Bakersfield.com Local News

Girl shot by CHP officer files lawsuit

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:20:01 PDT

A teenage Bakersfield girl who was shot in the neck in September is suing two former California Highway Patrol officers.

The officers, David Mata and Jose Magdaleno, were fired in May for not reporting the shooting until after the girl, Jennifer Perez, went to the hospital some 90 minutes later.

Blaze entering unfamiliar territory by boasting winning record into July

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:16:30 PDT

Look at me, look at me/Hands in the air like it's good to be/Alive

-- "Handlebars", The Flobots

Warnings issued over business filing "scam"

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:49:11 PDT

Warnings were issued Thursday about a "scam" that tricked a Bakersfield convalescent hospital into paying a bogus business filing fee of more than $200.

The California Secretary of State and the regional Better Business Bureau said official-looking letters were sent out to an unknown number of businesses in the state.

Sew much to remember

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:15:59 PDT

Woman threads scenes from interesting life of service into a 'memory quilt'

County's $36 million mystery solved

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:36:45 PDT

How could Kern County budget gurus miss their budget estimates by a stunning $36.2 million?

The gap between projections and financial reality revealed Tuesday was created when communication between the Auditor-Controller's office and the County Administrative Office broke down under the massive pressure of the worst budget crisis in decades and a historic level of staff turnover in top county positions.

Government roundup: City gets money for Mill Creek

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:46:56 PDT

A $10.8 million state grant was awarded to the city of Bakersfield to help with the downtown Mill Creek project.

The city's Economic and Community Development Department applied for infill infrastructure funds, which may become available in October if the state has a budget in place, according to city officials.

Cat's mauling shows need for change

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:24:45 PDT

The Kern County Board of Supervisors needs to take action on the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats -- either make it mandatory or put the licensing survey crews back on the street in full force.

This was reaffirmed in my mind the morning of June 20. It was 6 a.m., and I had my front and back door open to let the cool breeze flow through my house. Molly, my indoor cat, was lying on a rug inside the front door. I was reading the newspaper at my kitchen table when I heard a muffled snarling.

Local foreclosure, mortgage delinquency rates rise

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:16:16 PDT

Bakersfield's foreclosure and mortgage delinquency rates for the month of May have increased from the same time last year, a report released Tuesday detailed.

In the market, which covers all of Kern County, 13.6 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent in May, according to First American CoreLogic, a Santa Ana-based firm that tracks the real estate industry. That compares to 8.10 percent in May 2008.

Model of oil worker monument on display

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:52:02 PDT

A model of the Taft Oilworker Monument is on display at the Kern County Administrative Building through the end of the month.

The model, and the actual monument, was designed by Taft native Benjamin Victor, who competed against two other sculptors to get the job.

Fees up, morale down

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:04:30 PDT

Development fees shot up over the lunch hour in Bakersfield Tuesday, as expected.

The city council's unanimous approval of a big hike in traffic impact fees left just one question: When will the court dates begin?

Column: Trustee created circus amid crisis

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:13:53 PDT

In an attempt to solve the Kern High School District budget crisis, Ken Mettler, a savvy politician and district trustee, made a suggestion that caused otherwise complacent parents and coaches to rise up and vent their fears and frustrations.

Their hue and cry was highly emotional, borderline logical and completely irrelevant.

Herb Benham: Coming face to Facebook with your kids as friends

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:35:36 PDT

Awhile back I joined Facebook. As with Twitter, I'm not very good at it. I forget about Facebook until someone asks to be my friend and then I say, "Why not." It's not as if my cup overfloweth with friends anyway.

Judi McCarthy sent a note on Facebook etiquette as it concerns one's children.

County saves jail, CPS staffing with unexpected millions

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:02:37 PDT

Stunned Kern County leaders learned Tuesday that their battered general fund was actually flush with $52.5 million in cash as the fiscal year ended last week.

That number, dramatically better than the $16.3 million balance estimated by county budget gurus in recent months, allowed supervisors Tuesday to keep a threatened section of Lerdo jail open, avoid a prisoner release, reduce detention deputy layoffs and fund child protective services staffing.

Reunion's tragic end

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:25:42 PDT

Family members remember slain man, while police release few suspect details

Some local banks agree to accept IOUs

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:44:05 PDT

Several local banks and credit unions are being pulled into California's financial crisis by reluctantly agreeing to accept state IOUs from their customers.

Their decision to accept the promise of future payment is neither mandatory nor necessarily a safe bet, and so some institutions here and across the state have put conditions on their participation, including limiting who they will take IOUs from, and for how long.