Bakersfield news

• Ag officials begin spraying for the Citrus Psyllid

  14-05-2015 23:38
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Agriculture officials are in Downtown Bakersfield Thursday as they begin spraying for the Asian Citrus Psyllid, an insect that kills citrus trees.The pest was primarily located within the outskirts of Bakersfield but concerns were raised when one was found in a Westchester neighborhood in downtown Bakersfield last week.Officials have already canvassed the area and placed traps within nine square miles of the sighting. 
  Now, they are spraying that zone to prevent the bug f
  
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• CALM celebrating birth of three Desert Bighorn lambs

  14-05-2015 23:16
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The California Living Museum is celebrating the birth of three Desert Bighorn Lambs. The lambs were born between April 29 and May 1.The three lambs will be introduced to the public on Friday, May 15 at 10 a.m.Representatives with CALM said two females and a male were born.The births also coincide with CALM's 32nd birthday celebration, taking place Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, admission for all kids 12 years old and younger is free but they must be accompanied
  
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• Woman denied phone call from plane to stop husband's suicide

  14-05-2015 22:51
  
  (WTMJ) A Wisconsin woman is looking for answers after her husband took his own life.An alarming text came from him moments before a Southwest Airlines flight Karen Momsen-Evers was on took off."I started shaking the minute I got the text and I was panicked, I didn't know what to do," she said.Karen was flying from New Orleans to Milwaukee. The text came as flight attendants were doing their final cabin checks.The woman returned her husband's text telling him "no", but when s
  
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• Man sentenced to two years for fatal hit and run

  14-05-2015 22:38
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A man who took a plea deal in a fatal hit-and-run case that ended in the death of a bicyclist, was sentenced to two years in prison.
  On Thursday, 28-year-old Jonathan Montiel pleaded no contest to charges of felony hit and run, vehicular manslaughter, destroying evidence and being an unlicensed driver.    In February, 43-year-old Saul Zelaya Ayala was found in the road at Union Avenue and Panama Lane.     According to detectives, he was riding sou
  
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• Man sentenced for deadly hit-and-run crash

  14-05-2015 21:59
  
  A man was sentenced Thursday to two years in prison for a deadly hit-and-run crash.
  
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• Gov. Brown releases revised budget proposal

  14-05-2015 21:56
  
  SACRAMENTO, CA - Gov. Jerry Brown released his revised budget plan for California on Thursday.Under this May revision, state revenues are forecast to increase by $2.4 billion.     Nevertheless, the costs of health care, drought, and other programs have increased by essentially the same amount.
  "Just since January, several billion dollars have come into the state treasury, most of that is going to go to education, as required by California constitution."
  He also introduc
  
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• BPD looking for burglary suspect

  14-05-2015 21:46
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Police Department is looking for the public's help in identifying and locating a suspect wanted for burglary.According to BPD, the suspect allegedly broke into a home on April 10, between 6 and 11 p.m.A bank card was taken from the home and used several hours later by the suspect, according to BPD.Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Eric Littlefield at 661-326-3813 or the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.
  
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• Third suspect arrested for shooting a pregnant woman

  14-05-2015 21:39
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A third person, accused in a shooting last week that wounded a pregnant woman, her unborn baby, and husband, has been arrested.
  The San Diego U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and Baja State Police liaison group arrested Anthony Rios in Mexicali, Mexico on Thursday.     The shooting happened last week on Monterey Street in east Bakersfield.
  Rios, his brother James Rios and Anthony Sanchez are all accused of opening fire on Mario Bravo Jr. and his wife Adrianna B
  
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• Investigation preview: Are Bakersfield speed limits too high?

  14-05-2015 21:19
  
  In Bakersfield, there are many roads where the speed limit is 55 mph. Some viewers question if it's too fast.
  
