Bakersfield news

• Teen on trial for destructive San Diego County wildfire

  10-03-2015 23:56
  
  Prosecutors say a 13-year-old girl ignited a branch in her backyard and caused last year's most devastating wildfire in San Diego County.
  
  Read more

• US, California shrink area for renewable energy plants

  10-03-2015 23:53
  
  State and federal officials have more than halved the amount of California desert land designated for potential renewable energy plants in a nod to local governments that want more time to set rules for large-scale solar, wind and geothermal plants on private land.
  
  Read more

• Two new hotels opening in Bakersfield

  10-03-2015 23:46
  
  Prime Hospitality Service is in the process of building two new hotels in Bakersfield.
  
  Read more

• Victim in fatal DUI was also drunk

  10-03-2015 23:14
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- A defense attorney is calling a high-profile DUI case into question, saying the victim who died in the was herself driving under the influence.
  
  Alex Rubio is charged with second degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Princess Almonidovar.
  
  Almonidovar died when her car collided with Rubio's car in January of last year at Ming avenue and New Stine Road.
  
  In a document field in connection with a bail hearing Rubio's attorney says his client's blood alcoho
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Coroner: Victim in fatal crash was also intoxicated

  10-03-2015 23:14
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- A defense attorney is calling a high-profile DUI case into question, saying the victim who died in the crash was herself driving under the influence.
  
  Alex Rubio is charged with second degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Princess Almonidovar.
  
  Almonidovar died when her car collided with Rubio's car in January 2014 at Ming avenue and New Stine Road.
  
  In a document filed in connection with a bail hearing, Rubio's attorney says his client's blood alcohol
  
  Read more

• Coroner: Victim in fatal crash was also drunk

  10-03-2015 23:14
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- A defense attorney is calling a high-profile DUI case into question, saying the victim who died in the crash was herself driving under the influence.
  
  Alex Rubio is charged with second degree murder in the death of 22-year-old Princess Almonidovar.
  
  Almonidovar died when her car collided with Rubio's car in January 2014 at Ming avenue and New Stine Road.
  
  In a document filed in connection with a bail hearing, Rubio's attorney says his client's blood alcohol
  
  Read more

• Fire breaks out on 30th St and Jewett Ave

  10-03-2015 22:00
  
  A fire broke out on 30th Street and Jewett Avenue around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to Bakersfield Fire Department Captain Mike Lencioni.
  
  Read more

• Two-alarm fire erupts in central Bakersfield

  10-03-2015 21:14
  
  A two-alarm fire erupted Tuesday afternoon at a vacant building and adjacent business in central Bakersfield.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Two-alarm fire erupts at Bakersfield business

  10-03-2015 21:14
  
  A two-alarm fire erupted Tuesday afternoon at a business on 30th Street and Jewett Avenue in central Bakersfield.
  
  Read more

• Multiple-alarm fire erupts in central Bakersfield

  10-03-2015 21:14
  
  A multiple-alarm fire has erupted at 30th Street and Jewett Avenue.
  
  Read more

• Getting back to the roots!

  10-03-2015 20:47
  
  Farm Day in the City is here, hosting 4,500 elementary school children at the Kern County Fairgrounds. The Farm Bureau said part of the reason they put on this annual event is to get young children back to the roots.
  
  Read more

• Commercial fire burning north of downtown

  10-03-2015 20:44
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- There is a fire burning at a business north of downtown.
  
  Fire fighters have called for a reinforced alarm.
  
  
  The fire is burning at 30th and Jewett Ave.
  
  
  We will bring you more information as we get it.
  
  Read more

• Groundbreaking held for Hope House, for families of those in hospital

  10-03-2015 20:25
  
  A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday morning for the Hope House at Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield.
  
  Read more

• Future farmers of America week

  10-03-2015 20:19
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - From the food we eat to the clothes we wear, this is the time to show our appreciation. The week of February 26 was National Future Farmers of America week.
  
  Supporters promote the program and its importance.  Members at Highland High School point out, it's a lot more than just getting your hands dirty.
   
