Bakersfield news

• Gonorrhea rate among Kern County men up nearly 60%

  06-04-2015 23:43
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Gonorrhea jumped nearly 60% among males in Kern County from 2010-2013, according to a new California Public Health Department report released Monday.The report broke down health trends by counties in the state.Kern County ranked last in the state for the highest number of reported Chlamydia cases and Diabetes-related deaths.From 2008-2010, there were 644 reported cases of Chlamydia per 100,000 people.From 2011-2013, that number increased to 705 cases per 100,000 people.The
  
  Read more

• Gonorrhea rate among Kern County men up 60%

  06-04-2015 23:43
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Gonorrhea jumped 60% among males in Kern County from 2010-2013, according to a new California Public Health Department report released Monday.The report broke down health trends by counties in the state.Kern County ranked last in the state for the highest number of reported Chlamydia cases and Diabetes-related deaths.From 2008-2010, there were 644 reported cases of Chlamydia per 100,000 people.From 2011-2013, that number increased to 705 cases per 100,000 people.The number
  
  Read more

• Kids cry, parents push as Easter egg hunt turns rowdy

  06-04-2015 22:54
  
  What should have been a fun-filled Easter egg hunt in California turned rowdy, with toddlers crying and parents pushing to snag the colorful eggs.
  
  Read more

• Accused serial rapist finishes testifying in 'Eastside Rapist' trial

  06-04-2015 22:23
  
  Accused serial rapist Billy Ray Johnson admitted under questioning Monday that he has repeatedly lied to police about committing burglaries, is unfaithful to his girlfriend and lied that he was homeless in order to get food stamps.
  Prosecutor Cynthia Zimmer asked a number of questions to show time and again instances where Johnson lied to try to get out of trouble.
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Racial slur photo triggers student suspension

  06-04-2015 22:08
  
  (WIS) A student at the University of South Carolina has been suspended after a photo of the student who appeared to be writing a racial slur went viral Friday.The photo, which appears to be taken from Snapchat and posted on several social media sites, shows a list of reasons why "USC's WiFi blows." On the top of that list is the N-word.
  "It's unfortunate that it had to happen at a place like the University of South Carolina that I hold near and dear to my heart," said USC al
  
  Read more

• Merle Haggard's birthday celebrated in favorite songs

  06-04-2015 21:56
  
  On the occasion of Merle Haggard's 78th birthday Monday, we thought we'd challenge ourselves by recommending just a few essential songs from the country music legend's long career. Impossible to reduce a catalog of such towering greatness to a dozen or so songs you say? To that we'd respond ... you're right! But, fools that we are, we attempted it anyway. Californian Editor Robert Price, an authority on all things Bakersfield Sound (just ask him), offered his six favorites:
  
  Read more

• Thousands attend outdoor Easter service

  06-04-2015 21:48
  
  Resplendent in her floral dress, pink hair bow and matching shoes, the exhausted 3-year-old covered her face in her grandmother's shoulder. "I've got to get her home," Sandy Vorhees said, holding her granddaughter.
  
  Read more

• Man accused of serial rape finishes testimony in his trial

  06-04-2015 21:26
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- The defendant in the masked rapist trial has finished his testimony.Billy Ray Johnson, 35, is being tried for a series of rapes thatterrorized east Bakersfield in the summer of 2013.Johnson maintains he did burglarize homes but did not rape women. He finished testifying Monday morning.Prosecutors say DNA evidence connects Johnson to the crimes.No cameras are allowed inside the courtroom, but 17's Aric Richards is inside covering the trial.While on the stand, Johnson said t
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 43 California judges rebuked for misconduct in 2014

  06-04-2015 21:00
  
  A state commission reprimanded 43 California judges for misconduct in2014, including two judges who had sex with women in their chambers, areport said.
  
