Bakersfield news

• CHP asking for assistance in locating at-risk senior

  12-02-2015 23:50
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA – The California Highway Patrol is looking for the community’s assistance in locating an at-risk adult. According to the CHP, Hedy Thompson was last seen on Feb. 12 at approximately 7:30 a.m. at her home in Amador County, Calif. Thompson is a 75-year-old female, with gray hair, green eyes, standing approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 135 pounds. Thompson’s clothing description is unknown. Thompson drove away in a green 2003 Toyota
  
  Read more

• Young filmmakers to screen their creations

  12-02-2015 23:37
  
  Student films makers will have their work screened Thursday evening as part of the 18 hour film project.
  
  Its designed to encourage young filmmakers.
  
  High School students are given 18 hours to produce a short film.
  
  This annual event is the ultimate filmmaking challenge and is open to all high school student filmmakers. Teams consist of film and video students, putting their skills to the test, while competing for cash and prizes
  
  The contest begins with a drawing where each f
  
  Read more

• 4-year-old severely injured in attack by father's police dog

  12-02-2015 23:21
  
  Authorities say a 4-year-old Southern California boy was severely injured when he was attacked by a police dog handled by his father.
  
  Read more

• Study sees even bigger, longer droughts for much of US

  12-02-2015 23:19
  
  "Unprecedented drought conditions" — the worst in more than 1,000 years — are likely to come to the Southwest and Central Plains after 2050 and stick around because of global warming, according to a new study in the journal Science Advances on Thursday.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• $20M contribution for planned LA marine research center

  12-02-2015 23:11
  
  The Annenberg Foundation will contribute a $20 million matching gift toward the development of a marine research center at the Port of Los Angeles.
  
  Read more

• Sea lion rescued on San Francisco boulevard

  12-02-2015 23:10
  
  Official say that an emaciated sea lion yearling that was probably looking for food was rescued along a major San Francisco boulevard, more than 1,000 feet from the ocean.
  
  Read more

• Downtown Business Association talks beautification

  12-02-2015 22:28
  
  The Downtown Business Association held it's 61st annual State of the Downtown Breakfast Thursday morning.
  
  The Bakersfield Young Professionals group launched a crowdfunding project to help beautify and improve the downtown area.
  
  They're hoping to add green patches, better lighting and murals on blank brick walls.
  
  They envison an alley space where food trucks can serve lunch.
  
  Urban planner Randy Jackson delivered the keynote speech, suggesting the city produce better highway s
  
  Read more

• Missing at-risk man last seen on Truxtun Ave.

  12-02-2015 22:03
  
  The Bakersfield Police Department is looking for an at-risk missing man named Wendell Forbin.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Locks of Love looking for donations of hair

  12-02-2015 21:57
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Locks of Love still has openings for people wanting to donate their hair to a worthy cause.
  
  Locks of Love takes donations of real hair to be used to make vacuum fitted hairpieces or sold to offset the cost of making the hairpieces for children suffering from various medical conditions.
  
  Free haircuts and styles will be provided by La Dolce Vita Beauty & Spa as well as free before and after photographs for digital download on social media for those donating.
  
  Read more

• Residents gather for DBA State of the Downtown Breakfast

  12-02-2015 21:28
  
  Bakersfield residents came together Thursday morning to brainstorm ways to improve downtown.
  
  Read more

• Real McFarland runners talk about 'McFarland, USA'

  12-02-2015 21:27
  
  Members of the McFarland cross-country team joined Eyewitness News Mornings to talk about the upcoming Disney movie "McFarland, USA."
  
  Read more

• Police seek theft suspect

  12-02-2015 21:26
  
  Bakersfield police are looking for man wanted for theft.
  
  Police say the man went into Walmart store on Panama lane and Highway 99 and took merchandise without paying.
  
  The fled the store on a black and orange BMX bicycle.
  
  The suspect is described as a:
  
  Hispanic male, 27-28, 5’8”, 145-150 lbs., short dark “buzzed” hair,
  Unknown tattoo on face, wearing a charcoal grey and black
  Checkered hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.
  
  Anyone with information
  
  Read more

• KCSO needs help solving shooting case

  12-02-2015 21:17
  
  The Kern County Sheriff's Office is asking the public for help in identifying suspects wanted for a shooting that occurred in August of last year.
  
