Bakersfield news

• SOUND OFF: Was it necessary to say police 'killed' a suspect?

  03-04-2015 23:58
  
  Reader: At this time in history when criminals are walking up to policemen and shooting them in the face, I think the media would better serve law enforcement and the public with more thoughtful news coverage. The men and women of the police force don't seem to be quitting their jobs in droves (thank God). Your headline on Sunday, March 29, in the local section announces, "Police kill rape, arson suspect." I don't know who writes or who approves your headlines but in my opinion
  
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• Man gets three years for fatal drunken driving accident

  03-04-2015 23:44
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A man who took a plea deal in a deadly drunken driving crash case was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday.
  The crash happened Dec. 29 on Old River Road near Taft Highway, in southwest Bakersfield.     According to investigators, 20-year-old Junner Mayorga-Espinal was drunk when he hit a big rig head-on.     The crash killed Mayorga-Espinal's 21-year-old passenger, Samuel Alarcon.     Mayorga-Espinal pleaded no contest one c
  
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• Accused mask rapist testifies in his own defense

  03-04-2015 23:18
  
  BAKERSFIELD< CA - Testimony continued on Friday in the trial of accused masked rapist Billy Ray Johnson, who took the stand in his own defense.
  Johnson is accused in a series of sexual assaults that terrorized east Bakersfield in the summer of 2013.     Johnson testified that he committed about 1,000 burglaries, but not any of the sexual assaults he's accused of.     Prosecutors asked about a picture from Facebook, showing him holding a gun.     J
  
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• 7 San Francisco officers suspended over racist texts

  03-04-2015 22:46
  
  Seven San Francisco police officers accused of sending racist and homophobic text messages have been suspended, and the police chief has recommended that they be fired.
  
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• Man missing at sea for 66 days reunites with family

  03-04-2015 22:38
  
  A man who set sail from South Carolina two months ago was rescued on the overturned hull of his sailboat 200 miles off the coast of North Carolina, and he said he got by rationing his water and energy and praying for help.
  
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• Bakersfield police give chase, arrest man wanted on warrant

  03-04-2015 22:27
  
  A man wanted on a felony warrant was arrested Friday after leading Bakersfield police on a chase that ended at South Oleander Avenue and Shamrock Way.
  
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• Man gets 3 years in prison for deadly DUI

  03-04-2015 22:26
  
  A man was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for a deadly drunken driving crash.
  
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• Bakersfield's Centre for Neuro Skills gets VA contract

  03-04-2015 21:58
  
  The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded the contract to Centre for Neuro Skills, which has locations in Bakersfield, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas.
  
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• Man hangs from cross for Easter

  03-04-2015 21:12
  
  (WMBF) The anonymous man hanging from a cross in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has a message, and many who've seen him have mixed emotions. 
  "At first I thought it was weird, but it's ok," Jelecia Farber said. 
  'How do I feel about it?" Dan Torre asked, "Um, I think it's kind of creepy, actually."
  Others were moved to tears.
  "Just to see this, I think it's very moving," Farrah Dickerson said as her eyes filled with tears. 
  The man portraying Jesu
  
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• Traffic closed in northwest area for BFD training

  03-04-2015 21:00
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - There is a traffic advisory for northwest Bakersfield on Friday as crews from the Bakersfield Fire Department conduct training exercises.
  Part of the training includes a controlled residential burn, which will take place from  from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the 7900 block of Downing Avenue.     According to the Bakerfield Police Department, Downing between Coffee Road and Bowman Court will be closed to traffic.
  A police service technician will assist with traffic
  
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• Accused 'Eastside Rapist' testifies he's a serial burglar, not a rapist

  03-04-2015 20:54
  
  The man charged with a series of rapes that terrorized east Bakersfield and led to the creation of a task force composed of police and sheriff's investigators testified Friday he's committed thousands of burglaries in his lifetime, but not one rape.
  Billy Ray Johnson told the court he's been committing burglaries since he was 11 or 12 years old. It's how he supported himself, along with intermittent roofing jobs and other temporary work.
  
