Bakersfield news

• Historically low Kern River forces water deal to keep the tap flowing

  02-07-2015 23:54
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Kern River is running so low right now that Cal Water's northeast water treatment plant was in danger of running out of water to treat and send to homes in Bakersfield.An agreement reached between water companies will prevent that.The agreement reached this week, secures water supplies for the next year for two crucial treatment plants in northeast and northwest Bakersfield, operated by California Water Service company.
  Under the deal, Cal Water will receive 10,000 acr
  
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• Police officer accused of snatching teen is formally charged

  02-07-2015 23:01
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- The Oklahoma Police officer accused of kidnapping a local teen half his age has pleaded not guilty to charges in Nevada.The girl in protective custody, and the officer behind bars in Las Vegas.Police say Danniel Boone Morgan, 30, was arrested at Treasure Island on the Vegas strip.He has been charged with two felony counts of Statutory Sexual Seduction and one felony count of kidnapping.Morgan is accused of kidnapping a 15-year-old Bakersfield girl from her grandfather's ho
  
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• Free basketball league registration for kids with disabilities

  02-07-2015 22:45
  
  League of Dreams is a nonprofit organization that allows children andyoung adults, ages 5-22, with physical or developmental disabilities toplay sports.
  
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• A final video tribute to Officer David Nelson

  02-07-2015 21:38
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Here is one last video tribute and a final goodbye to fallen Bakersfield Police Officer David Nelson.
  
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• U.S. unemployment falls to 7-year low, but wages are flat

  02-07-2015 21:37
  
  U.S. unemployment fell to a seven-year low of 5.3 percent and employers hired at a solid pace in June, but other gauges of the job market drew a bleaker picture: A wave of people stopped looking for work, and paychecks failed to budge.
  
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• Bakersfield animal shelter to have special hours after Fourth of July

  02-07-2015 20:34
  
  Officials with the Bakersfield Animal Care Center want to remind people to secure their dogs and cats during their Fourth of July festivities.
  
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• Xeriscaping slowly gaining popularity in Kern County

  02-07-2015 20:27
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- By necessity, xeriscaping is gaining in popularity in Kern County."Xeri" is a greek word for "dry." We hear alot of talk about xeriscaping these days.But turning your lawn into a water-stingy landscape can be an expensive venture.And public perception of xeriscaping has generally been negative.But as the west sinks deeper into drought, that perception is changing.It's certainly nothing new. Retirees living in Bakersfield's Kern City subdivision were xeriscap
  
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• 2015 Kern County 4th of July events

  02-07-2015 20:22
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA.-2015 Kern County 4th of July events: ***JULY 3, 2015
  ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORK SHOW  Friday, July 3rd6:00pm9:00 p.m. fireworks showShafter High School Football Field •presentation of the Flag, National Anthem and Invocation. Zambelli Internationale will present a Fireworks Spectacular at 9:00 p.m. with a colorful aerial and mid-air displays, ending with a Grand Finale of color that will light up the Shafter sky.661.746.2600FREE
  BUTTONWILLOW ANNUAL FIRE
  
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• Man arrested as search turns up drugs, guns

  02-07-2015 20:21
  
  A man was arrested Wednesday as Kern County deputies found guns and drugs.
  
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• Don't let food poisoning ruin your July Fourth

  02-07-2015 20:13
  
  (NBC News) Millions of Americans are gearing up to celebrate our country's independence around the grill, but before you light up you will want to be sure not to send your guests home sick.Foodborne illness is a serious health threat in the United States. Public health officials say at least 48-million Americans get sick with the disease every year. U.S. Department of Agriculture representatives say many cases can be prevented by adopting good food-handling practices. "You want t
  
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• Evacuations lifted as crews fight Riverside County wildfire

  02-07-2015 20:11
  Crews are making good progress against a wildfire in Riverside County that prompted the evacuation of a campground.
  
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• Experts remind residents of importance of defensible space against wildfires

  02-07-2015 20:08
  
  According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there were close to 11,000 wildfires started by lightning in the past 12 years.
  
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• Charges filed after man seen on camera hitting child

  02-07-2015 18:43
  
  The incident that prompted the charge gained notoriety as a viral Internet video. A store surveillance camera captured the man, allegedly Whittington, slapping a young boy.
  
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• Charges announced against man shown slapping child in viral video

  02-07-2015 18:43
  
  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) -This District Attorney's Office hasannounced the filing of a misdemeanor child abuse charge against23-year-old Justin Whittington.
  
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• Charge filed after man seen on camera hitting child

  02-07-2015 18:43
  
  A misdemeanor child abuse charge has been filed against the man allegedly seen in a viral Internet video slapping a young boy.
  