  Read more

• Man bitten by dog; taken to hospital

  12-02-2015 21:16
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A man was taken to the hospital Thursday morning, after being bitten by a dog in east Bakersfield. It happened in the 600 block of Goodman Street about 10:30 a.m.
  
  The sheriff's department says the 47-year old man was bitten by a pit-bull and was taken to the hospital. No word on the extent of his injuries. Kern County Animal Services is handling the investigation.
  
  Animal services officials say the man was interacting with other dogs outside the property and th
  
  Read more

• Keurig fire destroys apartment, company offers new coffee maker

  12-02-2015 21:03
  
  A Gresham couple was homeless for months after a Keurig coffee maker sparked a fire, ruining their apartment.
  
  Read more

• Health coverage enrollment fairs in Bakersfield

  12-02-2015 20:27
  
  Community members rushing to beat the February 15 sign-up deadline for health coverage can attend enrollment fairs on Thursday, February 12 in Bakersfield.
  
  Read more

• Special Weekend of Love pet adoption event

  12-02-2015 19:55
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA – A special Valentine’s Day pet adoption event will be held on Friday and Saturday, hosted by the Kern County Animal Services shelters in Bakersfield. “We have some wonderful pets waiting for forever homes and we encourage anyone that has been thinking about adopting a pet to take advantage of our “2nd Annual Will You Be Mine?” adoption promotion,” said Nick Cullen, Interim Director for Kern County Animal Services. The event will take plac
  
  Read more

• Deputies seize assault weapon, arrest 2 in Delano

  12-02-2015 19:49
  
  Two men were arrested Wednesday night by gang unit deputies.
  
  Read more

• Time running out to sign up for Covered California

  12-02-2015 19:40
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The deadline for health insurance through Covered California is this Sunday, February 15th and Thursday, you can attend a workshop at the Valley Plaza to get the information you need.
  
  It's happening today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of JC Penney's.
  
  The department of Human Services says to bring valid ID, your address, and income information such as pay stubs from the last month, 2013 tax filings, and social security cards.
  
  As well as proof of citizenshi
  
  Read more

• Taft schools names new superintendent

  12-02-2015 19:33
  
  The Taft City School District Board of Trustees has named a new superintendent.
  
  Read more

• Taft school district names new superintendent

  12-02-2015 19:33
  
  The Taft City School District Board of Trustees has named a new superintendent.
  
  Read more

• US West Coast seaports mostly shut down amid labor dispute

  12-02-2015 19:16
  
  The partial lockout is the result of an increasingly damaging labor dispute between dockworkers and their employers.
  
  Read more

• City Council doesn't take action on 24th St crosswalk issue

  12-02-2015 19:10
  
  The Bakersfield City Council on Wednesday night did not take action on a request to include crosswalks in the plan to widen a stretch of 24th Street.
  
  Read more

• Boys and Girls Club looking for volunteers for project

  12-02-2015 19:10
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA – The Boys and Girls Club of Bakersfield is seeking volunteers to complete their new “backyard” recreational area. The club is in need of volunteers to help install about 9,000 square feet of grass. If you would like to help, the club will be meeting on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 8 a.m., until about 2 p.m. at the Armstrong Youth Center on 801 Niles St. The Boys and Girls Clun of Kern County was able to purchase a vacant 24,000 square foot lot, adjacent to the Ar
  
  Read more

• Fire at vacant building under investigation

  12-02-2015 19:04
  
  A vacant building burned overnight in central Bakersfield, following possible squatter activity earlier in the day.
  
  Read more

• Taft city schools choose new superintendent

  12-02-2015 18:37
  
  TAFT, CA- Taft City schools has a new superintendent.
  
  The former superintendent Ron Bryant resigned after a a series of DUI arrests.
  
  
  The Taft City School District Board of Trustees appointed Acting Superintendent Julie Graves.
  
  
  Graves has been leading the district for several months while Bryant was on leave.
  
  Read more

• City Council approves Centennial Plaza funds

  12-02-2015 18:18
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The city council Wednesday night approved the replacement of cracked granite slabs at Centennial Plaza.
  
  Last month, crews began pouring and stamping new concrete in front of Rabobank Arena.
  
