LOCAL AND REGIONAL NEWS

Monday, September 23rd, 2019

Authorities say eight people were injured when two cars collided and then crashed into a corner restaurant in downtown Sacramento. City fire officials say three people inside the Thai restaurant were hurt in the crash Saturday afternoon. Four people in one car and one person in the other vehicle were also hurt. The Sacramento Bee says two victims suffered moderate injuries and everyone else had minor injuries.

Hundreds of curious Earthlings from around the world traveled to the secret Area 51 military base in the Nevada desert after seeing an internet hoax dubbed "Storm Area 51." About 100 made it all the way to the gates of the remote site that has long been the focus of UFO conspiracy theories. A Canadian was cited for indecent exposure, but nobody broke down the gates in search of three-eyed aliens and no UFOs appeared in the sky.

Two Bakersfield Police Department Detectives were conducting follow-up in northeast Bakersfield when they observed a woman struggling to push a baby stroller. The detectives stopped to check on the woman and found that the stroller did not contain a child, but the stroller held over $6,000.00 in stolen quarters. A nearby home had just been burglarized and the woman was arrested burglary, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, resisting arrest, and possession of methamphetamine.

Twenty-three states have sued to stop the Trump administration from revoking California's authority to set emission standards for cars and trucks. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is leading the lawsuit filed Friday, along with Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Air Resources Board.

On Saturday Kern County welcomed home some of it's finest in a big way. Well over 100 people gathered at Meadows Field Airport as 17 Kern County veterans returned home from an Honor Flight that visited Washington D.C. All of those who were returning home served in World war II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.

A California appeals court on Friday denied the latest parole bid by Charles Manson follower Leslie Van Houten. Two of the three appellate judges upheld former Gov. Jerry Brown’s decision to block her parole last year. She is serving a life sentence for helping Manson and others kill Los Angeles grocer Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, in August 1969.

Through four games this season, the Mira Monte football team has had no trouble getting started. It’s finishing that has been the problem. Sadly, it happened against our Kern Valley Broncs. On cue, the Broncs scored 15 points in the final six minutes to pull within three points, only this time Mira Monte had enough to hold on for a 32-29 victory, its first of the season. The Broncs will take on the Spartans from Strathmore.

Friday, September 20th, 2019

Musician Josh Turner has canceled his concert set for Monday, Sept. 23 at the Kern County Fair. His concert has been canceled in wake of a bus crash earlier Thursday morning involving one of his crew members, David Turner, who died in the crash. Josh Turner will be replaced by Country music musician Phil Vassar, according to the Kern County Fair.

Gunmaker Colt says it is suspending its production of rifles for the civilian market including the popular AR-15. Colt’s chief executive officer says it is not permanently ending production but believes there is already an adequate supply of sporting rifles on the market. He said in a statement Thursday the company will concentrate on fulfilling military and law enforcement contracts with its rifle manufacturing.

A 17-year-old boy is behind bars in Walla Walla County, Washington after police say his mom found a journal with threats against her and his school. There are times and a date was established of 4/20 2020. The date is the anniversary of the Columbine massacre. The boy’s mom called police after she read threats in the journal about her and her boyfriend. When police read through the boy’s manifesto, they found graphic details and plans they say are too disturbing to share.

California officials have put a private company's plan to build a high-speed train between Las Vegas and Southern California one step closer to reality. A state committee chaired by Treasurer Fiona Ma on Wednesday approved $300 million in tax-exempt private activity bonds for the project by Virgin Trains USA. The state will consider approving the same amount again next year. Officials say that would allow Virgin Trains USA to issue about $2.4 billion worth of debt. That's roughly half of what it would need to build the train.

Good signs for farmers in Kern County. The 2018 Kern County Agricultural Crop Report has now been submitted by county officials. The report shows a three percent growth in 2018 when compared to 2017 in the gross value of agricultural commodities produced in Kern County. The 2018 value is listed at almost $7.5 billion. The top five items produced here in Kern County are grapes, almonds, pistachios, citrus, and milk. Just those five products had a gross value of over $4.4 billion making up 59 percent of the total value.

Thursday, September 19th, 2019

Opal Goode, the oldest person in Ridgecrest and one of eight U.S residents over the age of 110, has died at 112 years old. Goode was born in Oklahoma in Indian territory on June 3rd, 1907. She started her career in 1946 as a bank teller for Bank of America on the China Lake naval base where her husband served in the service. She recently celebrated her 112th birthday in Ridgecrest with special guest like, Congressman Kevin McCarthy and Senator Shannon Grove.

Over the past several years, suicide has become an increasing problem here in Kern County. The county's issues with suicide stem from a multitude of problems. Poverty, relationship issues, substance abuse, and many suicides are associated with abusing alcohol.

CAL Fire SLO says a tour bus from the Josh Turner concert at Vina Robles Amphitheater Wednesday night crashed off of Highway 46 near Shandon. Fire officials say the people on the tour bus included members of Josh Turner's band crew. First responders say Josh Turner, or any of the musicians were not involved in the crash. Josh Turner is scheduled to perform at the Kern County Fair on Monday.

Nearly one-third of California's rural roads rate in poor condition the second-highest percentage in the nation according to an annual report from a transportation group. Californians began paying higher gas taxes last year to fund transportation projects but observers say it's too early to see what impact that will have on rural road conditions.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration is revoking California's authority to set auto mileage standards stricter than those issued by federal regulators, a move critics said would result in less fuel-efficient cars that create more planet-warming pollution. The Trump administration is also rejecting requests by California for more funding to address the homelessness crisis, saying the state's own policies have been a major contributor to the problem.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his administration is revoking California's authority to set auto mileage standards stricter than those issued by federal regulators, a move critics said would result in less fuel-efficient cars that create more planet-warming pollution. In a tweet, Trump said his action would result in less expensive, safer cars. He also predicted Americans would purchase more new cars, which would result in cleaner air as older models are taken off the roads.

With Congress stuck in what Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called a “holding pattern” on gun control legislation, President Donald Trump claimed Wednesday that former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s proposal for a mandatory buyback of assault weapons had complicated efforts to reach an agreement.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office has arrested a man after they recovered a stolen tractor and a John Deere Gator they believe he stole. Daniel Holder, 38, of Buttonwillow, was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent, two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle with priors. Detectives developed probable cause that Holder stole the Gator while he was wearing a Kern County Probation ankle monitor, KCSO said in a news release.

Wednesday, September 18th, 2019

An hours-long standoff in East Bakersfield is over after a man refused to leave his home Tuesday night after firing a gun. Kern County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a home around 6:50 P.M. When they arrived, they learned that a man had negligently discharged a firearm and refused to come outside. SWAT was called to the scene and the suspect a man in his 20s was taken into custody without incident around 10:55 P.M. No one was hurt.

