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LOCAL AND REGIONAL NEWS

Thursday, April 15th, 2021

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported 157 new COVID-19 cases yesterday. Those numbers bring the county’s totals to 107,591 cases and 1,306 deaths.

Kern County is now in the Orange Tier which simply means more businesses can open with an increase in capacity. It is important to continue safety protocols until we are past this pandemic. The County has to remain in the Orange tier that began yesterday for three weeks. At that time, if we show the necessary metrics, we can move into the even less restrictive Yellow Tier.

During a press conference on Wednesday, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said Kristin Smart was killed during an attempted rape and Paul Flores' father helped hide her body. Dow added that they "do have evidence in this case that leads us to conclude that there very well may be additional victims in the southern California area."

Homelessness continues to be a signature issue here in Kern County, but some help is coming in the form of funds, approved by the board of supervisors earlier yesterday. The Mission at Kern County is one of several organizations that will benefit from a portion of a $400,000 grant to help combat homelessness throughout the county.

What do toilet paper and lumber to build your home have in common? Wood. And prices of everything that uses wood are heading up sharply. If you think toilet paper is a bit pricey now, ever since last year's shortage, it's about to go up again. The reason? Wood pulp prices have jumped 20% in the past year due to shortages and soaring demand.

This Saturday, the Kern River Gun Association will be having an event to teach youth how to shoot a bow and arrow. It's for young people from 10 to 17 years of age. The hours are Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm at the gun range on Cyrus Canyon Road near the waste transfer station. for information, you can phone Rich at 760 223-0771.

Wednesday, April 14th, 2021

Update:

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported 157 new COVID-19 cases today. Those numbers bring the county’s totals to 107,591 cases and 1,306 deaths.

The “prime suspect” was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder in the 25-year-old disappearance of California college student Kristin Smart. Paul Flores, 44, who was the last person seen with Smart on the California Polytechnic State University campus in San Luis Obispo before she vanished in 1996, was taken into custody in the Los Angeles area. His father, Ruben Flores, 80, was arrested as an accessory at his Arroyo Grande home.

California on Monday re-opened enrollment for its state health insurance exchange, hoping more people will buy coverage now that the federal government is offering new assistance that could lower monthly premiums in some cases.

With Kern County moving into the Orange Tier, effective today, retail stores no longer have capacity restrictions and places like gyms, churches, theaters, and restaurants have increased capacity. Kern County must remain in the Orange Tier for at least three weeks before moving into the next, less restrictive tier. That is the yellow tier.

The California Correctional Center in the rural northeastern part of the state will close by July 2022. It's the second such prison closure announced in recent months. The population drop comes after a decade of changes to the state's sentencing laws.

California lawmakers have rejected a bill that would have banned fracking in the state. Fracking is a technique for extracting oil and gas from rock deep underground. Climate groups have long opposed the process because they say it harms the environment and public health.

The Kern Valley Broncs football team will be traveling to Bakersfield Friday to take on the Foothill High School Trojans. Kick off is at 7:30.

During the Board of Supervisors meeting, Kern County Public Health announced the county has met the requirements to enter the orange tier. During the meeting, Public Health Director Brynn Carrigan said Kern County is into the orange tier effective today.

An arrest has been made in a deadly 2019 hit-and-run crash thanks to an anonymous tip, police said. Edith Mata, 24, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of hit and run resulting in injury and is free on $40,000 bail, according to court records. She’s due back in court May 3. Police say Mata drove a silver Kia Rio along Kentucky Street the evening of Sept. 7, 2019, and hit a bicyclist. She left the scene and another vehicle struck the bicyclist while he was down in the roadway. The second driver stopped and cooperated with the investigation.

Free Covid 19 testing is happening today on Birch Street in Mtn. Mesa. No appointment is necessary. Simply remain in your vehicle, follow directions from the staff, and get swabbed. The testing will continue until 12 noon today.

Tuesday, April 13th, 2021

Update:

Today, the FDA and CDC called for a pause on the administration of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines in order to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots. According to a joint statement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said they are investigating clots in six women that occurred in the days after vaccination.

