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Kern County's News Leader
kget.com
kget.com
Transcribed
4 SEP 2024 · Some of today's top stories
- Now to an update on a story we brought you yesterday...Â
  A suspect is still on the run this morning... following a bizarre officer-involved shooting in northwest Bakersfield Monday night.
  A sheriff's deputy opened fire after allegedly being assaulted by a man who fled from a traffic stop.
  17's Connor Dore reports.
- From our 17 follow up file.
  Kern County Sheriff's Office is searching for the gunman in an a deadly Oildale shooting. Investigators are looking for Luis Villachana in connection to the shooting that happened last Thursday on Olympic Drive near Highland elementary school. Deputies responding to the scene found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound.
  She later died.
  Homicide detectives are investigating, and have not arrested any suspects.
  Anyone with information is urged to call 861-3110 or Kern Secret Witness at 322-4040.
- CHP officers were on maximum enforcement over the Labor Day weekend.
  During the 72-hour holiday enforcement effort, which began Friday evening, CHP officers made more than 1,100 arrests for driving under the influence and issued more than 27,000 citations.
  More than 16,000 of those were for speeding.Â
- We are saddened to report a World War Two veteran and hard working member of our community has died. Joe Jackson Smith died last Monday at the age of 102.Joe Jackson Smith died last Monday at the age of 102. Smith grew up as the youngest of five on a family farm in Arkansas.
  During his service, he was one of the first RADAR operators... helping introduce the new technology to ships transporting troops across the North Atlantic and English Channel.
  Smith met his first wife, Jean Reader when he returned from the war.
  And they soon moved to Kern County to raise their two daughters.
  Smith and Jean were married 42 years before she died.
  He would go on to remarry twice--Birdie Barker, then Rose Jenkins--but he survived them both.
  Many will fondly remember him as their wedding officiant, a comfort in times of loss and a wise counseling voice.
  He's remembered as a witty cheerful man who would always show up for dessert--even if he missed the meal.
Transcribed
3 SEP 2024 · Some of today's top stories
- We begin with breaking news from overnight.
  KCSO deputies swarmed a Motel 6 in Northwest Bakersfield after reports of shots fired last night. This is video of the scene on Olive and Knudsen Drives.
  It happened just before 10.
  Eyewitness reports say a suspect was pulled over for a regular traffic stop...and allegedly pepper-sprayed a deputy...
  That's when a deputy started shooting.
  Those witnesses say three shots were fired.
  There are currently no reports of any injuries..
  17 News has confirmed the suspect is still on the run.
- Another downtown Bakersfield landmark is gone this morning.
  The "Toucan Building"...formerly the home of Thompson's Pet Land, was destroyed by a fire yesterday afternoon.
  And, the building that started out as a bus stop is just one of many vacant downtown buildings that have burned in the last several years.
  17's Rob Hagan has more on the destruction that keeps growing.
- More than 2 months later, we have positive identification on a June 30th pedestrian fatality involving a train in Old Town Kern. And the victim, it turns out, was a beloved local character.17's Robert Price has the story.
Transcribed
3 SEP 2024 · Some of today's top stories
- We begin with news breaking overnight and a signature issue here at 17... that's pedestrian safety.
  A person is dead this morning after being hit by a car in south Bakersfield. It happened just after 11 last night.
  This is on White Lane and South Union Avenue.
  The victim's identity has not been released.
  No arrests have been made.
  We will update you on this story as more information becomes available.
- Now in your 17 Crime Watch.
  A man is behind bars this morning on suspicion of shooting and killing a person last month. Rodrigo Lara was arrested for the alleged murder.
  Officers were dispatched to the area of Lloyd and South Bliss Streets and found a person had been shot.
  The identity of the victim has not been released.
  Lara faces charges including: first degree murder, participating in a street gang, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
  He's due in court later this week.
- Authorities have identified the driver of a vehicle who was killed after crashing into a concrete wall in Lebec. According to CHP, 63-year-old Robin Scott Stears, of Frazier Park was the driver of a vehicle that collided with a concrete wall near the Lebec Transfer Station Friday morning on Landfill Road.
  He died at the scene.
