Bakersfield news

• Pawn shop buys rare Pres. Lincoln document

  09-04-2015 23:57
  If you're looking for a rare collectible item, the Gold and Silver Trading Company on Union Ave may have exactly what you're looking for. But that's not all, you can find everything from lawn mowers and tools, to rare coin's and sports memorabilia.
  
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• Customers complain over homeless around store

  09-04-2015 23:52
  
  Some residents in the Oildale area say they want their community back.
  
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• Valadao to serve as vice chair of agriculture subcommittee

  09-04-2015 23:48
  
  WASHINGTON - The House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers announced on Thursday that Congressman David G. Valadao will serve as Vice Chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee. Vice Chairs of the 12 Appropriations Subcommittees will serve as Chair of the subcommittee in the absence of the Chairperson, and assist them in official Committee duties.  "Congressman Valadao has distinguished himself as knowledgeable on the appropriations process and agricultural issues.”
  
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• BPD to hold community forum tonight

  09-04-2015 23:22
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Police Department is holding a community meeting Thursday night in downtown Bakersfield.     They'll be letting people know about changes in how they patrol.
  The department has been hosting a series of meetings since last month.     According to BPD, it has geographically redrawn patrol areas into six zones instead of the 25-beats it had before.     The meeting is part of an on-going effort to make the department mor
  
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• Man dies while being arrested

  09-04-2015 23:14
  
  A man died while being arrested and now detectives are trying to find out what caused his medical complications.
  
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• BCSD to hold forum on its spending plan tonight

  09-04-2015 23:03
  
  The Bakersfield City School District will hold a forum Thursday to get community input on a spending accountability plan.
  BCSD sent a news release announcing the forum Thursday afternoon.
  
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• Short shorts and crop tops: Coachella fashion rivals music

  09-04-2015 23:03
  
  "Festival fashion" is a thing, and Coachella is the place.
  
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• BPD: Officer who parked in disabled space was responding 'in haste' to possible burglary

  09-04-2015 22:48
  
  The Bakersfield Police Department said Thursday the reason one of its vehicles was seen parked across a handicapped parking space earlier this week -- touching off criticism -- was because officers were responding to a report of a possible burglary. In a statement posted on the BPD's Facebook page, the department says the officer driving the vehicle "chose to make a tactical approach" by quickly parking out of view of potential suspects in a lot used by two adjacent businesses, Bos
  
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• BCSD discusses Local Control Accountability Plan tonight

  09-04-2015 22:39
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield City School District will hold a community forum to discuss the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).
  The event will take place on Thursday to receive the community’s input on the District’s LCAP and its efforts to improve student learning.
  The forums will be held at 6 p.m. at the Education Center Auditorium, 1300 Baker Street, Bakersfield.
  Parents, staff and community members are invited to hear and discuss important information about the Distr
  
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• Shelter owner pleads no contest to animal cruelty

  09-04-2015 21:52
  
  ROSAMOND, CA - The former owner of an animal shelter in Rosamond has pleaded no contest to a felony count of animal cruelty.
  In exchange, eight other counts against Duain Preitz were dropped.     Preitz ran Best of Buddies, Inc and was evicted from the home he was renting, back in January.      County code enforcement officers reported he didn't have a permit to house some 200 rescued dogs on the premises.     Most of the animals have since been
  
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• Animal shelter owner pleads no contest to animal cruelty

  09-04-2015 21:52
  
  ROSAMOND, CA - The former owner of an animal shelter in Rosamond has pleaded no contest to a felony count of animal cruelty.
  In exchange, eight other counts against Duain Preitz were dropped.     Preitz ran Best of Buddies, Inc and was evicted from the home he was renting, back in January.      County code enforcement officers reported he didn't have a permit to house some 200 rescued dogs on the premises.     Most of the animals have since been
  
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• Report: Kern County air quality improved over 10 years ago

  09-04-2015 21:46
  
  California's air quality is improving, as is the air in Kern County.
  
