Bakersfield news

• Water main break leaves homes dry in northeast

  25-02-2015 23:57
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Crews are making repairs to a water main near Columbus Street and Haley Street.
  
  They say the have had to shut off the water to about 15 homes while the fix the problem.
  
  The homes impacted are in the 2900 and 3000 blocks of Berger Street.
  
  Cal Water officials say it could take 2 to 3 hours to make repairs.
  
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• New emergency room for kids is on the way

  25-02-2015 23:07
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Memorial Hospital has broken ground on our area's first emergency room exclusively for kids.
  
  It will be called the Robert A Grimm Children's Pavilion for Emergency Care.
  
  Officials say it will be the only dedicated pediatrics emergency department between Los Angeles and Madera.
  
  It will be the latest addition to the Lauren Small Children's Medical Center that will include eight pediatric intensive care beds and 31 beds for seriously ill infants.
  
  Officials
  
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• Appeals court upholds dismissal in molestation case

  25-02-2015 22:45
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- A state apellate court has upheld a Kern County judge's decision to throw out child molestation charges against a man on grounds of prosecutorial misconduct.
  
  The 5th District Court of Appeals sided with Judge H.A. Staley who ruled prosecutor Robert Murray tampered with a transcript in a child molestation case to make it appear the defendant admitted to the crime.
  
  Murray said it was intended as a joke.
  
  Judge Staley ruled that was grounds to dismiss all of th
  
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• Study finds link between pollution and heart death

  25-02-2015 22:22
  
  SACRAMENTO, CA- Researchers say they have found a link between ultrafine pollution and death from heart disease.
  
  Their study has found the link but stops short of saying the pollution is the cause.
  
  The study is the first to consider the effects on people of long-term exposure to ultrafine particles. It was conducted by OEHHA in collaboration with other institutions and recently published online in the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
  
  The California Envir
  
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• Sprouts Farmers Market grand opening draws shoppers, protestors

  25-02-2015 22:14
  
  It was dark outside when John Skibinski secured his spot as first in line for the grand opening of Sprouts Farmers Market, a Phoenix grocery store chain that is new to Bakersfield.
  
  "I'm never first for anything," he said smiling as employees cut a big red ribbon and then opened the doors at 7 a.m. Wednesday.
  
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• First Look': Lois Henry back at it again with recent fireworks votes

  25-02-2015 22:14
  
  Californian columnist Lois Henry's discussion about fireworks Wednesday on "First Look with Scott Cox" was as explosive as a firework itself. She didn't hold anything back as she described the Kern County Supervisor's decision Tuesday to continue allowing Piccolos and ground flowers to be sold in unincorporated areas of Kern.
  
  For years, Henry has expressed her opinion on illegal fir
  
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• 'First Look': Clay shoot fundraiser to target the NAPD cause

  25-02-2015 22:10
  
  New Advances for People with Disabilities (NAPD) has been in Kern County for more than three decades and continues to provide services to more than 500 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  
  The non profit offers advocacy and skills that help enrich the lives of people, in hopes that they live independently.
  
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• Chilling 911 tape playing during opening statements in trial of accused serial rapist

  25-02-2015 22:01
  
  The 9-year-old girl managed to remove the duct tape from her eyes and break the zip ties fastened around her hands.
  The man who bound her and had raped and was now washing her mother had asked where they kept the phones in the apartment. She gave him the locations of two but didn't mention the pink Disney phone in her bedroom.
  
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• Condors to remain the Condors team for AHL franchise

  25-02-2015 21:10
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Condors are keeping their team name as is for their AHL franchise.  The announcement was made after the first period of Wednesday night's game against the Idaho Steelheads at Rabobank Arena.  
  
  Submissions were considered until February 15 at midnight. Extra credit and weight, team officials say were given to those who submitted their own original logo design and/or jersey concept.
  
  One winner will win four tickets to a 2014-15 Condors game a
  
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• Condors to remain the Condors for AHL franchise

  25-02-2015 21:10
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Condors are keeping their team name as is for their American Hockey League franchise.  The announcement was made after the first period of Wednesday night's game against the Idaho Steelheads at Rabobank Arena.  
  
  Submissions were considered until February 15 at midnight. Extra credit and weight, team officials say were given to those who submitted their own original logo design and/or jersey concept.
  
  One winner will win four tickets to a 201
  
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• 10 added to East's Hall of Fame

  25-02-2015 21:08
  
  Ten new members will be added to the East Bakersfield High School Hall of Fame at a banquet Saturday at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center. The event, which is open to the public, starts at 6:30 p.m.
  
