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07-28-2010
UPDATED AT 8:40 P.M.: The Bull Fire near Kernville has grown to 15,982 acres since it broke out Monday, and investigators it was started by humans. The blaze is only five-percent contained, and more than 1100 firefighters are now on scene. Residents of Kernville and Riverkern, where six homes, a lodge, and several outbuildings were destroyed when the blaze first broke out, were allowed to return home on Wednesday morning. However, several road closures are still in effect. |
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07-28-2010
UPDATED AT NOON: The man who died in the Kern River through Kernville after tying himself to a raft has been identified as Claudio Estrada, 45, of Sun Valley. Sheriff's investigators say the rope got hung up on some rocks when the raft flipped over, trapping him underwater. Witnesses say both Estrada and two children all wore life vests on the raft. The kids made it to shore on their own. A second body that was found by rafters downstream near Hobo Campground in Bodfish just a few hours later has not been identified. Sheriff's deputies responding to the call say the body was hung up on a branch in about four feet of water, and looked as though it had been in the water for quite some time. The incident is being investigated as an accidental drowning. |
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07-27-2010
Officials from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District are warning that the smoke from two major fires could present a health risk to residents in foothill communities, when the winds shift by midweek. The smoke carries small particles of ash that can aggravate lung disease and trigger asthma attacks. Older adults and children are especially advised to avoid prolonged exposure. For more information, contact the SJVAPCD at 800-SMOG-INFO, or visit www.valleyair.org.
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07-27-2010
A huge, new wind energy plant in near Mojave is expected to do more than generate renewable power for thousands of homes. Kern County Supervisor Don Maben says the project, which is billed as the largest wind farm in the U.S., will also restore Kern County as the leader in wind energy production, and do 'great' things for the local economy. "It's great for local jobs, it's going to be great for tax revenues for the county, so I mean it's a win-win." Officials broke ground this morning on the Alta Wind Energy Center, which will add $1.2-Billion to Kern County's economy, and power 275,000 homes in California. Construction should be done by 2015. Maben says the AWEC is one of 24 energy project in the "pipeline." |
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07-27-2010
Drivers can expect lane closures starting today where Mohawk Street meets Truxtun Avenue, as work begins to improve the intersection. That's where Mohawk will eventually be extended to hook up with the Westside Parkway on the north side of the Kern River. The work should last several weeks. Construction will also continue for a few more days at Coffee and Brimhall roads. |
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07-26-2010
UPDATED 7/27 6AM: More than 500 firefighters spent a long night on the firelines protecting homes in Kernville, but they could not stop the Bull Fire from destroying six homes in Riverkern. The flames jumped the Kern River not long after the fire broke out Monday afternoon. Kern County Fire spokesman Sean Collins calls the loss devastating. "They're just communities that...depend on on Kernville, the tourists and everything, but there are some nice homes up there." Evacuees were sent to the Lake Isabella Senior Center, 6409 Lake Isabella Blvd., and Burma and Burlando roads leading into the Kern River towns remain shut down for everyone today, including local residents. The wildfire has burned more than five-thousand acres and is five-percent contained, and new fire crews from around the state have been arriving all morning for what's expected to be a tough battle today, as the winds pickup and the humidity drops. Water-dropping helicopters and air tankers have been grounded until some of the smoke in the valley clears, which has prevented them from joining the firefighting effort. Local residents were evacuated to the Senior Center in Lake Isabella, although few had taken advantage of the shelter as of this morning.
