3-2 loss at Florida on Thursday night, the Kings (21-18-12) have fallen five points behind Vancouver for fourth place in the Pacific Division and the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
  
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• Chris Pratt visits kids, makes good on Super Bowl bet

  06-02-2015 22:10
  
  Hollywood superstar Chris Pratt visited Christopher's Haven Friday morning, making good on the previous Super Bowl bet with fellow actor Chris Evans.
  
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• Ex-MLB player Ted Lilly accepts plea deal in insurance fraud

  06-02-2015 22:09
  
  Former Major League Baseball player Ted Lilly accepted a plea deal in a California insurance fraud case that will allow him to avoid jail time, according to a newspaper report.
  
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• Valentina at the SPCA

  06-02-2015 21:29
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield SPCA is looking to give a forever home to a puppy that will be available for adoption Saturday.  Chuck Nordstrom from the SPCA says Valentina is a 10-12 old Labrador Retriever mix.  It was turned in by a Good Samaritan after being found abandoned in a parking lot.  
  
  The puppy will be available for adoption beginning Saturday morning.  For more information, call the SPCA at 661-323-8353.  
  
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• Pet of the week for February 6, 2015

  06-02-2015 21:29
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield SPCA is looking to give a forever home to a puppy that will be available for adoption Saturday.  Chuck Nordstrom from the SPCA says Valentina is a 10-12 old Labrador Retriever mix.  It was turned in by a Good Samaritan after being found abandoned in a parking lot.  
  
  The puppy will be available for adoption beginning Saturday morning.  For more information, call the SPCA at 661-323-8353.  
  
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• Some "good" news from Jimmy Fallon

  06-02-2015 21:05
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon featured several local news anchors during a "good" news segment on Thursday night's edition of his talk show.  
  
  Among those who appeared include 17 News anchors Jim Scott and Kiyoshi Tomono.  
  
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• Search for gunman following shooting in east Bakersfield

  06-02-2015 20:28
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A man was found shot Thursday night in Bakersfield now Bakersfield police are looking for the person who pulled the trigger.
  
  It happened around 6:30 in the 600 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in east Bakersfield. Police say when they got there, they found a man who had been shot.  They say his injuries are minor.
  
  Two suspects were described, black men in their 20s, wearing dark clothing. Suspect vehicles were described as a black old
  
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• Man arrested after chase across Bakersfield

  06-02-2015 19:40
  
  A man was arrested after a pursuit with law enforcement over a large section of the city.
  
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• Man shot in east Bakersfield

  06-02-2015 19:29
  
  A man suffered a minor or moderate gunshot wound Thursday evening in east Bakersfield.
  
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• 911 call went to Canada after Delano student collapsed in gym

  06-02-2015 19:16
  
  After an eighth-grader collapsed in a gym class, crucial moments in getting an ambulance dispatched may have been lost because of the 911 system used by the Delano Union School District.
  
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• Dozens attend immigration forum in Lamont

  06-02-2015 19:09
  
  Dozens attended a forum Thursday night in Lamont, focused on immigration, driver's licenses and health care coverage.
  
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• Town hall meeting held on the AB-60 safe and responsible driver act

  06-02-2015 18:49
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA.-AB-60, the "safe and responsible driver act," allows all eligible Californians to apply for a driver's license, regardless of their immigration status. 
  
  Now, barely a month after it took effect, between 40,000 to 50,000 undocumented immigrants have reportedly received a driver's license. 
  
  Last night in Lamont, some 300 people showed up to learn more about how the new legislation works. The town hall meeting was attended by attorney's, the DMV, immi
  
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• 9 DIY Valentine's Day ideas you'll fall for

  06-02-2015 18:47
  
  In the name of St. Valentine, here are 9 crafty and creative projects that will make your heart happy.
  
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• Hwy 58 reopened following big rig crsh

  06-02-2015 17:39
  
  The California Highway Patrol Reported a big rig jack-knifed on eastbound Hwy 58 at Mt Vernon around 7:30 a.m.
  
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• 'First Look': First News for Feb. 6

  06-02-2015 16:39
  
  Lead stories from "First Look with Scott Cox's" Top Stories:
  
  CHILD FOUND PLAYING ON BOX FILLED WITH POT IN MARICOPA: Deputies assisting Animal Control officers in seizing a dog entered a Maricopa residence to find a toddler climbing on a box containing two pounds of marijuana. Thomas Mangum, 35, was arrested on suspicion of manufacturing drugs and child endangerment, deputies said. Another
  
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• Wear red today for heart disease awareness

  06-02-2015 16:38
  
  National Wear Red Day is today and people are being asked to wear red to help raise awareness of heart disease. 
  
