The image of Tehachapi test pilot Bill Dana wearing a gleaming silver pressure suit, flying alone in a black X-15 rocket plane hurtling toward the edge of space, is practically the definition of the iconic phrase, The Right Stuff.

Dana, one of the nation’s most respected aerospace pioneers, and a distinguished research pilot and aeronautical engineer, died Tuesday after a long illness, according to a NASA spokesman. Dana was 83.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority approved its Fresno-Bakersfield section Wednesday -- the second piece of what is planned as the backbone of a statewide passenger train network.

The agency's board, meeting in Fresno, took two separate votes related to the 114-mile route. Board members certified the final 20,000-page version of its environmental-impact report, intended to analyze how building and operating the rail system would affect homes, businesses, farms and wildlife habitat in the region, and detail how the agency will minimize or make up for those effects.

The oil company owning the faulty Arvin gas line that leaked and caused the evacuation of eight homes will compile a human health risk assessment on the released toxins.

Petro Capital Resources LLC pipeline has left more than three dozen people displaced since March 18. The pipeline has since been shut down.

Giving Bakersfield a token of its esteem, the California High-Speed Rail Authority board on Wednesday approved the Fresno to Bakersfield segment of its bullet train line -- and a resolution affirming construction will stop at city limits for now.

The bullet train will still take out numerous private buildings in Bakersfield, and bisect portions of city facilities including its recent Mill Creek redevelopment project, the parking lot of the McMurtrey Aquatic Center, and the Municipal Services Corporation Yard.

TEACHER TALKS TARDIES: A math teacher at Highland High School is urging the Kern High School District to enact a district-wide policy to curb student tardiness -- which he calls "a serious classroom management problem" that he's seen escalate.