An inmate is in stable condition after three other inmates allegedly attacked and stabbed him at the Lerdo pre-trial jail. According to the Kern County Sheriff's Office, on September 14 around 10 p.m. detention deputies responded to a report of a stabbing in the jail. Officials said one inmate received "puncture wounds and moderate injuries," during the incident.

Justin Fleeman, a former chief deputy with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and once-candidate for sheriff, has filed a wrongful termination claim against Kern County. In the documents obtained by KGET, Fleeman claims he was fired based on political retaliation. Roughly three weeks after the election, according to the documents, Fleeman said Sheriff Youngblood issued him a letter saying Fleeman was under investigation because of allegations he “disclosed confidential personnel information during the election.” Fleeman has denied those allegations. A few months later, Fleeman was placed on leave from KCSO, and was officially fired last May.

Another Kern County Honor Flight leaves for Washington D.C. tomorrow and the organization is asking you to welcome them back when they return this weekend. Local World War II and Vietnam veterans are traveling to the nation’s capitol to visit memorials built in their honor. The veterans are scheduled to return home Saturday, Sept. 21 to Meadows Field Airport. You can give them a heroes welcome when when their flight is scheduled to arrive at 8:45 p.m.

The Kern County Fair Board of Directors said it is working to ensure the safety of everyone at the fair this year in light of recent events across the country. On Wednesday, officials said they are installing metal detectors at all of the primary entrances. No weapons or anything that can be perceived as a weapon are allowed inside the fair.

A woman who pleaded no contest to funneling money through a fake charity so she could avoid paying taxes received a two-year jail sentence yesterday. Diana Roman, 44, was sentenced in Kern County Superior Court. Roman pleaded no contest to tax fraud in February. Three other charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal, according to court records.

The state of California recently passed AB 1482, a rent control bill intended to help ease the housing crisis across the state. Under the new law, landlord s will only be able to raise the rent for an existing tenant by five percent after inflation, annually for a ten year period. This means a landlord cannot raise rent to an unreasonable amount, but some landlords and realtors are concerned the newly passed bill will do more harm than good.

Governor Newsom has quietly halted fracking permits in California. This move came just two weeks before Newsom fired the state’s top oil and gas supervisor. Since then not a single permit has been approved since June 28.

Facebook said Tuesday that it expects to name the first members of a new quasi-independent oversight board by year-end. The oversight panel is intended to rule on thorny content issues, such as when Facebook or Instagram posts constitute hate speech. It will be empowered to make binding rulings on whether posts or ads violate the company's standards. Any other findings it makes will be considered "guidance" by Facebook.

If you're a Steelers fan, this is not good news at all. Big Ben is out for the season. The 37-year-old's aching right elbow needs surgery. His 16th season is over just two weeks in. His future is uncertain. And the keys to the offense Roethlisberger operated so deftly for so long are now in the hands of backup Mason Rudolph, who was in elementary school when the player known universally as Big Ben became a full-fledged NFL starter in the fall of 2004.

Area 51 is an area so remote that it might as well be another planet. And even if you find the right road to your destination, you'll soon be stopped by signs warning that you won't get any closer. Millions have promised as part of a viral internet joke to storm the Air Force base with alleged alien ties. But if anybody actually does show up, an alien sighting is the least of their worries. As of yesterday morning, over 2.1 million people said they were "attending" the event, called "Storm Area 51, They Can't Stop All of Us." The event is scheduled for this Friday at 3 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

Tuesday, September 17th, 2019

The Kern County Sheriff's Office is investigating a homicide in Delano. About 3:22 this morning, deputies were called to aid a reported shooting victim, according to the Sheriff's Office. Deputies found a man suffering from gunshot wounds when they arrived on scene. The victim was taken to a hospital and was pronounced dead, according to the Sheriff's Office. No arrests have been made.

The Kern County Fair is gearing up for opening day. The fair grounds are buzzing with crews and volunteers hard at work with the fair gates opening in less than 48 hours. The days and weeks leading up to the fair are anything but relaxing for the dozens of crew members and volunteers. Most of the crews and volunteers said they are happy this cooler weather is sweeping through Bakersfield this week, making their jobs just a little easier this season.

A man is behind bars after a week-long narcotics investigation in Wasco. At the home, deputies said there were three bedrooms and the living room being used to grow marijuana plants. Officials seized 302 marijuana plants and 17 grams of suspected Fentanyl.

A seventh person has died in the U.S. from lung disease related to vaping, this time to the north of Kern County. Officials announced Monday that the latest death was in Tulare County . News of the death came just as California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he's directing the state to spend $20 million on a public awareness campaign about the dangers of vaping nicotine and cannabis.

Officials have confirmed that a North Kern State Prison correctional officer who was attacked by eight inmates last week, is expected to recover. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the incident happened on Friday at the Delano prison around 2 p.m. while the correctional officer was doing security checks in one of the facilities.

A Kern County Sheriff's deputy shot a dog Sunday night in Lake Isabella after the dog charged at and bit the deputy, according to a Sheriff's spokesperson. About 9:55 p.m., deputies were in the 2200 block of Reeder Drive on an unrelated call when the dog approached them, said Angela Monroe, KCSO public information officer. The dog survived and is currently in the custody of Kern County Animal Services. The deputy suffered minor injuries to his leg, Monroe said.

As President Donald Trump weighs direct intervention in the mounting homelessness crisis that has vexed California officials for years, the state’s governor and a bipartisan coalition of elected officials called Monday for the federal government to increase its investment in housing vouchers and other efforts to address homelessness and housing insecurity. While the White House blames “liberal policies” and some Republicans point fingers at career Democratic politicians like Newsom, experts say the underlying causes of homelessness in California and urban areas across the country are more complicated.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office says it has made arrests related to a home invasion robbery earlier this month in Wasco. On Sept. 4, four men armed with rifles and a handgun forced their way into a house and tied up the residents. The men took cash and personal property and fled in an unknown type of vehicle, according to the Sheriff's Office. During a search of a house on Tangerine Street, deputies located the stolen property related to the robbery. Deputies also located guns in the residence, according to the Sheriff's Office. Three men were booked on suspicion of robbery, maintaining a drug house, conspiracy, marijuana sales, and receiving/possession of stolen property.

t's still technically summer but snow is falling in the Sierra along the California-Nevada line. California transportation officials posted a photo on the Caltrans District 3 Twitter account shortly after noon yesterday showing snow accumulating on U.S. Interstate 80 at the top of Donner Summit about 10 miles west of Truckee. A strong cold front packing winds gusting up to 50 mph sent sending temperatures plummeting Monday across western Nevada.

A person has died after complications related to using e-cigarettes in Tulare County, a Tulare County Public Health official confirmed yesterday afternoon. Three incidents of pulmonary illness connected to vaping have been reported in Tulare County, as well as several cases reported across the country.

