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KGET fundraiser next week to support SAL

March 26, 2015, 12:52 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - KGET is firing up the barbecue next week to help raise funds to support the Kern County Sheriff's Activities League.
     
The organization provides programs to help local youth develop into responsible, productive citizens -- reducing juvenile crime.

The barbecue is on Wednesday, April 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     
You can help support the program by joining us outside our KGET studios at 22nd and L Streets. 
     
For $5 you can get a hamburger, chips and a drink.

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JobFest event in Shafter

March 26, 2015, 6:15 pm
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SHAFTER, CA - As Kern County's unemployment rate continues to be nearly twice the national average -- the Department of Human Services is offering employment assistance through a series of job fairs.

More than 400 people showed up to JobFest in Shafter Thursday morning. They had the opportunity to meet with companies, give out their resumes and in some cases, walk away with a new job.

Job seeker Melissa Phillips said, "I did the application and we had an interview right on the spot and she hired me."

After four months of looking for a job, Melissa Phillips's search is over. Phillips says her search for employment wasn't easy.

"It's hard. You try every day. I put in applications, sent in emails, call them back and sometimes it just doesn't work out," said Phillips.

JobFest organizers say the program aims to make the process easier.

DHS program director Brandon Evans said, "It cuts down all the complication and makes it very simple for job seekers, who are looking for good jobs to meet up with employers who are looking for good candidates."

Organizers say more than 50 companies were represented at the Shafter event, with more than 1,400 available jobs.

Executive recruiter Allison Homestead said, "We're gathering the resumes and then since there's such a high volume, we're going to go back to the office, review all the qualified applicants and reach out to them to have them come in."

While some applicants were hired right away, others say they now have some good prospects.

Job seeker Patricia Campos said, "I think it helps. It's a small community. A lot of people are looking for jobs right now."

The next JobFest is April 15 in Taft, followed by Ridgecrest April 23, Bakersfield May 21, and Delano June 18. For times and locations, click on the Hotlink icon on our homepage. You can also get resume help and job leads at all Department of Human Services locations in Kern County.
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Drought bill headed to governor

March 27, 2015, 9:09 am
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SACRAMENTO, CA - A $1.1 billion emergency drought package is headed to the governor's desk, after passing the state assembly.  
     
The bill passes as a new state water report shows our state's current drought may be the worst in history, or close to it.  

The report was released on Thursday by the state department of water resources.  
     
It compares severe droughts from our history and includes pictures of what state reservoirs looked like during those events.  
     
Each of the three droughts brought unique challenges, there was one in 1929 that spanned to 1934, another that only lasted one year in 1976, and in 1987 the drought caused a five-year crisis.  
     
In 1976, state reservoirs actually had less water than they do now.
    
However, state water officials say in some respects, the current crisis is the worst.

"We have many more people than we did in say 1977. We had 22 million then, we have 38 million now. Agriculture has changed a great deal with a lot more orchards as opposed to row crops, so there is a greater demand on the water that is available," said Doug Carlson with the Department of Water Resources.

Also distinguishing our current situation is the fact that this is the driest three year period ever in the state with record high temperatures.
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Changes coming to special education classes

March 27, 2015, 9:19 am
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Kern County schools are changing the way they teach special education, following a report released this month by the statewide special education task force.
     
The task force recommends a number of ways to reform the way children with disabilities are taught.

The statewide task force was created in 2013 to "study the causes of the state's poor outcomes for students with disabilities."
     
Results of their study revealed one major recommendation: better integration of students in special education classes with general education classes.
     
The Panama Buena Vista Union School District has already started working on this recommendation.

According to Dr. Pam Bianchi, the district has proposed introducing intensive intervention centers on every campus to serve students according to their educational needs, starting in the fall.
     
This would provide special education students with multi-level supports and interventions, according to Bianchi..
     
Also, the district is planning to reorganize its special day classes so that one will now be available on each campus.
     
That change would allow students in transitional kindergarten to eighth grade to attend their neighborhood school.
     
According to the district, they are still getting input from staff, but the proposed plan would be implemented in the fall.

Meanwhile, the special education administrators committee here in Kern County stated they are conducting a full review of the statewide report and are looking at which areas of improvement are best suited for Kern County schools.
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Students recognized for community outreach services

March 27, 2015, 9:30 am
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Some civic-minded high school seniors were put in the spotlight for the annual Dream Builders' awards night on Thursday.

