BAKERSFIELD, CA-- The highway patrol is offering a free class Wednesday to current and prospective teenage drivers, and their parents or guardians.  The Start Smart class organizers say, discusses important issues such as safe driving habits, and tips on how to avoid a collision. 

The class takes place at the CHP 420 club on 3910 Alfred Harrell Highway beginning at 6:00 p.m. The two-hour class will also feature people affected by poor choices who will speak. 

If you would like to sign up, call the Bakersfield CHP office at 661-864-4444 to sign up.  Another class will be held on Tuesday June 10. 

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- People in Lake Isabella can learn more about wildfires and how to prepare for an emergency Saturday at Uffert Park. 

The Kern County Fire Department will hold a wildfire awareness expo from 11 a.m until 2:00 p.m.  Fire officials say there will be wild land firefighting equipment on display and the opportunity to meet local wild land firefighters. 

There will be free hot dogs, chips, drinks, and educational materials for children.   The Kern County Fire Explorers, Helicopter 408, Forest Service, American Red Cross, CERT Teams, Fire Safe Councils, and Kern County Fire Hand Crews will be in attendance.  Smokey Bear will be available for pictures.

For more information, call Kern County Fire at 661-391-7000 or email: fireinfo@co.kern.ca.us

BAKERSFIELD, CA--World War II and Korean veterans are packing their bags for the next Honor Flight Kern County. It's wheels up Tuesday morning. Taft resident Vern Longtin joined the Navy in 1944 when he was just 17. He told 17 News at his daughter’s house in Bakersfield on Monday it was all he ever wanted to do at that point in his life.

"I wanted to go in 1941 but I wasn't old enough," Longtin said.

Three years later, he did becoming a plane captain. It was his job to check over planes before giving the aircraft to its pilots. Longtin was assigned to the escort carrier USS Suwannee after it had been damaged in one of the first Kamikaze or suicide attacks by the Japanese in World War II.

"It was really badly damaged, lot of guys killed," Longtin said.

He was preparing for the invasion of the Japanese mainland when the atomic bomb was dropped.

"I know there is a lot of controversy about that but I tell ya, as far everybody I knew out there we were a happy bunch," Longtin said.

Though he was glad the Japanese surrendered Longtin went to Nagasaki after the bomb was dropped and saw images that have stayed with him all these years.

"Enormously new weapon but it was kind of ugly,” Longtin said “It just annihilated everything it hit."

Dennis Heilscher said his stepfather was rather tight lipped about his military service. He will be Longtin's guardian during this week's honor flight to Washington D.C.

Longtin has battled prostate cancer and his stepson is grateful there is still time to share the experience of seeing the monuments together.

"I think if you have a veteran of that generation you need to do all means possible to go,” Heilscher said.

If you are interested in going on a future honor flight give them a call at 661-544-8387.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Bakersfield police need your help finding a man suspected of hitting another man in the face with his elbow last month.  Investigators say the man attacked the victim on April 26 in the 1100 block of South P Street and that attack appeared to be unprovoked.  The victim suffered a traumatic head injury, according to police and was admitted to the hospital. 

Police describe the suspect as a white man, 30’-40’s, 5’11”-6’0”, reddish/blond curly hair, gray full beard/goatee, wearing a black baseball cap, black hoodie, blue jeans and black riding boots.

The suspect vehicle is described as a: older model custom chopper, unknown plate.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Chris Feola at (661) 326-3871 or Bakersfield police at (661) 327-7111.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Bakersfield police are looking for a man they say stole a car stereo from a vehicle last week.  Police say on Sunday afternoon April 27, the man forced his way into the victim's car in the 3200 block of Ming Avenue and removed the car stereo. 

Police describe the man as white, 20's, 5'10", heavy build, short military style haircut.  He was seen wearing a brown t-shirt, red shorts, black tennis shoes, a wrist watch on his left wrist and a large cross medallion around his neck. 

Police say the suspect vehicle is a black Honda, 2000's 2-door. 

Anyone with information, is asked to call Detective Craig Checklenis at 661-326-3907 or Bakersfield police at 661-327-7111.  

FRESNO, CA - The direction of the high speed rail line will likely be decided on Wednesday. The original plan has it going right through Bakersfield, but city officials hope it doesn't get that far.

On Tuesday, there will be a public hearing at Fresno City Hall on the plans.