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• Westside Parkway set to open final phase

  09-04-2015 21:24
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Westside Parkway's final phase is set to open in less than a week.
  Officials are planning a ribbon-cutting for next Wednesday, April 15.     The Westside Parkway allows drivers to hop on at Truxtun Extension and travel out to Allen Road.     This new phase set to open includes two miles of freeway lanes from Allen Road to Stockdale Highway and Heath Road.      The project also includes a new bridge at Renfro Road and soundw
  
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• California bill banning child vaccine exemptions moves ahead

  09-04-2015 21:21
  
  (Reuters)— California lawmakers on Wednesday pushed forward a bill that would ban parents from citing their personal beliefs as a reason to let their school-going children remain unvaccinated. The measure passed the state Senate health committee by a vote of 6-2, the bill's co-author, Democrat Richard Pan, said in a statement.
  
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• GET rallies for more funding

  09-04-2015 21:16
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Golden Empire Transit District are rallying with other communities across the nation to encourage long-term investment in transportation infrastructure.
  "GET carries over six million people a year on our transit system, and in order to do that we have to have adequate infrastructure," said Karen King, Golden Empire Transit CEO.
  According to GET officials, they face funding uncertainty if the current federal transportation funding bill fades away.    &nb
  
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• Clean air report praises Kern for low pollution projects

  09-04-2015 21:02
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Air quality in Kern County continues to improve, and other counties are taking notice.
  The California Air Pollution Control Officers Association released this year's "California's Progress Toward Clean Air" report this morning.     In the report, CAPCOA praised the eastern Kern Air Pollution Control District for it's high concentration of wind and solar energy projects.     The San Joaquin Valley District made history.
  The year 2014 mark
  
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• Buy your St. Jude Dream Home Tickets

  09-04-2015 21:00
  
  Get your ticket the first week tickets are on sale, April 10-17, to be eligible to win a family vacation to Disneyland, courtesy of Kern Schools Federal Credit Union!
  
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• State fines PG&E for massive gas explosion

  09-04-2015 20:51
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - State regulators have handed down a record $1.6 billion fine to PG&E for the massive gas line explosion in San Bruno.
  The California Public Utilities Commission said it's the largest penalty it has ever assessed.     The CPUC said the fine is for the unsafe operation of PG&E's gas transmission system, including the pipeline rupture in San Bruno in 2010 that killed eight people.  
  The fine includes $850 million in gas transmission pipeline safety inf
  
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• Bakersfield St. Jude Dream Home prizes

  09-04-2015 20:40
  
  Bakersfield St. Jude Dream Home prizes:
  
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• Regulators penalize PG&E $1.6 billion for deadly pipeline blast

  09-04-2015 20:10
  
  California Public Utilities Commission voted Thursday to penalizePacific Gas & Electric Co. $1.6 billion for a 2010 gas pipelineexplosion that killed eight people and destroyed more than three dozenhomes in suburban San Francisco.
  
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• Kern's court funding troubles: 'Justice delayed is justice denied'

  09-04-2015 20:01
  
  The Judicial Council of California reports that Kern County has the worst-funded court system in the state.
  
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• City water board approves tougher restrictions

  09-04-2015 20:00
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- City officials took another step towards enacting tough new water restrictions on outside watering.The city water board is considering an emergency ordinance that would force homeowners into even odd watering days based on the home’s address.The proposal was approved at a water board meeting Wednesday and will now go before the full city council on April 22nd.If approved the ordinance would go into effect at Midnight April 23.Water officials say regulating how long a
  
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• Westside Parkway's final phase almost open for traffic

  09-04-2015 19:54
  
  The final phase of the Westside Parkway is about to open.
  
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• PG&E penalized $1.6B for pipeline blast

  09-04-2015 19:49
  The California Public Utilities Commission has voted to penalize Pacific Gas & Electric Co. $1.6 billion for a deadly 2010 natural gas pipeline explosion.
  