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• BPD looking for suspect wanted for assault

  03-04-2015 20:49
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Police Department is seeking the community’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted for assault.
  According to BPD, Bryson Dean was involved in an argument with a victim and assaulted her. Dean also has active warrants for domestic violence offenses related to other victims. 
  Dean is 23 years old, 5 foot 11 inches and 140 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes.
  Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Galland a
  
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• BPD: Man wanted for assaulting woman

  03-04-2015 20:47
  
  The Bakersfield Police Department is looking for a man they say got into an argument with a woman and assaulted her. 
  
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• BPD looking for vehicle in connection with burglary

  03-04-2015 20:38
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield police officials are asking for the public's assistance in identifying a vehicle connected to a burglary in southwest Bakersfield.
  The incident happened on March 19, in the 2600 block of Oak Grove Street.
  According to police, the victim reported a burglary to his residence.     Surveillance video was obtained and the vehicle depicted in the photograph was observed circulating the neighborhood prior to the offense, and fleeing the area after the&
  
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• Condors unveil new logo

  03-04-2015 20:24
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - In the last two years, the Bakersfield Condors have been through a whirlwind of change.      The team hired two head coaches, announced its NHL affiliation with the Edmonton Oilers, made their deepest run in the Kelly Cup playoffs, and most recently announced the move up to the American Hockey league next season.     Now they're sporting a new logo for that AHL team.
  Representatives with the Oilers said they didn't want to mess with a good th
  
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• Bakersfield Fire performing live-fire training

  03-04-2015 20:22
  
  The Bakersfield Fire Department and recruits of the Fire Academy will train in structural firefighting tactics using live-fire training in donated buildings.
  
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• 'First Look': Canstruction art competition comes to Bakersfield

  03-04-2015 20:21
  
  They're colossal like structures made entirely out of cans of food. From a tornado built of tuna cans to a full sized car made from corn cans, the Canstruction displays are jaw dropping to say the least.
  
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• BPD looking for car connected to burglary

  03-04-2015 20:01
  
  Bakersfield police are looking for the person driving an SUV wanted in connection with a home burglary.
  
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• Numbers for March jobs report lower than expected

  03-04-2015 20:00
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The monthly job report for March is out and the numbers are lower than expected.
  According to the report, 126,000 jobs were added to the economy, however, analysts expected 245,000 jobs.     Unemployment stayed the same at 5.5 percent .     Analysts were expecting job growth to slow this month.     Despite publicized promises of increased pay from major employers, like Walmart and McDonalds, experts said wage gains were likely flat.
  
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• Police chase ends with arrest of wanted man

  03-04-2015 19:45
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A man who led police on a 17-minute chase through Bakersfield on Friday morning was arrested without incident, according to officials with the Bakersfield Police Department.
  The chase started just after 9 a.m. in the 1900 block of Belle Terrace. According to BPD, they were conducting surveillance in the area and attempted to stop the suspect's red Saturn vehicle.
  That's when police say 21-year-old Philip Sacdalan failed to yield to officers and led police on a pursuit through
  
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• 'First Look': A "royal" dog charms the crowd

  03-04-2015 19:25
  
  Lord Cogsworth may not be British royalty but he sure knows how to strut his confidence around the newsroom. The 2-year-old Jack Russell Terrier mix ran and sniffed every corner of the third floor at The Bakersfield Californian for a good 15 minutes on Friday.
  
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• More job loss for Kern's oil industry

  03-04-2015 19:24
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Jobs in Kern's oil industry are dropping again following the recent decrease in crude oil prices. 
  Locally, dozens of Bakersfield Halliburton employees lost their jobs.
  In February, the Houston-based oil field services company said it planned to cut up to 6,400 jobs around the world as oil and gas production slowed.     And with that round of layoffs, 52 of those jobs were in Bakersfield.     On March 18, Halliburton reported an additional 39
  
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• Kern ranks near bottom in 2015 county health rankings

  03-04-2015 19:13
  
  Out of 57 California counties ranked from healthiest to unhealthiest, Kern ranks near the bottom of the list.
  