The Bull Fire also forced the evacuation of Camp Erwin Owen. Kern County Probation officers rushed to move 122 boys from the Kernville facility, and they said the fire moved dangerously close. The boys were safely taken to Bowles Juvenile Hall and the Kern Crossroads Facility, both in Bakersfield. |
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07-26-2010
Kern County Sheriff's deputies shut down another marijuana grow, this time uprooting 6,500 plants worth $16.25 million in a forest near Bohna Creek, north of Adler Creek Campground. Sgt. Michael Bonsness says four illegal immigrants were arrested, and one may have fallen asleep while on the lookout outside their tent. "We went through the marijuana plants right into their camp, and once we saw him, we moved in and got on him, then got over to the camp." Bonsness says one suspect, Israel Armas, 26, was wounded during an attack over marijuana on Edison Highway last year, where two others died. He adds that Armas fled to Mexico, then came back. He survived a through-and-through gunshot wound to his chest. |
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07-26-2010
Supporters of Proposition 23 say it must be approved to suspend AB 32, which mandates emission standards drop to 1990 levels by the year 2020. They say businesses cannot afford to make upgrades for it, but Steve Maviglio of Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs calls that a scare tactic of companies that are financing the measure. "About 79-percent is from out of state oil companies, so I think they have one thing in mind with the initiative: that's to slow down the clean energy industry that's really blossoming in the valley and across our state. They don't want the competition." Valero and Tesoro are the big donors, but the "Yes on 23" campaign says other industries support them, too. "Yes on 23" spokeswoman Anita Mangles says they're fighting to protect the state's economy. "They provide thousands of jobs right here in California, they have many facilities here in California, and they pay millions and millions of dollars in taxes in California." The initiative is on the November 2 ballot. |
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07-26-2010
The Kern County Sheriff's Office Narcotic Enforcement team, working with the state's anti-meth task force, CAL-MMET, have arrested nine people in Oildale. Search Warrants were served at two apartments on the 100 block of Beardsley Avenue. Deputies seized more than 30 grams of the drug worth more than $3,000. |
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07-26-2010
Jury selection has begun for a man accused of the 2008 murder of a Bakersfield convenience store owner. Prosecutors say Samuel Bravo shot Youll Kwon, 51, at the Honey Market on Panama Lane. Bravo is also accused of a pair of holdups in Lamont. |
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07-26-2010
The Kern County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad was called to a quiet Oildale neighborhood, after getting reports that someone found a pair of hand grenades in a bedroom. They arrived on the 900 block of Rockwood Avenue after 1:30 p.m. Monday, and quickly removed the grenades. Sgt. Sean Pratt says he doesn't know if the grenades were "live" or not, but he's not taking any chances. "They'll probably be turned over to the military, because U.S. military ordnance is typically turned over to them." A friend of the homeowner found the World War II era grenades in a box full of military collectibles. |
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07-26-2010
The newest member of the State Board of Food and Agriculture has a long record of serving Kern County. Grimmway Farms Vice President Sean McNally has been on the front lines of issues like pesticide use, air quality and bringing water to the valley. He says he took the position...which is unpaid...knowing a new Governor was coming. "I felt like it was important that if we had an opportunity up there, explaining our position and informing people what some of the impact of laws and regulations are on our industry, that I should take it." McNally hopes to bridge the gap between the outgoing Schwarzenegger administration and the new Governor who'll be elected in November. The term lasts four years, and a spokesman for the current Governor says he'll be sworn in as soon as possible. McNally is also on the Garces Memorial High School Board and is President of the Kern Adult Literacy Council. |
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07-20-2010
(UPDATED 7-23-2010) Bakersfield police say a woman who was raped and almost killed on Monday night wasn't a random victim. They say two men targeted her, forced her back into her apartment near 24th and Oak streets at knife point and then raped her. Before they left, the woman was also choked until she became unconscious. Sgt. Mary DeGeare says she woke up and called police. "She was treated at the hospital and released, and she had some minor but traumatic injuries." BPD is now offering a $5,000 reward through the Secret Witness Hotline (661-322-4040) for anyone who produces credible information behind the rape. DeGeare didn't give a motive, but does not think the rest of the neighborhood is in danger of the suspects. They're described as Hispanic men; one is in his 30s, about 5'9"-6'1" tall, 200 lbs., with black short hair and unshaven face, wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans, having a one-inch wide surgical scar on his lower chest extending to his belly button and a heavy Spanish accent; the other is in his 20s, 5'9" tall, 180 lbs., with dark brown hair and unshaven face, a thin build, wearing a t-shirt with red and blue vertical stripes and dark blue or black jeans. Call Det. Lance O'Nesky at 661-326-3557 if you have any information. |