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported 60 new COVID-19 cases today. Those numbers bring the county’s totals to 107,434 cases and 1,306 deaths.

The 18-year U.S. Capitol Police veteran killed in an attack on the Capitol earlier this month will lie in honor in the building’s Rotunda on today. President Joe Biden and congressional leaders will attend a midday ceremony for William “Billy” Evans, 41, who was killed April 2 when a vehicle rammed into him and another officer at a barricade just 100 yards from the Senate side of the Capitol.

Could “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment” be the next man in the White House? What we do know is that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has hinted in the past that he’d look at the idea of being president of the United States. And after a recent poll showed many U.S. adults would support a ticket with the actor and former professional wrestler, he reiterated such interest. Johnson posted the results on Instagram, saying “if it ever happens it’d be my honor to serve you, the people.”

Multiple people including a police officer were shot yesterday at a high school in the east Tennessee city of Knoxville. Last week, Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed off on legislation that would make Tennessee the latest state to soon allow most adults 21 and older to carry handguns – openly or concealed — without first clearing a background check and training over objections from law enforcement groups.

Around the nation, we continue to see mass shootings. In the last 24 hours, two shootings happened: one in South Carolina, Texas, and another in Tennessee. The United States has the highest rate of gun ownership compared to other nations. Americans own roughly 90 guns per 100 people. Even in California, the state with the strictest gun control laws in the nation, roughly 4.2 million adults own guns. That's about 14 percent of the state's population.

Officials believe equipment from a marijuana grow in a Los Angeles home’s garage may have caused an explosion that shattered the structures, trapping one man in the debris and sending another to the hospital with critical burn injuries. More than a dozen nearby homes were evacuated after the explosion Sunday night in the San Fernando Valley and several were damaged.

A historic drought in a massive agricultural region straddling Northern California and southern Oregon could mean steep cuts to the water provided to hundreds of farmers to sustain endangered fish species. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation oversees water allocations is expected to announce this week how much water farmers will get this season, if any.

Another drive through Covid 19 testing day will happen tomorrow from 7 am to 12 noon on Birch Street in Mtn. Mesa. No appointment is necessary and there is no cost to you.

A teenager died Sunday after being struck by a train in the area of Renfro Road and Santa Fe Way, according to the Bakersfield Police Department. Rail investigators are looking into the death of the 17-year-old boy. No other information is available.

Monday, April 12th, 2021

As the weather in Kern County heats and humidity goes down, vegetation continues to dry out which of course means a higher fire danger. The Kern County Fire Department would like to remind residents to develop and maintain the required defensible space around their homes.

Free Covid testing will happen again this Wednesday in Mtn. Mesa. The drive through testing is from 7 am to 12 noon.

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported 169 new COVID-19 cases yesterday. An update will come around 10 am.

In what some are calling the “Great Reshuffling,” 11 percent of Americans moved in 2020 as the pandemic continued raging across the world, a new survey reports. The survey, conducted by real estate site Zillow, reported that 75 percent of respondents moved for “positive reasons,” including being closer to family or friends or moving to an area they’ve always wanted to live. The most popular destinations included Phoenix, Arizona, Charlotte, North Carolina and Austin, Texas, all of which saw the highest net inbound moves in the first 11 months of 2020.

It would appear the Kern Valley Broncs have some work to do on defense. The final score of Friday nights home game was Golden Valley 46 and the Broncs 0.

An Arizona tourist has died and his wife has been rescued after their vehicle got two flat tires and they went missing in Death Valley National Park in California. The Inyo County Sheriff's Office says searchers on Friday reached 32-year-old Alexander Lofgren and 27-year-old Emily Henkel on a steep ledge in the California desert park. Lofgren was pronounced and Henkel was flown to a China Lake NWAS for medical treatment.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a proclamation Saturday marking April 10 as Dolores Huerta Day. Huerta became the first Latina inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993, and in 2016, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. She turned 91 years young Saturday.

More California counties are opening up vaccines to younger adults, a week ahead of the state's schedule. At the same time, California public health officials warned Thursday of decreases in supply because of a national reduction of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The state has received about 2.4 million doses last week, but it expects 2 million this week and 1.9 million doses next week.