  The honorees:
  
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• Opening statements begin in masked rapist trial

  25-02-2015 20:58
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Opening statements are beginning today in the trial against the man accused of raping three women and assaulting a fourth during the Summer of 2013.
  
  Billy Ray Johnson is accused of being the so-called "Masked Rapist."
  
  He faces 26 felony charges.
  
  In a jailhouse interview last November, Johnson claimed he burglarized homes, but never raped anyone.
  
  Prosecutors say they have DNA evidence linking him to the crimes.
  
  The jury was seated earlier
  
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• Opening statements begin in alleged masked rapist trial

  25-02-2015 20:58
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Opening statements are beginning today in the trial against the man accused of raping three women and assaulting a fourth during the Summer of 2013.
  
  Billy Ray Johnson is accused of being the so-called "Masked Rapist."
  
  He faces 26 felony charges.
  
  In a jailhouse interview last November, Johnson claimed he burglarized homes, but never raped anyone.
  
  Prosecutors say they have DNA evidence linking him to the crimes.
  
  The jury was seated earlier
  
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• Two killed in crash on Highway 99

  25-02-2015 20:45
  
  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - Two people were killed when a car crashed on Highway 99 on the Olive Drive offramp Wednesday morning.
  
  The California Highway Patrol says the car changed lanes and hit the front of a big rig at 10:40 a.m.. The car then spun out of control and hit a metal guardrail.
  
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• Two dead in crash on Highway 99

  25-02-2015 20:45
  
  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - Two people were killed when a car crashed on Highway 99 on the Olive Drive offramp Wednesday morning.
  
  The California Highway Patrol says the car changed lanes and hit the front of a big rig at 10:40 a.m.. The car then spun out of control and hit a metal guardrail.
  
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• One person killed in crash on Highway 99

  25-02-2015 20:45
  
  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - One person was killed when a car crashed on Highway 99 on the Olive Drive offramp Wednesday morning.
  
  The California Highway Patrol says a car hit a big rig, then spun and crashed into a guardrail at about 10:40 a.m.
  
  Two people were inside that car.
  
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• Two stores open in southwest

  25-02-2015 20:27
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Sprouts Farmers Market and the BevMo! store at the shops at Riverwalk opened this morning.
  
  The 25,000 square foot Sprouts store is the company's 21st store to open in Southern and Central California.
  
  The store focuses on fresh, natural and organic products.
  
  The store will include bulk foods, dairy, meat and seafood and a bakery.
  
  Meantime BevMo! opened today but will have a grand opening Friday.
  
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• Fatal crash snarls traffic at Olive Dr. and 99

  25-02-2015 19:57
  
  The CHP is working a crash on northbound 99 at the Olive Drive off ramp.
  
  CHP says one person has died and another is seriously injured.
  
  The off ramp to Olive drive from northbound 99 has been closed.
  
  17News has a crew at the scene and will have more updates as they become available.
  
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• Drugs investigated in double fatal crash

  25-02-2015 19:57
  
  The CHP says drugs are being investigated as a possible cause of a crash that left two people dead.
  
  It happened about 10:40 a.m. on northbound 99 at the Olive Drive off ramp.
  
  CHP says a car cut off a rig and hit the truck's front end. That sent the car out of control and into a guard rail.
  
  Investigators say the car hit the rail on the driver's side door and the female driver died at the scene.
  
  The passenger was taken to KMC where he later died. 
  
  The CHP says they a
  
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• Double Fatal crash snarls traffic at Olive Dr. and 99

  25-02-2015 19:57
  
  The CHP is investigating a fatal crash on northbound 99 at the Olive Drive off ramp.
  
  CHP says one person died at the scene and another died later.
  
  The off ramp to Olive Drive from northbound 99 was closed for about an hour after the crash.
  
  The names of the two victims have not been released.
  
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• West High on lockdown during search for robbery suspects

  25-02-2015 19:36
  
  Bakersfield Police say West High School has been put on lockdown as they search for three suspects in a string of crimes.
  
  Sgt. Joe Grubbs says two men and a woman robbed the El Fagon on E. Brundage Lane at 3:11 a.m. Wednesday.
  
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• West High lockdown lifted following search for robbery suspects

  25-02-2015 19:36
  
  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - Bakersfield Police have detained two people wanted in an early-morning crime spree that put West High School on lockdown Wednesday.
  
  Police say they took the men into custody at an apartment near Nordic Drive & Valhalla Drive at about 10:30 a.m.
  
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• Police searching for three robbery suspects

  25-02-2015 19:36
  
  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) - Bakersfield Police are searching for three people wanted for two robberies and a shooting.
  