  Read more

• BPD to meet with community for zone changes

  06-04-2015 20:43
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Bakersfield Police Department is making changes to its zoning areas.Last year, BPD broke up the city into six zones.This year, the department added a lieutenant and a community relations specialist to each zone.Both positions were filled after a 2014 study from the International Association of Chiefs of Police found areas of inefficiency.However, changes began back in 2013 when police service beats were downsized.The department will be hosting community meetings in the
  
  Read more

• Body found in badly dilapidated San Francisco home

  06-04-2015 20:27
  
  Some neighbors told the Chronicle that a retired woman and her elderlymother lived in the home, but the mother hadn't appeared in years. Otherneighbors were surprised to learn the house was not abandoned.
  
  Read more

• Governor pardons 83 people for past crimes

  06-04-2015 20:23
  
  Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday granted pardons to 83 people. An announcement by Brown's office said that each person has been out of state prison for at least 10 years and leads a productive life with no new criminal convictions. Most of them had been convicted of drug and robbery cases.
  
  Read more

• Wind farm operator donates to county supervisors who ignore environmental opposition

  06-04-2015 20:19
  
  A wind farm operator donated thousands of dollars to county supervisorswho ignored strong environmental opposition and voted to allow thecompany to continue operating turbines that have been blamed forthousands of bird deaths.
  
  Read more

• Governor pardons four from Kern

  06-04-2015 20:17
  
  Four people convicted of drug crimes in Kern County were among 83 pardoned by Gov. Jerry Brown on Easter.
  They were:
  
  Read more

• TRIP warning: 600 daily truck trips for hauling dirt to roadwork site

  06-04-2015 20:15
  
  The Thomas Roads Improvement Program warned of heavy constructiontraffic for the next couple months for the State Route 99/Hosking AvenueInterchange project.
  
  Read more

• Driver of car in Southern California bus crash dies

  06-04-2015 20:01
  
  Authorities say the driver of a car that collided with a tour bus carrying 17 people has died in Southern California.
  
  Read more

• Tougher water restrictions to be discussed this week

  06-04-2015 19:53
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Homeowners will have a better idea what this summers water restrictions will look like after a meeting this week.On Wednesday city water officials will have a special meeting to talk about a proposed ordinance that would limit outdoor watering to 3 days a week.The state wants 2 day a week watering but the city will start with three.Its still not clear how long people will be allowed to water or on what days. City officials have also not decided how the ordinance will be en
  
  Read more

• CASA 'superheroes' talk about their run to help children

  06-04-2015 19:36
  
  April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and locals from around Kern County have the opportunity to make a difference.
  
  Read more

• CASA 'superheroes' join Eyewitness News to talk about upcoming event

  06-04-2015 19:36
  
  April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and locals from around Kern County have the opportunity to make a difference.
  
  Read more

• Drivers face heavy truck traffic along Taft Highway

  06-04-2015 19:27
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Drivers on Taft Highway should expect heavy truck traffic for the next 6 - 8 weeks, according to Thomas Roads Improvement Program.People driving along Taft Highway should expect delays as big-rigs haul dirt from the State Farm Sports Village on Gosford Road to the Hosking Avenue Interchange Project.The trucks will be running from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are expected to make up to 600 trips each day as the dirt is moved.
  
  Read more

• BPD: Man made sexual comments to girls

  06-04-2015 19:16
  
  The Bakersfield Police Department is looking for a man they say approached two girls and made inappropriate sexual comments to them.
  
  Read more

• Police shoot and kill man in Tehachapi

  06-04-2015 18:01
  
  TEHACHAPI, CA- One man is dead after an officer involved shooting in Tehachapi.Police shot and killed the man just after 9 Sunday night as they responded to a domestic violence call, according to a news release from the Tehachapi Police Department.The release does not say what made officers open fire or how many officers were involved.Police said they were called to the 400 block of Stuber Road for the incident and the caller told police the suspect was armed with a handgun and still in th
  
  Read more

• Domestic violence suspect shot and killed by Tehachapi police

  06-04-2015 17:36
  
  Tehachapi police fatally shot a domestic violence suspect reportedly armed with a handgun in the 400 block of Steuber Road Sunday evening.
  Police said the incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. No officers were injured.
  