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07-23-2010
In the first six months of this year, Bakersfield police report a 15.3-percent spike in violent crimes. That includes 13 homicides, one more than the same period last year. Four of those murders were gang-related. Robberies dropped by 1.5-percent, but aggravated assaults jumped 28.5-percent. Rapes dropped, however, by 34.5-percent, which form part of a 1.8-percent rise in the overall crime rate. BPD released its statistics on Friday. |
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07-23-2010
For his networking skills, successful recruitment of Republican politicians and his ascent through the ranks, Politico lists Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) as one of 50 to watch in Washington. The political website calls McCarthy "everybody's new best friend" because several congressman owe McCarthy their careers. Karl Rove, a former advisor to President George W. Bush, called him a potential Speaker of the House if Republicans take over. As the chief deputy whip, McCarthy is the fourth-highest ranking Republican in the House. |
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07-23-2010
Bakersfield Public Works crews will be restricting traffic at Ming Avenue and New Stine Road over the weekend, as they do some work on the intersection. Traffic on New Stine will be restricted to right turns only on Saturday, and will be completely closed all day Sunday. Traffic on Ming will be reduced to one lane. |
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07-23-2010
Traffic on Oak Street between 18th Street and Truxtun Avenue in central Bakersfield was snarled when power to traffic signals was knocked out. A transformer on the corner of 18th and Oak exploded at about 11:30 a.m. Friday, cutting power to more than 2,800 customers. Curtis Maynard had parked his car under the power pole, and the top of the transformer came down between his car and another. He says he was nervous about checking for damage. "I'm not gonna get close enough under the power line to go see. But I have good insurance!" A Bakersfield Fire truck was driving by when the transformer exploded, and they stopped to douse the flames. No one was injured in the explosion, and power was fully restored by 6:00 p.m. |
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07-23-2010
Bakersfield arson investigators are still trying to figure out what touched of a blaze in an abandoned meat packing warehouse that lasted nearly 20 hours. The 45,000 square foot building on the corner of South H Street and Berkshire Road caught fire Wednesday morning, and lead investigator, Fire Captain Vic Maybry, says he's closing in on a cause. "My findings found the area of origin to be to the rear of the building, opposite of South H Street, in the interior of the building." Maybry is still not sure how the fire started, but says that the building has had a lot of homeless people living there over the years. |
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07-23-2010
A 15 year old boy and 18 year old Adolfo Rivera are facing burglary and auto theft charges, after a woman found them in her home Thursday morning. Bakersfield Police say she blocked the car in her driveway on the 2700 block of Fountain Drive and called police, after seeing her front door open and electronic equipment stacked in the entryway. The pair were ran out the back, but were chased down with the help of K-9 Officer Max. Police say the car they were using was reported stolen from the 3300 block of McCourry Street on July 13th. |
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07-23-2010
For the second night in a row, a stubborn fire in a meat packing plant on South H Street and Berkshire Road has flared up. The three alarm blaze first broke out Wednesday before noon, and officials thought they were done with it that night. They were still fighting flames until about 7:00 Thursday morning. Bakersfield Fire Deputy Chief Tyler Hartley explains there were numerous small rooms inside the 45-thousand square foot building. "It was really difficult for us to get to the fire." Arson investigators were hoping to get inside yesterday to determine what started the blaze. The flare up this morning happened around 1am, but was quickly doused. |
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07-23-2010
Only about 60 firefighters now remain at the The Owens Peak CompleX fire near Ridgecrest, after managers of the multi-agency incident turned operations over to the Bureau of Land Management. The size of the blaze that started last weekend has been lowered to 1822 acres, after GPS mapping was done. Full containment is expected Saturday. Local hiking trails damaged by the fire are being repaired, and should reopen soon. |
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07-22-2010
