Bakersfield news

• Wal-Mart to raise its minimum wage to $9 an hour

  19-02-2015 23:38
  
  Wal-Mart will give a half-million employees pay raises.
  
  The discount retail giant announced that hourly workers will earn at least $1.75 above the current federal minimum wage - or $9 - starting in April.
  
  By next February, pay will rise to at least $10 an hour.
  
  Wal-Mart CEO, Douglas McMillon spoke about the new pay structure at the Bentonville, Arkansas store Feb. 19.
  
  "The changes that we're making include structural changes in the stores, wage increases, training pro
  
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• North Edwards man accused of indecent exposure twice this month

  19-02-2015 23:23
  
  A man has been arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure for the second time this month.
  
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• Man busted twice for exposing himself

  19-02-2015 23:12
  
  Kern County deputies bust a man they say was exposing himself to female joggers in Rosamond. But just 8 days later they say he did it again. The first incident was February 10th when two female joggers reported a man had flashed them. One of the victims was able to direct deputies to the suspect, Richard Coleman, 39. Deputies say both women were able to positively identify Coleman. He was booked into jail for indecent exposure. Eight days later, deputies in Rosamond got a call that was ve
  
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• HOLLY CULHANE: Think before you write, or don't write anything at all

  19-02-2015 23:00
  
  The December hacking of the Sony Corp. emails and company records, including pay and personnel files, sent shock waves around the world and embarrassed the international entertainment company.
  
  Many of the Sony emails that were leaked to the public were written by high-placed executives and contained racially charged jokes, harsh remarks about celebrities and unsavory comments about co-workers.
  
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• 'First Look': Man behind much anticipated music festival coming to Bakersfield gives details

  19-02-2015 22:58
  
  The first Rock & Country Music & Arts Festival coming to Bakersfield is still the talk of the town and Thursday on "First Look with Scott Cox," the man behind the idea chatted about the entertainment expected on May 23.
  
  "It's going to be exciting and we are booked up with entertainment," said George Martin, Bakersfield attorney and part time impresario.
  
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• 'First Look': Legend guitarist Carl Verheyen to perform in Bakersfield tonight

  19-02-2015 22:57
  
  Bakersfield will have the opporunity to listen and see critically acclaimed guitarist Carl Verheyen Thursday evening as he performs his best hits at Studio A.
  
  Verheyen -- perhaps best known as the lead guitarist for Supertramp -- is the 18th performer featured as part of the Guitar Masters Series.
  
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• 'First Look': HR consultant offers tips on what to do after a layoff

  19-02-2015 22:55
  
  Getting handed a pink slip at work is not an ideal situation. When you lose your job, it can be an emotional toll but it's important not to panic.
  
  "If you can't think clearly you can't plan properly," advised Holly Culhane, president of the Bakersfield-based human resources consulting firm P.A.S. Associates and P.A.S. Investigations, Thursday on "First Look with Scott Cox."
  
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• Police arrest suspect in road-rage killing of Las Vegas mom

  19-02-2015 22:41
  
  A suspect was arrested Thursday in the killing of a Las Vegas mother of four who was gunned down a week ago in a road-rage shootout after giving her daughter a driving lesson, police said.
  
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• Woman pleads no contest in toddler's death

  19-02-2015 22:35
  
  A woman pleaded no contest to second-degree murder Thursday in the 2013 death of a toddler.
  
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• Teen charged with death of girlfriend's son accepts plea deal

  19-02-2015 22:27
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A teenager has pleaded no contest in court for the death of her girlfriend's one year old son.  
  
  Asiah Hines entered a no contest plea to second degree murder in Kern County Superior Court on Thursday.  She had been accused of killing Kai'Dan Webb in December of 2013.  Deputies say Webb wasn't breathing when they found him in an east Bakersfield apartment.  
  
  Hines reportedly told detectives she found they boy unconscious -- but the coroner de
  
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• Vanilla Ice arrested for burglary

  19-02-2015 22:04
  
  (WPTV) Rapper turned reality show host Vanilla Ice, also known as Robert Van Winkle, was arrested Wednesday in connection with a residential burglary in Lantana, Florida.Van Winkle was released Wednesday night after posting bail. Police say the burglary occurred at a home currently in the process of foreclosure, and that Van Winkle was renovating the residence next door.
  