"Let's do something about tardies," Scott Clare told the school board Monday night.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Budget numbers show Kern Medical Center's finances are still spiraling out of control. As Kern County gets set to take on another $30 million deficit this year, we asked why? 
What we found is KMC loses more money than any county hospital in the state, and per patient it has the most staff and the highest spending, leaving some to wonder, do we need KMC? 
Counties are obligated to provide health care to the poor and uninsured. In Kern County, this includes thousands of undocumented immigrants, a population the Affordable Care Act does not help. Right now, that leaves the county to pick up the bill. 
According to KMC staff, keeping the hospital's doors open is a cost the county takes on every day, losing nearly $3 million a month.
"The hospital cannot continue at the rate that it is currently incurring," said County Supervisor Mike Maggard. 
Kern County is one of twelve counties with hospitals across the state. According to our analysis of data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, KMC is one of only two county-run hospitals that lost money in the last five years. The other is San Francisco General Hospital. But according to our analysis over the last five years, Kern County lost 14 times what San Francisco General lost. 
"It's a never ending saga like a TV series that never ends," said Mike Turnipseed, executive director of the Kern County Taxpayers Association. 
State data suggests a major issue is staffing. According to our analysis of data from the OSHPD, KMC has the most full-time equivalent staff per patient and spends the most money per patients of any county hospital. 
"Yes, Kern Medical Center has been overstaffed in the past," said Russell Judd, new CEO of Kern Medical Center. 
However, streamlining the roughly 1,400 employees isn't simple. County staff says current contracts guarantee employees a minimum number of hours regardless of how many patients are served.
"We have floors with a minimum patient population, with a maximum employee staff coverage, and it takes us weeks or months to adjust and flex to match our staffing with our patient load," said Supervisor Maggard. 
That's why Maggard is looking at another option, bringing in patients, specifically the 150,000 members with Medi-Cal that belong to the county-based insurance program, Kern Health Systems. Right now, Kern Health Systems said patients can be referred to various hospitals across Kern County and other parts of the state. 
"That system is broken at the moment, and it's a fundamental solution to KMC that we must fix," said Supervisor Maggard. 
Maggard said he wants all those patients referred to KMC and only KMC, something other Kern County hospitals say would affect their bottom line dramatically. 
So why does Kern County have KMC? According to county officials, the county is obligated to provide care for the poor and uninsured. But, it's not obligated to operate a hospital to provide this care. In fact, most other counties use different methods, methods Kern is considering. 
One option is to create an independently funded hospital authority, taking decision-making power away from the Board of Supervisors. The other option is to close KMC and contract with other Kern County hospitals to care for the uninsured. 
But, the idea of closing the county hospital isn't popular. 
"Shutting it down would be a failure," said Turnipseed.      And, a burden the other local hospitals would have to take over in the absence of KMC, something KMC CEO Russell Judd said currently other hospitals aren't taking on. In 2012, data from the OSHPD provided by KMC, show zero percent of patients at Mercy and Memorial Hospitals were considered uninsured the county is obligated to care for. At San Joaquin and Good Samaritan Hospitals, they accounted for one percent of their patients.  But at KMC, it accounts for 24 percent of its patients.
"Why is Kern Medical Center losing money? It's that right there," said Judd.      According to Judd, those uninsured are not expected to go away even with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. That's because not everyone qualifies for insurance under the federal law, namely the undocumented. 
"As the law is written we will always have a significant population of the uninsured," said John Nilon, Kern County Administrative Officer. 
Kern County said last year there were about 160,000 uninsured in the county. Since provisions of the Affordable Care Act took effect, the county said it cannot say for sure the number of uninsured, but early estimates show the uninsured only decreased to about 140,000, many of whom could be Kern's 119,000 illegal immigrants, people KMC will not turn away. 
"We're here to care for the people. That's why Kern Medical Center exists. We will never turn anyone away because of any type of status," said Judd. 
But, a ruling made ten days ago by a Fresno Superior Court judge is challenging that mandate, lifting a 30-year injunction requiring Fresno County to cover the undocumented.
"If we have sister counties in California that have been upheld in their positions that do not cover the undocumented that come to their door, I would like to see that." said Supervisor Maggard. 
But some say KMC is not just about caring for the uninsured, it's also essential to caring for the critically injured. That's because according to the state, KMC is the only trauma center between Fresno and Los Angeles.
"Where would those people go? I don't know. Without Kern Medical Center there's hundreds that don't survive," said Judd. 
And, potentially hundreds who no longer receive specialty care in Bakersfield. 
"We have on any day about 20 babies in that NICU. There are not an additional 20 beds in the neonatal intensive care unit in this town," said Judd. 
Judd also said without KMC there won't be enough rooms to deliver babies. 
"We deliver 220 or so babies each month," said Judd. "There is not the capacity in this town to deliver those babies. The community cannot live without Kern Medical Center. I've got to find a solution." 
Supervisors are scheduled to discuss the future of KMC at length Monday, May 12th. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Board of Supervisors chambers. 
17 News did reach out to San Joaquin and Mercy Memorial Hospitals about KMC. Here's how they answered our questions: 
Dignity Health: Mercy and Memorial Hospitals
1)     In light of KMC's fiscal troubles is Dignity in any talks with Kern County to possibly take on some of the responsibility of providing care for the uninsured and medically indigent? 
We do provide care for the uninsured and medically indigent. These patients present at all local hospitals. Kern Medical Center receives federal and state funding to support these patients. We care for all patients that present at our hospitals, regardless of their coverage. 
2)     Would any of your hospitals be willing to garner the necessary qualifications to become a trauma center in case the county closed KMC? 
The answer is yes. We have been approached by physicians and others in the community over the years but have declined because of our intent to fully support the trauma center at Kern Medical Center.
3) Kern County is considering mandating Kern Health Systems to refer its members only to KMC. What do you think of that? Would that substantially hurt business? 
We have negotiated a contract in good faith and have been a longtime supporter of Kern Health Systems. Such an action could result in a reduction in volume for all local hospitals and prevent Dignity Health from carrying out its mission to serve all of the residents of Kern County.
San Joaquin Community Hospital:

1) In light of KMC's fiscal troubles is San Joaquin in any talks with Kern County to possibly take on some of the responsibility of providing care for the uninsured and medically indigent? 
Kern Medical Center is an incredibly important component of our local health care community. The services they provide to many citizens of Kern County are invaluable and our hope is that KMC continues to move forward and be an active hospital in Bakersfield for many years to come. At San Joaquin Community Hospital, we are similarly committed to providing medical care that is both compassionate and of the highest quality to each of our patients. As a not-for-profit hospital, we are also focused on reaching out to the indigent populations in our community through multiple community benefit activities. In 2013, our hospital provided over $22 million in charity care to help offset the costs for patients that could not afford to pay their medical expenses. In addition, through programs like the Grossman's Burn Center Chevron fund and our Children's Mobile Immunizations Program, we are actively working to both prevent the spread of disease and assist families when the need for care arises. These activities are a major part of our mission of providing whole-person care."
2) Would any of your hospitals be willing to garner the necessary qualifications to become a trauma center in case the county closed KMC?
"Kern Medical Center has done a great job in running the trauma center for Bakersfield and Kern County. As KMC continues to operate as a trauma center at this time, there are no current plans for San Joaquin Community Hospital to open a competing service line. It wouldn't be fair to speculate on the myriad of "what-ifs" that would be present were KMC to close. If or when that situation arises, the local health care community would have a number of issues to collectively and individually assess. Certainly, the location of a new trauma center would be on the list." 
3) Kern county is considering mandating Kern Health Systems to referral its members only to KMC. What do you think of that? Would that substantially hurt business?
"Like KMC, Kern Health Systems is a core member of our local health care community. At San Joaquin Community Hospital and our affiliated outpatient services, we are committed to providing high quality care for all of our patients and their families, including those who are members of Kern Health Systems. Since no such mandate has been enacted by the county, it wouldn't be fair to speculate on the ramifications if such a decision were made. In health care, the only constant is change. At SJCH,  adjustments are constantly made to safeguard our hospital and give us the ability to quickly adapt to any situation." 

SACRAMENTO -- The board that oversees California's $68 billion high-speed rail project voted Wednesday to unanimously adopt a planned route for its second and most substantial section to date, a 114-mile stretch between Fresno and Bakersfield.

Meeting in Fresno, the board voted 7-0 to approve a 20,000-page environmental planning document, sending the next phase of the project on for federal review.

Services scheduled

Craig Lawrence Medina, 45, Bakersfield, April 30. Service 1:30 p.m. May 9, Victory Outreach, 220 Eureka St. Greenlawn Funeral Home.

Services scheduled

Craig Lawrence Medina, 45, Bakersfield, April 30. Service 1:30 p.m. May 9, Victory Outreach, 220 Eureka St. Greenlawn Funeral Home.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Bakersfield police need your help to find a teenager they say broke a glass display case at a business in March. 

Police say he removed the loss from the display case at a store on Fashion Place and fled on foot. 

Police describe the teen as African American, medium height and thin build.  He was last seen wearing a black hoodie and dark jeans. 

If you have any information regarding his identity, call Detective Luera at 661-326-3947 or Bakersfield police at 661-327-7111. 

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is looking to hire fill 7,000 positions in the next three years and some of those jobs will be in Kern County.

The department says all of the 7,000 will be for correctional officers.  The department says the demand is due mostly because of retirements.

There will be open positions in Kern County.  To apply, you log onto www.joincdcr.com

We recently had to put one of our dogs down. Old age, heart failure and bad kidneys for Rocco, a 12-year-old Boston Terrier. Bostons have a 12-to-15-year life expectancy, so it wasn't a surprise per se, but we had hoped his passing would have been more gentle.

It's not a good place to be when you're the one handing off your pet to go to the great beyond. There's something inherently disconcerting about making the decision, as if you want to crawl under a rock and hide because of your personal power to end the life of an animal. At the same time, however, you realize it's also an act of mercy.

Getting money is fun. From the time we got an envelope with birthday money from grandma to getting our first tax return, we think getting money is fun.