The high speed train's tracks are reported to be coming from downtown Fresno to downtown Bakersfield. Its environmental impact report became available April 18th, but state and city leaders said 17 days to review the 20,000 pages wasn't enough time to know the impact on having a train run through Bakersfield.

Bakersfield City Manager Alan Tandy said the train's route would take out arena parking and the joint city utilities and law enforcement car servicing lots.

Bakersfield officials sent a one hundred page letter to the rail authority, but didn't get an adequate response, according to Tandy.

Tandy said the bright spot is a second item proposal that would stop the rail north of 7th Standard Road.

"We can't not be able to provide services from our only common facility in the middle of the city from which we disperse all of our trucks and vehicles," said Tandy. "And, if they are making a commitment not to build that section until they've spent more time working with us on the alignment and the routing and so on, that would be a good thing."

The public hearing is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Fresno City Hall. California High-Speed Rail Authority board members will be there to answer questions.

The board will be back at Fresno City Hall on Wednesday, May 7 to certify the report, which would give the go-ahead to start procuring land for the high-speed rail project.

The city also sent a proposal asking the board to give Bakersfield officials 60 days notice if it plans to make changes to its rail line plans.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The back and forth continues in the civil trial between the family of an autistic girl and the Kern High School District.

The family is suing, claiming the then 16-year-old was sexually assaulted on school grounds by another student and is mentally damaged as a result.

The judge in this case, Lorina Brumfield, ruled not to allow our cameras in the courtroom Monday.

Four people took the stand Monday. They included the former coordinator of special education for the district, two teachers aides, and a speech pathologist.

They all testified they were familiar with the female student in this case either before or after the alleged assault.

In 2009, a teacher's aide found an autistic boy and the autistic girl in the bathroom at Independence High School.

The boy was behind her with his hands on her hips, and both had their pants down, but the distinct said nothing else happened.

The girl's family says she was hurt from the experience. They claim her learning regressed and her behavior worsened.

But, the school district's special education coordinator at the time of the incident testified Monday, her educators did not see a difference in the girl, in her learning skills or behavior after the incident.

The family's attorney, Ralph Wegis, was not surprised by the testimony.

"What I am going to hear out of the school is what the school attorney would like to present in this case, that there is no change, uh, at all," said Wegis. "I think the real question is why at school is she having the problems she does, and I think what they are doing is they are consciously ignoring those problems because they don't want to confront them."

The Kern High School District did not comment again.

Police reports from this incident are not allowed into evidence in this trial.

However, Tuesday, an officer who responded hours after the teenagers were found in the bathroom, will testify.

The trial is expected to last another two weeks.

TEHACHAPI, CA -- Two Tehachapi men are under arrest on suspicion of pointing a laser at an airplane and drug possession.
Officers arrested Daniel Mahler and Mario Manero Sunday night, after a pilot reported he was being targeted by a green laser while landing.

That pilot said he was temporarily disoriented by the beam.  A Tehacapi police officer went up with the pilot, who again was targeted by the laser.

Officers say it was coming from the 1400 block of Cimarron Court in Tehachapi. Police searched a home and found the laser, along with a half pound of meth with a street value of more than $20,000.   They also found scales, other drug paraphenalia and $1,400 in cash.

Officers also seized an 8 millimeter rifle and ammunition.

A new program that helps homeowners make energy and water efficiency renovations through financing, is celebrating success here in Kern County.

There are many benefits to making your home energy efficient, and now some Kern County communities have even more incentive to make those helpful renovations.

HERO allows homeowners to make those money-saving improvements without any out-of-pocket cost.

It's a bright idea when it comes to energy efficiency and saving you money. Since its launch in March, the Home Energy Renovation Opportunity, or HERO, has been a hit in communities throughout Kern County.

"I'm excited to see that we already have 500,000 in committed success. We've got millions in the pipeline literally, and I believe the program's going to go and it's the private policy we should really be touting here locally," said Chair of the Kern County Board of Supervisors Leticia Perez.

HERO is the leading property-assessed, clean energy, financing program nationwide. The private program provides tax deductible, low-interest loans for homeowners who want to make energy and water efficient renovations. Payments are made through property taxes and can be paid off over as many as 20 years.

"The biggest thing is that we actually don't use credit score as a qualifying criteria for this type of financing product, and it's really what distinguishes the HERO program, and it's allowed the HERO program to become the number one energy efficiency financing program in the nation," said Matt Messina, Community Development Manager for HERO.