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• The journey of Pi: Battling for a better future

  19-02-2015 21:59
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Just about everyone has struggled with their weight at some point in their lives, but for some, that struggle can live on for a lifetime.     James Pizano, 31, is a football coach at Frontier High School who is battling the bulge one day at a time.
  He weighs more than 500 pounds, But Pi is on a weightloss journey and he's not taking that journey alone.
  "It's like god spoke to me and said, 'Hey, you need to start taking care of yourself,'" said Piza
  
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• Homeowners get unique chance to go solar

  19-02-2015 21:51
  
  Kern County residents will soon be able to get a deal on solar panels for the home. At the same time those homeowners can rest assured that they are getting an honest and fair installation. The program will be available to both small business owners and homeowners in Kern County. It uses an innovative, group-purchasing program called Solarize Kern County. Solarize participants enjoy a streamlined process to go solar and can rest assured, knowing the program’s two partnered installers,
  
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• New grant at CSUB promises more teachers for rural schools

  19-02-2015 21:43
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Three rural school districts will receive more science teachers, thanks to a $7.3 million grant awarded to California State University, Bakersfield.     The grant will fund a 5-year program that will put teachers in training at the college in rural classrooms.     The grant will help grow science, technology, engineering and math programs at the schools.          The grant will also expose more teachers to outlying di
  
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• Man 'under the influence' arrested after high-speed chase

  19-02-2015 21:40
  
  A man was arrested Thursday after leading California Highway Patrol officers on a high-speed chase.
  
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• McFarland dedicates park to legendary coach

  19-02-2015 21:27
  
  McFarland has dedicated a local park to the man that helped get the small town to the big screen. Thursday, the McFarland Tri-Agency Partners and the City of McFarland dedicated the West Kern Avenue Green Space to Coach Jim White. He is the coach of the legendary 1987 McFarland cross-country team that inspired the movie McFarland USA. Jim white coached nine state championship teams at McFarland before he retired in 2002. The dedication includes a bronze plaque.
  
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• Community looks to take back neighborhood

  19-02-2015 21:18
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - There has been some push-back against gang violence in Bakersfield in the wake of several gang-related shootings in recent weeks.     Law enforcement teamed up with community organizations on Feb. 18 for a peace walk in southeast Bakersfield. 
  The intersection of Gorrill Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard has been the scene of three gang related shootings in the last four years, the latest assault just a week ago.
  On Wednesday, Feb. 18, officers an
  
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• SJCH recieves prestigious cardiac award

  19-02-2015 21:10
  
  San Joaquin Community Hospital received an award Thursday morning from the American Academy of Cardiology. It's called the Platinum Performance Award and the hospital says it is the only hospital in the county to receive it. Officials say in order to receive the award the facility met certain standards 90 percent of the time, from the time a heart patient arrived until they were discharged.             
  
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• Four displaced in fire on Patton Way

  19-02-2015 20:47
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A home fire in a northwest neighborhood was extinguished quickly by firefighters but the family was displaced as a result. 
  The fire happened around 4:30 a.m. on Patton Way and Cherrywood Avenue.
  Firefighters searched the home and it appears all four residents were able to get out safely with no injuries.
  The fire took lace in the garage and caused some minor damage to the home.
  Fire officials said there were working smoke detectors.     The cause o
  
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• Your heartbeat can be made into beautiful music

  19-02-2015 20:40
  
  People can now add their heartbeat to symphony of heartbeats in recognition of Heart Health Month. Dignity Health has already taken the heartbeats of 200 Dignity Health caregivers and with the help of an L.A. based composer and a 24-piece orchestra they have created a symphony of sorts. Now they want you to add your heartbeat. On a computer or mobile phone anyone can add their heartbeat and find out which instrument is its match - it could be a piano, violin, or even a French horn. The Hear
  
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• Man arrested on suspicion of killing bike rider in crash

  19-02-2015 20:34
  
  A man has been arrested on suspicion of killing a bicycle rider in a hit-and-run crash.
  
