Bakersfield news

• Man dies after being released from custody

  27-02-2015 23:34
  
  A 44-year-old man has died after being booked into the Central Receiving Facility jail, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
  
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• No one home in southwest apartment fire

  27-02-2015 23:33
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Fire Department responded to a fire in the 6200 block of Stine Road, just north of Panama Lane around 12:45 p.m. on Feb. 27.
  
  According to fire officials at the scene, Smoke and flames were seen from the front of the single-level apartment unit and was contained quickly without spreading to other units in the fourplex.
  
  No one was home at the time of the fire, according to officials.
  
  The fire is under investigation.
  
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• Taco Bell testing a new dessert in Bakersfield

  27-02-2015 23:15
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - There's a new sweet treat being tested at local Taco Bell restaurants in Bakersfield and you can be one of the first to try them out.
  
  They're called Cap'n Crunch Delights, and Bakersfield is one of the first to taste the cereal covered bites.
  
  A spokesperson for Taco Bell described the new dessert products are "warm, light pastries, coated with fruity Cap'n Crunch Berries cereal and filled with creamy, sweet milk icing."
  
  Testing for the product began on
  
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• Lightsey headed back to death row

  27-02-2015 23:03
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Convicted murderer Christopher Lightsey was resentenced on Feb. 27 and is headed back to San Quentin Prison's death row.
  In 2012, the state supreme court ruled Lightsey should not have been allowed to represent himself during a competency hearing in 1995.     Lightsey was convicted of killing 76-year-old William Compton back then.     On Feb. 20, a new jury found Lightsey was competent in 1995, which means he will not be re-tried on the murder c
  
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• Chihuahua adoption event in March

  27-02-2015 22:53
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern County Animal Services will host a month-long adoption event featuring Chihuahuas.
  
  The 4th Annual Cheers for Chihuahuas adoption event will start on March 2 and run through March 31.
  
  During that time, all Chihuahua and Chihuahua mixes will be available to adopt for $25.
  
  “Our shelters see as many as 10 to 15 Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes come through our doors every day,” stated Nick Cullen, Interim Director for Kern County Animal Services. &nbs
  
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• Caught on camera: School bus slap

  27-02-2015 21:58
  
  (WLWT) A Cincinnati, Ohio mother is facing an assault charge after police said she slapped a child on a school bus.
  
  According to court documents, N'Doumbe Gueye, 30, told police that her 6-year-old son had been hit on several occasions by a 5-year-old boy who rode the same First Student school bus.
  
  Police say Gueye boarded the bus bound for Roll Hill Academy, asked her son to point out the boy who hit him, then slapped the boy in a confrontation.
  
  The incident was captured on vide
  
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• CAPK expands youth readership with new affiliation

  27-02-2015 21:50
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Children First Campaign and Community Action Partnership of Kern has joined together with Wendy's Words Libraries to bring seven new little libraries to CAPK locations throughout Kern County.
  
  An opening ceremony will take place Monday, March 2, on Dr.Seuss’ birthday, at 11:00 a.m. at the WIC location at 500 East California Ave. The day will include birthday cake, reading, fun and a visit from The Cat in the Hat.
  
  The libraries are dedicated to the memory of
  
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• Potential multimillion dollar mesh trial goes to jury

  27-02-2015 21:24
  
  A jury of three women and nine men began deliberating late Thursday in a transvaginal mesh trial brought by a Bakersfield woman and her husband, a case that has garnered national attention.
  
  Coleen Perry, 52, of Bakersfield, filed a lawsuit against New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson and its wholly owned subsidiary, Ethicon Inc., over complications from a medical device implanted in her in March 2011 to treat stress-induced incont
  
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• Man in custody dies shortly after being released

  27-02-2015 21:07
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Kern County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a man they arrested, then released from custody on Feb. 26.
  It began with a traffic stop at Bear Valley Road and Roost Avenue, west of Golden Hills.     Deptueis arrested 44-year-old Donald Levingston on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance.
  While on the way to the central receiving facility, deputies say Levingston began acting erratically, so they stopped the car and
  
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• HERB BENHAM: Roofer never looks down

  27-02-2015 21:00
  
  A description of Donna Amparano sounds like the punch line of a joke. If it were, she'd be the first to laugh, if not tell it herself.
  
  Amparano is a one-legged roofer with a three-legged dog. What are the chances?
  