Bland Solar, a locally registered HERO contractor, anticipates a significant increase in business through the program, creating dozens of jobs over the next few years.

"I'd say it's been beneficial to me as a contractor. I think most importantly to me though is putting people to work in Kern County, hiring local people, training local people, and providing a means of making a living," said CEO and owner of Bland Solar, Glen Bland.

Delano, Taft, and Ridgecrest are some of the local HERO communities. HERO is not yet available in Bakersfield and some other incorporated cities in the county.

If you would like to learn more about HERO, click the Hotlink icon on our home page.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Bakersfield police say a suspected hit and run driver is hospitalized with moderate injuries following a crash near Valley Plaza Monday afternoon. 

Police say the man driving a Chevrolet SUV was involved in a hit and run collision in the mall's parking lot.  That's when police say he left the scene and started heading eastbound on Ming Avenue at a high rate of speed.  Police say he struck the light pole and Ming Avenue and Hughes Lane with such force, the outside traffic light became dislodged and fell into the number one eastbound lane. 

Police believe alcohol was a factor in the collision.  Anyone with information is asked to call Bakersfield police at 661-327-7111. 

BAKERSFIELD,CA- When putting your alarm across the room isn't enough motivation to get you out of bed, how about apps that charge you every time you hit the snooze button?

"Everyone plays little psychological games with themselves. But that isn't one I'll play," said Bakersfield resident Melonie Demkey.

With apps like Charity Alarm, there is now an incentive to get out of bed.

"Every time you hit snooze, it links up to either your credit card or bank account and then it puts it into a specific fund for a charity of your choice,"said Gabe Ulloa with Arrc Technology.

Other apps like Pact, allow you to log the number of days you go to the gym and your meals on myfitnesspal.com . When you sign up for a pact, you select a certain amount, $5 or $10-that is deducted from your credit card or paypal account for each day you miss.

"Now if you actually succeed and hit all of your goals. The money that they take from those who miss their goals. They actually distribute to those who are actually meeting their goals," said Ulloa.

The app rewards users ranging from 30 cents to $5 per week. Some like the idea of a little more motivation to hit the gym.
others, not so much.

"I wouldn't want people to just arbitrarily take money out of my checking account just because i missed a gym appointment or decided to sleep in once,"said Bakersfield resident Mike Shoemaker.

According to a study by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, weight-loss mobile apps have the potential to be a helpful tool but they lack behavioral strategies that lead to weight-loss.

There are 20 behavioral strategies that have been found to be effective in a weight loss journey including problem solving, stress reduction and relapse prevention.

The apps studied included on average just 18 percent of those strategies.

Relay for Life has come to an end, but the fight against cancer is stronger than ever.

During the closing ceremonies Sunday morning, organizers said $1,134,485.50 was raised, making this the 11th Relay for Life in a row that has raised more than one million dollars.

Relay organizers said there was 335 teams this year and more than 1,500 survivors participating.

According to relay volunteers, the luminaria ceremony was once again a huge success, with more than 14,000 luminaria bags sold.

To learn more about Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlife.org/bakersfieldca.

BAKERSFIELD, CA-- The 2014 Relay For Life came to a close Sunday morning, with participants taking to the track for one last lap. More than 1,500 cancer survivors and 335 teams took part in the event and raised $1,135,485.50 for cancer research. Organizers said it is the eleventh year in a row that Relay For Life has raised over a million dollars.

Patsy Romero said she has benefited from the research Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society funds.

"It's given me hope,” Romero said. “ I am currently taking a research drug that was discovered through ACS funding and that drug is keeping my cancer from returning."

Teams were asked to keep at least one walker on the track when the relay started Saturday morning. For Bakersfield resident Shane Lucey, it was a test of endurance.

"Right at the end it was 45 and a half miles when I decided to call it quits," Lucey said.

Salomon Martinez Jr. who is from Sacramento brought his family down to the relay as a way to show respect to the family members he has lost to the disease. Martinez Jr. and his family placed glow sticks in bag with names of loved ones on them. It was part of ceremony called The Luminaria.

"We are showing what the void is in our hearts and hopefully that will remind others around us that the glow that should be in every heart,” said Martinez Jr.