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• Police save suicidal woman from bridge

  14-05-2015 21:19
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Police save a suicidal woman who tried to jump from a bridge, according to BPD.It happened Sunday on the Truxtun Avenue bridge over Union Avenue.
  Bakersfield Police officers were called to the bridge about 2 p.m. and found the woman standing on the outside of the bridge railing.The woman told officers she would jump if they got close.While officer tried to talk the woman down they say she knelt down as if she were preparing to jump.Police say they were able to distract the
  
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• BPD says alarm salesman sex assaulted customer

  14-05-2015 20:42
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- A salesman for nationally known home security company is wanted for sexually assaulting customers, according to Bakersfield Police.A woman reported to police that a door-to-door security salesman from ADT Security Systems came to her home near Calloway Drive and Hageman Road May 6.The woman let the salesman in and then says he inappropriately touched her and left.The victim described the suspect as a: possible Asian male, 22 years, 5’7”, 175 lbs., muscular buil
  
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• Alarm salesman sex assaulted customer according to BPD

  14-05-2015 20:42
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- A salesman for nationally known home security company is wanted for sexually assaulting customers, according to Bakersfield Police.A woman reported to police that a door-to-door security salesman from ADT Security Systems came to her home near Calloway Drive and Hageman Road May 6.The woman let the salesman in and then says he inappropriately touched her and left.The victim described the suspect as a: possible Asian male, 22 years, 5’7”, 175 lbs., muscular buil
  
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• Police: Door-to-door salesman suspected of sexual battery

  14-05-2015 20:02
  
  Police are investigating claims that a door-to-door salesman in northwest Bakersfield may have committed sexual battery.
  
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• Door-to-door salesman suspected of sexual battery

  14-05-2015 20:02
  
  Police are investigating claims that a door-to-door salesman in northwest Bakersfield may have committed sexual battery.
  
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• Door-to-door salesman may have committed sexual assault

  14-05-2015 20:02
  
  Police are investigating claims that a door-to-door salesman in northwest Bakersfield may have committed a sexual assault.
  
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• All suspects arrested in shooting of man, pregnant wife

  14-05-2015 19:48
  
  All three suspects have been arrested in the shooting of a man and his pregnant wife.
  
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• California governor proposes record $115.3 billion budget

  14-05-2015 19:33
  
  Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday proposed a record $115.3 billion California spending plan that will send more money to public schools, freeze in-state undergraduate tuition and establish a new state tax credit for the working poor.
  
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• Brown's budget boosts spending for schools, adds tax credit

  14-05-2015 19:33
  
  Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday proposed a record $115.3 billion California spending plan that will send more money to public schools, freeze in-state undergraduate tuition and establish a new state tax credit for the working poor.
  
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• Court documents shed new light on murder case

  14-05-2015 19:29
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Court records shed new light on the events leading up to a murder of a man whose body was dumped in an orchard.Ernesto Lopez, Jessie Gomez and Amber Sanders have pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder, kidnapping and participating in a street gang.Investigators have charged Matthew Mejia with those same counts, but he still has not been caught.They're all accused in the murder of 31-year-old Justin Brewer of Bakersfield.Police documents show the motive appears to be tha
  
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• 'American Idol' crowns second-to-last champion

  14-05-2015 19:26
  
  "This is the best day of my life," said 29-year-old rocker Nick Fradiani after he was crowned the second to the last "American Idol" in not the best of weeks for the long-running music competition show.
  
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• CHP: Driver that caused fatal crash was high

  14-05-2015 18:30
  
  WASCO, CA- A driver who caused a crash that killed his passenger was high on drugs according to the California Highway Patrol.The crash on Highway 46 and Western Avenue in Wasco happened about 9:30 Wednesday night.The CHP reports the driver of a sedan stopped at the intersection ofWestern and 46 then for an unknown reason pulled into the path of a semi that was on 46.The semi hit the right side of the car killing the male passenger.The driver of the car was taken to the hospital with minor
  
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• Owner builds an at-work nursery to balance work and life

  14-05-2015 18:09
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA.-One local business owner has come up with a plan to help his employees better balance work and family life by converting office space into a nursery. When mom-to-be Natalie Garrett told her boss she was pregnant and would eventually be on maternity leave, he told her he would make it work. She didn't know that would mean bringing the baby to work. But at Seaco, a company that solves water and energy problems, the owner felt child car was just another issue to tackle.&
  
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• D'oh! Is 'The Simpsons' parting company with Harry Shearer?