The State Water Board recommends severe pumping cutbacks at the delta to save the indigenous species, though its opinions don't include economic impacts that have already been considered by a federal judge. Kern County Water Agency's Brent Walthall calls the report a one-sided draft, which is exactly what the legislature ordered. "The State Board, in its normal function, that which it has enforcement powers for, balances other purposes like economics, recreational fisheries, those kinds of things, against the need for the water supply for the fish." The findings are to be used for future conveyance policies, but Walthall says he's watching to make sure no one uses them out of context. Walthall says the legislature ordered the draft to adopt water flow criteria, but no solid implementation plans. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Bakersfield) called the report "fodder" for critics to cut off water supplies. |
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07-22-2010
A jury acquitted Thomas Crenshaw Smith, 68, of murder, but found him guilty of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of his son last July. Attorneys say Smith and his son, Joshua, 21, got into a fight in the 4100 block of De Ette Avenue in south Bakersfield. They add that Smith told a 911 operator that he fired once into his son's chest during "fury and rage." His sentencing is August 19. |
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07-22-2010
Kern County reported a slight uptick in hate crimes last year, although they dropped statewide. The California Attorney General's Office says 20 hate crime incidents and 27 victims were confirmed locally, up from 17 and 21 from 2008. A Sheriff's spokesman says there have been relatively few hate crimes over the years, but they're taken seriously. Hate crimes are motivated by race, ethnicity, gender and disabilities. |
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07-22-2010
A jury has cleared Kern High School District Trustee Ken Mettler of any wrongdoing in a 2008 fight with protester Robert Badewitz. He accused Mettler of punching and kicking him at opposing Proposition 8 rallies in central Bakersfield. Mettler says there will be no more action taken. "There would be no need. I think the jury's rendered its decision, and we're done with this matter." Badewitz says he might come back to Bakersfield to take part in rallies in the future. When asked if he would do the same thing again? "Yeah, definitely." Badewitz had sought $25,000 in damages. Mettler claims he was gathering signs stolen from him during the protest, and had acted in self-defense.
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07-22-2010
Kern County Fire officials say kids playing with fireworks in an east Bakersfield home caused a fire that has left two adults and a child homeless. County Battalion Chief Vern Brothers says he called for a second alarm the 1600 block of Lake Street on Thursday. "When we got here, there were probably two trailers, a shed and some grass burning. I immediately started additional resources because it's really hot out here." Brothers says no one was hurt in the blaze. The Red Cross is assisting the people who lived in the trailer. |
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07-22-2010
The first human case of West Nile Virus has been reported in Kern County. The Public Health Services Department reports that the 60-year-old man is the second case in the state, and has made a full recovery. The Health Department reminds people to apply bug repellant with DEET to prevent mosquito bites, and to clean up stagnant pools of water where mosquitos breed. Mosquitos transport West Nile that could result in anything from mild infection to death. |
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07-21-2010
UPDATED 7/22/10...A three alarm warehouse fire that broke out around 11:30 Wednesday morning was finally extinguished by firefighters more than 19 hours later. Officials had thought they'd finish up last night, but as Bakersfield Fire Battalion Chief Garth Milam explains, there were a lot of unknown challenges. "There's a lot of compartmentalization in this building, so there's lots of ways to get lost, and lots of places for fire to hide." At one point, 35 firefighters used hoses to attack the blaze from the side, as well as ladder trucks to pour 1,200 gallons of water per minute from above. The blaze was finally out before 8:00 this morning, as arson investigators waited to get inside. Milam says the 45,000 structure showed evidence of vagrants living inside. |
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07-21-2010
Cal State Bakersfield has cleared the final hurdles to enter into the NCAA's Division I ranks. Coaches can now recruit stronger athletes, especially since the five-year process took them out of postseason competition. Athletic Director Rudy Carvajal says the move forced the Roadrunners to envision a greater university. "It required us to think big, and it afforded us the opportunity to define ourselves by what we were willing to do, and not let others define us by what they thought we couldn't do." University President Dr. Horace Mitchell says he wants the Roadrunners to join the Big West Conference, but that might take a while, as other schools shuffle to other conferences. Mitchell says the Big West would be a perfect fit for both sides. |
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07-21-2010