  What starts as a normal class, with raised hands, desks and books, takes a turn.  This is Highland High School's FFA program, where what you
  
  Read more

• Fire officials: Drought means early wildfire season

  10-03-2015 20:18
  
  Fire officials says warm weather and the lack of rain have firefighters already keeping an eye out for wildfires across the state.
  
  Read more

• Cal Fire: Drought means early wildfire season

  10-03-2015 20:18
  
  Cal Fire officials are warning of an early wildfire season because of the ongoing drought and warm weather.
  
  Read more

• Clinton: 'would have been better' to have 2 email accounts

  10-03-2015 20:13
  
  Hillary Rodham Clinton says she opted to use her personal email account while secretary of state because of convenience. She says it "would have been better" to have used two email accounts.
  
  Read more

• Judge expands California prison inmates federal lawsuit

  10-03-2015 20:03
  
  A federal judge expanded a lawsuit filed by inmates being held in isolation at California's Pelican Bay State Prison to include prisoners who transferred to another prison.
  
  Read more

• U.S. job openings reach a 14-year high, and more workers quit

  10-03-2015 19:45
  
  U.S. employers advertised the most jobs in 14 years in January, and more workers quit - both signs of a steadily strengthening job market.
  
  Read more

• Downtown LA NFL stadium plan declared defunct; others remain

  10-03-2015 19:44
  
  Just months after it was the latest, greatest hope for bringing the NFL back to the city for the first time in 20 years, the stadium project was declared dead by its developer AEG on Monday.
  
  Read more

• New home for families of patients opens

  10-03-2015 19:32
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Memorial Hospital is expanding its operations Tuesday with the groundbreaking of its new "Hope House" for adults who need to stay nearby the hospital to be with family.
  
  The house will be next to the hospital on 34th Street just north of the Ronald McDonald House.
  
  Financed by the Kern County Builders Exchange, the facility will allow family members of patients over 21 years of age in critical care to be close to their loved ones.
  
  The entire building
  
  Read more

• California senators focus on oil industry, drinking water

  10-03-2015 19:27
  
  A hearing by state lawmakers Tuesday on problems in California's protection of drinking-water aquifers from the state oil and gas industry also is slated to focus attention on the way oil companies in the state use high-pressure steam to force up petroleum.
  
  Read more

• Farm Bureau supports oil in letter to Supervisors

  10-03-2015 19:18
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Kern County Farm Bureau issued a letter to Kern County Supervisors expressing concern about what it calls excessive over regulation of the oil industry.
  
  The Farm Bureau says both agriculture and oil are suffering due to a downturn in prices and the drought.
  
  The letter says local farmers and oil producers have shared the land for more than 100 years and that new reporting regulations under Senate Bill 4 involve third parties and don't give oil companies enou
  
  Read more

• Bakersfield police seek help with missing man

  10-03-2015 19:14
  
  Gregory Brunson, 51, was last seen Jan. 31 at Bakersfield Inn and Suites, 2524 White Lane.
  
  Read more

• Delano police need help with missing man

  10-03-2015 19:09
  
  Luis Fernandez, 88, was last seen Monday afternoon on the 1200 block of Lexington Street.
  
  Read more

• Gasoline tanks catch fire at Bakersfield facility

  10-03-2015 18:58
  
  A pair of gasoline tanks caught fire Tuesday morning. Kern County firefighters were called to the incident shortly after 7 a.m. on the 300 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue.
  
  Read more

• New hotels coming to Bakersfield

  10-03-2015 18:21
  
  Two new hotels are being built in Bakersfield, which will open about 50 new job positions.
  
  Read more

• Tank fire contained at Bakersfield facility

  10-03-2015 18:20
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Kern County Fire fighters fought a fire inside two gas tanks Tuesday morning.
  
  KCFD says they got the call just after 7a.m.of two tanks on fire at a facility near Mt. Vernon Ave. and Brundage Lane
  They say there were flames coming from the lower valves of each tank and the top of one of the tanks.
  