  Authorities are investigating the cause and manner of death.
  If you have any information call the California Highway Patrol at 661-396-6600.
- a nationwide strike is underway in israel .. in an effort to pressure prime minister benjamin netanyahu to secure a deal for the remaining hostages being held by hamas.Â
  it comes after the israeli military recovered the bodies of 6 hostages ... they say were brutally killed by hamas in gaza.Â
  among the victims... an israeli-american from California.
  rachel menitoff from our sister station ktla has more on the reaction from the southland.
Transcribed
30 AUG 2024 · Some of today's top stories
- Now to your 17 crime watch.
  And, new information this morning on a breaking news story we first brought you on 17 news at 5 yesterday. The Kern County Sheriff's Office confirming one person was killed and another wounded in a shooting in Oildale.
  The incident happened around 4:20 yesterday afternoon in the 2700 block of Olympic Drive near Highland Elementary School.Â
  KCSO says homicide detectives are still in the early stages of the investigation and could not say what happened prior to the shooting.
  However, we're told the surviving victim's wounds are minor.
  The incident triggered a huge law enforcement response with patrol vehicles seen lining the street.
  Investigators are still looking for the shooter or shooters.
- Bakersfield police are investigating a shooting that sent one person to the hospital.
  Officers were called to the 200 block of Chester Avenue near 2nd street, at 9:30 last night for shots fired.
  There, they found a male victim with a single gunshot wound, not considered life threatening.
  BPD says it does not have a suspect description at this time, adding officers are looking for other possible victims. Anyone with information on this crime is urged to call BPD at 327-7111.
- In your follow-up file this morning...
  It was a bullying incident, caught on camera, that has now gone viral on the internet.
  And this morning that victim will receive a special escort as he heads to school.
  17's Mikhala Armstrong reports.
- New details this morning on the death of a local police sergeant.Â
  The City of Shafter says Moises {moses} Martinez died of an unknown medical emergency.  City officials say there is no evidence of foul play or any suspects associated with Martinez's death, which happened early Wednesday morning at his Oildale home.Â
  Several agencies converged on the home to offer support to his family and co-workers.Â
  They then led a procession to the Kern County coroner's office.Â
  Shafter P-D is asking for privacy for Martinez's family as they navigate their way through this heartbreaking loss.
Transcribed
29 AUG 2024 · Some of today's top stories
- This morning... an exclusive update on former Kern County supervisor Zack Scrivner.
It has been 128 days since shocking allegations were made that he sexually assaulted a child.
He hasn't been charged -- but has remained quiet and his whereabouts have largely been unknown.
We now know he's in town....he looks healthy....and he's back out in public.
  But, as 17's Jenny Huh reports, he doesn't want to talk about the allegations against him or the health reasons that prompted him to resign from office.
- This is still an ongoing investigation...
  But we've compiled all this information on our website, KGET dot com.
  Just scan the Q-R code on your screen for complete coverage of developments in the case, including the full press conference at the KCSO headquarters.
- A Shafter Police officer who passed away yesterday morning at his Oildale home, is being remembered as a hero.
  Sergeant Moises {Moses} Martinez was known as a man who served his department and community with "honor and distinction."Â
  17's Mikhala Armstrong has more.
- We are saddened to report the passing of former Bakersfield news anchor and weatherman The weatherman-turned-newsman died Tuesday at his home in Morro Bay at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer. Rusty Shoop. Shoop started his TV career in his hometown of Eureka in the late 1970s and moved to Bakersfield in 1984 to work for KERO.Â
    Over the course of his career here, Shoop worked for all three Bakersfield stations that had daily newscasts, including the first morning show in the area, right here at KGET, from 1991 through the end of that decade.
    In 2007, he suffered a brain aneurysm, put his television career on hold and finished his novel in progress, Blood Harvest, about a fictitious murder-solving news anchorman.Â
    He and wife Diane eventually moved to the Central Coast, where he refined his guitar playing.
    Rusty Shoop leaves behind his wife Diane, three daughters, one son, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
    Services will be a private family affair.
    Rest in Peace Rusty...you will be missed.
- 17 News is your local election headquarters...