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• Local shelter dogs head to New York City to find love in time for Valentine's Day

  06-02-2015 16:32
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA.-It's been named the "Flight of the Valentines." Close to 150 local shelter dogs boarded a plane and headed to the Big Apple to find love in time for Valentine's Day. 
  
  A few weeks ago, local animal rescue organizations, including Unity Thrift and Marley's Mutts, pulled dogs from the county and city shelters to get them ready for the big trip to New York City. For these little dogs, it's trading death row for a flight to freedom. 
  
  Rescue missions lik
  
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• Vaccine skeptics find unexpected allies in conservative GOP

  06-02-2015 16:17
  
  As vaccine skeptics fight laws that would force more parents to inoculate their kids, they are finding unexpected allies in conservative Republicans.
  
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• Weatherford discloses plans for 8,000 oil field layoffs

  06-02-2015 08:33
  
  Another oil field services company with substantial operations in Kern County has announced plans for major layoffs.
  
  Ireland-based Weatherford International Plc announced Thursday during an earnings conference that it would let go of 8,000 workers, or about 15 percent of its global workforce, in the first half of this year.
  
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• Teen sentenced for murder in pot shop double slaying

  06-02-2015 08:29
  
  The teen accused of participating in the robbery of a Bakersfield pot shop in which two people were killed was sentenced Thursday for murder and will be free within six years.
  
  Miracle Jackson, 17, was sentenced in Juvenile Court and as a juvenile can only be held in custody until she is 23 years old. She was offered the plea deal in exchange for her testimony against co-defendant Aaron Patrick Burris, wh
  
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• Funeral Services for Feb. 6

  06-02-2015 08:21
  
  Services scheduled
  
  Miguel "Miguelito" Angel Aldaco Jr., 22, Bakersfield, Feb. 1. Visitation 4 p.m. Feb. 9, Basham Funeral Care Chapel; Rosary 7 p.m. Feb. 9, Basham Funeral Care Chapel; Service 10 a.m. Feb. 10, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Basham Funeral Care, 3312 Niles St.
  
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• Police: Fatal shooting of 22-year-old within department, state and federal guidelines

  06-02-2015 08:06
  
  A police review board has determined shots fired by three officers and a Taser used by a fourth in an incident that killed an unarmed 22-year-old Bakersfield man were within department policy and state and federal guidelines.
  
  The officers involved in the death of Ramiro James Villegas have returned to duty, Bakersfield police said Thursday in a news release.
  
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• CITY BEAT: Council asked to save Centennial's granite slabs

  06-02-2015 07:57
  
  SAVING CENTENNIAL'S SLABS: Ten engraved granite slabs at Centennial Plaza that have cracked since its 1998 opening could be added to the area's restoration at next week's Bakersfield City Council meeting.
  
  That's because on Thursday, the council's Community Services Committee sent the matter back to the full council -- asking it to approve adding the slabs to the ongoing $269,000 remod
  
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• Keeping record on physical education

  06-02-2015 06:51
  
  A lawsuit against 37 California school districts was recently settled calling for elementary teachers to publicly document how many minutes physical education their students receive.  Educators say more time getting fit is helping students reach their academic potential.
  
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• BPD: Two men shot another in East Bakersfield

  06-02-2015 06:18
  
  Two men are on the run Thursday evening, suspected of shooting another man in East Bakersfield and the BPD wants your help to find them.
  
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• BPD: Shooting of James Villegas 'within policy'

  06-02-2015 06:05
  
  An officer-involved shooting that ended with the death of a 22-year-old in East Bakersfield was "within department policy," according to a Critical Incident Review Board. 
  
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• BPD finds runaway 13-year-old boy

  06-02-2015 05:47
  
  The Bakersfield Police Department has found Tyler Moore, an at-risk juvenile.
  
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• Bakersfield woman on Anthem hack: 'Helpless and just nervous'

  06-02-2015 03:43
  
  Bakersfield resident Claudia Ramos is one the company's millions of concerned customers.
  
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• Police document sheds light on deadly hit-and-run

  06-02-2015 03:39
  
  New court documents reveal more information about what led to a deadly hit-and-run crash early Sunday morning.
  
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• Journalists live with new fears in age of terrorism

  06-02-2015 03:24
  
  The list of journalists killed by ISIS continues to grow. That's a reality that may make future journalists think twice about getting into the field.
  
