The CHP is reporting a fatal accident this morning on East Panama Lane, just east of Weedpatch Highway. A pedestrian was apparently hit by a vehicle just before 5:30. The investigation is underway.
A Congressional Commission heard from several local residents about how the current economic crunch has affected them, their families and their businesses. Bakersfield was the first stop for the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, which is on a fact finding tour, and plans to visit three other cities significantly affected by the economic downturn later this month. Former Kern County Congressman Bill Thomas is Vice Chairman of the commission.
It was quite an ordeal for two city park employees yesterday as they were caught in the middle of a chase and shooting. The workers were reportedly leaving Planz Park when they saw a group of teenagers chasing another teen. That teen apparently jumped into the back of their Parks Department truck and grabbed a shovel to defend himself. Police say one of the suspects then pulled out a hand gun and fired several times toward the teen in the truck. The Park employees had to duck down in the cab to avoid injury. The teen was not hit. He reportedly jumped out of the truck and ran. The search for the suspects continues. Anyone with information in the case is asked to call police.
An Independence High School football star, injured in an ATV accident at Pismo Beach over the weekend, is apparently starting on the road to recovery. Sixteen-year-old Tyler Schilhabel is out of his medically induced coma and is expected to start rehabilitation later this week. The quarterback was left paralyzed from the chest down after his ATV went over a 25-foot cliff while riding on the dunes with a group of friends. Friends have created a Facebook page entitled "Pray for Tyler Schilhabel." So far, the page has more than 2,000 fans.
A Bakersfield man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shooting death of a store clerk back in June of 2008. Samuel Bravo was convicted last month of killing Honey Market owner Youll Kwan. Bravo was also convicted in the armed robberies of three other stores in the weeks leading up to the shooting. He was sentenced to 28-years in jail for those crimes.
The tight economy has apparently taken its toll on the Kern County Museum. Effective this coming Monday, the museum will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. The reduced hours are part of a restructuring intended to keep the museum open while reducing operating costs. The museum is home to countless artifacts that reflect Kern County's rich history. Although it will be closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays, you can still book special events at the facility on those days, such as weddings, concerts and other parties.
From the streets of Oildale to the stage at the Kennedy Center…local country music legend Merle Haggard is among this year's Kennedy Center honorees. The 33rd annual event will be held in Washington DC in December. The Chairman of the event says the honesty of Haggard's music and poetic lyrics have helped to shape the world of country music for nearly five decades. Among those joining Haggard will be media mogul Oprah Winfrey and singer-songwriter Paul McCartney.
The Houchin Blood Bank is holding a blood drive today, featuring a real life American Hero who knows first hand what a difference your donation can make. Larry Frederick is a retired Oakland police officer and Vietnam Vet who received 110 pints of blood after being hit by a drunk driver while he was on duty over two decades ago. Frederick is currently making his 4th cross country bike ride called "Life Across America," to promote the need for blood donations. The drive runs from 10am until 2pm at the Houchin Blood Bank on Truxtun Extension.
The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History in downtown Bakersfield needs your help to save a piece of our history. Fossils from the local landmark, Shark Tooth Hill, have been on display at the museum for 15 years. However, the owners of the collection have taken the fossils back and have plans to auction them off. The museum is trying to raise the cash to buy them for a permanent display. Donations can be sent to 2018 Chester Avenue in Bakersfield or call 324-6350 if you can help.
You are invited to attend the grand opening of the new Clinica Sierra Vista Dental Center in Arvin today. The facility, which is located at 1305 Bear Mountain Boulevard, will be open from 8am until 7pm on Monday through Saturday. Funding for the 1.4 million dollar dental center came from American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
A new report from the Urban Institute finds 700,000 California children are currently eligible for affordable health programs, but not enrolled. The federal government has just announced a nationwide effort called the "Connecting Kids to Coverage Challenge," which seeks to enroll all eligible but uninsured children in programs such as Medi-Cal or Healthy Families within five years.
The California Supreme Court will take up the issue of furloughs for state workers today. They will consider whether the governor had the authority to order the furloughs, which equal about a 14% pay cut, without first getting the consent of the Legislature. The governor maintains the unpaid days off are necessary as the state continues to operate without a budget plan to close the 19-billion-dollar deficit. The court has 90 days to issue a ruling after hearing arguments today.