Four teams comprised of 22 students from Dream Builders and 10 others from the Ford Dimensions Program showcased their community service projects at the Bakersfield Museum of Art.
     
They ranged from helping foster youth, the homeless, to creating a Valentine's social for elderly citizens in assisted care.
     
But the big prize went to the Water Warriors for their water conservation campaign.     

"We were watching the drought sort of unfold in the Central Valley and all the news and the water prices hiking up, and we wanted to do something about it in the best way we could because it's hard to impact agriculture but we know we could have impacted local people in town," said John Soper from Garces High School.

The awards ceremony is the culmination of several months of work, from learning about community service, to creating and then executing a project.
    
The Dream Builders program is sponsored and funded by the Jim Burke educational foundation.
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Armed suspect may be involved in southwest fire

March 27, 2015, 12:10 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield firefighters are working to contain a fire in the 10,000 block of Tungsten Avenue. Bakersfield police is also on scene investigating a possible rape there as well.

The fire started just before 11 a.m.

Bakersfield fire is reporting its engine company firefighters were advised that a potentially armed suspect is inside this home and reported numerous explosions from inside the burning building.
     
Bakersfield police are securing the scene and say they're investigating a possible rape at this address.

However, firefighters have not been able to go inside yet to fight the flames.
     
Firefighters have deployed numerous hoselines to protect exposures.
    
Tthat's all we know at this time but we will stay out here until we hear more details about the possibly armed person in the home, what might have started the fire, and with updates on when it will be out.
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Riverbed set on fire again

March 27, 2015, 12:41 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - A large fire in the riverbed in Oildale has flared up again, after it took firefighters hours to put out a fire in the same location overnight.

It's burning in the Kern riverbed just east of the North Chester Avenue bridge.

On Thursday evening, fire crews were called out around 7 p.m. for the first fire.
     
That initial fire was just about two acres when they arrived, but it started spreading down the parched river bed.
     
The fire grew to six acres, fueled by tinder-dry vegetation, before it was put out about 2:30 a.m. on Friday.
     
No injuries were reported.

Witnesses said they saw someone start the fire.
     
Arson investigators are trying to determine the cause.
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BPD looking for info on gang shooting suspect

March 27, 2015, 1:08 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The secret witness program is offering a reward of up to $5,000 leading to the arrest and charges in the case of an eighth grader who was found shot to death last April. 

According to police, 13-year-old Cortez Batiste was found around 1 a.m. dead by the railroad tracks near the 1500 block of East Brundage Lane.
     
Police now say Batiste's death was gang related.
     
He was a student at Curran Middle School.

Police are asking anyone with information to call the department at 327-7111, or you can remain anonymous by calling the secret witness hotline at 322-4040. 

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BPD asking community for help identifying suspect

March 27, 2015, 1:12 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield police are looking to the public for information on the death of 57-year-old Jimmie Lee Wallace, who was killed last February.
     
The incident happened on Feb. 27, 2014, when police were called out to the 700 block of Watts Drive, where they found Wallace suffering from a gunshot wound in the driveway.
     
He died at the scene.
     
According to police, there are no suspects and they do not know whether the incident is gang related.
     
Police are offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and charges against the person responsible.

If you have information you can call police at 327-7111, or you can remain anonymous by calling the secret witness hotline at 322-4040.
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Wind Wolves preserve looks to expand

March 27, 2015, 1:17 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Two of the largest private landowners in California have launched discussions to connect Tejon Ranch and adjacent Wind Wolves preserve with wildlife corridors and public access.

The proposals being considered would create freeway underpasses that would allow wildlife to migrate east and west of Interstate 5.
     
Until now, the 270,000 acre Tejon Ranch and 99,000 acre preserve kept a strict distance.
     
Other proposals call for development of campgrounds, hiking trails and interpretive centers on the eastern edge of Wind Wolves preserve.
     
That's near where Tejon Ranch plans to build a phased, master-planned community of 12,000 homes and apartment units.
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Residents voice concern for new downtown lofts

March 27, 2015, 1:26 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - City planners are looking at new ways to combat urban sprawl in Bakersfield, but a proposed 28-unit apartment complex in downtown is receiving some mixed reviews.

Veridian Corporation wants to build the complex on 18th Street between C and D Streets, on a lot that's been vacant since the 1960's. 
     