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• Missing toddler found in LA area, abduction suspect sought

  03-04-2015 19:08
  
  Police say a 2-year-old girl has been found safe about three hours after disappearing from a Los Angeles-area car wash, but they are still looking for a suspect they believe abducted her.
  
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• BPD: Man stole cash from closed restaurant

  03-04-2015 18:48
  
  The Bakersfield Police Department is looking for a man they say stole money from the Los Cabos Restaurant on Ming Avenue when it was closed.
  
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• Deadlines set to close improperly permitted wells

  03-04-2015 18:38
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The California Department of Conservation has set a deadline to start closing hundreds of improperly permitted oilfield injection wells by Oct. 15.
  A state audit ordered by the US Environmental protection agency last year showed regulators wrongfully granted more than 2,500 permits, authorizing oil companies to inject potentially contaminating fluids into clean water basins that are federally protected.     Since then, state lawmakers, the EPA, and environmental
  
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• BPD: Man wanted for burglary of JMJ Market

  03-04-2015 18:01
  
  The Bakersfield Police Department is looking for a man they say stole merchandise from the JMJ Market located on Truxtun Avenue.
  
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• Chemicals unearthed in Oildale construction site

  03-04-2015 18:01
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Crews building a residential development in Oildale uncovered some chemicals that could have posed a health risk to people in the area.
  The work at Airport and Merle Haggard Drives was put on hold last month after crews unearthed black sludge.      The developer contacted the Kern County Environmental Health Department.     After some investigating, officials said it's crude oil left over from the former property owner, Chevron.   
  
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• New ruling gives counties authority to remove problem children

  03-04-2015 17:39
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A California appeals court has ruled that counties now have the authority to remove problem-children from their homes.     Even if their parents have made efforts to curb their kids' troublesome behavior.
  The Los Angeles Times reports a three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal on Thursday unanimously ruled in favor of expanding the role of counties in deciding to remove children.     The case involved a 17-year-old girl who gave birth
  
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• Matzah & more: 6 things to know about Passover

  03-04-2015 17:29
  
  As Jews in Kansas City and worldwide celebrate Passover, there is plenty of food for thought.
  
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• 'First Look': First News for April 3

  03-04-2015 16:45
  
  Lead stories from "First Look with Scott Cox's" Top Stories: HALLIBURTON PROVIDES NOTICE OF 90 LOCAL LAYOFFS:The oil downturn has cost Halliburton Energy Services Inc. 90 jobs in the Bakersfield area since mid-February, according to letters filed recently by the Houston-based company. Part of a global wave of layoffs attributed to a roughly 50 percent drop in oil prices since June, the announcement of jobs cuts at Halliburton follow official notice that at least 882 local workers h
  
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• Buy chocolate bunnies, not real ones this Easter

  03-04-2015 16:19
  
  Every Easter Holiday thousands of families will visit pet stores to adopt adorable bunnies or chicks. It isn't until after the festivities that many of these families realize they can't care for the small animals. 
  
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• Local comedians hope to bring more laughter

  03-04-2015 16:10
  
  Local comedians Bruce Gray and Ben Bradley have started a local group called "Oil City Comedy." The pair is trying to get more comedians to perform in Bakersfield, while trying to inspire more comedians to work their craft locally.  
  
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• Tips on how to cut water use

  03-04-2015 16:00
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA.-Governor Jerry Brown announced this week a mandatory 25 percent water reduction across the state. His executive order has a lot of residents asking about the best ways to conserve. A local agency called the Farm and Home Advisors has some of the answers. 17's Ryann Blackshere Vargas visited the agency and has some tips on how to cut water use. The Kern County grand jury referred to the Farm and Home Advisors as the "best kept secret in the county." Cooperati
  
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• Local comedians hope to speak more laughter...

  03-04-2015 09:33
  
  Local comedians Bruce Gray and Ben Bradley have started a local group called 'Oil City Comedy." The pair is trying to get more comedians to perform in Bakersfield, while trying to inspire more comedians to work their craft locally.  
  
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• Fox Theater quietly paid off mortgage

  03-04-2015 08:34
  
  The Fox Theater Foundation is finally talking three months after they paid off their mortgage, with help from various donors and foundations.
  