Even though the 2014 relay is over, the American Cancer Society is in constant need of volunteers. To find out how you can help, visit their website at www.cancer.org

CHEYENNE, WY-- Self-proclaimed dog rescuer Kimi Peck has taken her show on the road, it seems. Nearly four years after she surrendered more than 140 dogs to authorities in Tehachapi, Peck Friday crossed paths with animal control officers in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The last we heard from Kimi Peck she had taken a plea deal with county prosecutors,walking away from a dozen charges connected to the rescue operation she was running illegally in Tehahcapi. Officials actually called it dog hoarding. When it was all over rescue teams tagged and processed at least 144 dogs from the home Peck was evicted from.

Friday animal control officials took 54 dogs from a fifth-wheel trailer Peck was living out of in Cheyenne.

KWGN-TV reporting that Peck had been cited in April for not having the proper rabies tags on her dogs. When she pulled up at a veterinary clinic Friday to get 30 dogs vaccinated animal control intervened taking 54 dogs to the local shelter to check their health.

“It's kinda hard at this point,” said Debbie Lee with Cheyenne Animal Control. “Right now it's kinda get them into the crates, so we can get them checked out and see what condition they are in.”

Animal control officers say the dogs appear to be in good health. People living in Cheyenne are not allowed to own more than four dogs by law, but Peck wasn't arrested. If she had been all of her dogs would have to be held as evidence for 30 days so they couldn't be adopted out or taken in by foster families.

Kimi Peck has become a target of animal rights groups. A Facebook page was created last month with the heading “Where on earth is Kimi Peck?" Now they know.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The following is news release from the Bakersfield Police Department:

On May 2, 2014, the Bakersfield Police Department began receiving information that several students at Centennial High School had baked cupcakes tainted with bodily fluids including semen and fecal matter. These reports were received primarily through social media sources. At the request of the Kern High School District, Bakersfield police officers and detectives were dispatched to initiate an investigation. Thus far our investigation has revealed that this matter was thoroughly investigated by the Kern High School District Police Department and Centennial High School personnel prior to our arrival.

Their investigation indicated that there were no bodily fluids or poisonous substances baked into the cupcakes. Suspect and witness statements indicated all foreign substances baked into the cupcakes were household kitchen items such as mayonnaise, barbeque sauce and soy sauce and all edible. One of the students mentioned a hair from her head mixed into the cake batter and another student had mentioned semen but there is no evidence and witness statements contradict that allegation. All of the involved students’ families were notified and none of the families wished any further action other than the administrative process that will take place through Centennial High School and the Kern High School District. The tainted cupcakes were all destroyed prior to police notification.

It was reported that several students tasted the cupcakes and due to the poor taste immediately spit them out, however one student consumed an entire cupcake despite the poor taste. That student stayed home the following day due to stomach cramps and throwing up. No students required medical aid. At this point in the investigation it appears this event can best be categorized as a high school prank however the investigation is still on-going.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Ted King at (661) 326-3857 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Call it wheeling and dealing, bargain hunting or popping tags, the annual Junkatique is on. The rummage sale at Calvary Bible Church opened Friday morning to a swarm looking for a steal.

The church collected donations for nine months for the sale. It is legendary to people who have lived in Bakersfield for a while. They don't want to miss a deal.　

Deal dashers put it in fifth gear Friday morning, racing to the rummage sale for must-haves.

Tiffany Rojas was asked if it is a pretty serious sale. She said, "Oh yeah, it's huge, huge."

"Um yeah, to say it mildly, it's overwhelming," said Pastor of Calvary Bible Church, Steve Truitt.

Calvary Bible Church has held the sale for over 25 years. The money raised helps missionaries locally and around the world. They are currently working on building a church in Mexico.

"You know, this is part of helping not only our own community, but helping folks around the world these folks will never see," said Truitt.

Throngs of thrifters even spent the night in anticipation of the sale. The first bargain buster, Alvin Deshieles, spent eleven hours in line.

"There's something in there I want so I figured I'd get it," said Deshieles.

Bargain hunter Kristina George was asked if she was spending more then she has planned. "Possibly," she answered. "But, the deals are so good, and I mean, I just got a ton of irises for much better than I would get at the garden center."

From furniture and fancy pigs, figurines, and new wheels, it's all up for grabs until Junkatique 2014 is a wrap.

"People don't really need those things, but it brings us memories and that's what is good about it," said Truitt.

Junkatique is open Saturday, May 3rd, from 6:00 am to noon.