The city of Bakersfield can be a lot of fun but where does it rank among the nation's best? The website WalletHub just released a list of the " Most Fun Cities in America " and Bakersfield does indeed appear on the list, ranking 96th out of the 182 listed cities.

Monday, September 16th, 2019

Police said an 18-year-old man was shot and another man was wounded when a fight escalated into a shooting outside the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Lt. Jesse Carrillo said the shooting happened late Saturday and does not appear to be random. Carrillo said two men were involved in a fight that escalated into a shooting. They were both taken to a hospital, where 18-ear-old Kamryn Stone of Los Angeles died. The second person, a 51-year-old man from Los Angeles, was treated for a gunshot wound. The shooting happened when the stadium was cleared of college football fans who watched a game between the University of Oklahoma and UCLA three hours earlier.

A grass fire burned three acres along Highway 58 on Sunday, according to the Kern County Fire Department. The flames scorched a hillside west of Highway 223. One lane of traffic was closed as fire crews worked to stop the blaze.

Kern County firefighters responded to grass fire that spread to a home in Arvin on Saturday. The fire was near the intersection of Comanche Road and Bear Mountain Boulevard. The fire started on the side of Comanche Road before spreading to a sump and toward tall, dry grass, according to KCFD. A nearby house received moderate damage from the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. No injuries were reported.

Authorities with the Kern County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting that happened in Wasco on Saturday. According to the KSCO, "On Saturday, September 14, 2019, at approximately 9:30 a.m., deputies from the Wasco City Substation were dispatched to the 1800 block of 3rd Street in Wasco for shots fired. Upon arrival, deputies located a victim of a shooting, a 52-year-old Hispanic male. The victim was transported to Kern Medical with non-life-threatening injuries."

Four San Jose firefighters are being treated for injuries suffered in a suspected arson fire. Authorities in San Jose believe the three-alarm blaze Sunday was purposely set. The suspect is believed to be either a disgruntled former employee or a former tenant of a building in the downtown area. The injured firefighters were taken to a local hospital, no word yet on their conditions. A body was found inside the burned structure. Officials believe it may be the person who started the fire.

The world's largest "post-apocalyptic" music and arts festival may be coming to Kern County. The event is set to take place from September 25th to the 29th at Aerial Acres just outside of California City. ALL attendees to be in costume (even staff members and journalists). The idea is to create a full-immersion effect, making festival goers feel like they’re inside a Mad Max-style movie for 5 days."

Friday, September 13th, 2019 (welcome to Friday the 13th)

Pacific Gas & Electric and a group of insurers announced Friday they reached an $11 billion settlement to cover most of the claims from wildfires in California in 2017 and 2018. The utility said in a statement the tentative agreement covers 85% of the insurance claims from fires that included the one that decimated the town of Paradise and killed 86 people. A group of insurers said in a separate statement the settlement is well below the $20 billion the insurance companies had sought in bankruptcy court.

A California scuba dive boat was operating in violation of Coast Guard regulations when crew members were sleeping and a pre-dawn fire killed 34 people, leaving grieving families wondering if a required night watchman could have saved their loved ones. Thursday brought a disclosure from the National Transportation Safety Board that all six crew members were asleep aboard the Conception on Sept. 2 when the deadly blaze broke out. The Conception's Certificate of Inspection, issued by the Coast Guard, requires a "roving patrol at all times" when passengers' bunks are occupied.

California regulators have ordered Chevron to release more information about eight recent oil leaks near a facility in Kern County. Some of these oil leaks are still ongoing. In a report by the California Department of Conservation Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources is requiring technical reports from Chevron in connection to its cyclic steam operations at Cymric Oil Field. This is where Chevron injects steam to extract oil. The state has issued Chevron a notice of violation ordering it to stop steam injections around the area where the leak is occurring.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is out with data showing that more than a third of adults are obese in nine states. That's at least 35 percent of adults in Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and West Virginia. California's obesity rate was at about 26 percent, which was in the bottom five lowest rates.

The Kern Valley High School Broncs are traveling to McFarland to take on the Cougars today. The varsity game is scheduled for 7:30.

Here's your Boom Boom report. The dam project engineers are going to be having a blast, or three today. Expect some explosions around the dam today between noon and 3:45. No road closures will be necessary, but if you've driven 155 near the dam the past couple of days, you know there have been some delays with one lane traffic.

All six crew members were asleep aboard a scuba diving boat off the Southern California coast — in violation of Coast Guard rules — when a fire broke out in the middle of the night, killing 34 people who were trapped in a bunk room below the main deck, U.S. authorities said Thursday. Boats like the Conception are required to have a roving watchman while passengers sleep, Coast Guard Petty Officer Mark Barney said. Crew members can take shifts as long as someone always is awake and aware of what's happening on the vessel and in the waters around it.

The Democratic-controlled House on Thursday voted to reinstate a decades-long ban on oil and gas drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — a largely symbolic move aimed at reversing a plan by President Donald Trump to drill in the pristine refuge. The 225-193 vote comes as the Trump administration has begun planning to sell oil and gas leases in the remote refuge, home to polar bears, caribou, migratory birds and other species. An environmental impact analysis could be released soon.

The NCAA Board of Governors wants California Gov. Gavin Newsom to reject a new attempt to pay college athletes. And it is prepared to take the fight to court if necessary. The board warned that California schools may be declared ineligible for NCAA competition if the bill becomes law because they would have an unfair recruiting advantage.

According to a recent report, people who live in rural areas, or near a gun shop in the city, are more at risk of suicide. Program Support Supervisor for the Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Crisis Hotline, Ellen Eggert, said the findings reflect the same issues locally.

The Kern County District Attorney's office announced the indictments of two men they believe are responsible for the murder of 5-year-old Kason Guyton. In February of 2017 Guyton was riding in the backseat of a car alongside his 7-year-old brother B.J. when bullets flew. Yesterday, the DA's office said they have indicted Jonathan Knight and Jeremy King on eight felony counts regarding the murder of Guyton.

Edwards Air Force Base is mourning the loss of one of its team members after a parachute training accident earlier this week. According to Edwards Air Force Base, Staff Sgt. Adam Erickson was killed during a routine military proficiency jump on Tuesday.

Thursday, September 12th, 2019

We are less than a week away from all the fair food and live entertainment that the Kern County Fair has to offer. There will be some big attractions this year. On opening night Kern County will be getting hot in here as Nelly takes the stage. Next Friday is Senior Day and anyone 62 years or older will get in for free and park for free until 4 p.m.

Two YouTube personalities were arrested for trespassing on federal property near Area 51 earlier this week — just days ahead of a viral Facebook event that calls for attendees to "storm" the infamous government compound. Police say the men understood the posted "no trespassing" signs, and claim they wanted to "look" at Area 51. They allegedly had cameras and a drone in their car. The men were arrested and taken to the Nye County Detention Center.