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• BPD thwart drive-by shooting attempt

  19-02-2015 20:34
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for your help as they work to solve an attempted drive-by shooting on Union Avenue.
  On Feb. 18,  two detectives were following up an investigation at the Johnny Quick store at 4th Street and Union Avenue when someone ran inside and said there was going to be a drive-by shooting.      A white car with the passenger leaning out of the window was spotted by detectives just asthe passenger began pointing a gun
  
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• A year of free mortgage payments could be yours

  19-02-2015 20:23
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Imagine having your mortgage paid for you for a full year. That’s exactly what a non-profit organization is going to do for 2 deserving people. The Gradient Gives Back Foundation is looking for 2 homeowners who are distressed or underprivileged families and who are at risk of losing their home. Lance Howard, President of Howard Financial, is a local financial professional and promotional partner for the Kern County. With the help of its promotional partners, the
  
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• Competency hearing today for 20-year-old murder case

  19-02-2015 20:21
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Convicted murderer Christopher Lightsey is back in court for something called a "retrospective competency hearing."
  Closing arguments are expected to take place today, Feb. 19, for the 20-year-old murder case.
  According to the state supreme court, Lightsey shouldn't have represented himself during his original competency hearing in 1995 -- stating that he should have had a lawyer.    Lightsy was convicted of murdering 76-year-old William Compton an
  
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• Chevron fuels your school

  19-02-2015 20:08
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Students at Kern County schools will get $300.000 for their classrooms thanks to the Fuel Your School Program. Chevron contributed $1 when consumers purchased eight or more gallons of fuel during the month of October at participating Chevron and Texaco stations in Kern County. The money will go to support STEM programs (science, technology, engineering and math). STEM jobs are seen as the way of the future. Teachers at more than 130 schools in Kern County will benefit f
  
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• Investigation leads to arrest of hit and run suspect

  19-02-2015 20:06
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield detectives have arrested a man they believe is responsible for hitting and killing a bicyclist on Feb. 17 and then fleeing the scene.
  According to BPD, 43-year-old Saul Zelaya Ayala was found around 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 in the roadway at Union Avenue and Panama Lane.    Ayala was riding south in the middle of a dimly-light road.     On Feb. 19, BPD investigators served a search warrant at a south Bakersfield home on Lost Trails way.&
  
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• Investigation preview: More than $700K charged to school credit cards

  19-02-2015 19:42
  
  Reporter Kyle Harvey examined stacks of Kern High School District employee credit card statements and found luxury hotels and other questionable expenses - funded by, of course, by taxpayers.
  
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• Known gang member sentenced to life without parole

  19-02-2015 19:40
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA.- A known gang member was sentenced on Feb. 18 for a deadly shooting at a 7-11 store in south Bakersfield last year.
  Tony Vasquez was sentenced to life without parole plus 93 years in prison.
  On Jan. 12, 2015, in a case prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Joseph Kinzel, a Kern County jury convicted Vasquez of First Degree Murder and other charges relating to Vasquez' role as a shooter in a drive-by shooting that caused the death of Armando Ortiz, Jr. 
  On April 10,
  
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• Man accused of indecent exposure on GET bus

  19-02-2015 19:29
  
  Police have arrested a sexual registrant after he allegedly exposed himself on a city bus.
  
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• Rick Perry, Kevin McCarthy attending Lincoln Day dinner

  19-02-2015 19:19
  
  Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be in Bakersfield on Thursday night for the annual Lincoln Day dinner.
  
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• Nearly 40 percent of Walmart's U.S. workers to get pay raises

  19-02-2015 19:18
  
  Hoping to shed its reputation for offering little more than dead-end jobs, Wal-Mart, the nation's biggest private employer, is giving raises to nearly a half-million workers and offering what it says are more opportunities for advancement.
  
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• UCLA hospital suspects bacteria responsible for two deaths

  19-02-2015 19:04
  
  LOS ANGELES, CA - Medical equipment tainted with a deadly superbug may have contributed to two deaths at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, according to hospital health officials.     Dozens of other patients may have been infected with the drug-resistant bacteria as well.     UCLA health system confirms the bacteria known as CRE may have contributed to two deaths and seven infections.
  "CRE normally lives in the gut. If it gets into the bloodstream half the
  
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• More measles infections recorded in California

  19-02-2015 18:52
  
  Authorities say the virus appears similar to the one circulating in the Philippines, though the source is unknown.
  
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• 2 dead, over 170 potentially exposed in LA 'superbug' outbreak

  19-02-2015 18:47
  
  Contaminated medical instruments are suspected in a "superbug" outbreak at a Los Angeles hospital that has infected at least seven patients, two of whom died. More than 170 others may have been exposed to the antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
  
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• BPD arrest suspect wanted for indecent exposure

  19-02-2015 18:43
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A suspect wanted for indecent exposure on a GET bus was apprehended by Bakersfield police officers.
  