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina has enlisted Nicole Parra and her father Pete to recruit Democrats and "decline to state" voters to oust incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer in November. Nicole Parra charged Boxer with neglecting the Central Valley. "Where have you been the last three terms as a U.S. Senator? Where have you been in the valley? I've talked to numerous elected officials and other community leaders that haven't seen her in years." The Parras -- who are former Democratic Kern County politicians -- say Fiorina will make the Central Valley a priority if she's elected, securing water and jobs. Father and daughter also say they're not changing political affiliations, and that their endorsement transcends politics as usual. |
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07-21-2010
Firefighters at the Owens Peak Complex fire were prevented from gaining greater control of the blaze on Wednesday, thanks to high winds and hot temperatures. The high desert brushfire near Ridgecrest is still at 2,281 acres and 80-percent containment. Managers say the rugged terrain and rising altitudes make fighting the blaze difficult, but they still hope for full containment by Friday. |
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07-21-2010
Sheriff's deputies raided four illegal marijuana grows in remote areas of Kern County in the past week, capturing 53,891 plants worth $134.7 million. The sites included Lumbreau Creek, Havilah, Blue Mountain and southern Kern County. Deputies couldn't find any suspects, but say they clear-cut the forests -- three of them on private property -- and brought in water sources. They even found evidence of poached animals in one grow, and a wild baby rabbit in a cage at another, where the suspects fed it marijuana leaves. |
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07-21-2010
A good samaritan became the victim of a carjacking Wednesday night in Lamont. Kern County Sheriff's deputies say Fabian Gomez, 49, saw a man limping on Buena Vista Road near Malaga Road and offered to help. The man then pulled out a rifle from behind a tree, pointed it at Gomez and ordered him out of his pickup truck. The suspect drove off with it, but Gomez wasn't hurt. The suspect is described as an Hispanic man in his mid-40s with black and white hair. At the time of the incident the suspect was wearing a blue shirt and blue jeans. Gomez’s stolen vehicle is described as a white 1997 Toyota T-100 pickup with California plates, 5L80428. The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous. Call the Sheriff's office at 661-861-3110 if you have any information. |
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07-21-2010
Kern County Sheriff's detectives are looking for a possible second victim in last Sunday's Mercado Latino shooting. Sheriff's spokesman Ray Pruitt says they are getting tips that a woman may have been wounded by a stray bullet. "We haven't confirmed that information, but if so we ask that person to come forward as a potential witness." Pruitt says security guard Frank Flores, 34, was gunned down in front of many witnesses, possibly in retaliation for kicking several people out of the Edison Highway complex earlier Sunday evening. He says there were security cameras, but they weren't hooked up to recorders. |
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05-27-2010
State Senator Roy Asbhurn (R-Bakersfield) voted against a senate bill that would recognize civil, gay marriages, he says because it confuses the current legal situation. Voters passed a ballot measure banning, via constitutional amendment, same-sex marriage in 2008, and another one could come up in the future. He adds he did like some of the measure, because it protected religious groups from celebrating gay unions. Ashburn did support a resolution asking the feds to overturn "don't ask, don't tell." Since admitting his homosexuality three months ago, Ashburn says he will not just vote against gay rights issues. "Under the law, people deserve to be treated equally," he said. "Unfortunately, some of the bills that I voted against deprived people who happened to be of a different sexual orientation of their basic rights. I regret that." Since he came out, Ashburn says he's met with an even mix of scorn and compassion. We have more with our conversation with Roy Ashburn here. |
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04-26-2010
At 74 feet long with a 103 foot wingspan, the B-17 Flying Fortress was the premier heavy bomber of World War II. Now, the B-17 bomber dubbed "Aluminum Overcast" will be on display at Meadows Field on Tuesday and Wednesday, offering rides to warbird enthusiasts. Keith Todd's father was a crew chief on a B-17, and says the bird was built for a different type of flying. "They're not comfortable, they're not quiet, they were designed for one thing: as a killing machine," he said. "It had no creature comforts, no air conditioning, no pressurization, and you're pretty much at the mercy of the elements in this airplane." Out of more than 12,000 B-17's that were built, only 15 are left that still fly. A ride goes for $425, but a tour of the plane on the ground costs $5. We have provided photos 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for a small glimpse of the plane, including as it cruised over Bakersfield on Monday at 1,500 feet. |
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