  Workers at the facility said the tanks were drained but there was a small amount of leftover gasoline still in them.
  
  Fire crews applied Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous
  
  Read more

• Tanker trailers catch fire in East Bakersfield

  10-03-2015 18:15
  
  Kern County firefighters were on scene of a tanker fire in East Bakersfield early Tuesday morning.
  
  Read more

• Shafter residents to petition for school unification

  10-03-2015 18:11
  
  In Shafter, a group of community residents say they will pursue the issue of school unification even if the Richland School District does not.
  
  Read more

• Stabbing suspect barricades herself in home

  10-03-2015 18:05
  
  A stabbing suspect barricaded herself in a home Monday night on Quincy Street in east Bakersfield.
  
  Read more

• Real Heroes to be recognized at dinner

  10-03-2015 18:04
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- In April, the Kern chapter of the American Red Cross will honor ten groups or individuals who have distinguished themselves as 'Real Heroes' in our community.
  
  Monday, they announced this year's recipients of the awards.
  
  Last night a media reception was held at the law offices of Young-Wooldridge in central Bakersfield.
  
  It was a chance for the honorees to meet one another and share their stories on how they came to be honored.
  
  One teenager, Madison Ri
  
  Read more

• Shortage of doctors impacting Kern County patients

  10-03-2015 17:48
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- The CEO of Kern Medical Center says there's a dire shortage of doctors in Kern County.
  
  The revelation came during a meeting before a regular county supervisors' meeting Monday.
  
  CEO Russell Judd says the county-run hospital has an immediate need for a Chair of the Medicine Department, for urologists and neurologists, and for gynecologists.
  
  Judd says it's a problem that's being seen by hospitals across the county.
  
  "I can tell you people are not getti
  
  Read more

• Amber Alert cancelled for SoCal boy

  10-03-2015 17:36
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- A one-year-old Southern California boy who was the subject of an Amber Alert, was found safe Monday night and his father was arrested.
  
  Authorities say Jayden Santiago was taken by his father, Giovany Santiago-Enriquez, after Enriquez stabbed his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend in San Pedro.
  
  Investigators say the boy was found by U.S. Marshals in Tijuana with his father.
  
  Read more

• Delano Police looking for at-risk missing man

  10-03-2015 17:24
  
  DELANO, CA- The Delano Police Department is asking for your help this morning finding a missing senior citizen.
  
  Police say 88-year-old Luis Fernandez was last seen yesterday at 3 in the afternoon in the 1200 block of Lexington Street in Delano.
  
  Police say Fernandez walks with a cane and is often seen in alleys with a shopping cart looking for cans.
  
  They add he may have diminished mental capacity.
  
  He was last seen wearing black or blue pants and a striped long-sleeved sh
  
  Read more

• Farm Day in the City comes to fairgrounds

  10-03-2015 17:14
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Thousands of children are expected to turn out for "Farm Day in the City."
  
  It's happening Tuesday and Wednesday at the Kern County Fair Grounds. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  
  Organizers say 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students from public and private schools will be exposed to agriculture and its importance to our local community and the state as a whole.
  
  Exhibits include livestock, farm machinery, and demonstrations on water and pesticide use plus safety advice.
  
  Read more

• Gleaners food drive is Wednesday

  10-03-2015 17:07
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Wednesday, you can help some people in our community through a food drive supporting the Golden Empire Gleaners Food Bank.
  
  We are teaming up with the Gleaners to make it happen.
  
  We'll be collecting food and donations tomorrow outside our studios.
  
  Your generosity will go toward helping local families in need.
  
  So come on out Wednesday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  
  At 22nd and L Streets in downtown Bakersfield.
  
  We're collecting fruits, vegetab
  
  Read more

• BPD looking for missing at-risk man

  10-03-2015 16:51
  
  The Bakersfield Police Department is asking the community for help in locating a missing man.
  
  Read more

• Hope House breaks ground in Bakersfield

  10-03-2015 16:31
  
  The Hope House is set to break ground at Memorial Hospital at 10am on Tuesday, March 10th, 2015.
  