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• Investigation continues into picture of BPD car

  09-04-2015 19:36
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- More information will be released Thursday about a photo showing a police patrol car parked in a handicapped spot at a downtown Bakersfield restaurant, according to Bakersfield police.The picture was posted on the BPD Facebook page.An investigation by the department’s operation’s division has been launched, according to Sgt. Joe Grubbs.The picture shows a BPD unit taking up a handicapped space at Boss Pizza Company on 18th Street.The department admits initial i
  
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• Distracted driving: the pitfalls of not paying attention

  09-04-2015 19:03
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA.-Five seconds. That's the average time your eyes are off the road while driving, according to the Department of the U.S. Department of Transportation. When traveling at 55mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded. During this national distracted driving awareness month, 17's Ryann Blackshere Vargas has teamed up with the California Highway Patrol to show teens and their parents the dangers of inattentive driving. With the help of CHP o
  
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• Correctional Officers wait tables for good cause

  09-04-2015 18:35
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Correctional officers from Kern Valley State Prison will be serving it up again Thursday night.Wednesday night the same officers served tables at Famous Dave’s in northwest Bakersfield hoping to score some extra tips.All the money raised will benefit the Special Olympics Kern County athletes, according to organizers.Officers will be out in full aprons for operation Tip-a-Cop at Famous Dave’s from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday evening.
  
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• KCSO starting body cam pilot program

  09-04-2015 18:08
  
  WASCO, CA - The Sheriff's Department will officially unveil its body camera pilot program to public at the Wasco substation Thursday morning.
  The Sheriff will also be on hand for the news conference.     The pilot program includes 17 deputies who received formal training on the cameras.
  After 90 days, the department will evaluate how the program worked, and examine how the cameras might be used in the long term.
  
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• 'Game of Life' program helps teens prepare for the future

  09-04-2015 18:03
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Boys and Girls Clubs of Kern County and Pacific Gas and Electric Company are teaming up to help around 200 local teens develop work force skills today.
  The "Game of Life," part of the summer jobs program, takes place Thursday from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Armstrong Youth Center on Niles Street.     According to organizers, participating teens will learn about making good choices regarding life essentials, such as housing, transportation, and child car
  
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• BPD hold Explorers event today for interested youth

  09-04-2015 17:52
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Young people interested in a career in law enforcement will have an opportunity to test the waters during a special recruitment program on Thursday at Rabobank Convention Center.
  The Bakersfield Police Department's Explorer Program will hold recruitment testing at 6 p.m. in the  Rabobank Convention Center's Potato Room.    Potential candidates between the ages of 14 and 21 are encouraged to attend.     According to organizers, it's a great op
  
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• Renegade Talks tonight at Bakersfield College

  09-04-2015 17:44
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield College is inviting the public to partake in the new Renegade Talks series, which is inspired by the popular Ted Talks series.     According to BC representatives, the Renegade Talks series will be short, innovative, subject-based discussions presented by college faculty, staff, and administrators to expand the view of listeners.
  The inaugural speech is on Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Simonsen Performing Arts Center on campus.     Six spe
  
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• Four Loko lawsuit back in court

  09-04-2015 17:32
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Bakersfield couple is set to be back in court, suing the maker of an alcohol-energy drink for liability in the fatal police shooting of their son.
  in 2019, 23-year-old Rod Fiorini was shot to death by Fresno police.     According to the Fresno Police Department, they received reports of a drunk man firing a shotgun in a backyard.     According to court records, when the cops showed up, Fiorini was on his porch with the shotgun and raised the wea
  
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• Boys & Girls Club make amazing YouTube video

  09-04-2015 16:44
  
  The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County proudly announces that our performing arts group "Music Fusion" has been selected through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Talent Search for the 109th National Boys & Girls Clubs of America Annual Conference in Chicago (May 13 through May 15, 2015).  Their award is an all-expense paid trip to Chicago where they will be the conference finale act and perform with other youth from across the nation during the conference.
  
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• Man kills lawyer, judge, co-defendant at Milan courthouse

  09-04-2015 15:20
  
  A man on trial for fraudulent bankruptcy opened fire in Milan'scourthouse Thursday, killing his lawyer, a co-defendant and a judgebefore being captured nearly 25 kilometers away as he fled on amotorbike, officials said.
  
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• Standing up for local transportation

  09-04-2015 15:19
  
  Officials with the Golden Empire Transit District will join hundreds of other national transportation agencies to rally for long-term Federal funding, Thursday morning. 
  
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• Listeria in hummus prompts national recall

  09-04-2015 09:09
  
  The presence of potentially listeria in several samples of hummus has prompted a national recall by Virginia-based Sabra Dipping Co. of 30,000 cases of Classic Hummus.
  