  14-05-2015 17:21
  
  An escalating contract dispute suggests that Harry Shearer may exit "The Simpsons," where he has voiced several of its characters since the Fox cartoon series debuted in 1989.
  
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• Daycare Database

  14-05-2015 14:00
  KERN COUNTY --When you drop off your kids at a state licensed daycare, you assume you are leaving them in a safe environment. But what do you really know about the place?
  There are 251 active licenses for daycare facilities in Kern County. In the past five years, more than 60 have had Type A citations, issued for the most serious types of violations.The state Department of Social Services launched its new website last year. You can find basic information on the state's website, but details of v
  
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• PHOTO GALLERY: Showing off motorcycles with the Euro Riders of Kern

  14-05-2015 11:43
  
  On the second Monday of each month, it's Euro Bike Night at Logan's Roadhouse on California Avenue. The Euro Riders of Kern meet to show and talk about motorcycles. Most of the attendees have European-made motorcycles, but all makes are welcome.
  
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• PHOTO GALLERY: Up on the rooftop, down on the street

  14-05-2015 11:25
  
  When you're looking down from a rooftop, you're bound to get a little different perspective than you do on the ground. Californian photographer Casey Christie captures a slice of downtown life from atop a downtown parking garage on Wednesday.
  
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• PHOTO GALLERY: Take me out to the (beanbag) ballgame

  14-05-2015 11:10
  
  No word if there were any Cracker Jacks, but there was sure a good baseball game with beanbags Wednesday at the Carriage House Estates in Bakersfield. Four teams of seniors competed — and there was even a triple play.
  
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• Reports: Man whose body was found in orchard was bound and beaten with hammer after being accused of stealing cellphones

  14-05-2015 10:33
  
  A man whose burned body was found in an orchard May 3 had been beaten, bound and repeatedly hit in the head with a hammer at a northwest Bakersfield residence after being accused of stealing cellphones, according to court filings that became available Wednesday. Justin Brewer, 31, was beaten by members of the Varrio Bakers criminal street gang, police reports filed in court say. After he was killed, his body was wrapped in a sheet and placed in a vehicle to be disposed of elsewhere.
  
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• Private space race tightens in Mojave

  14-05-2015 10:00
  
  Quick! Raise your hand if you already knew this: Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo isn't the only space plane being built in eastern Kern County.
  
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• Woman denied pain meds, new regulations to blame

  14-05-2015 09:25
  
  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) – Jessica Barr loved gymnastics. But the sport didn’t always love her back.
  
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• Oildale gets new tree project

  14-05-2015 09:19
  
  Citizens for a New Oildale has added 10 potted trees to a stretch of North Chester Avenue, part of its ongoing efforts to beautify the area. Chevron North America provided the $5,500 funding for the project. Burnt brown pots containing magnolia trees and ferns went in Saturday in front of five stores: Santa Barbara Pizza, Three Dogs, Donut Star, Trout's Lounge and Kim's Flowers.
  
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• Two killed in Frazier Park crash involving stolen ambulance

  14-05-2015 09:14
  
  Two people are dead after a woman crashed a stolen Hall Ambulance emergency vehicle into a big rig near Frazier Park Wednesday evening. The identities of the woman and a man driving the rig had not been released as of late Wednesday night.
  
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• Deputies ask for help finding teen girl missing since Monday

  14-05-2015 08:59
  
  A 13-year-old girl has been missing since Monday and is considered at risk because of her age and a history of mental health issues. Deputies said Nadia Roberts was last seen at 7 p.m. in the area of Scodie Park in Onyx. She's described as white, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 120 pounds, and brown and red hair.
  
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• Seventeen-year-old has been missing since March 30

  14-05-2015 08:58
  
  A 17-year-old Bakersfield girl has been missing since March 30. Deputies said Lisamarie Canchola was last seen leaving her residence at 4 a.m. in the 2100 block of Potomac Avenue in east Bakersfield. She may have acquaintances in the McFarland area.
  