Business is all about getting money. It should also be fun, but we tend to concentrate more on the struggle than the outcome. You contend that business is about work, it takes effort. Don't most fun activities -- football, golf, amusement parks, the beach -- take effort? Effort is not the issue, provided you enjoy the exertion.

David Jacobson was an inmate who died in October 2009 after he was attacked by three inmates at Wasco State Prison.

Although he was a thief, the way he died was unfortunate.

FRESNO, CA-- The High-Speed Rail Authority Board approved the final Environmental Impact Report and the first 114-mile segment of the bullet train’s route Wednesday morning. That initial segment of track will run from Fresno to just north of 7th Standard Road.

The proposed route through downtown Bakersfield is still up for discussion, which will be taken up later this summer.

At the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting, both Ward 2 Councilmember Terry Maxwell and Bakersfield City Planning Director Jim Eggert voiced their opinions on the proposed route through downtown. Maxwell said the train should either go to the east or west of downtown, but not through it. Eggert said while the city supports High-Speed Rail, he’s still requesting at least a 60-day written notice for the city once a decision is reached on the route south of 7th Standard Road.

17’s Aric Richards is at the meeting and will have more details tonight on 17 News at 5 and 6.

John Farrer raised his conductor's baton in front of the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra for the first time in 1970 as a guest conductor. Now, 44 years later, he will retire his Bakersfield baton.

"It will be a very emotional experience," Farrer said Wednesday on "First Look with Scott Cox."

A baseball game with few strikeouts and no extra-base hits turns into a virtual fielding contest, so it's no surprise that Liberty came away with a 1-0 home victory over Centennial on Tuesday.

The Patriots -- after they opened the game with an error that seems strange in retrospect -- made brilliant play after play defensively, denying Centennial of many opportunities and allowing a first-inning RBI single from Josh Medina hold up as the game-winner.

Baseball

Stockdale 3, Bakersfield 1

Frontier High baseball coach John Moncier has been suspended for the remainder of the season following an incident with an umpire during a game last week, the Kern High School District confirmed Tuesday.

The disciplinary action comes at a crucial time for the Titans (23-6), who wrapped up a Southwest Yosemite League championship Tuesday. Playoffs start next week.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A group of local seniors wants to move a get bus stop back in front of the facility in which they live in south Bakersfield. The group put together an emergency petition they handed to get officials during a board meeting Tuesday night.

The Golden Empire Transit District changed its bus routes in 2012, as part of a plan to make routes more efficient and reduce costs. In the process, it eliminated a stop at Plaza Towers near Wilson and Wible Roads.

Residents at the facility -- mostly seniors with disabilities -- say now they have to walk about four blocks to the nearest stop.

Plaza Towers resident Dean Wayne said, "One man was killed trying to cross the street trying to get to a bus stop because he could not see the car that came and struck him. Another women who was in a wheel chair was struck when she tried to get a bus stop. She was injured but not killed."

Plaza tower residents say the new bus stop is across the street on Wible Road.

"Crossing that street can be hazardous," Wayne said.

They say accessing the sub station, about three quarters of a mile away near Valley Plaza, makes it even more difficult for some people to get around town.

Wayne said, "We can't get to our doctors appointments we can't get out to do our personal business. We can't do our shopping, almost anything that we're trying to do without assistance."

GET spokesperson Gina Hayden says safety is a priority.

"We were not aware of the incidences in front of the Plaza Towers. We will absolutely look into that and see what those circumstances were," said Hayden.

Hayden says when the route was changed in 2012 -- there weren't enough customers to continue stopping on both sides of the street.

"The Plaza Towers, prior to the changes in the system in 2012, was served on both sides of the street, the bus went both ways. It now is served on only one side of the street, which is across the street from Plaza Towers," Hayden said.

She says there is a service for people who need additional transit assistance.

"We have a para-transit curb to curb service called Get A Lift. If a customer is unable to get to a bus stop, that qualifies them for get a lift," said Hayden.

For more information about get a lift call 869-2GET.

No action came out of the meeting, but Hayden says the board will consider the residents' concerns.