  Read more

• Alarming rates of teen dating abuse

  10-03-2015 15:50
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA.-A recent study reveals the alarmingly high number of young people who say they have been in abusive romantic relationships. And those relationships are happening right here in Kern County. 
  
  According to the LoveIRespect.org, violent behavior begins between the ages of 12 and 18. And, 72% of 8th and 9th graders are dating. That means more teens, parents and school staff need to be aware of the signs of teen dating violence. 
  
  The Center for Disease Control and
  
  Read more

• New after school programs at Friendship House

  10-03-2015 07:33
  
  In an area where the opportunities might not be readily available, kids at the Friendship House in southeast Bakersfield are able to get some hands on experience with robots.
  
  Read more

• NFL stadium plan for downtown Los Angeles scrapped

  10-03-2015 05:08
  
  The developer that wanted to bring an NFL stadium to downtown Los Angeles abandoned its plans Monday after the proposed Farmers Field went from front-runner to impossible underdog in the race to return an NFL team to the region.
  
  Read more

• Stop-and-go week ahead for road projects

  10-03-2015 04:43
  
  Late next week, Bakersfield officials will achieve a first in local highway history, breaking ground on two road improvements and cutting the ribbon to finish a third -- all within about 24 hours.
  
  At 1:30 p.m. March 19, they'll break ground on the Rosedale Highway widening project in a ceremony at San Joaquin Facilities Management Inc., 5400 Rosedale Highway.
  
  Read more

• Red Cross bestows ‘hero’ title on 11 people, 1 group

  10-03-2015 04:37
  
  The American Red Cross Kern Chapter has named the 11 heroes and one hero organization that will be honored at this year's Real Heroes event in April.
  
  Local Good Samaritans, firefighters, cancer campaigners and animal advocates will get the nod for acting "courageously and selflessly in a time of emergency."
  
  Read more

• KMC looking to replace 'class of the 1970s' physicians

  10-03-2015 04:27
  
  Kern Medical Center is working with mixed success to bring more doctors to Bakersfield.
  
  Russell Judd, the CEO of the county-owned hospital, told Kern County supervisors that Kern continues to be troubled by a chronic lack of physicians -— especially in family practice.
  
  Read more

• Police describe scene of Aug. 19 attack in trial of accused serial rapist

  10-03-2015 04:18
  
  Officer Christopher Messick arrived at the 200 block of Quantico Avenue just before 4 a.m. and saw a young girl crying at the front of an apartment complex.
  
  Updates he'd received on his radio indicated a "serious crime" had occurred and no one seemed to know if the suspect was still inside the residence. Messick drew his gun and entered the apartment, where he faced a long hallway.
  
  Read more

• Increase in wheel and tire theft

  10-03-2015 02:58
  
  The Bakersfield Police Department says if you own a truck, beware. There's been a boost in the number of thieves ripping off rims and tires. The BPD tells us, in the entire year of 2014 there were 44 tire thefts in all. But, only three months in 2015 and there have already been nearly 20 thefts. Sargent Joe Grubbs says it is happening in northwest and southwest Bakersfield, most commonly to 2014 General Motor trucks with 20" diameter factory wheels, not after market. Police say they are
  
  Read more

• Bill looks to make travel easier for CCW permit holders

  10-03-2015 02:45
  
  A new bill going through Congress would make it easier for owners of concealed-carry gun permits to go through other states. The bill aims to make a CCW permit issued in any state universal across the county.
  
  Read more

• Valley Children's Hospital opens clinic in Bakersfield

  10-03-2015 02:32
  
  Valley Children's Hospital Central California has opened an outpatient clinic in Bakersfield, with specialists who can see local kids.
  
  Read more

• Man gets over 5 years for firearm possession

  10-03-2015 02:30
  
  Vincent Deleon, 32, of Bakersfield, was sentenced today by United States District Court Judge Lawrence J. O'Neil to five years and nine months in prison for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.
  
  Read more

Follow @Bakersfield_Nws on Twitter!