  But it was unclear how some broken engraved bricks would be replaced.
  
  Yesterday, the council approved the installation of new engraved bricks at the city's expense.
  
  Council member Terry Maxwell says they want to make sure the families who bought the bricks still hav
  
  Read more

• Two arrested in Delano with sawed off assault rifle

  12-02-2015 18:09
  
  DELANO, CA- Two men were arrested Wednesday night after the Sheriff's Office says they were found with a loaded assault weapon.
  
  Kern County deputies say 29-year-old Luis Trejo and 21-year-old Oscar Oliva were found in the 400 block of Ellington Street in Delano near a vehicle containing a loaded and sawed off 30 caliber M-1 assault rifle with a high capacity magazine.
  
  The vehicle was reportedly being driven by Oliva.
  
  Trejo and Oliva were both arrested on charges of possessio
  
  Read more

• Council votes against bike access tunnel project

  12-02-2015 18:07
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - More than a dozen southwest Bakersfield residents packed the city council meeting on Feb. 11 to try and put the brakes on a proposed bike access tunnel project residents say could lead to increased crime in their neighborhood.      Councilmember Bob Smith originally proposed to pave the tunnel to improve access to the bike path from the Quailwood neighborhood in southwest Bakersfield.       But many people who live in that
  
  Read more

• VIDEO: McCarthy statement on Keystone Pipeline passage

  12-02-2015 18:00
  
  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-led Congress gave final passage on Wednesday to a bill to approve the long-pending Keystone XL pipeline, a measure that next goes to President Barack Obama, who has vowed to veto it.
  
  The bill passed by 270-152 in the House of Representatives, with only one Republican voting against it and 29 Democrats for it. The legislation passed in the Senate in late January.
  
  Read more

• Police looking for public's help in finding at risk adult

  12-02-2015 17:49
  
  BAKERS FIELD, CA - Bakersfield Police need your help finding a man considered at-risk.
  
  Wendell Forbin, 48, was last seen around 3:00 Wednesday morning near Truxtun and Chester in downtown Bakersfield.
  
  Authorities say he's at-risk due to a medical condition.
  
  Forbin is about six feet tall, 190 pounds.
  
  He has black hair and brown eyes.
  
  If you have seen him, call police at 327-7111.
  
  Read more

• Arson investigators looking into a vacant building fire

  12-02-2015 17:44
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Arson investigators are looking into a fire that happened overnight in a vacant building in downtown Bakersfield.      The fire happened at about 2 a.m. near 18th and V Streets.      The building was vacant, according to the Bakersfield Fire Department, with a commercial portion in front and living area in back.      Fire officials on seen said the fire started in the residential portion, where some homeles
  
  Read more

• 'First Look': First News for Feb. 12

  12-02-2015 16:54
  
  Lead stories from "First Look with Scott Cox's" Top Stories:
  
  'TARK THE SHARK' LEFT HIS MARK: Jerry Tarkanian, the droopy-eyed, towel-chomping college basketball coach who transformed UNLV into a glitzy powerhouse as he waged a decades-long war against the NCAA, died Wednesday. He was 84. His son, Danny Tarkanian, told The Associated Press that his father had been fighting an infect
  
  Read more

• Early-release job skills training

  12-02-2015 10:51
  
  The City of Bakersfield is teaming up with a community organization to provide job skills training to early-release inmates with low-level offenses.
  
  Read more

• Tickets in mainland U.S., Puerto Rico win $564 million Powerball jackpot

  12-02-2015 09:11
  
  Three lucky ticketholders in North Carolina, Texas and Puerto Rico won the estimated $564.1 million U.S. Powerball lottery jackpot on Wednesday, the Powerball website showed.
  
  The jackpot, which reached the half-billion dollar mark after rolling over for nearly three months, was the third-largest in the game's history and one of the largest lottery jackpots ever in the United States.
  
  Read more

• Keeping your wallet safe on Valentine's Day

  12-02-2015 09:04
  
  Valentine's Day is coming up and that may mean it is time to do some last minute, online shopping.
  
  Read more

• City Council settles fire fund tax, votes to appeal Harb decision

  12-02-2015 08:12
  
  The Bakersfield City Council approved settling a three-year lawsuit with Kern County over how to share property taxes paid for fire protection, in one of two decisions on high-profile legal cases made during closed session Wednesday.
  