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• Man seen on camera slapping child charged with misdemeanor

  02-07-2015 18:24
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The man seen on camera slapping his child inside a store has been charged with a misdemeanor.The Kern County District Attorney's office announced Thursday 23-year-old Justin Whittington is charged with one misdemeanor, which carries a sentence of up to one year in jail.The charge follows an incident back in April inside Vest Drugs on Chester Avenue in which Whittington was seen on the store's surveillance camera slapping the child, Deputy District Attorney Melissa Allen
  
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• BPD officer David Nelson laid to rest

  02-07-2015 18:17
  
  Fallen Bakersfield Police officer David Nelson was laid to rest just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday during a service held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.
  
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• BFD putting a stop to illegal fireworks

  02-07-2015 16:48
  
  The Bakersfield Fire Department will host a live-firework demonstration to showcase the unsafe consequences of fireworks, Thursday. 
  
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• Police: No evidence of shooting at Washington Navy Yard

  02-07-2015 15:04
  
  Investigators found no evidence of a shooting after the Washington Navy Yard went on lockdown Thursday because someone reported shots fired in the same building where a gunman killed 12 workers in a rampage two years ago.
  
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• Official: Shots reported on Washington Navy Yard campus

  02-07-2015 15:00
  
  A lockdown is underway on the entire Washington Navy Yard campus after a report of shots fired.
  
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• Funeral service for Officer David Nelson

  02-07-2015 10:39
  The funeral service for Bakersfield Police Officer David J. Nelson was held Wednesday in the Hall of Liberty at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park.
  
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• Deputies searching for missing 13-year old

  02-07-2015 10:20
  
  The Kern County Sheriff's Office is searching for a missing at-risk 13 year old.
  
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• 82-year-old takes first place

  02-07-2015 08:28
  
  A local musician is adding another trophy to his collection after winning a national fiddler's competition.
  
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• Hundreds turn out to pay final tribute to fallen officer

  02-07-2015 06:59
  Hundreds of law enforcement personnel from numerous agencies turn out for funeral services for BPD officer David Nelson held in Glendale.
  
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• Who was Officer David Nelson?

  02-07-2015 05:36
  
  People who knew Officer David Nelson say he was a phenomenal officer and a phenomenal person.
  
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• Officer David Nelson: A tribute to a fallen hero

  02-07-2015 05:36
  
  People who knew Officer David Nelson say he was a phenomenal officer and a phenomenal person.
  
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• Man pleads guilty to starting Northern California wildfire

  02-07-2015 05:20
  
  A 25-year-old Northern California man has pleaded guilty to starting awildfire that destroyed 157 homes and other structures in the city ofWeed in September and forced thousands of residents to evacuate.
  
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• Fireworks booths open today, safety still the...

  02-07-2015 04:13
  
  BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Fireworks booths opened today just a few days away from the Fourth of July. With some new regulations in place, booth volunteers want to make sure every customer stays safe while celebrating. 
  
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• History of line-of-duty deaths: Suspect chases prove dangerous

  02-07-2015 04:10
  
  The last four local law enforcement officials to die in the line of duty were all involved in vehicle pursuits.
  
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• Court documents: Hernandez confesses to being driver in fatal pursuit

  02-07-2015 03:54
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Newly-filed court documents that were made available Wednesday afternoon, show Julian Hernandez admitted to the crimes he's charged with, both in a written note and during an interview.Detectives say when they first approached Hernandez, he gave them a handwritten note stating he was the driver in the pursuit.Detectives then drove Hernandez to Bakersfield Police headquarters where they interrogated him.They say Hernandez offered information that only the person involved in the
  
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• Heartfelt stories from the funeral of Officer David Nelson

  02-07-2015 03:48
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- Officer David Nelson's mom and dad did not speak at the service, but instead had his uncle and best friend speak about the 26 year old on behalf of the family
  His uncle talked about when Officer Nelson was a baby and the life he lived as he grew up
  Police Chief Greg Williamson also spoke about Nelson and the type of careful and dedicated officer he was
  Officer nelson's roommate and fellow officer spoke after him and was very emotional saying he feels empty without his best
  
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• Details of the charges against Julian Hernandez

  02-07-2015 03:45
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Julian Hernandez, the man accused of leadingBPD officer David Nelson on that deadly chase, has felony convictions dating back to 2001. With 13 different cases against him including resisting arrest,evading police and spousal abuse.Local criminal defense attorney, Jared Thompson, about the felony charges Hernandez is facing. Thompson gave us a breakdown of what each charge means and the minimum and maximum time Hernandez could serve.
  The first felony charge evading an officer c
  