Friday, April 9th, 2021

Update:

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported six new COVID-19 deaths and 260 cases today. Those numbers bring the county’s totals to 106,984 cases and 1,304 deaths.

The nearly 100-year-old barn in Lake Isabella, built by the Scovern/McNally family in 1927, was recently sold but the new owners are no longer interested in keeping it. Now, the Kernville Chamber of Commerce is stepping up to relocate it to the McNally Rodeo Arena in Kernville. The Kern River Valley Historical Society is also assisting in the relocation effort. The barn is being donated by the Rooney family.

To say it has been a different year would be beyond an understatement. One example is that we are having High School Football in the Spring. Tonight, the Kern Valley Broncs have a home game against Golden Valley. The game is not open to the public. There are no concessions. The school is allowing 4 family members for each participant to attend. Participants include cheerleaders, coaches, and players.

Yosemite National Park will require advanced reservations for day visitors during the peak summer season to limit the number of visitors and allow social distancing amid the pandemic. Under the new rules, advance reservations will be required for day use visitors who enter Yosemite from May 21 to Sept. 30.

A proposed development project on the edge of Southern Kern County is being delayed because of potential environmental impacts. A Los Angeles superior court judge sided in favor of the environmental group Climate Resolve. The ruling states that the Tejon Ranchcorp Development's environmental review didn't account for the increased wildfire risk the 12,000-acre project would pose to surrounding wildlands.

Highway One along Big Sur is expected to reopen almost two months ahead of schedule. Drivers will be able to take the scenic route along the coast beginning on April 30. The Roadway was destroyed back in January due to winter storms that triggered a landslide.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced a $536 million funding plan to help improve California’s resilience to wildfires. He said we are doing that by investing more than half a billion dollars on projects and programs that provide improved fire prevention for all parts of California.

The Kern High School District is scaling back its free meal distributions. Meals will now only be given out Mondays and Thursdays. The change comes as the district works to bring students back to campus. On Thursday, families with children ages 2 to 18 can pick a free meal between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Kern Valley High School.

More than 20 million vaccine doses have been administered in California and more than 7.7 million Californians are fully vaccinated. Both Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health touting the lowest positivity rate in the country and attributing this to vaccinations.

Within the next few weeks, the secretary of state is expected to announce if an effort to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom has enough valid signatures. Wednesday, both sides of the effort to recall the governor gathered in a public virtual discussion, called “Inside the Recall,” hosted by the Sacramento Press Club. There was plenty of finger-pointing and arguing about how California got here in the first place. Newsom’s Chief Strategist Ace Smith and recall organizer Anne Dunsmore verbally sparred.

A man in custody following a high-speed chase down in the southland is suspected of murder here in Kern County. The driver of the truck has been identified as 35-year-old Michael Caleb Reed. KCSO has confirmed that this is the same man suspected of shooting 40-year-old Michael Lewis in Oildale March 28.

Tonight at 7:30 is the kick off for a home game as the Kern Valley Broncs host Golden Valley. The games are not open to the general public, but are limited to 4 family members of the same household per athletic participant. Coaches, Cheerleaders, and of course the players.

With Kern County loosening its eligibility requirements to get a Covid-19 vaccine, Kern Public Health says demand is now at an all-time high. But the vaccine isn’t the only thing in demand. Social media is leading people to create false cards, which can be dangerous.

Thursday, April 8th, 2021

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported one new COVID-19 death and 85 cases today. Those numbers bring the county’s totals to 106,628 cases and 1,293 deaths.

In anticipation of the April 30 reopening of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park, Disney this week released details on which attractions and restaurants guests will be able to enjoy again when the “happiest place on Earth” welcomes back visitors. Keep in mind that not all rides and dining experiences will be open, and parades and nighttime spectaculars have been put on hold.

A more-transmissible variant of the novel coronavirus first identified in Britain is now the most common strain circulating in the United States, health officials said Wednesday. During a regular COVID-19 briefing Wednesday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rachelle Walensky said the strain, formally known as B.1.1.7, is now the most common lineage circulating in United States.