  Police say two men and one woman robbed the El Fogon restaurant on E. Brundage Lane at 3:00 a.m Wednesday.
  
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• Teen who hit Hall Ambulance charged with DUI

  25-02-2015 19:36
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Charges have been filed against a teen suspected of crashing into a Hall Ambulance while driving drunk.
  
  Ivestigators say on November 15, a Hall Ambulance crew was returning to Taft, when they were struck by 19-year-old Fermin Garcia.
  
  The SUV overturned and injured Armando Lazaro and Adam Bickford.
  
  Monday, Garcia was formally charged with two felony counts of driving under the influence and a misdemeanor of driving without a license.
  
  He's due in cou
  
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• BPD search for armed robbery suspects near WHS

  25-02-2015 19:29
  
  West High School is on lockdown as Bakersfield police search the surrounding area for armed robbery suspects.
  
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• Meet our 23ABC Pet of the Week, Hugo!

  25-02-2015 19:07
  
  Meet our 23ABC Pet of the Week, Hugo!
  
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• West High School on lockdown

  25-02-2015 19:04
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- West High School is on lockdown as of 10:00 am as Bakersfield police search for a suspect wanted for a string of overnight crimes.
  
  Information is still sketchy but police say there were two robberies and a shooting between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
  
  Police say they have recovered a gun and a car but are still looking for the suspect.
  
  Many streets in the area of Valhalla and Nordic are blocked off as police conduct a search.
  
  17News has a crew on sce
  
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• Nurse saved patient's phone number from her file

  25-02-2015 18:50
  
  The trust between a patient and a medical official is very delicate and for one woman, that trust is forever broken after she went in for surgery and allegedly caught the eye of a certain nurse.
  
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• West High on lockdown as police search for robbery suspects

  25-02-2015 18:47
  
  West High is on lockdown as police are searching for three suspects wanted in connection with two robberies and a shooting Wednesday morning.
  Police said the robberies began about 3 a.m. The suspects allegedly first robbed a residence, and then a restaurant in the 700 block of East Brundage Lane.
  
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• Emergency drought food distribution to continue

  25-02-2015 18:36
  
  Families impacted by the drought will continue to get food assistance.
  
  The CAPK Food Bank will continue distributing emergency pre-packaged food boxes to families affected by the drought this month.
  
  The Community Action Partnership of Kern will be distributing 30 pound boxes filled with food to families in need.
  
  Last year, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation to approve $687 million in emergency drought relief including $25 million for food assistance in the Central Valley.
  
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• Massive development back on track

  25-02-2015 18:07
  
  KINGS COUNTY, CA- A massive land development just north of the Kern County line that would include thousands of homes and apartments has jumped back to life.
  
  We first told you about the project back set for Kings County in 2007.
  
  The Fresno Bee reports the Quay Valley Project calls for 25,000 dwelling units that would house 75,000 people.
  
  The project also would include resort hotels and restaurants and a business park straddling Interstate 5 in what is now the middle of nowhe
  
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• Appeals court affirms local judge's decision in case where prosecutor falsified transcript

  25-02-2015 18:00
  
  A state appeals court affirmed the decision of a Kern County judge to dismiss all charges against an accused child molester after the prosecutor handling the case falsified a transcript.
  The opinion issued by the 5th District Court of Appeal Tuesday found that because Deputy District Attorney Robert Murray "clearly engaged in egregious misconduct that prejudiced defendant's constitutional right to counsel, the trial court was correct in finding
  
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• Teachers concerned over pay at district meeting

  25-02-2015 17:47
  
  It was another packed auditorium for a Bakersfield City School District meeting Tuesday night. At times it felt more like a sporting event because of the noise. 
  
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• Parents and teachers debate school discipline

  25-02-2015 17:43
  
  It was a full house Tuesday night as parents and teachers addressed suspension and expulsion inside the Bakersfield City School District.
  
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• 'First Look': First News for Feb. 25

  25-02-2015 16:51
  
  Lead stories from "First Look with Scott Cox's" Top Stories:
  
  BOARD VOTES PICCOLO PETE FIREWORKS STILL OK IN UNINCORPORATED KERN: Shooting off illegal fireworks this Fourth of July could be a lot more expensive for some people based on a new ordinance passed by the Kern County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. The board voted to hold property owners or renters responsible for anyone shooting of
  
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• Board votes Piccolo Pete fireworks still OK in unincorporated Kern

  25-02-2015 06:39
  
  Shooting off illegal fireworks this Fourth of July could be a lot more expensive for some people based on a new ordinance passed by the Kern County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.
  