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• Caregivers call for equal pay

  27-02-2015 20:39
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA.-Local caregivers are joining in on a statewide protest, calling for fair pay. 
  
  The workers say they want Gov. Jerry Brown to treat their work equal to any other job and offer them overtime pay among other things. 
  
  Protesters say it was promised as part of last year's budget deal, but has been put on hold after an out-of-state lawsuit. Local caregivers will join others across California in Sacramento to hold a vigil outside the governor's house later this wee
  
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• DMV handbook now on iPad

  27-02-2015 20:33
  
  Sacramento, CA - The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced the the 2015 Driver Handbook is now available for the Apple iPad. The book is available in English and Spanish, and can be downloaded free through the iBooks application bookstore. 
  
  Print publication copies of the 2015 California Driver Handbook are also available at DMV field offices, statewide.
  
  “The iBook version of the 2015 California Driver Handbook brings the learning experience to a whole new level
  
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• The legend of Leonard Nimoy

  27-02-2015 20:20
  
  (NBC News) Leonard Nimoy, the famed actor best known for his role as Mr. Spock on the original "Star Trek" TV series and subsequent films, passed away Friday morning at the age of 83. 
  
  Born in Boston in 1931, Nimoy was acting in a neighborhood theater by age 8.
  
  Moving to California as a teen, he started acting with roles in b-films like "Them!" and guest spots on TV shows to include "The Virginian" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E", where he wou
  
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• 'First Look': Nominations underway for Beautiful Bakersfield awards

  27-02-2015 20:12
  
  The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the Beautiful Bakersfield awards.
  
  Coming up on their 25th anniversary, nominations will remain open through March 20.
  
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• Local eateries featured on Food Network show tonight

  27-02-2015 20:08
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield's moment in the culinary spotlight arrives today as the first in a series of "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" episodes featuring local restaurants is set to air tonight.
  Crews from the popular Food Network show filmed at several eateries including, 24th Street Cafe, Moo Creamery, Salty's and others last month.     The show's website indicates at least one Bakersfield restaurant will be featured in an episode called "Roadtrippin" s
  
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• CSUB hosts STEM event today

  27-02-2015 20:00
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Cal State Bakersfield will host an event today designed to foster high-quality STEM programs in local schools.
  The event happens Friday, Feb. 27 at 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the CSUB student union.     Organizers said the purpose of the event is to introduce the junior achievement career success program and discuss the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in schools.     The junior achievement program is designed to
  
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• Contaminated water dumping in Kern County

  27-02-2015 19:40
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Oil producers in Kern County are accused of dumping contaminated wastewater that could make it into our groundwater.
  The Los Angeles Times obtained a survey conducted by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, which uncovered more than 300 unlined pits or troughs in the dirt that hold water produced from fracking and other oil-drilling operations.     Acording to officials, that water is usually laden with chemicals, some of them toxic.
  Abou
  
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• Support hearts for Charlie by spreading the love and donating blood

  27-02-2015 19:03
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA.-Support hearts for Charlie by spreading the love and giving blood. In honor of heart month, Houchin Blood Bank is having a blood drive tomorrow, February 28 and you can donate between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at either Bolthouse Donor Center. One is located at 5901 Truxtun Ave. and the other is located at 11515 Bolthouse Dr. To schedule an appointment, call 616-2505. 
  
  Charlie was born with Hypo-Plastic Left Heart Syndrome or HLHS. This means she was born without the l
  
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• Leonard Nimoy, world famous as Mr. Spock on 'Star Trek', dies

  27-02-2015 18:34
  
  Leonard Nimoy, world famous to "Star Trek" fans through a beloved cult TV series and a half-dozen films as the pointy-eared, purely logical science officer Mr. Spock, has died.
  
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• New event to put local track on national map

  27-02-2015 18:26
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - For more than 60 years, Kern County has been the premiere destination for stock car fans in California. Now, a new event is looking to put a local track on the national map. 
  
  The pits at the Kern County Raceway Park are jam packed as the first practice session for the inaugural Winter Showdown draws to a conclusion. 
  
  It's an event that came together in eight months, but hopes to leave an ever lasting mark on the community. 
  
  Engines roared to life
  
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• GET Bus working on improving image and services

  27-02-2015 18:08
  
  Now, that the golden empire transit district has a full board of directors, the work to improve GET's image begins.
  