  With less than 70 days until Election Day, both the Harris-Walz and Trump-Vance campaigns are on the road in full-force.Â
  The Democratic ticket will have their first sit-down interview TONIGHT where they're expected to lay out their plan to voters.
  Meantime, Republican Nominee former President Donald Trump will be in battlegrounds Michigan and Wisconsin.
  NBC's Alice Barr is in washington this morning with the latest.
Transcribed
28 AUG 2024 · Some of today's top stories
- Two teenage boys are under arrest this morning - and facing charges in connection to the alleged bullying of another boy, while he was walking home from school.
Video of the incident has been circulating online, with supporters of the victim holding a rally today at Golden Valley High School.
  17's Mikhala Armstrong has the details.Â
- In your 17 court watch.
  Sheriff's investigators have resubmitted reports to prosecutors for a decision on whether former Delano police chief Mark DeRosia, will be charged with a crime. DeRosia was arrested in March on suspicion of contacting a minor for sex.
  Sheriff's officials say DeRosia, who was 68 at the time, contacted a detective in an online sting operation who was posing as a 15-year-old.Â
  Officials say their conversation turned sexual and a meeting was arranged.
  Derosia was arrested in March in the area of Olive and Knudsen drives.
  In June, prosecutors sent the case back to the sheriff's office for more investigation.
  The reports were resubmitted August 13 and are under review by the District Attorney's Office.
- Meantime... California lawmakers are in the final sprint to send their bills to the Governor's desk this week... where they may or may not be signed into law. Kern's lawmakers have had legislative success this year...Â
  Some of their bills signed were signed into law.
  Some even getting national media spotlight for their work, like Senator Shannon Grove's collaboration with celebrity Paris Hilton.. Senate Bill 1043. Meantime, Democratic Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains is focused on her UC medical school bill, which awaits a Senate floor vote.Â
  Experts say the majority of bills must be passed through both houses by Sunday.
Transcribed
27 AUG 2024 · Some of today's top stories
- State regulators paid a visit to Bakersfield yesterday, in the aftermath of a June oil spill that contaminated drinking water for dozens of businesses.
  Regulators examined various sites operated by local oil producer Griffin Resources LLC, which is responsible for that water contamination and is being sued by the City.
  17's Jenny Huh reports.
- The Golden Empire is bracing for a round of layoffs following a major merger. California Resources Corporation announcing it's laying off 69 employees.
  The layoff notice was sent to county supervisors last Thursday.
  Those jobs are mostly at the senior level, as well as human resources, legal and engineering positions.
  An additional 49 employees have already voluntarily ended their employment.
  The company says this is all part of the reorganization and streamlining process after Aera Energy LLC was acquired by CRC almost two months ago. A notice sent to the county says employees will recieve pay for 60 days after getting the notice, and after that they can sign up for severance pay.
- 17 News is your local election headquarters...
  The Harris and Trump campaigns return to the campaign trail as the fight for undecided voters heats up from coast to coast.
  Republican Vice Presidential nominee J-D Vance will be in Michigan, as surrogates for Harris stump across Wisconsin.
  That as the campaigns keep sparring over details for next month's presidential debate.
  Nbc's Alice Barr has the latest from washington.
26 AUG 2024 · Some of today's top stories
- In your 17 Crime Watch....
  A person is dead this morning after a shooting in a central Bakersfield neighborhood Saturday. Officers were dispatched to the area of South Bliss Street and East Brundage Lane Saturday morning around 3:15 a.m.
  Police discovered the body of a victim lying in a driveway near a residence.
  The victim has not been identified...
  It is unknown if any arrests have been made.
  An investigation is underway.
- And a man is dead following a shooting in McFarland this weekend.
It happened Saturday night on East Perkins Avenue.
When Officers arrived, they found the man with multiple gunshot wounds.
He later died.
If you have any information on the homicide case, call the McFarland Police Department.
- The Bakersfield Police Department released body camera footage of a police pursuit. During the 60 second foot chase, the officer jumped 5 fences before making the arrest.
  A caption on the post reads: Can't outrun a rookie.
  The subject was arrested for resisting arrest and possession of burglary tools.
  The post has 1,000 likes and more than 100 comments.