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• Farmers happy that consumers take harder hit with water restrictions

  03-04-2015 04:13
  
  Some people, especially outside of Kern County, are concerned that Gov. Jerry Brown’s executive order didn’t hit farmers hard enough. Now, those farmers are fighting back.
  
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• Farmers happy consumers take harder hit with water restrictions

  03-04-2015 04:13
  
  Some people, especially outside of Kern County, are concerned that Gov. Jerry Brown’s executive order didn’t hit farmers hard enough. Now, those farmers are fighting back.
  
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• Family of Bakersfield vet receives overdue medals

  03-04-2015 04:00
  
  Congressman David Valadao presented the family of Charles Bradley with several military medals that he had earned during World War II, when he was a private first class in the U.S. Army.
  
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• Halliburton provides notice of 90 local layoffs

  03-04-2015 03:27
  
  The oil downturn has cost Halliburton Energy Services Inc. 90 jobs in the Bakersfield area since mid-February, according to letters filed recently by the Houston-based company.
  Part of a global wave of layoffs attributed to a roughly 50 percent drop in oil prices since June, the announcement of jobs cuts at Halliburton follow official notice that at least 882 local workers have been let go from no fewer than three oil field service companies since mid-December.
  
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• Coroner: Baby found not breathing at motel suffered SIDS

  03-04-2015 03:24
  
  The coroner's office on Thursday released the cause of death for a baby found unresponsive and not breathing in a motel room on South Union Avenue.
  
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• Regulators propose timetable for closing injection wells

  03-04-2015 02:59
  
  Emergency rules proposed by California regulators Thursday spell out a series of timetables for closing more than 2,000 wells, most of them in Kern County, that inject oil field wastewater into federally protected aquifers.
  Although the rules could take effect by the end of this month, the soonest they would probably shut in any wells is Oct. 15, depending on the quality of the target aquifer's groundwater, whether it produces petroleum and how regulators have historically treated the undergroun
  
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• Man who entered homes, kissed girl, sentenced to eight years

  03-04-2015 02:34
  
  Calvin Cartwright entered or tried entering a number of Bakersfield residences during a two-day span in January, in one instance kissing a 15-year-old girl in one of the homes.
  For the next few years, he won't be entering any rooms that aren't contained in a state prison.
  
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• CITY BEAT: Homeless encampment lacks those privies

  03-04-2015 02:32
  
  DESIGNING 24TH STREETThe look of 23rd and 24th streets when they're widened, likely later this decade, got a serious discussion Thursday by a Bakersfield City Council committee.
  
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• Police want help finding restaurant burglary suspect

  03-04-2015 02:19
  
  Surveillance photos released Thursday show a man suspected of breaking into Los Cabos Restaurant, 3819 Ming Ave., during the overnight hours March 27.
  
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• Bakersfield police seeking burglary suspect

  03-04-2015 02:16
  
  Surveillance photos released Thursday show a man suspected of breaking into JMJ Market, 1031 E.Truxtun Ave., during the overnight hours March 16.
  
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• Televangelist, megachurch founder Robert Schuller dies at 88

  03-04-2015 02:03
  
  (Reuters) — Televangelist Robert Schuller, who built a California megachurch known worldwide for its weekly "Hour of Power" broadcasts only to see his Crystal Cathedral ministry devolve into bankruptcy and family squabbles, died on Thursday at age 88. Schuller's grandson, Robert Vernon "Bobby" Schuller, announced the death on social media, saying his grandfather was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2013.
  
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• California court issues ruling about out-of-control kids

  03-04-2015 01:43
  
  The state can remove an out-of-control child from the custody of a parent even if the mother or father is not to blame for the child's behavior, a California appeals court said Thursday.
  
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• California eyes deadline for shutting more oilfield wells

  03-04-2015 01:42
  
  California regulators say they will start closing more of hundreds of improperly permitted oilfield injection wells by Oct. 15.
  
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• Judge orders California to pay for inmate's sex change

  03-04-2015 01:40
  
  A federal judge on Thursday ordered California's corrections department to provide a transsexual inmate with sex change surgery, the first time such an operation has been ordered in the state.
  
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