DNA and genetic genealogy led police to solve a cold case and identify a now-deceased man who kidnapped and killed an 11-year-old girl in Southern California nearly 47 years ago, authorities said. Terri Lynn Hollis disappeared from her Torrance home on Thanksgiving in 1972. Her body, clad only in a T-shirt, was found the next day by fishermen on a cliff below the Pacific Coast Highway in Oxnard.

The California Senate has passed a bill that would give new wage and benefit protections to workers at so-called gig economy companies like Uber and Lyft. The 29-11 vote late Tuesday sends the bill back to the state Assembly for final approval over strident Republican opposition. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has said he supports it.

The search is over ad perhaps some much needed closure for the family and friends of the last person to be found. Divers did find the body of last missing victim from boat fire off Southern California coast that killed 34.

California's Supreme Court has refused to block death penalty cases from continuing during Gov. Gavin Newsom's moratorium on executions. The justices on yesterday rejected defense attorneys' arguments that jurors can't realistically gauge the seriousness of imposing a death sentence if they think it's never actually going to be carried out.

A Simi Valley man was charged with shooting and killing a protected mountain lion that roamed the mountains northwest of Los Angeles and was wearing a GPS tracking collar. It is illegal to shoot a mountain lion without a state permit, not to mention is just plain wrong.

The Coast Guard announced yesterday it has issued new safety recommendations in the wake of a fatal boat fire off the Southern California coast that killed 34 people. The agency recommended limiting the unsupervised charging of lithium-ion batteries and the use of power strips and extension cords. It would seem cause is being determined and we should have that information soon.

A message in a bottle helped rescue a family stranded during a camping trip in central California. When Curtis Whitson led his family to a gorge in June, the 44-year-old expected a rope would be there to let them down. But there was no rope. Whitson, his girlfriend and 13-year-old son had no cell phone service and were trapped above a 40-foot waterfall. In that act of desperation and perhaps inspiration, the family made an "S.O.S" sign out of rocks and Whitson scratched out the word 'Help' on his water bottle. On a receipt inside, he wrote: "We are stuck at the waterfall - get help please." That message in a bottle found its way to hikers downstream. They alerted authorities who launched a chopper. The helicopter found the trio sleeping next to the "S.O.S." sign.

A Tehachapi man charged with murder in the stabbing death of his sister claimed he was so drunk he blacked out and doesn’t remember what happened, according to a police report. But family members of Joey Armstrong, 36, said that after the stabbing he had the presence of mind to break a cellphone when one of them tried to call 911, according to a probable cause declaration filed in court Wednesday.

Wednesday, September 11th, 2019

An approved location for a low-barrier homeless shelter was announced by the Kern County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. According to officials, the future location will be at 2731 O Street in Central Bakersfield. Kern Medical said it is giving $1 million to help fund the project. The proposed shelter is reportedly expected to house up to 200 people.

With PG&E facing bankruptcy the utility may be getting some assistance from the city of San Francisco. The city is offering to buy PG&E's power grid and other infrastructure in the city for $2.5 billion. The deal doesn't include the utility's natural gas system but Mayor London Breed said they believe this deal will offer financial stability to PG&E.

Officials say the Walker Fire is the state's largest wildfire so far this year, as the blaze has grown to over 44,000 acres. The Walker Fire which broke out last Wednesday has consumed over 68 square miles in the remote mountains about 150 miles northeast of Sacramento. So far the fire is only 10 percent contained.

An argument between two siblings in Tehachapi turned deadly Monday when a brother fatally stabbed his sister, according to family members. Joey Armstrong was arrested on suspicion of murder, damaging a communication device and destroying evidence and is scheduled to be formally arraigned Wednesday. He’s being held without bail.

Tuesday, September, 10th, 2019

You'll start to see new blue and green logos across the city and county. The new taglines were introduced today by Mayor Karen Goh and several groups including the Kern Economic Development Corporation. Kern County is being re-branded as “Grounded and Boundless.” And Bakersfield will be dubbed “The Sound of Something Better.” The messages will focus on the new opportunities for outside business and local tourism. Expect to see the new logos popping up on buses and during local marketing commercials.

The California Assembly has passed a bill to let college athletes make money, setting up a confrontation with the NCAA that could jeopardize the athletic futures of programs at USC, UCLA and Stanford. The bill would let college athletes hire agents and be paid for the use of their name, image or likeness. And it would stop universities and the NCAA from banning athletes who take the money. The Assembly passed the bill 66-0 on Monday, a few days after the bill got an endorsement from NBA superstar Lebron James, who did not go to college.

A new California law says elementary and middle schools can't suspend students for infractions like falling asleep in class or talking back to the teacher. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill Monday banning public and charter schools from suspending students for "willful defiance." California already prohibits suspensions for students up to the third grade. The new law extends a permanent ban to grades four and five. It temporarily restricts them for grades six through eight until 2025.

Officials say salvage operations for the dive boat that burned on Labor Day morning will resume Tuesday if weather permits. Coast Guard officials say operations had to be postponed Friday and Monday due to weather and safety concerns. But the agency added that authorities have stayed on the scene to enforce the safety zone around the site.

City officials are scheduled to host a ceremony this Wednesday to honor the memory of thousands of people who lost their lives on September 11. The remembrance will take place at the 9/11 monument located at the Westside Police and Fire Substations on Buena Vista Road at 8:30 a.m. Flowers will be available to place on the monument for a small donation. If you can't make that event, you can join in on the Memorial Ride happening on September 11 at 3 p.m. It starts up at the Harley Davidson Store off of Seventh Standard road.

On Monday, Kern Valley State Prison officials said they are investigating a homicide that left one inmate dead over the weekend. According to a news release, around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, staff observed two inmates, identified as Andrew Guzman and Andre Ortega, attacking another inmate on the Facility D middle yard. Officers ordered the inmates to stop but the men continued their alleged attack, according to the prison's statement. The staff reportedly performed CPR on the 44-year-old victim of the attack before he was taken to a medical unit inside the prison. He was pronounced dead at around 11:15 a.m.

Google is in the crosshairs of an antitrust investigation launched by 50 state attorneys general. On Monday afternoon, a bipartisan group of attorneys general gathered on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to announce they are beginning a probe into Google's potentially "monopolistic" practices in online advertising and search functions, two areas where the company dominates. There are 48 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico participating in the investigation. California, which is home to Google, as well as Alabama, have not joined.

Monday, September 9th, 2019

Strong winds are fueling a large wildfire burning in the Plumas National Forest that has grown to more than 38,000 acres. The Walker Fire burning in Northern California started Wednesday. Officials say it was only 2,000 acres on Friday morning but the strong winds increased the size to 17,000 Friday night and 24,000 by Saturday. At least three communities in the area were ordered to evacuate Thursday. According to Cal-Fire, the Walker Fire is only at 5 percent containment at this time.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office said they received a call for service Sunday afternoon around 4:00 p.m. for a man struggling in the water near Lake Ming and Hart Park. Kern Fire officials also responded and say the man was not alert and had labored breathing when crews arrived. KCFD officials performed CPR and other first aid measures before the man was transported to Kern Medical.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting in the Kern Valley near Bodfish. Officials say on man was airlifted to a hospital around 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. His condition is unknown.