  According to BPD, 42-year-old Craig Massey of Bakersfield was arrested for indecent exposure with a prior conviction, for an incident that happened on a GET bus while in operation on Feb. 5.
  
  He is also in violation for the terms and conditions of his parole.
  
  Massey is a registered sex offender and on parole. He is also fitted with an ankle monitor. 
  
  Mass
  
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• Cycling experts split on proposed helmet law

  19-02-2015 18:36
  
  A new bill introduced by state Sen. Carol Lee would require adults over the age of 18 to wear helmets when they ride their bicycles.
  
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• Traffic slowed for bridge work on Oak Street

  19-02-2015 18:10
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bridge work done on the Oak Street overpass is expected to continue slowingt traffic. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes or expect delays.
  
  The roadwork is in effect in the area between Truxtun and California Avenues, with traffic down to one lane in each direction from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  
  The project is expected to continue through Mid April.
  
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• HWY 99 lane closures expected for Hosking Rd construction

  19-02-2015 17:53
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Lane closures are expected to continue on Highway 99 as construction continues on the Hosking Road interchange project.
  
  Limited lanes will be open in the area between Panama Lane and Taft Highway.
  
  The work continues at 7 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m.
  
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• Taft businesses working to prevent crime

  19-02-2015 08:11
  
  Crime continues to climb in the City of Taft and downtown businesses are getting hit the hardest.  Owners are now working together with law enforcement and taking a proactive approach to fighting crime.  The group is also pushing city leaders to step in and help.
  
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• Bakersfield sees more human trafficking calls

  19-02-2015 07:41
  
  912 human trafficking cases were reported in California last year. That's up nearly 14% from 20
  
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• City water conservation rose in January

  19-02-2015 07:19
  
  After a December rated the fifth warmest and fifth wettest on record by the National Weather Service, residential water users somehow continued their trend of using less water last month, Bakersfield's city water board learned Wednesday.
  
  Residential users reduced their gallons per capita usage per day by 24.6 percent, from 138 gallons in January 2014 to 104 last month, Water Resources Director Jason
  
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• PHOTO GALLERY: The faithful attend Ash Wednesday services

  19-02-2015 07:11
  
  Ash Wednesday services were held at churches throughout Bakersfield Wednesday, including at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Baker Street.
  
  Ash Wednesday represents the start of the 40-day period of Lent — excluding Sundays — leading to Easter. Among Christians, Easter is the believed resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  
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• THE GRADE: Tell us about your scholarship offerings

  19-02-2015 07:10
  
  HELP FIND MONEY FOR SCHOOL: It's that time of year when high school seniors are starting to wonder how they'll pay for college.
  
  Application deadlines for the fall have long passed, and college acceptance letters are starting to arrive.
  
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• Wells Fargo bank branch robbed

  19-02-2015 06:57
  
  Bakersfield Police officers are looking for the suspect who walked into a Wells Fargo Bank branch in southwest Bakersfield -- and left with stolen cash.
  
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• BPD: 2 people wanted for bad use of credit cards

  19-02-2015 06:52
  
  Two people are wanted by the Bakersfield Police Department, suspected of using fraudulent credit cards and for possession of stolen property.
  
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• BPD makes two arrests in Central Bakersfield

  19-02-2015 06:36
  
  Officers with the Bakersfield Police Department arrested two men in Central Bakersfield for allegedly participating in a criminal street gang. 
  
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• Kern Co. FD: Two boys start Oildale house fire

  19-02-2015 06:14
  
  Two juvenile boys have been enrolled in a special Kern County Fire Department program after staring a house fire in Oildale. 
  
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• BPD: Man stole from Wal-Mart, left scene

  19-02-2015 05:54
  
  A man who allegedly stole Wal-Mart merchandise in Northwest Bakersfield and was later questioned by employees, is wanted by Bakersfield Police.
  
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• BPD: Man wanted for 'unknown offense' inside bus

  19-02-2015 05:39
  
  A man is being sought by the Bakersfield Police Department due to an 'undetermined offense' inside a GET bus.
  
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• BPD looking for woman suspected of forgery

  19-02-2015 05:28
  
  A woman attempting to pass a forged and fraudulent check is being sought by local authorities.
  
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