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• Learning more about Julian Hernandez

  02-07-2015 03:27
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Court records show Julian Hernandez is a career criminal, in and out of prison and jail since age 15. His father, Idalberto Saavedra, has been in prison since Hernandez was four,a life sentence for murder.Hernandez was born in Bakersfield 32 years ago and started getting into trouble at a young age. He was 15 the first time he was picked up, served 20 days in juvenile hall. Since his first arrest, court records show a cycle of criminal behavior. Hernandez has 13 different
  
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• Hate crimes, homicides declined in California in 2014

  02-07-2015 03:23
  
  Most crime rates declined across California in 2014, including hate crimes and homicides, the state attorney general's office said Wednesday.
  
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• Emotions high day as Officer David nelson laid to rest

  02-07-2015 03:18
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA- It was an emotional and long day in Glendale as Bakersfield Police Officer David Nelson was laid to rest.Officials expected over 1,000 people to attend the funeral.
  The chapel at Forest Lawn Los Angeles, where the service was held, was packed as friends and family, Police Chief Williamson and other dignitaries paid their respects to Officer Nelson.Marked police units from at least 30 different law enforcement agencies, from as far north as Porterville to as far south
  
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• Woman with no memory searches online for identity, family

  02-07-2015 03:11
  
  A woman who couldn't recall her identity when she was found on a Southern California street earlier this year has turned to the Internet in search of her family.
  
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• Coroner releases name of man killed in fire

  02-07-2015 03:03
  
  The coroner's office on Wednesday released the name of a man who died in an apartment fire.
  
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• Bakersfield man guilty of pointing laser at sheriff's helicopter

  02-07-2015 02:44
  A Bakersfield man was found guilty Wednesday by a federal jury in Fresno of aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft.
  
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• New information on suspect in death of BPD officer

  02-07-2015 01:45
  
  New court documents show the suspect accused of causing the death of Bakersfield Police Officer David Nelson drove off at a very high speed and told investigators he would "do whatever it took" to avoid capture by police.
  
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• New information in case against suspect in death of BPD officer

  02-07-2015 01:45
  
  New court documents show the suspect accused of causing the death of Bakersfield Police Officer David Nelson drove off at a very high speed and told investigators he would "do whatever it took" to avoid capture by police.
  
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• Suspect in Officer Death Admits Involvement

  02-07-2015 01:37
  
  The man suspected of driving the vehicle that was being pursued by a Bakersfield Police Officer who crashed and died during the pursuit has admitted his involvement, according to court documents obtained by 23ABC.
  
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• $3 million restoration project improves Alcatraz Island

  02-07-2015 00:58
  
  After more than a year of work, the National Park Service on Wednesday pulled the tarps off upgrades at Alcatraz, showing off $3 million in improvements to the sally port, guardhouse, library, schoolhouse and other historic areas.
  
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• Western wildfires: Flames plague hot, dry Washington region

  02-07-2015 00:49
  
  New flames ignited in drought-stricken Washington state, not far from where a destructive wildfire reduced homes to rubble. Crews also are battling blazes in California and Nevada.
  
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• Death penalty will be sought against couple in boy's death

  02-07-2015 00:47
  
  Los Angeles County prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a Palmdale couple charged in the beating death of the woman's 8-year-old son.
  
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• Highway 178 through Kern Canyon reopened

  02-07-2015 00:46
  
  UPDATE 11:33 A.M.: crews have reopened Hwy 178 through the canyon after an early morning fire.
  
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• Pom-pom pay: California bill gives cheerleaders minimum wage

  02-07-2015 00:45
  
  California legislation believed to be the first of its kind in the nation is set to change that. The bill sent to the governor this week would require cheerleaders to be paid at least minimum wage and overtime and sick leave if they work for professional sports teams based in California.
  
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• California slips back to No. 8 economy in world

  02-07-2015 00:30
  
  Less than a month after edging out Brazil, California has slipped back to its ranking as the eighth-largest economy in the world.
  
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• KCFD reminds public when use of fireworks allowed

  02-07-2015 00:12
  
  The Kern County Fire Department on Wednesday outlined the times when use of fireworks is permitted.
  
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• Kern Health Systems appoints new board member

  02-07-2015 00:02
  
  BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern Health Systems has appointed Raji K. Brar as a new member
  of their board of directors.KHS officials say Brar brings to the Board a diverse background in business, government and health care. She is director for the Kern County Fair Board, a Director and Co-Founder for the Bakersfield Sikh Women’s Association, and a member of the City of Arvin Economic Development Committee.
  She holds a Master of Science Degree in Health Care Administration a
  
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