It's about two weeks away from the festival which was just approved for its final permit in Nevada this week. It started as an online prank called Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop Us All, but the event is prepping to take on the desert as an alien enthusiast festival taking place this month. The free festival is expected to have an out of this world entertainment, adult-sized beer pong, over 25 vendors and art installations. The Truth is Out there. Just not at this party.

Bakersfield officials are asking you the public to avoid handing out money to homeless on the streets, and instead donating it to a credible service organization. Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh posted to Facebook Friday, saying "Handouts don't help." The mayor asking the public not to give handouts to panhandlers because it can draw them back to locations and enable substance abuse.

If approved by the City Council, the Bakersfield Police Department will begin adding body-worn cameras to more than 200 of its officers beginning next month. A city report says staff recommend approval of an agreement with Axon Enterprise, Inc., to eventually provide a total of 507 body-worn cameras during the next few years. The total cost over the proposed five-year term is nearly 3 million dollars for the purchase of the cameras and their maintenance, hardware upgrades and unlimited storage and data retention.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office says one person has been wounded in a shooting in Bodfish. About 3:51 p.m. Saturday, deputies from the Kern Valley substation were called to the 100 block of Pioneer Place in Bodfish for a reported shooting. Deputies found a man with a gunshot wound to his chest, according to the Sheriff's Office. He was flown to Kern Medical in Bakersfield, where his condition is unknown.

Authorities served search warrants Sunday at the Southern California company that owned the scuba diving boat that caught fire and killed 34 people last week. Thirty-four people died when the Conception burned and sank before dawn on Sept. 2. They were sleeping in a cramped bunkroom below the main deck and their escape routes were blocked by fire. The bodies of all but one victim have been recovered. The search for the final body was suspended this weekend because of strong winds and rough seas.

The Kern County and Bakersfield fire departments are lending some of their resources to fire crews up north who are battling the Red Bank Fire. The fire is burning in Tehama County, about 400 miles north of Bakersfield. The fire has burned nearly 8 thousand acres.

The Kern Valley Broncs ended their Friday night with narrow win over the Royals from Mission Prep in San Luis Opispo. The final score was 21 to 20 in favor of the Broncs. KVHS has an away game this Friday against the Cougars of McFarland. Game time is 7:30 pm.

The Bakersfield native, Matty Roberts, who created the Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop Us All, event is prepping to take on the desert with the now turned alien enthusiast festival taking place this month. "I didn’t think I would be on my way to Nevada after I posted this thing," Roberts said. "Its really all kind of nuts." It is just 14 days away from the festival which was just approved for its final permit in Nevada this week.

Two of America’s largest retailers, Walmart and Kroger, announced this week that the open carry of firearms would no longer be welcomed at their stores in states that permit open carry. The announcements follow a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, that killed 21 people in August. CVS and Walgreens also joined the list of retailers that request customers to leave their guns at home.

NFL fans of California Teams can be happy. The Chargers, the Rams, and the Niner's all won their games yesterday. Raider nation can cheer on their team as they take on the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.

President Donald Trump spent Sunday at his golf club in Sterling, Virginia. Trump journeyed to the club outside Washington both days this weekend and was there Sunday after cancelling a proposed meeting with Taliban leaders at Camp David. Sunday was Trump’s 229th day at a Trump golf club and 297th day at a Trump property as president. That’s according to stats kept by NBC News. Just reporting.

Friday, September 6th, 2019

The owners of the California dive boat where 34 people died in a fire have filed a lawsuit to avoid liability in the case. Truth Aquatics Inc., which owned the Conception, filed suit Thursday in U.S. District Court under a pre-Civil War provision of maritime law that allows it to limit its liability. Anyone who can make a claim against the company will be served with notice the company is asserting it is not liable for damages from victims.

Yesterday, a woman fell from the Half Dome cables in Yosemite National Park. She fell over 500 feet down steep, rocky terrain, and was deceased when Park Rangers arrived on the scene. The woman has been identified as 29 year old Danielle Burnett, from Lake Havasu City.

According to the Arvin Police Department, a 65-year-old karate instructor died during a class on Thursday evening. A witness told authorities that a student was applying a "carotid" hold on Craig Garret, who has been identified by his life-long friend, during a class demonstration at Bear Mountain Elementary's cafeteria.

Firefighters continue to battle the fast-moving Tenaja fire in the La Cresta community near Murrieta in Riverside County. The blaze has grown to 2,000 acres and currently is only ten percent contained. Evacuation orders remain in effect for more than 1,000 homeowners.

The Kern Valley Broncs are back in action tonight here at home. It's a non-conference matchup with Mission Prep from San Luis Obispo. The JV game is at 4 and the Varsity game at 7 pm.

A woman is behind bars after officers found her passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle parked with its engine running, a child asleep in the backseat and a nearly empty bottle of alcohol inside, according to a court document. She remained in custody this morning on charges of willful cruelty to a child and DUI.

Thursday, September 5th, 2019

According to Match.com, the average cost of a date in California is $226. Connie Alacron with Bakersfield's Better Business Bureau says she believes it's possible to spend hundreds on a night out. Between dinner, drinks and the movies, daters can wrack up quite the price tag. Some locals in Kern County say dating doesn't need to cost hundreds. Instead, it's important to focus on quality time and getting to know the other person.

It can come out of nowhere. It settles onto homes, sinks into swimming pools and blankets cars – almond dust. During the peak of harvest season, dust from almond orchards can create havoc for drivers. Until almond harvesting becomes a cleaner ag activity, farmers are encouraging drivers to accept and adapt to Kern County’s global role in agriculture.

The Kern Law Enforcement Association has voted to accept a new contract offer from Kern County. The new deal is reportedly for one year, but union leaders say they'll keep working toward something more permanent. KLEA represents law enforcement agencies in Kern County. In July, the Kern County Board of Supervisors voted in support of proposals that would make the Kern County Sheriff's Office the highest paid law enforcement agency in Kern County.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper approved the use of $3.6 billion in funding from military construction projects to build 175 miles of President Donald Trump's wall along the Mexican border. Pentagon officials would not say which 127 projects will be affected but said details will be available after members of Congress are notified. They said half the money will come from military projects in the U.S. and the rest will come from projects in other countries.

This year at the Kern County Fair you won’t just be waiting in line for your favorite deep-fried food. You may also be waiting in line to pass through security. This year the Kern County Fair is increasing security by installing multiple metal detectors at all three entrances. Fair-goers will also still go through the wanding process before entry. To avoid delays Kern County Fair officials, encourage fair-goers to arrive early and be prepared to go through metal detection.