- In your 17 court watch...
  The driver accused of crashing into Stella's Sandtrap bar in East Bakersfield is set to appear in court today. The driver, 22-year-old Manuel Gonzalez, has pleaded not guilty to charges, including felony evading and D-U-I causing injury.
  Officers say the crash happened after they tried to stop Gonzales for tinted windows.
  The car smashed through the wall of the bar off Niles Street in June injuring 3 people, sending one to the hospital.
  Gonzales was convicted of felony evading on two seperate instances, and was on post release supervision at the time of the crash.
- 17 News is your local election headquarters...
  Fresh off convention week, Vice President Harris and running mate Governor Walz hit the campaign trail at full speed.Â
  The two begin a bus tour of the battleground state of Georgia this week, while their opponents - former President Trump and Senator Vance have events in several key states.Â
  NBC's Alice Barr has details on next steps - as the two presidential candidates prep for a debate.
Transcribed
23 AUG 2024 · Some of today's top stories
- 17 News is your local election headquarters...
  It was a historic night in chicago.
  The democratic national convention there has come to an end with vice president kamala harris accepting the party's nomination for president.
- Meantime... some of Kern's own were among the crowd at the convention.
  You may have seen them on your TVs, front and center with California leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta -- delegates Dolores Huerta and Jesse Aguilar on the convention floor.Â
  Both say the convention has been all about party unity, especially following President Joe Biden's passing of the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris. Dolores Huerta says she's been to every convention except one since 1968.Â
  She's a super delegate -- considered a party leader with an automatic seat to all conventions.
- And in local politics, District 5 Supervisor Candidate Kim Salas is challenging her opponent incumbent Leticia Perez on public safety... branding herself as the law and order candidate.Â
  Thursday morning... Salas announced various law enforcement organizations -- like Kern County Firefighters Union 1301, Kern Prosecutors Association and the Kern Law Enforcement Association, among others -- are endorsing her.Â
  Public safety officials criticized Perez, supervisor of a decade, for what they call neglect, conspiracy, potential corruption and quote absenteeism beyond belief.  Salas... an east Bakersfield native... is the district director for Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains.Â
  Both Salas and Perez are Latina and Spanish-speaking... and will likely battle over those votes.Â
  But yesterday, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood endorsed Leticia Perez.
  The two will face off November 5th.
- A person is dead this morning after being hit by a car in Mojave. It happened last night just before 9 on Sierra Highway near Belshaw Street.
The driver of a red nissan sedan hit the pedestrian and fled the scene...
C-H-P has not been able to find the suspect.
The investigation is ongoing...
The identity of the person killed has not been publicly released.
- In your 17 crime watch.
  Three girls were taken into custody following a police chase in a stolen van that triggered a major crash in east Bakersfield. The white truck you see here was making a U-turn when a suspected stolen van blew through a red light and crashed directly into it.
  Then, three people get out of that van and try to run off.
  Kern County Sheriff's Office says this happened around 1:40 Monday morning near the Fastrip on Niles Street and Sterling Road.
  KCSO says the three girls who were in the van were injured in the crash, but all have been booked.
Transcribed
22 AUG 2024 · Some of today's top stories
- A Southwest Bakersfield Daycare is the center of controversy this morning after allegations surfaced online, saying a child was placed in a high chair for hours as a form of discipline. 17's Mikhala Armstrong spoke to the daycare owner and the family behind the allegations.
- Now to Kern County's homeless crisis.
  We have been following developments over the last several months in a vacant field that had become a haven for the homeless in South Bakersfield.
  But this may be the end on the line for that massive encampment. Dozens of homeless are gone, at least for now.Â
  A multi-agency city sweep stemming from weeks of planning was finally executed.
  Police say the encampment was ultimately a violation of the law due to being on private property.
  Many items were trashed as a result of the sweep. Now, the question is, how long will it stay this way?Â
  That is yet to be determined... but Code Enforcement says the more these sweeps happen, the fewer homeless will come back.
  The city is determined to keep the field empty.
- And you're taking a live look at the main stage of the Democratic National Convention in its final day. And you're taking a live look at the main stage of the Democratic National Convention in its final day.
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