  Fire fund lawsuit resolved: Exact details on the tax split were not released but the City Council’s 7-0 vote to end the dispute finishes the matter, City Attorney Ginn
  
  Read more

• A dig at "Sharktooth Hill" with the Buena Vista Museum

  12-02-2015 07:49
  
  The Beuna Vista Museum of Natural History and Science will be celebrating its 20th anniversary of incorporation this year, but it needs your help to continue to grow. They can take you on one of the most thrilling adventures in Kern County, to a fossil dig, just 10 miles northeast of downtown Bakersfield at "Sharktooth Hill". Sharktooth Hill is the first place west of the Rocky Mountains where land surveyors hunting for a place to build a railroad in the mid 1800's found fossils of
  
  Read more

• North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas tickets win $500M Powerball

  12-02-2015 07:28
  
  Tickets in North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Texas have matched all six numbers to win a Powerball jackpot that had been estimated at $500 million.
  
  Read more

• CBS: '60 Minutes' correspondent Bob Simon killed in crash

  12-02-2015 04:25
  
  A town car in which Simon was a passenger hit another car in Manhattan, police said. Simon and the town car's driver were taken to a hospital, where Simon was pronounced dead.
  
  Read more

• California City neighbor describes scene after body found

  12-02-2015 04:14
  
  A California City family said they were stunned and scared when officers tracked a pickup with a body in it to their neighborhood.
  
  Read more

• Doctor: Despite mild flu season, people still need shots

  12-02-2015 04:04
  
  Despite other diseases catching the headlines this winter, health officials warn people to not overlook the flu.
  
  Read more

• Spray parks present problem for Bakersfield amid drought

  12-02-2015 03:55
  
  Officials with the Bakersfield Recreation and Parks Department are brainstorming options for keeping their spray parks open as much as possible amid the state's drought.
  
  Read more

• Is measles back as a common disease for children?

  12-02-2015 03:44
  
  Measles was declared eliminated in the United States 15 years ago. Though, as the number of those infected hit at least 166 cases across 18 states Wednesday, parents want to know if the disease is back for good.
  
  Read more

• Drivers going wrong way in downtown Bakersfield

  12-02-2015 03:42
  
  A continuing problem in downtown Bakersfield may not have an immediate solution.
  
  Read more

• Local girls severely injured following dog attack

  12-02-2015 03:16
  
  DELANO CA, - Two girls are hospitalized with moderate to major injuries, after they were attacked by the family dog in Delano.
  
  County Animal Control says the family surrendered the Pit Bull mix, which is now being quarantined for ten days.
  
  Animal Control officers say the dog, believed to be two to three years old, will not be put up for adoption.
  
  They say if an animal rescue organization doesn't come for the pit-bull mix, it will be euthanized.
  
  At the County Animal Shelter,
  
  Read more

• Bakersfield, Kern County make strides on fire funds, property taxes

  12-02-2015 02:44
  
  Local government officials on Wednesday announced an agreement on how to share fire funds.
  
  Read more

• City, county to settle fire revenue litigation

  12-02-2015 02:38
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A pending civil lawsuit regarding fire revenues between the city of Bakersfield and the county of Kern has been resolved.  
  
  City officials say the settlement, clarifies the methods to be used to allocate funds between the entities for fire
  services.
  
  Although the process was a lengthy one, it resulted in an agreement that is essential to the equitable allocation of revenues to finance City and County fire protection. 
  
  In addition, officials
  
  Read more

• City Council to appeal lawsuit to state supreme court

  12-02-2015 02:27
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield City Council just revealed it will appeal Doctor Mohamad Harb's appeal granted in his lawsuit against the city of Bakersfield.
  
  The council will appeal to the state supreme court, following Harb's 2007 crash, and the verdict reached in favor of the city in December 2012, that was overturned by a state appellate court last month.
  
  The state supreme court will still have to decide whether to hear the case.
  
  Read more

• Saving lives, one rescue at a time

  12-02-2015 02:23
  
  On Wednesday morning, the Kern County Animal Shelter had three horses, Moe, Noel and Flicker.
  
  Read more

Follow @Bakersfield_Nws on Twitter!