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• Cook honored for investigative look at state Dental Board

  14-05-2015 08:48
  
  Rachel Cook, former health reporter at The Californian, was honored Tuesday night in Fresno at the 27th annual George F. Gruner Prizes for Meritorious Service in Journalism for her in-depth look at the Dental Board of California and the troubled practice of one particular Bakersfield dental surgeon. Cook's 14,000-word project, "Dental Dangers," published in July 2014, delved into the way California dentists are licenced and reviewed, and offered consumers tips on how to best choose
  
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• Grant will let Arvin test electric-powered yard trucks

  14-05-2015 08:44
  
  A $3 million state grant approved Wednesday will give Arvin and four other Central Valley communities the opportunity to test out heavy-duty yard trucks that run entirely on electricity. The trucks, built by privately held Poway-based Transportation Power Inc., or TransPower, are meant for use in warehouses, ports and other commercial and industrial settings.
  
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• Stolen ambulance crashes into semi; two dead

  14-05-2015 07:11
  
  Two people are dead following a crash east of Frazier Park Wednesday night, according to a spokesperson with the Kern County Fire Department. 
  
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• KCSO: Oildale man reported missing since 2013

  14-05-2015 06:20
  
  An Oildale man who went missing in 2013 has not yet been found and authorities are now turning to residents to help them find him. 
  
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• Two dead following crash involving Hall Ambulance

  14-05-2015 04:54
  
  FRAZIER PARK, CA - Two people have died after a woman with a knife reportedly stole a Hall Ambulance that later crashed with a semi truck in Frazier Park.  Kern County Fire officials say no ambulance personnel from Hall were in the wreckage near Lebec Road.  One person had died at the scene, the other died after being pulled out by rescue crews.  The names of the two people who died have not been released.  17 news has a photographer on scene and will have more information a
  
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• Girl who texted family for help found in Motel

  14-05-2015 04:23
  
  A 15-year-old girl was found at a Motel 6 in Central Bakersfield motel after she was reportedly held against her will. 
  
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• Video goes viral after mom says crossing guard just sits there

  14-05-2015 04:03
  
  A local mother, not happy with the crossing guard near her kids' schools, used social media to get change.
  
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• Woman arrested after toddler points gun at police

  14-05-2015 03:40
  
  Police have arrested a San Bernardino woman after her toddler pointed a loaded handgun at detectives.
  
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• KCFD: 2 dead in crash involving stolen ambulance

  14-05-2015 03:34
  
  The Kern County Fire Department says two people are dead in a crash involving a stolen ambulance and semitruck in Frazier Park.
  
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• KCFD: 1 dead in crash involving stolen ambulance

  14-05-2015 03:34
  
  The Kern County Fire Department says a person is dead in a crash involving a stolen ambulance and semitruck in Frazier Park.
  
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• 2 dead in crash involving big rig, stolen ambulance

  14-05-2015 03:34
  
  Two people are dead from a crash between a semitruck and a stolen ambulance in Frazier Park.
  
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• Local woman claims company violates privacy

  14-05-2015 03:34
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Bakersfield woman filed a lawsuit against her former employer, alleging a smart phone app, tracking her location 24-7, was an invasion of privacy. She says she was fired for refusing to use it.
  Myrna Arias is suing Intermex wire transfer, a Miami based company -- claiming she was fired for not using an app that allowed her bosses to know her every move, even at home.
  Xora, a workforce management app, allows employers to access that information. It's legal according to Work L
  
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• Drought: 12.5 million trees are dead across the state

  14-05-2015 03:20
  
  An estimated 12.5 million trees are dead across the state, according to the latest aerial tree survey from the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Agriculture.
  
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• Parents: Special needs students unsafe at TUSD

  14-05-2015 03:12
  
  Several parents are speaking out against the Tehachapi Unified School District over how the district handles their special need programs. 
  
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• Kern's meth epidemic, Part 2

  14-05-2015 03:03
  
  WOFFORD HEIGHTS, CA - Scott and Deena Siddle live in Wofford Heights where they work as pastors. Locals in the Kern Valley find it hard to believe they were once addicted to meth, but say they give hope to their community showing how staying clean is possible, one prayer at a time. 
  
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• Discriminatory discipline lawsuit can proceed against KHSD

  14-05-2015 03:01
  
  A lawsuit filed against the Kern High School District alleging discriminatory discipline practices against black and Latino students is valid and can proceed.
  
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