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• Three in custody for armed crime spree

  27-02-2015 17:51
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - One of three people arrested in connection with an early-morning crime spree Wednesday, Feb. 25 is due in court today.
  According to authorities, 21-year-old Lynn Harris, 25-year-old Bryson Mitchell and 20-year-old Courtney Francis were behind two armed robberies and a drive-by shooting.     Officers said the trio robbed a restaurant on east brundage lane around 3 a.m.     Then, police said they robbed a home on Fiesta Drive and later committed a
  
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• Go Red for Women luncheon today

  27-02-2015 17:44
  
  More than 350 local men and woman are expected to participate in the annual Go Red for Women luncheon on Friday. 
  
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• New details in Metrolink train derailment

  27-02-2015 17:38
  
  VENTURA, CA - The Ventura County District Attorney said no charges will be filed against the man who abandoned his truck on the tracks, leading to Tuesday's Metrolink train derailment.
  The crash happened in Oxnard after the commuter train slammed into the produce vehicle.    There were 28 people on board that were hurt.     Jose Alejandro Sanchez-Ramirez was found walking about a mile from the tracks shortly after the collision.      He was in
  
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• Central Valley Sportsmen's show hits Kern County

  27-02-2015 17:22
  
  The 38th Central Valley Sportsmen's, Boat, RV & Outdoor Living Show makes its seasonal debut in Bakersfield this Friday, Feb. 27.
  
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• 'First Look': First News for Feb. 27

  27-02-2015 16:13
  
  Lead stories from "First Look with Scott Cox's" Top Stories:
  
  JUDGE SENTENCES OLIVER TO MORE THAN 27 YEARS IN PRISON: Criminal proceedings in one of the most high-profile cases of the last decade in Kern County came to an end Thursday as school shooter Bryan Oliver was sentenced to 27 years and four months in prison. Oliver will be eligible for parole in less than 13 years under January'
  
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• BevMo! opens doors in Bakersfield

  27-02-2015 14:37
  
  BevMo! has officially joined the Bakersfield community.
  
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• Report: Local homeless population declined in 2015

  27-02-2015 13:35
  
  The 2015 Homeless Census counted 953 individuals, reflecting a 4% decline from 2014, and a 38% decrease since 2007.
  
  The census was conducted Thursday, January 22 through Friday, January 23. The Kern County Homeless Collaborative canvassed shelters and the streets with 200 workers and volunteers.
  
  Interviews were conducted with more than 1,500 people who each received a hygiene kit, a snack and a pair of clean socks, the KCHC reported.
  
  “We have made tremendous strid
  
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• Gas prices back on the rise in Bakersfield

  27-02-2015 09:45
  
  Gas prices are back on the rise. Today, Bakersfield saw an average of about $3.04 a gallon for regular.
  
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• Proposed change to welfare law draws controversy

  27-02-2015 09:08
  
  Under a proposed law by state Senator Holly Mitchell, families who get cash assistance may be eligible for additional aid if they have more children.
  
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• Reading Across America kicks off in Bakersfield

  27-02-2015 07:16
  
  Teaching kids the power of knowledge through reading. It's what Reading Across America is all about.
  
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• VIDEO: Water gushing from hydrant on Hwy. 58

  27-02-2015 05:28
  
  If you were anywhere near Rosedale Highway and Highway 99 on Thursday evening, you're probably wondering why a lot of water was gushing from the 24 Hour Fitness parking lot. 
  
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• Judge sentences Oliver to more than 27 years in prison

  27-02-2015 04:33
  
  Criminal proceedings in one of the most high-profile cases of the last decade in Kern County came to an end Thursday as school shooter Bryan Oliver was sentenced to 27 years and four months in prison.
  
  Oliver will be eligible for parole in less than 13 years under January’s plea deal in which he pleaded no contest to two counts of unpremeditated attempted murder in Kern’s first and only school
  
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• Incoming storm cold, not very wet

  27-02-2015 03:35
  
  It was starting to look like winter had finally arrived. The National Weather Service's meteorologists in Hanford -- not normally an excitable bunch -- even tweeted a picture of a light switch with the words, "It looks like the winter switch has finally been turned on."
  
  Now they say, not so fast.
  
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• Alon delays work on oil-by-rail terminal planned for Rosedale Highway refinery

  27-02-2015 03:33
  
  The owner of the idled refinery on Rosedale Highway told an industry gathering this week the company will start operating a rail terminal at the plant in 2016, not 2015 as previously announced, a legal-news service has reported.
  