It calls for a first-floor parking structure and three floors of loft-style apartments, similar to those above the Metro Galleries downtown. The unit also includes a rooftop lounge.
     
Some long-time residents of the area are concerned the complex would not fit in with their neighborhood.
     
However, the developer said there is a strong demand for a new apartment complex of this kind in the downtown area.

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Dancing at the Stars this weekend

March 27, 2015, 1:38 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Music Theater is bringing Dancing at the Stars to Bakersfield Friday and Saturday night.

KGET's Ryann Blackshere Vargas will take a spin on the dance floor, competing against other local personalities like Father Craig Harrison, county supervisor Leticia Perez and local attorney David Torres.

It's all to raise money for the Bakersfield Music Theater.

Tickets to Saturday's show are sold out but you can catch the dress rehearsal for $25 a ticket Friday night at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

You can also vote online for your favorite couple, just visit bmtstars.com.

Each vote costs $1 and goes toward the fundraiser.
 
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Two men indicted for pointing lasers at helicopters

March 27, 2015, 2:36 pm
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FRESNO, CA - Two men have been indicted by a federal grand jury on Thursday after both were charged with laser strikes on law enforcement helicopters.

One of the men is from Bakersfield and identified as 51-year-old Barry Lee Bowser. 

According to court documents, Bowser aimed a green laser light at a Kern County Sheriff's helicopter while it was providing support to ground units responding to a man armed with a gun.

The incident happened on Sept. 12, 2014. 

It is alleged the pilot had difficulty seeing and the mission was diverted.

Bowser is scheduled for arraignment on the indictment on March 30. He was ordered detained as a flight risk.

Bowser faces a prison term of five years and a fine of up to $250,000

The other man is from Fresno and identified as 28-year-old Johnny Alexander Quenga. He is charged with interfering with the safe operation of a Fresno Police Department helicopter. 

According to court documents, Quenga repeatedly struck the helicopter with a green laser attached to an Airsoft rifle, which was seized at his residence.

It is also alleged the airmen experienced vision difficulties.

Quenga was scheduled for arraignment on Friday, March 27.  

Quenga faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted of interfering with the safe operation of an aircraft, and five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 if convicted of aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft

According to United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner , reports of laser attacks have increased dramatically in recent years as powerful laser devices have become more affordable and widely available to the public. 

In 2014, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) received 3,894 reports of incidents involving laser strikes on aircraft.

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Italian court throws out Amanda Knox murder conviction

March 27, 2015, 2:46 pm
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(NBC NEWS) The highest court in Italy on Friday has overturned the murder convictions of Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend in the sensational 2007 stabbing death of her British roommate.

The ruling was the latest turn in an odyssey of international justice for Knox, who spent four years in an Italian jail after the killing. She has returned to the United States and vowed not to return to Italy.

She and the ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, were convicted in 2009, then acquitted and freed in 2011. An appeals court overturned the acquittals and ordered a new trial, and they were convicted again last year. Knox was sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison. Sollecito was sentenced to 28 1/2 years.

Knox and Sollecito were arrested after the roommate, Meredith Kercher, was found dead in a pool of blood in their apartment in the university town of Perugia, as many as 40 knife wounds over her half-naked body.

Prosecutors argued that Kercher was killed as part of a sex game. Knox and Sollecito said they were alone together on the night in question, watching a movie, smoking pot and having sex.


See more HERE

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Gov. Brown signs drought relief bill

March 27, 2015, 3:16 pm
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SACRAMENTO, CA - Gov. Brown signed emergency legislation on Friday that fast-tracks $1 billion of water spending into our state as it grapples with a historic drought.

The legislation will offer aid to residents hurt by the drought and expedite spending on water infrastructure. 
     
Most of the plan funds projects with future dry years in mind rather than the current drought.
     
Gov. Brown said the funding is just one part of a much larger effort to prepare for "an uncertain future."
     
Nearly two-thirds of the package goes to flood protection construction to prevent mudslides and sudden storms from overtaking communities. 

The bill will also will fund grants for water recycling and drinking water for small and poor cities, and to help food banks and wildlife.
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BPD investigating events that led to fire in southwest

March 27, 2015, 4:16 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - Bakersfield police and Bakersfield fire officials are looking into what caused a house fire in southwest Bakersfield on Friday.

According to the Bakersfield Police Department, a man allegedly raped a woman inside the southwest Bakersfield home on Friday morning and then set the two-story house on fire.