The devastation wrought by Dorian — and the terror it inflicted during its day-and-a-half mauling of the Bahamas — came into focus Wednesday as the passing of the storm revealed a muddy, debris-strewn landscape of smashed and flooded-out homes on Abaco and Grand Bahama islands. The official death toll from the strongest hurricane on record ever to hit the country jumped to 20, and there was little doubt it would climb higher.

Wednesday, September 4th, 2019

UPDATE:

Thirty three bodies of victims from a scuba diving boat fire off Southern California have been recovered and one was still missing on Wednesday, authorities said. The new count of confirmed deaths came after officials recovered 13 bodies on Tuesday, said Coast Guard Lt. Zach Farrell, a spokesman for the inter-agency joint information center in Santa Barbara representing local, county, state and federal officials involved in the case.

The Los Angeles Police Department have arrested two men in connection to the Eagle Rock fire that erupted on August 25. Officers say that two 25 year olds were arrested Saturday on suspicion of attempted murder. Officials say they believe the fire was set in an attempt to kill a person or people at a homeless encampment under the 2 freeway. The fire spread across Glendale and burned 45 acres.

A man convicted of setting eight fires during a 2017 arson spree in Oildale has been sentenced to 360 years in prison. A Kern County jury found 43 year old Damon Franklin guiltyof 12 felony counts of arson in June.

According to the Bakersfield Police Department, the 14-year-old that flashed a gun to two Lakeside School students at a bus stop was arrested at Silvercreek Park. Sgt. Nathan McCauley said the student faces five felony and misdemeanor charges including carrying a loaded gun in public.

Kern County's almond harvest is underway. Right now, farmers are shaking their trees to produce billions of pounds of the commodity crop. Kern County is the No. 1 producer of almonds in the world. From a Mediterranean climate to quality water infrastructure, this area of the San Joaquin Valley is a sweet spot for almonds. Right now, the USDA is expecting a 2.2 billion pound crop to be harvested in California.

Officials said yesterday that 34 people died after a boat packed with scuba divers caught fire near an island off the Southern California coast and they have called off search efforts for survivors. The Coast Guard and law enforcement said no one has been found alive after flames tore through the dive boat early Monday as passengers on a recreational scuba diving trip slept below deck.

A man convicted of setting eight fires during a 2017 arson spree in Oildale has been sentenced to 360 years in prison. A Kern County jury found Damon Franklin, 43, guilty of 12 felony counts of arson in June.

Kim Mangone, a United States Air Force veteran and former systems engineer from Lancaster, is a Democratic candidate officially running against Kevin McCarthy for the 23rd District Congressional seat in 2020. Mangone filed her candidacy statement with the Federal Elections Commission in June. According to her candidacy website, Mangone is a former aircraft mechanic with a degree in professional aeronautics.

Fifth graders from Horizon Elementary in Bakersfield are back home after they were involved in a multi-car crash yesterday morning. According to school officials, the students and teachers were on their way to Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley when they were involved in the incident. The CHP reported that the crash happened around 9 a.m.near Madera Road. The pileup involved 43 people in four separate vehicles, including the charter bus.

Walmart announced it will reduce its gun and ammunition sales, the company said yesterday. The move comes about one month after more than 20 people were killed in a mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas. Walmart also pressured U.S. Congress to enact gun safety measures. "It’s clear to us that the status quo is unacceptable," Walmart said in a statement.

A fault concealed beneath the surface of Los Angeles may not be dormant as previously believed. National Geographic says the Wilmington Fault could be active and capable of producing a 6.3 magnitude earthquake or greater. It stretches about 12.5 miles along the coast from Huntington Beach up through Long Beach and Los Angeles harbors. Researchers say if it linked to other faults, it could even trigger an earthquake in the 7-magnitude range.

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019

Kern County sheriff's deputies arrested two people Monday during a narcotics investigation in Wasco. After a two week long investigation, deputies served a search warrant at a home. Deputies found 27 grams of suspected methamphetamine, packaging for narcotics sales, and $24,500 in counterfeit 100 dollar bills.

A middle-of-the-night fire swept a boat carrying recreational scuba divers anchored near an island off the Southern California coast early Monday, leaving at least 25 dead and nine others missing. Five of six crew members on the Conception escaped by jumping into an inflatable boat they steered to a nearby vessel.

Kim Mangone, a United States Air Force veteran and former systems engineer from Lancaster, is a Democratic candidate officially running against Kevin McCarthy for the 23rd District Congressional seat in 2020. According to her candidacy website, Mangone is a former aircraft mechanic with a degree in professional aeronautics.

United Nations officials estimate more than 60,000 people in the northwest Bahamas will need food following the devastation left by Hurricane Dorian. A spokesman for the U.N. World Food Program said Tuesday that a team is ready to help the Bahamian government assess storm damage and prioritize needs.

A multi-vehicle crash involving a charter bus with school-age children on board prompted the closure of the westbound 118 Freeway in Simi Valley this morning, authorities said. The crash happened shortly after 9 a.m. near Madera Road. The students were on a field trip en route to the nearby Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. No serious injuries were immediately reported.

Three people, including a child, were killed in an early morning crash on Highway 99 on Monday. According to the California Highway Patrol, around 12:15 a.m., a car heading south on the 99 was exiting at Kimberlina Road. The CHP says the car went off the road and down an embankment before hitting a tree. Two adults, a child and a dog were in the car and were all killed. It's not known what caused the crash.

According to Ridgecrest Police Department at around 2 p.m. Friday, police officers pulled a man in a wheelchair from a burning home. The fire seemed suspicious in nature and a woman by the name of Andrea Doss was determined to be a suspect of Arson. Doss was arrested for attempted murder and was taken to the Central Receiving Facility in Bakersfield, CA where she was booked.

September is National Preparedness Month and as Florida residents are dealing with Hurricane Dorian, officials suggest being proactive in case of an emergency occurs. Here are suggestions. Build a kit, water, radio, flashlights etc. Make a Plan. Be Informed. If you have not done so already, get registered with Ready Kern. You will receive notifications in the event of an emergency.

Sirhan Sirhan, imprisoned for more than 50 years for the 1968 assassination of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, was hospitalized Friday after being stabbed by a fellow inmate at a San Diego prison. A statement from the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said the stabbing occurred Friday afternoon at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility near San Diego.

Cody Kessler’s tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles is over almost before it even got started. Less than four months — and 33 preseason snaps — later, the Eagles cut the former Centennial High and USC standout quarterback. The 26-year-old quarterback was released after one season with the Jacksonville Jaguars and signed by Philadelphia in mid-May.

Friday, August 30th, 2019

There is a fire up in the Sequoia National Forest near the Kern Plateau. It began on the 13th with a lightning strike. The Broder Fire at around 235 acres in very rugged and steep terrain. More than 60 personnel are assigned to the fire with air support from helicopters. At this point, they are stating 10% containment. Smoke is moderate but visible around Kennedy Meadows and the surround area. No road or trail closures but signs have been posted regarding the incident.