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• Performing arts group heading to Chicago

  09-04-2015 08:44
  Sing like no one is listening and dance like no one is watching. It's a motto the performing arts group at the Boys & Girls Club live by as they get ready to perform in Chicago.
  
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• THE GRADE: Changes to breakfast, and testing news

  09-04-2015 08:09
  
  OUT WITH THE OLD... Testing in English and math no longer means sitting at a desk with a No. 2 pencil and filling in bubbles marked A, B C and D. Juniors at East, Golden Valley and Liberty high schools started computer-based state testing Wednesday that for the first time went beyond just practice.
  
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• Drought-hit California tightens low-flow toilet, faucet rules

  09-04-2015 07:46
  
  California on Wednesday moved to tighten already stringent regulations on how much water can flow through toilets and faucets, part of the state's effort to respond to prolonged drought. The regulations passed by the California Energy Commission come on the heels of action on Tuesday to propose a framework for California's first-ever mandatory cutbacks in water use as the drought enters its fourth year.
  
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• Veteran CBS newsman Bob Schieffer to retire this summer

  09-04-2015 05:00
  
  Veteran CBS News "Face the Nation" moderator Bob Schieffer announced Wednesday at the Texas journalism school named for him that he'll be retiring this summer.
  
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• Store surveillance camera captures man hit by truck

  09-04-2015 03:39
  
  Danny Huddleston, the man hit by a truck while crossing a road in a wheelchair in Oildale, died late Tuesday night.
  
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• Man in court for deadly December crash

  09-04-2015 03:19
  
  Randall Sullivan pleaded not guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit-and-run causing death.
  
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• Veteran and critically acclaimed author gives speech at BC

  09-04-2015 02:46
  
  Captain Luis Montalvan served 17 years in the U.S. Army. He received two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and the Combat Action Badge.But, he says what he values most in life is his golden retriever service dog named "Tuesday." Captain Luis Montalvan credits his service dog with saving his life after he served 17 years in the army. Montalvan says post traumatic stress disorder and physical injuries led him to drink. Captain Montalvan said, "s
  
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• City could limit time, day residents water lawns

  09-04-2015 02:41
  
  Bakersfield residents could soon be hit with their first ever water restriction. 
  
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• Young lady has soft spot in her heart for cancer patients

  09-04-2015 02:38
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - While many teenagers are playing the X-box or hanging out with friends, 16-year-old Madison Ridley is at home, making blankets.The Bakersfield High junior is on a mission to bring comfort to cancer patients, young and old. "The previous year my grandmother had battled breast cancer, and she received a blanket during her one of her many chemo treatments.""I remember thinking back to how my grandma felt when she got the blanket and how it brightened her day a
  
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• Vehicle part helped lead investigators to motorist accused of striking, killing bicyclist in hit-and-run

  09-04-2015 02:05
  
  A broken bumper extension, Internet research and an anonymous tip helped lead investigators to a motorist charged earlier this month with striking and killing a bicyclist in December and leaving the scene.
  Randall Lew Sullivan, 55, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit and run causing death in connection with the Dec. 20 crash that killed Victor Quiroz. He's being held on $125,000 bail.
  
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• Teen dies after jumping over waterfall in LA-area mountains

  09-04-2015 01:36
  
  Los Angeles County authorities say an 18-year-old man has died after jumping from the top of a waterfall into a pond in the San Gabriel Mountains.
  
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• State approves tough new rules for water appliances

  09-04-2015 01:35
  
  SACRAMENTO - Due to the severity of California's drought, the state's experts have been managing water resources to deal with the effects of the drought and prepare for the next one. As part of the solution, the California Energy Commission approved standards for water appliances which will save more than 10 billion gallons of water in the first year. Over time, the water savings is estimated to reach 105 billion gallons per year - a savings of more than three times the annual amount of water u
  
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• Man, woman arrested after corpse, severely abused kids found

  09-04-2015 01:29
  
  Two people have been arrested in what authorities describe as a twisted, gruesome case of abuse involving a child's corpse hidden in a broken-down car, a starved baby living on water and a sheltered teenager impregnated by her stepfather.
  
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• Central California cook shot and killed outside restaurant

  09-04-2015 01:16
  
  Authorities say a Central California man was shot and killed outside the restaurant where he worked as a cook.
  
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