  The report by legal news service Law360 offered no explanation for the delay other than saying the Dallas-based refiner, Alon USA Energy Inc., affirmed it was engaged in "co
  
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• Bryan Oliver sentenced to 27 yrs 4 mnths

  27-02-2015 03:12
  
  A Kern County judge sentenced Bryan Oliver to 27 years and 4 months in prison for the shooting of Taft High School student Bowe Cleveland and for injuring teacher Ryan Heber.
  
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• California railroads getting $141 million boost

  27-02-2015 02:59
  
  TEHACHAPI, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) – Train company BNSF has announced that they are pouring $141 million into California railroads.
  
  Last November, the company announced the largest planned capital expenditure in its history, $6 billion.
  
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• Bryan Oliver sentenced for TUHS shooting

  27-02-2015 02:52
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Judge John Lua sentenced Bryan Oliver Thursday morning, for the January 2013 shooting at Taft Union High School.
  
  It has been more than two years since Oliver walked onto the campus with a 12 gauge shotgun and a pocket full of shells and shot classmate Bowe Cleveland in the chest.
  
  Last month, Oliver agreed to plead no contest to two charges of attempted murder and admit to an enhancement of using a firearm, in exchange for 27 years in prison. Judge Lua accepted the
  
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• Kern's District Attorney vows to help prevent bullying

  27-02-2015 02:50
  
  Kern County's District Attorney says she and her staff will join a local school program that aims to prevent bullying. DA Lisa Green made the announcement within hours of the sentencing of Bryan Oliver, the teen shooter at Taft Union High School who said he had been bullied by classmates. The DA says she and members of her staff will volunteer their time for the "Safe School Ambassador" program.
  
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• Highway 184 flooding sparks concerns

  27-02-2015 02:24
  
  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) – A viewer called our tipline concerned about flooding along Highway 184 in Lamont.
  
  The stretch of road near DiGiorgio Road floods whenever there’s rain.
  
  Lamont resident Raul Rocha is tired of it.
  
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• DA: Oliver eligible for parole in 15 years

  27-02-2015 02:10
  
  District Attorney Lisa Green held a press conference following the sentencing of Bryan Oliver at 10 a.m.
  
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• Funeral Services for Feb. 27

  27-02-2015 01:37
  Services scheduled
  
  
  Cresencia Batrez, 78, Lamont, Feb. 22 in Bakersfield. Visitation 5 p.m. March 3, Basham Lamont Chapel; Rosary 7 p.m. March 3, Basham Lamont Chapel; Services 10 a.m. March 4, St. Augustine Catholic Church. Basham Funeral Care, 3312 Niles St.
  
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• Bakersfield Women's Business Conference announces keynote speaker

  27-02-2015 00:48
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Board of Directors of the Bakersfield Women’s Business Conference (BWBC) announced Thursday that Olympian Dara Torres will be the 2015 conference keynote speaker.
  
  
   Torres entered her first international swimming competition at age 14 and competed in her first Olympics Games a few years later in 1984. As the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she became the oldest swimmer to compete in the Olympic Games, taking home three silver medals. “The theme for the
  
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• Two honored tonight for exemplary community service

  27-02-2015 00:27
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Kegley Institute of Ethics at CSU Bakersfield will honor their 2015 recipients tonight for the Wendy Wayne award for Exemplary Ethical Behavior.
  This year's recipients are Janet Hefner and Joseph Constantine.
  Each year, CSUB's Kegley Institute of Ethics presents two awards to those who exemplify strength, courage and commitment to the most vulnerable in the community -- traits they say personified the late Wendy Wayne.
  Janet Hefner ñ Adult Lifetime Achievement A
  
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• Black History parade scheduled for Saturday

  27-02-2015 00:17
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- The annual Bakersfield Black History Parade is set for Saturday, Feb. 28th.
  
  The parade starts at 10 a.m. and will wind its way through downtown and will be followed by a festival.
  
  When: Parade begins at 10 a.m. with events to follow
  
  Where: Route begins 21st and V streets; Heritage Festival follows at the Gardens at Mill Creek on 21st Street.
  
  Admission: Free
  
  Information: 703-7955
  
  The parade route is west on 21st street to M Street, left on M Street
  
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