  Read more

• Man shot, killed by police in Tehachapi

  06-04-2015 16:56
  
  A man is dead after being shot by police in Tehachapi. It happened just after 9pm in the 400 block of Steuber Rd.
  
  Read more

• US service firms grew at slightly slower pace last month

  06-04-2015 16:28
  
  U.S. service firms expanded at a slightly slower yet still healthy pacein March, an encouraging sign after multiple reports last week pointedto a slowing economy.
  
  Read more

• Report: Rolling Stone rape article 'journalistic failure'

  06-04-2015 16:18
  
  Rolling Stone magazine retracted a widely discredited article about analleged gang rape at the University of Virginia after a top journalismschool issued a scathing report Sunday concluding it had failed to meetproper journalistic standards.
  
  Read more

• Kenyan warplanes attack suspected militant positions

  06-04-2015 16:14
  
  The Kenyan military says it launched air strikes against Islamicmilitants in Somalia following an extremist attack on a Kenyan collegethat killed 148 people.
  
  Read more

• OLIVIA GARCIA: Nominations sought for 20 under 40 contest

  06-04-2015 06:23
  
  The nominations for the third annual Bakersfield Life magazine's 20 under 40 People to Watch contest are steadily streaming in. I want to thank readers who have entered submissions. However, there is still time to nominate local residents who you feel should be recognized for their efforts in making our town a better place. The 20 under 40 contest gives a nod to 20 locals who are under the age of 40 and are considered a trailblazer in his or her professional career or schooling, or known for
  
  Read more

• New math books coming to local high schools

  06-04-2015 03:22
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Kern High School District is looking to incorporate new math books and they're taking input from the public at the upcoming meeting on Monday.     School officials have reviewed several text books and narrowed it down to three choices, which will be adopted next school year.     The district will keep the review period open until May before making a decision.     The board will also hear a report on enrollment projections and bo
  
  Read more

• New construction home fire considered suspicious

  06-04-2015 03:18
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Arson investigators are looking into a suspicious fire that completely engulfed a new home under construction in Rosedale.
  According to Bakersfield fire officials, it happened in a neighborhood off the Westside Parkway and Jewetta Avenue.     The two-story home was in the framing stage and completely in flames when firefighters arrived.      A home nearby was also damaged from the flames. 
  *Photos courtesy of Donna Bond via Facebook
  
  Read more

• Mission feeds the less fortunate on Easter Sunday

  06-04-2015 03:15
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Volunteers spread the Easter spirit on Sunday at the Mission at Kern County.      Hundreds of people who are homeless or in need of a good meal came out for a time of homegrown fellowship.      Organizers said it's an important time for people at the mission to feel support of family.  
  "It's an opportunity for us to extend open arms to our residents and our homeless population. We want them to feel a sense of home. A lot of fo
  
  Read more

• Easter Sunday Church Celebrations

  06-04-2015 02:55
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Easter isn't only about bunnies and eggs, celebrations in Christian churches are recognizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Bradley Skinfield regularly attends Saint Phillip the Apostle Catholic Church in Bakersfield. "It's a big holiday I think for the entire world its not just for Christianity or Catholics, its kinda like a rebirth," said Skinfield.Saint Phillip the Apostle Catholic Church was one of many Bakersfield churches that was standing room only. Ch
  
  Read more

• Mission at Kern County serves Easter meal

  06-04-2015 02:13
  
  The Mission at Kern County serves the homeless and hungry.
  
  Read more

• Ask TBC: Will these Westside Parkway-area traffic lights be retimed?

  06-04-2015 00:00
  
  Q: With the extension of the Westside Parkway to Stockdale Highway nearly completed, are there any plans to time the traffic signals on Allen Road and Calloway Drive between Stockdale and Brimhall Road? It is very rare for a driver to be able to make it through those stretches without having to stop at a light, and it is very common to have to stop at two or three of the lights.
  
  Read more

Follow @Bakersfield_Nws on Twitter!