The Kern High School District is investigating an alleged confrontation that happened between an LGBTQ support group and other students at Frontier High School Wednesday. In a post, a Frontier parent stated that Future Farmers of America kids confronted the Gay Straight Alliance with "MAGA flags" and "straight kids holding hands yelling this is what's right."

If you are driving out for the holiday weekend, you may want to know that California Highway Patrol is having a maximum enforcement period. CHP officers and other local law enforcement agencies will be patrolling all highways and roadways throughout Labor Day weekend.

Stories have come out in recent months about Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft using human beings to listen in on users' voice commands. The companies explained that their efforts were aimed at training their artificial intelligence systems and improving the accuracy of voice recognition and other features. On Wednesday, Apple issued an apology for allowing third-party contractors to listen in on Siri voice recordings and failing to live up to its "high ideals." Beyond listening in, Apple simultaneously acknowledged it was also automatically retaining recordings of users' interactions with Siri. It did not say how long the recordings are retained.

Huntington Harbour was shut down on Thursday after a blocked sewer main sent 60,000 gallons of sewage spilling into the water. The sewer main blockage happened in the city of Stanton, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. The closure encompasses Anaheim Bay, Sunset Aquatic Marina, Portofino Cove, Anderson Street Marina and Mother's Beach.

Welcome to the Labor Day Weekend in the Kern River Valley. A free concert at 6 pm at Riverside Park in Kernville. Tomorrow through Monday, it's the Sierra Arts and Crafts Festival at Circle Park. The Caliente Rodeo is going on tomorrow and Sunday, and the American Legion Riders of Post 711 are have their Poker Run tomorrow with resgistration beginning at 9 am at the Veterans and Senior Center in Lake Isabella. Or their may just be a a BBQ in your back yard. Enjoy your weekend.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office is looking into separate threats that were made against multiple schools. Earlier this week, deputies were made aware that an Instagram user had messaged three Desert High School students at Edwards Airforce Base and threatened to shoot and stab the students at the next football game. The message also said they would do the same to the school’s cheerleader team. Deputies determined one of the original reported victims was actually the suspect. The 15-year-old juvenile suspect sent the threats via Instagram to his victims, as well as to himself to throw off investigators, according to the KCSO. The juvenile suspect was arrested and booked into juvenile hall.

It's been a bad summer for anyone concerned about their digital assistant eavesdropping on them. Stories have come out in recent months about Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft using human beings to listen in on users' voice commands. An apology and policy changes were prompted by a whistleblower report exposing the shocking amount of information Apple contractors were able to glean from listening to users' recorded conversations as well as how easily Siri was accidentally triggered to record them.

The surgeon general’s advisory Thursday warning adolescents and pregnant women against using marijuana has sparked a backlash from supporters of decriminalizing the drug who accused him of using “scare tactics” to overstate its dangers, although they agree children should not be exposed to it. Officials said the threat of youth and pregnant marijuana use is growing increasingly urgent because the drug is getting stronger.

The California Earthquake Authority reporting they gained more than 23,000 new earthquake insurance policies in July following those quakes in Ridgecrest and Trona earlier this year. It was the second-largest monthly net increase in the agency's 23-year history.

Thursday, August 29th, 2019

The Kern County Sheriff's Office is starting a new voluntary camera registry program. The program will give people a chance to partner up with the KCSO and help them keep neighborhoods safer. The goal is to get businesses and homes to register their cameras with the department so the Sheriff's Office knows which homes and buildings have surveillance footage in the event of a crime.

The Bureau of Land Management posted a warning that portions of the Pacific Crest Trail have been blocked due to rockslides caused by recent seismic activity. Crews will start removing the debris starting in late September. The buried section is impassable to equestrians north of Walker Pass, where the PCT crosses State Route 178. Signs have been posted to let people know of the rockslides. As seismic activity continues in the area hikers may encounter additional rock falls and hazards along the trail so they are asked to use caution.

An online petition seeking to change the date of Halloween is picking up steam. The National Petition to Move Halloween! was started last year and seeks to have the holiday moved to the last Saturday in October, so it can be celebrated on a weekend instead of during the week.

Coco Gauff is quickly becoming the Comeback Kid. Just 15, she doesn't seem to find any deficit too daunting. She demonstrated that in her U.S. Open debut Tuesday night, much like she did at Wimbledon last month. With her parents jumping out of their front-row seats and a raucous partisan crowd backing her at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Gauff trailed by a set and a break, then again by a break in the third set, before getting past Anastasia Potapova of Russia 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.

A new study by the website BackgroundChecks. o rg is ranking cities by how safe they are across the state. In Kern County, Shafter was ranked the safest coming in at number 73. Bakersfield was ranked 231 out of 267 cities. Arvin was ranked 255. Tehachapi, Delano, McFarland, California City, and Ridgecrest all ranked safer than Bakersfield and Arvin. The safest city in the state according to the study is Hillsborough followed by Palos Verdes Estates and Beverly Hills.

The Labor Day weekend is quickly approaching and the California Highway Patrol says it's one of the busiest times on highways. Don't be surprised if you see extra police cars on the roads. CHP is going to be out in full force this holiday weekend to make sure people are not driving while under the influence. CHP along with five other states will be taking part in the No Safe Place for Impaired Drivers to crack down on drunk and drugged driving for the coming holiday weekend.

Tomorrow evening is the final River Rhythms concert at Riverside Park in Kernville. Southside blues band Jeff Dale and the Dirty Jacks will perform from 6 to eight pm. All donation benefit the Kern Valley Hospital Foundation which benefits all of the Kern River Valley. The American Legion Riders of Post 711 are having their annual poker run Saturday. Registration begins at 9 am at the Veterans and Senior Center. And the Sierra Arts and Crafts festival will be taking place at Circle Park all Labor Day Weekend.

Wednesday, August 28th, 2019

UPDATE:

The Bakersfield Police Department says it arrested a local high school student Tuesday after the student allegedly made criminal threats via the social media app Snapchat. Nathan McCauley, public information officer for BPD, says the FBI alerted local police to the Snapchat post. The BPD has not released any specific information about the student, including their name, high school or age. The post appears to show a firearm with the phrase "don't go to school tmr. (tomorrow)

The Kern County Board of Supervisors declared an end to its fiscal emergency during a meeting yesterday. The board approved a budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Bad news for some hikers looking to getting away this weekend.The Bureau of Land Management posted a warning that portions of the Pacific Crest Trail have been blocked due to rockslides caused by recent seismic activity. Crews will start removing the debris starting in late September. The buried section is impassable to equestrians north of Walker Pass, where the PCT crosses State Route 178 near us. Southbound hikers may exit the PCT at the Chimney Creek Campground via car by taking Canebrake Road. Signs have been posted to let people know of the rockslides.

Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $572 Million in a landmark opioid ruling in Oklahoma. The benchmark case ruled the drug manufacture intentionally played down the dangers and oversold the benefits of opioids, creating a public nuisance. Kern County has also entered into a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies who produce opioid prescription drugs.

An anonymous donor has given more than $30,000 to fund a reward for information that leads to whoever has killed more than 40 protected wild burros in the Southern California desert. The Humane Society announced Monday a donor from its burro protection initiative, the Platero Project, contributed $32,500, increasing the total to more than $50,000. The Humane Society donated $2,500.

There are currently 93,000 people in the United States on a waiting list for a donated kidney, yet at least 3,500 donated kidneys are discarded every year, according to a study published Monday. More than 37 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and roughly 5,000 die each year while on the kidney waiting list. That's about 12 people each day, making kidney disease the ninth leading cause of death in the United States.

If you are trying to make it in the music industry it turns out Bakersfield isn't a bad place to be. That's according to a new list that ranks our city seventeenth as Best Places for Musicians. Other places topping the list include New Orleans, Nashville, and Austin, Texas. And the number one place for musicians: Athens, GA.

The Kern River has claimed the lives of eight people since the start of June. And now, ahead of Labor Day Weekend, first responders are giving one final warning to the public. Amy Masi of the U.S. Forest Service says officials expect several thousand more people than normal will come to the area for the holiday weekend. Masi says she's written up too many tickets for campers this summer who don't follow the rules when it comes to putting out their fires. When they leave it unattended and just walk away from it, it's about $400. That offense, trash around the area, that could be another $150 citation. She says fines can go up to $1,000 for unattended fires and people without permits.

The California Assembly approved a bill that lets school boards decide whether parents can administer medical marijuana on school campuses. It would allow the use of marijuana in non-smoking form. Current law prevents marijuana on school campuses, meaning children who use medical cannabis to treat seizures have to go off campus to get their medication. Supporters of the bill say that's a dangerous and onerous requirement.

Someone has been killing the wild burros of California's Mojave Desert, and the Bureau of Land Management is offering up to $10,000 to anyone who can help catch the culprit or culprits. Over the past three months, 42 burro carcasses containing gunshot wounds have been found scattered along a 60-mile stretch of Interstate 15.

California state regulators say they're making new attempts to stop persistent oil spills in the oil-rich Central Valley, including one that has been flowing intermittently for 16 years and may have spilled more than 50 million gallons. The problems stem from the production method used in the oil field about 35 miles west of Bakersfield, where steam is injected into the ground to soften the thick crude oil.

Free Fishing Day will be this Saturday in California, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. All fishing regulations, such a bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect on Free Fishing Day.

Tuesday, August 27th, 2019

Two families are recovering from a boating accident that happened on Lake Buena Vista over the weekend. Eight people were injured, and seven of them suffered severe burns in a boat fire on Buena Vista Lake Sunday morning. Both families will be at the hospital for three to four weeks. A GoFund Me page has been set up for both families.

A Bakersfield police officer died Sunday due to medical complications, according to the Kern Law Enforcement Association. Detective Kevin Hock died due to valley fever, according to KLEA. Valley fever is a common Central Valley illness and is caused by fungus that can be found in the soil and dirt.

An Oklahoma judge on Monday found Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries helped fuel the state's opioid drug crisis and ordered the consumer products giant to pay $572 million to help abate the problem in the coming years. The companies are expected to appeal the ruling to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Still no official word from the Kern County Coroners office regarding the identification of a body found in the Kern River Sunday. Kern County Search and Rescue retrieved the body early Sunday afternoon about half a mile down river from Keysville.

Get your fishing pole ready! Free Fishing Day will be this Saturday, the 31st in California, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. All fishing regulations, such a bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect on Free Fishing Day.

Police said Monday four more suspects have been arrested in an Aug. 17 shooting in which dozens of bullets flew through a southwest Bakersfield neighborhood. Officers found more than 60 spent shell casings of various calibers near a large party at a residence where a convicted felon and gang member lives. At least five guns have been seized, police said. No one was injured, but vehicles and houses were struck, police said.

Mother Nature will carry on with hot tempuratures, but Labor Day will be the last day of operation for spay parks throughout Bakersfield. As of Tuesday, Sept. 3, spray parks run by the city of Bakersfield and North of the River will shut down for the season.

This weekend is of course Labor Day Weekend and the Sierra Arts and Crafts festival will be taking place over the weekend at Circle Park in Kernville. Friday evening is the final River Rhythms show at Riverside Park to benefit the Kern Valley Hospital Foundation and all they do. The band will be Jeff Dale and the Dirty Jacks with some Rock and Blues. This Saturday is also the American Legion Riders of Post 711 poker run. The starting spot is the Veterans and Senior Center in Lake Isabella and registration begins at 9am.

Monday, August 26th, 2019

The Kern County Sheriff's Office says it's investigating a deadly shooting that happened in Mojave on Saturday night. About 7:50 p.m., the Sheriff's Office received a report of a family disturbance at a residence. When they arrived, deputies found a man suffering from gunshot wounds outside the residence. The man was taken by ambulance to a hospital but was later pronounced dead, according to the Sheriff's Office. Homicide detectives are investigating the incident.

California City Police have determined the social media post threatening Cal City High School is NOT credible. After investigating, CCP determined that students walking through campus overheard a special needs students trying to speak with fellow students which lead to misunderstanding the student. Police say the special needs student had originally asked fellow students where a certain classroom was at the school. The evolution of the hallway conversation evolved into a rumor that he was going to shoot up a classroom.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a body in the Kern River about half a mile downstream from Keysville around 1:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Officials say KCSO's Search and Rescue team responded and recovered the body from the river. The victim’s identity will be pending from the coroner.

In a landmark ruling, a court in Mexico City has said two people should be allowed to use cocaine legally. The ruling means the unnamed pair can use, but not sell, small amounts of cocaine, according to Mexico United Against Crime. This is the first time cocaine use has been made legal in Mexico.

A woman was taken into in custody Saturday after she allegedly stole a California Highway Patrol vehicle. According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office, around noon Saturday, CHP officers were detaining a woman when she managed to take off in their Ford Explorer. KCSO deputies found it near the intersection of Highway 178 and Lake Isabella Boulevard. Deputies then spotted the woman running from the scene. She was taken into custody. KCSO officials say the CHP is now investigating the crime, and charges are still pending.

It was an exciting game, at least into the 3rd quarter Friday evening. The Kern Valley Broncs were leading the Taft Union High Wildcats. The Broncs were up 14-8 going into the 3rd period. The Taft Union Wildcats scored 18 points in the second half to win the game 24-22. Their next game will be on Friday the 6th of September in a non conference match with Mission Prep.