We're learning more about the impact COVID-19 could have on our brains. One study found that 34% of COVID survivors were diagnosed with a neurological or psychological condition, within 6 months of being infected. Researches studied more than 236,000 COVID patients, and compared them with those who experienced other respiratory infections.

The latest food shortage to hit restaurants across the nation amid the coronavirus pandemic is ketchup. According to USA Today and the Wall Street Journal, restaurants are in short supply of ketchup packets, which restaurants have relied on for takeout orders.

With all his stardom, many people might not be aware of the acts of kindness basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal does during his everyday life. O'Neal, now a TNT analyst, was put on the spot in a recent segment when his co-hosts pulled up a video that appeared to show him in a Zales store paying for another customer's engagement ring. Shaq was quoted as saying "I'm into making people happy so whenever I leave the house." This isn't the first time Shaq has been caught doing a good deed out of the blue.

Wednesday, April 7th, 2021

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported one new COVID-19 death and 63 cases today. Those numbers bring the county’s totals to 106,543 cases and 1,292 deaths.

California Governor Gavin Newsom held a news conference yesterday to provide an update on the state’s fight against COVID-19. The state is on track to have administered 20 million vaccines according to the Governor’s office, including 4 million doses in “the hardest-hit communities.”

Kern County Rep. David Valadao is donating campaign contributions given to him by Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. Valadao Chief of Staff Andrew Renteria confirmed that Valadao is donating $4,000 of campaign contributions from Gaetz to the Marjaree Mason Center in Fresno to support victims of domestic abuse.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said yesterday “it’s quite stupid” for corporations to speak out politically, intensifying his warnings for big business to stand down as Congress delves into voting rights, President Joe Biden’s infrastructure package and other defining issues. Speaking in Kentucky, the GOP leader said he still wants companies to give freely to political campaigns.

Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the light at the end of the tunnel could come on June 15 if certain requirements are met. The entire state would move into this new phase as a whole. This move, should it happen, will essentially put an end to the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy tier reopening system.

If you didn't hear, effective immediately, all individuals 16 years old and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in Kern County. Late last week, the State sent out an email indicating that counties can relax the State’s eligibility criteria in advance of the April 15 Statewide movement to all individuals 16 and older being eligible for the vaccine.

Disneyland and California Adventure have unveiled how the parks' reservation system will work for fans eager to return to the Anaheim parks. Both parks will reopen to the public with limited capacity on April 30 and tickets must be purchased in advance and online for a specific date. Visit their website for specific information.

Today, another round of free Covid 19 testing will be available on Birch Street in Mtn. Mesa. No appointment is necessary for the drive through test. The hours have been reduced this month. For the rest of April, the hours are 7 am to 12 noon.

Major League Baseball is expected to announce that Denver will host this year’s All-Star Game on July 13. The MLB announced Friday that the 2021 All-Star game was being moved out of Atlanta over new voting restrictions in Georgia. Commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday that the MLB supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes any restrictions to the ballot box.

The Kern Valley Broncs will be back in action Friday with a home game against Golden Valley. The kick off is at 7:30.

Tuesday, April 6th, 2021

Update:

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported one new COVID-19 death and 63 cases today. Those numbers bring the county’s totals to 106,543 cases and 1,292 deaths.

We could find out any time if Kern County will be moving tiers once gain just weeks after moving into the red tier. Public health says if Kern County continues to meet the required metrics then it be on the move Allowing more businesses to ease restrictions. Kern County has been in the red tier for about two weeks.

Tomorrow, another round of free Covid 19 testing will be available on Birch Street in Mtn. Mesa. No appointment is necessary for the drive through test. The hours have been reduced this month. For the rest of April, the hours are 7 am to 12 noon.

The fresh-as-can-be Baylor Bears obliterated wobbly-legged Gonzaga’s march to its own undefeated season Monday night. It was an 86-70 runaway that brought this once-downtrodden program’s first national title back home to Waco, Texas.

The Kern Valley Broncs will be back in action Friday with a home game against Golden Valley. The kick off is at 7:30.