  The board voted to hold property owners or renters responsible for anyone shooting off illegal fireworks on their property in unincorporated parts of the county.
  
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• Highway signage for downtown examined

  25-02-2015 06:35
  
  Plans to promote Bakersfield's historic core with updated signs on Highway 99 took a step forward Tuesday with a video-conference discussion between Caltrans representatives and downtown business officials.
  
  It's an idea suggested 13 days ago at Bakersfield's State of the Downtown breakfast by Randal Jackson of Santa Ana-based PlaceWorks, which is creating the area's urban design plan.
  
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• Xcor Exit

  25-02-2015 05:37
  
  An estimated 20 thousand people are employed by the aerospace industry in Kern County and one of the fastest growing sectors is in commercial spaceflight. The epicenter of that industry is the Mojave Air and Space Port but one of the area's most valued tenants is leaving the high desert for Texas. Critics say the exit of Xcor should serve as a wakeup call to lawmakers and regulators in Sacramento about the value other states are placing on California's emerging commecial spaceflight i
  
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• Nile Theater reborn

  25-02-2015 05:32
  
  The Nile Theater has worn a lot of hats since first opening its doors in 1906 but rarely all at the same time.  Today, depending on the day of the week, the theater could be serving as a dance club, a wedding venue or even a church.
  
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• Dam shame: Bike path beaver may have bitten the dust

  25-02-2015 03:14
  
  The body of a large paddle-tailed rodent was found early Tuesday in the traffic lanes of southbound Mohawk Street north of Truxtun Avenue, suggesting Bakersfield's fabled bike path beaver -- scourge of local saplings -- may have died.
  
  Exact identification will be difficult for although the decedent appeared in excellent condition, conclusively proving its origin will be nearly impossible for obvious
  
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• Bakersfield Mobile app proves popular

  25-02-2015 03:11
  
  Since being launched nearly eight months ago, the app has already had over 1,500 incidents reported on it.
  
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• Bakersfiled Mobile app to win award

  25-02-2015 03:00
  
  The Bakersfield Mobile app will be honored in the Innovation category at the 2014 Regional Award of Merit Recipients by the Kern Council of Government.
  
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• Downtown Bakersfield businesses hope for freeway signs

  25-02-2015 02:58
  
  In a bid to get more visitors and more businesses into their area, the Downtown Bakersfield Development Corp. wants to get direction signs installed on Highway 99.
  
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• Supervisors cut market owner a deal, change undersheriff status

  25-02-2015 02:23
  
  Isabella Super Market owner Gary Cope was quick to promise Kern County Supervisor Mick Gleason Tuesday he'd help lead an anti-teen smoking campaign in the Kern River Valley.
  The promise allowed him to dodge a $250 fine and 30-day suspension of his license to sell tobacco.
  
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• Arrest made in party bus accident that badly injured man

  25-02-2015 02:03
  
  Authorities say they've arrested the driver of a party bus that dragged a man more than 200 feet in a weekend hit-and-run in a Los Angeles suburb.
  
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• Former CO sentenced in Taft jail smuggling case

  25-02-2015 01:41
  
  FRESNO, Calif. — Ramon Cano, 28,  a former correctional officer at the Taft Federal Correctional Facility was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Anthony W. Ishii yesterday to 30 months in prison for conspiracy to provide and possess contraband in prison in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 201(b)(1), United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced. 
  
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• High-speed rail group settles Bakersfield lawsuit

  25-02-2015 01:38
  
  Coffee-Brimhall LLC, a developer that owns land in Bakersfield, filed a California Environmental Quality Act lawsuit over the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the Fresno to Bakersfield segment.
  
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• Local developer drops suit against HSR

  25-02-2015 01:34
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- The high-speed rail authority and the owners of a development at Coffee and Brimhall have a reached a settlement over the bullet-train's path.
  
  The owners of Coffee-Brimhall, LLC had filed a lawsuit claiming the authority violated the the California Environmental Quality Act over its environmental impact report on the Fresno to Bakersfield portion of the route.
  
  The landowners have agreed to drop their lawsuit with the promise the two will work together to realign the r
  
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• Funeral Services for Feb. 25

  25-02-2015 01:26
  
  Services scheduled
  
  Audrey Jean Dyar, 76, Delano, Feb. 19. Service 11 a.m. Feb. 26, North Kern Cemetery District, Delano. Parkview Mortuary, Delano.
  
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• California agency votes to reduce gas tax by 6 cents

  25-02-2015 01:14
  
  California's tax board on Tuesday approved a 6-cent cut in the state gas tax because of lower gas prices, but it isn't likely to affect drivers' wallets.
  
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