If you have something you'd like to donate for next years sale, you can call 327-5921 for information.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Bakersfield family is starting over after losing everything in a house fire Wednesday.

The property owner says he doesn't think there were any smoke detectors in the home, but still rented it out to the family last month.

Smoke detectors are required in all homes under California law, but the property owner says he didn't know that. He says he never had the property inspected.

Now, the family who rented that home is just thankful they're all safe after what could have been a tragedy.

"We got a loud knock at the door and they said 'your house is on fire, the back of your house' and we're like no there's nobody back there what do you mean? And, we open the door and there was just flames."

And, those flames quickly tore through the home in the 3700 block of L Street in northeast Bakersfield Wednesday, destroying everything Randi Reddick, her boyfriend, and their three young children owned.

"I actually just packed up from the motel they gave me for two nights now. I actually don't know where we're going for the day," Reddick said.

"It's kind of weird because I don't know how it started and it's sad and I lost everything and I don't know what to do," said 12-year-old Arionna Salazar.

The property's owner, Bernard Bugarin, says the home still needed some minor renovations. But other hazards, like live wires hanging from the ceiling, were not immediately fixed.

"That's the way I bought the house. I thought it was part of the house connection because it is an older house. It's a hundred year old house so I have no idea if those wires were to code or not," Bugarin said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but both Bugarin and Reddick say it was electrical.

If you would like to help the family you can contact Andrae Gonzalez from Stewards Inc. at 565-4636.

Gonzalez says the biggest need right now is cash donations to help get this family into a new home.

MCFARLAND, CA -- A McFarland man is facing almost three dozen felony sex charges after police say he had molested a then 11-year-old girl for several years.  Miguel Herrera, 39, was booked Thursday on 34 felony counts and is being held on more than $3 million dollars bail. 

McFarland police say their investigation began Monday and an emergency protective order was issued against Herrera.  Detectives say Herrera admitted to the molestation allegations provided by the victim. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jerrod Place at 661-792-2121 extension 3207.  Herrera is expected to be arraigned on the charges Monday. 

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Cat lovers who are looking to adopt a furry friend can do so for a special price on Fridays throughout the month of May. 

During the promotion, all cats can be adopted for $5 at all three Kern County Animal Services shelters in Bakersfield, Mojave and Lake Isabella.  Typical adoption fees according to Animal Services are normally $40 and $50.  All of the fees include spay/neuter, first set of vaccinations, microchip, rabies vaccination, flea treatment and de-wormer. 

For information on adopting a pet, please email adopt@co.kern.ca.us or call 661-868-7100 Monday-Friday between 8 am and 5 pm.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Navy SEAL commander who starred in the 2012 film "Act of Valor" was in Bakersfield Thursday night, to support the families of fallen soldiers.

Navy SEAL Commander Rorke Denver says he knows too many families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. The gala was dedicated to raising funds and awareness for those who are not on the front lines of battle, but who deal with the pain that comes from losing a loved one.

He starred in the hit film "Act of Valor." Navy SEAL and author, Rorke Denver, was keynote speaker at the inaugural "Red, White, and Blue Gala" benefiting T.A.P.S.- the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

"Warriors, in general, are prepared for that ultimate sacrifice. You don't train to pay that ultimate price, but you're obviously aware that, that's a potential in your job. Sadly, it feels like it's the families who pay the tax of those decisions and that sacrifice," said Denver.

T.A.P.S. is a national organization dedicated to helping families cope with the loss of a loved one who served in our armed forces.

"Our families here in Kern County are so grateful to the support T.A.P.S. has provided. They've been connected to other survivors who have suffered a similar loss and they've found hope and healing," said president and founder of T.A.P.S., Bonnie Carroll.

T.A.P.S. has helped more than 200 local families throughout its 20 years of service. Organizers of the gala hoped to raise $75,000 - $100,000 that will go toward seminars, grief counseling, and summer camps for children of fallen warriors.

"We're such a patriotic and generous and giving community, and now we want to start what we call a third triad to help the families of our veterans, especially those killed in active duty," said Jim Tague of E&B Natural Resources, the company that sponsored the gala.

For Denver, Kern County's military supportive reputation preceded itself.

"It's super special to be in a place where service is much more the norm, than a very unlikely path for a man or woman who wants to serve," Denver said.

On Friday, there will be a golf tournament benefiting T.A.P.S. at the Bakersfield Country Club.