A top U.S. public health official says young people are driving the latest uptick in COVID-19 cases, as the increasing rate of vaccination in older Americans is preventing the most serious cases among seniors.

We could find out this week if Kern County will be moving tiers once gain just weeks after moving into the red tier. Public health says if Kern County continues to meet the required metrics then it be on the move Allowing more businesses to ease restrictions. Kern County has been in the red tier for about two weeks.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Monday urged the adoption of a minimum global corporate income tax, an effort to offset any disadvantages that might arise from the Biden administration's proposed increase in the U.S. corporate tax rate.

Since 2017, the IRS owes -- that’s right, owes – Americans $1.3 billion in unclaimed tax returns, the agency said on yesterday. The IRS said that in total, 1.3 million tax payers who did not file a 2017 Form 1040 federal income tax return are owed a refund. The IRS said the median refund would be for $865.

Investigators say dozens of people at a popular Northern California coastal overlook watched as an SUV drove through a large parking lot without braking and then plunged off a cliff. The two women inside the vehicle died Saturday. The California Highway Patrol said Monday that the cause of crash at the scenic Pacific Ocean overlook in Bodega Bay is under investigation.

Monday, April 5th, 2021

Update:

All Kern County residents 16 years and older are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Kern County Public Health department. Kern Public Health says the vaccine supply is increasing in the county and they expect to receive more than 39,000 doses of vaccines this week. As of yesterday (Sunday) 12.7% of Kern’s population have completed their vaccination series.

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported five new COVID-19 deaths and 20 cases today. Those numbers bring the county’s totals to 106,480 cases and 1,291 deaths.

Studies have shown education was one of the most dramatically hit sectors by COVID-19. School quickly transitioned leaving students to not only have to learn their regular education plans but also how to navigate school virtually. Experts say it could take 2 to 3 years for students to regain what they have lost during the pandemic.

The head of the Capitol Police union said officers are “reeling” following the death on Friday of Officer Billy Evans, who was on the force for 18 years. He was struck at a Capitol entrance by a man who, according to investigators, suffered from delusions and suicidal thoughts. Security concerns over the events of the past four months may alter not only how the department operates, but also whether the historically public grounds can remain open.

A minor 4.0-magnitude earthquake gave the Los Angeles area a pre-dawn shaking early this morning. The USGS says the epicenter was just east of LAX, along Century Boulevard on the south side of Hollywood Park. The quake was recorded at 4.44 a.m. local time. There were no immediate reports of injury or damage.

Tonight is the NCAA Championship game with the Gonzaga Bulldogs taking on the Baylor Bears. Tip of is scheduled for just after 6 pm our time.

State health data shows Kern County has distributed over 300,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine with thousands being given each day. On Friday, Kern County administered a high mark of 8,767 shots. That follows the previous day that saw 8,034 vaccine shots given.

Gonzaga in Spokane, Washington beat UCLA with a final of 93 to 90. Many have said it was probably the best college basketball game ever played. Gonzaga is the first team to bring an undefeated record into the championship game since Larry Bird and Indiana State in 1979. They will play for the championship tonight against the Baylor Bears from Waco, Texas.

The political peril is deepening for conservative Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. The often outlandish, Trump-styled provocateur appears increasingly isolated amid a federal sex-trafficking investigation. Few Republicans are coming to Gaetz's defense.

Fifty-nine percent of homes on the market are in contract within two weeks, setting a record, according to data released Friday by Redfin. Home prices are also listing at record levels: $353,000. Why? Scarcity. Not enough properties on the market to meet demand.

The Kern Valley High School Broncs lost Thursday to Shafter 48-0 in an away game at Centennial in Bakersfield. The will be in action here at home this Friday against Golden Valley.

A Capitol Police officer was killed Friday after a man rammed a car into two officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol and then emerged wielding a knife. It was the second line-of-duty death this year for a department still struggling to heal from the Jan. 6 insurrection.

The hours will change this week for free Covid 19 testing in Mtn. Mesa. They conduct the test on Birch Street from 7 am to 12 noon. No appointment is necessary and the result will be given to you as soon as they become available.