The incident happened on the 10,000 block of Tungsten Street, near Old River Road and Harris Road.

BPD officials said they got a call from a woman around 11 a.m. saying she was raped and that the man who raped her was armed with a gun and lighting the house on fire.

When firefighters arrived on scene, they reported hearing about 20 gunshots coming from inside the home.

According to the Bakersfield Fire Department, crews had to find a different way to fight the fire.

The man and alleged victim are believed to be roommates, according to police, but couldn't confirm if they lived at the home on Tungsten Street.

According to BPD, they are not sure if the man who allegedly raped the woman is on the loose or dead inside the burned home.

However, BPD is looking for a person of interest who they say was at the home earlier in the morning. That suspect is identified as 22-year-old Adrian Hernandez.

BPD is set to conduct an investigation once the fire department concludes their investigation.

One witness described the scene as "unreal" and worried there may be someone in the home.

"By the time I got over, all of a sudden it felt like a big rush of air coming through the windows. That's when it started busting and you could actually see the flames -- they were probably 40, 50 feet up in the air by then," said Raul Gonzales.

The damage is estimated to be around $350,000.
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New information in teen shooting death

March 27, 2015, 5:54 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA - It's been nearly one year since a 13 year old was shot to death in southeast Bakersfield. Police are confirming what has been suspected, Cortez Batiste's death was gang related.

The secret witness program offering a $5,000 reward for information on who killed Batiste.

Stay Focused Ministries Director Manuel Carrizalez said, "As many kids as I've buried, that case was the worst one."

Carrizalez says batiste was shot more than a dozen times.

"When they killed him like that, they sent a message and I knew that it was serious," said Carrizalez.

Carrizalez spoke at Batiste's funeral, reaching out to other kids in an effort to stop gang violence -- a message he continues to share with the community.

Carrizalez said, "Gang violence has spread out, all over the city."

As the anniversary of Batiste's death approaches, Carrizalez has another message.

"It just comes with the territory, you know that you know something. The thing is to get involved because it's going to continue," said Carrizalez.

Anyone with information in encouraged to contact BPD 327-7111, or to remain anonymous, call the secret witness hotline 322-4040.
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Free spay/ neuter vouchers for the public

March 28, 2015, 10:48 am
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Bakersfield, CA - Could you use a voucher to spay or neuter your dog?

Marley's Mutts is handing out vouchers worth $30.

The voucher is good for one dog spay or neuter and includes a microchip, pain meds and rabies vaccine.

It's happening from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday at the Walmart Neighborhood Market, located at 3111 N. Chester Ave. In Oildale.

To receive a free voucher you must be a county resident in zip codes 93305, 93306, 93307, 93308 and 93241.

Last year Marley's Mutts helped spay and neuter more than 1,000 dogs. 

According to organizers, offering low cost spay/neuter services to the targeted zip codes, together with educating the public, will not only decrease the shelter intake but create a cycle of awareness that can create a solution to pet overpopulation. 

The vouchers are offered in conjunction with Kern County Animal Control, Critters Without Litters, and San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital.
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Murder suspect arrested after standoff

March 28, 2015, 5:23 pm
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TAFT, CA - A man wanted for murder in washington state is in custody in kern county after a swat standoff in taft. 68-year-old Robert Studer is suspected in the shooting death of his 42-year-old nephew Thursday night south of Seattle.

Law enforcement in Washington contacted Taft police Saturday afternoon with information that Studer was in Taft. Police and sheriff's deputies found Studer's van behind a business in the 400 block of Center Street.

After a standoff at the business lasting several hours and involving multiple law enforcement agencies, the SWAT team and a robot went inside the business. Taft police say Studer was arrested without incident.

Police say King County sheriff's detectives from Washington are on their way to Taft to assist in the investigation.

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Warehouse engulfed in flames in central Bakersfield

March 28, 2015, 6:46 pm
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BAKERSFIELD, CA Arson investigators are looking into what caused a structure fire in a vacant warehouse in central Bakersfield.
     
Smoke could be seen from downtown Bakersfield as crews worked to extinguish the fire. 
     
According to BFD, the fire started just after 4 p.m. near Union Avenue and 34th Street in the rear of the commercial structure.
     
Fire officials said the structure was vacant but filled with lots of materials inside, which caused delays for firefighters.
     
They say the fire took about 20 minutes to knock down.
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