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• Couple waits years for help, discovers attorney is disbarred

  06-02-2015 03:16
  
  As they waited years for their civil case to go to trial, a Bakersfield couple discovered their attorney had left town and had recently been disbarred.
  
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• Water officials to demand information on more oil field disposal ponds

  06-02-2015 02:47
  
  Regional water quality regulators plan to issue enforcement actions this year to operators of about 200 local oil field wastewater percolation ponds that, until recently, they didn't know existed.
  The enforcement actions will consist mainly of requirements that operators of the facilities tell regulators what they are discharging into the ponds and turn over water quality test results, a senior official with the Central Valley Regional Water Qua
  
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• New information in deadly pedestrian crash

  06-02-2015 02:40
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - New court documents showing what investigators believe led up to the death of a man whose body was found along a southwest Bakersfield road early Sunday morning.
  
  According to court documents obtained by 17 News, 25-year-old Joselito Meza hit 22-year-old Miguel Aldaco with his car, after they got in a fight.
  
  Police found Aldaco dead in the median on Buena Vista Road early Sunday morning. They found Meza down the street, who had already called police cla
  
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• High-tech jobs increasing in Kern Co.

  06-02-2015 02:28
  
  When it comes jobs in the technology industry, most think of Silicon Valley or larger metropolitan areas.
  
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• Judge: Sludge case should go to trial

  06-02-2015 02:25
  
  VISALIA -- The future of Los Angeles' eight-year challenge to Kern County's sludge ban came into focus Thursday when a judge ruled he wants a full trial on the merits of the case.
  
  Tulare County Superior Court Judge Lloyd Hicks declined to make a "summary judgment" on the case now, rejecting arguments from both the city of Los Angeles and the county of Kern that the facts are uncontested
  
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• Archbishop lists expectations for Catholic school teachers

  06-02-2015 02:17
  
  The Roman Catholic archbishop of San Francisco is telling employees at four Catholic high schools to conduct their lives in a way that doesn't visibly contradict the Catholic Church's teachings on gay sex, birth control and other hot-button issues.
  
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• California woman battles Navajo Nation over husband's body

  06-02-2015 02:15
  
  A woman who was ordered to return her husband's body to the country's largest American Indian reservation for burial said she's not ready to stop fighting to have his remains laid to rest at a California veterans cemetery.
  
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• Lender CashCall to pay restitution in California settlement

  06-02-2015 02:14
  
  Online lender CashCall Inc. will pay restitution to borrowers and $1 million in penalties as part of a settlement with the state of California over what officials called a predatory lending scheme.
  
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• L.A. challenges legality of newest biosolids rules

  06-02-2015 02:10
  
  The city of Los Angeles has a new biosolids beef with Kern County.
  
  On Wednesday Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation Director Enrique Zaldivar issued a letter demanding that Kern County "cure or correct" a violation of California's Brown Act that he claims occurred when the Kern County Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance on Jan. 6.
  
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• RadioShack files for bankruptcy, plans deal with Sprint

  06-02-2015 01:34
  
  Struggling consumer electronics chain RadioShack, founded nearly a century ago, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late Thursday.
  
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• City leaders present possible artwork for Westside Parkway

  06-02-2015 01:28
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - City leaders presented the possible artwork that may be put along the Westside Parkway.
  
  It showcases artwork that represents our local residents, industries, and history. some of the artistic renderings for the project can be seen by logging on to http://www.bakersfieldcity.us/westsideparkway
  
  Officials say they are far finalizing the artistic concepts. They are also asking for sponsors to help them bring the project to light.
  
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• PG&E helps sick kit fox, now recovering at CALM

  06-02-2015 01:23
  
  Officials with the utility called CALM, which offers help to sick, injured or orphaned animals native to California.
  
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• Bill would protect police with hate crime status

  06-02-2015 01:09
  
  SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) announced today that he hasintroduced Assembly Bill (AB) 242 which will add police officers as a protected class under the hatecrimes statue.
  Throughout the country, there has been an increase in violent crimes aimed specifically at men andwomen in uniform. Most recently, New York City Police Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were executed while sitting in their squad car. Ambush attacks and incidents of multiple deaths or injur
  
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• Water main installation will likely snarl traffic

  06-02-2015 00:49
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The city is warning drivers a water man project could cause backup on a busy street into and out of downtown.
  Beginning Tuesday February 10, 2015, the City of Bakersfield will begin a project to connect a water main on Eastbound Truxtun Avenue between Westwind Drive and Oak Street.
  Lane closures will be in effect between the hours of 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.  All work on Truxtun Avenue is scheduled to be completed on February 10, 2015.   The City thanks the publi
  
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