BAKERSFIELD, CA-- Potential layoffs could be looming at Kern Medical Center as it was revealed Tuesday as the county hospital continues to lose more than $3 million a month.

CFO Sandra Martin and CEO Russell Judd appeared Tuesday morning with more grim news for eight months of budget activity presented through February. They revealed KMC lost $3.4 million in February.

"As an organization, it's a needed entity that cannot exist in its current environment," Judd said.

The main reasons they say is fewer patients than budgeted for, compensating physicians and mainly managing salaries, wages and benefits for staff whose numbers can vary based on patient admittance.

"The biggest struggle of managing health care is you have to match staffing to that volume and it's hard, we're beginning to, I had lunch with some of the staff last Friday and some of the nurses saying, it's hard, we come in, we don't have the staff we're used to and you're having to make changes,” Judd said.

The board and Judd discussed the possibility of layoffs but those wouldn't be easy and would take considerable time to implement.

"There are specific elements of the layoff which would require individuals to be noticed, then individuals would have an opportunity to bump, based on seniority in other positions that they have held in the past,” said John Nilon, Kern County Administrative Officer. “That then requires those individuals who would be bumped to receive the 30 day notice, and so on and so on and so on. Because of that, it can be a very lengthy process to layoff staff."

Nilon added the layoff process could swell to as long as 90 days.

BAKERSFIELD, CA-- Golden Empire Transit bus drivers and maintenance workers Tuesday night rejected the latest contract offer from management. It's a bold move by union members considering their current contract will expire soon.

A veteran bus driver told 17 News one of the main reasons for voting down the contract was union members did not like a rule that employees must work at least 2,080 before they are eligible for a raise. Under this proposal if an employee calls in sick or misses work it will delay the raise until the hours are met. They are used to getting annual pay hikes regardless of the hours worked. 17 News talked with a GET official about the union vote and the possibility of a strike.

"Well we will go back to the table and we will certainly be bargaining in good faith and truly believe they are doing the same,” said Gina Hayden, GET. “We feel that we will come to an agreement fairly quickly. We want what's best for our employees and we also want what's best for the district."

Negotiations for the GET employees were being handled by the teamsters from local 517 in Visalia. A Teamster official said it was not likely a strike would occur, for now.

Juan Silva homered to leadoff the ninth inning to lift the Bakersfield Blaze to a 8-7 victory over the Stockton Ports on Tuesday night at Sam Lynn Ballpark.

It was the first home run of the season for Silva, who finished the night 2 for 5 with two RBIs.

In a game that started on Monday evening and ended early Tuesday morning, the Idaho Steelheads defeated the Colorado Eagles 3-2 in four overtimes, ending the longest game in ECHL history.

David de Kastrozza scored the game-winning goal at 17:18 of the fourth overtime, ending the game in 137:18. The previous record for longest game was Elmira defeating Trenton 5-4 in 126:10 on April 10, 2009.

SHAFTER, CA - Shafter area schools will not be unifying under one district anytime soon. The Richland School District board voted Tuesday to delay a vote, so more studies could be done. 
The seats were filled in Shafter Tuesday night to discuss forming a new district.
"The communication to this point has been dismal, and it looks like you don't know anymore than I do," said Michael Carty of Shafter.      That's why the district brought in its outside attorney. He and district staff drafted a feasibility study that came out in March. It says the Richland School District has the funds to merge its junior high and elementary schools with Shafter High School. But some in Tuesday's audience, disagreed with the studies findings.
"Should we be speculating on a newly unified district that has already shown fiscal irresponsibility in a study that is supposed to display its feasibility?," said Pablo Reyes, a teacher at Shafter High School. 
The idea behind unification is to get the best by providing a consistent education kindergarten through 12th grade.  "We can all agree in this room we want the best for our children, and I think if we look at the results of our schools we haven't hit the best yet," said Natalie Feinberg, a teacher at Shafter High School. 
But, some feel unification is an effort not for students but of a few administrators looking for more control, citing lines from the district's study.
"It states the theme of unification is simple local responsibility," said Brian Feaster, a teacher at Shafter High School. "It should state it is there for the betterment of our students not local responsibility A.K.A. power grab. That's how a lot of people feel." 
Richland School District Superintendent Ken Bergevin was hoping to put the unification measure to a vote for all residents on the November ballot.
Instead, after an hour of testimony the board decided to delay the vote to an unknown time and form a subcommittee of two board members to study the issue without the district staff. 

KERN COUNTY, CA - If Irwindale can't stand the heat, come to Kern County. That is the message the Kern Economic Development Corporation is giving the maker of Sriracha hot sauce.

The Irwindale plant has been the focus of numerous health complaints from people who live nearby.

As their city council considers forcing the plant to move, its owner is already weighing his options.

Its packaging is undeniable, but Sriracha's taste is what's made it popular.

"Yeah, that sauce is pretty good," said Luis Fernandez, a fan of the sauce.

Last year, Huy Fong Foods, sold $60 million worth of the spicy sauce. 

So, when word got around that the Irwindale plant might consider moving, Richard Chapman, President and CEO of the Kern Economic Development Corporation, was hot on its trail.

"Rather than move to a new state, Texas, our belief is that you can come here and save a lot of money, keep a lot of your workforce, and see a pretty business friendly environment," said Chapman.

Around 600 acres of the red jalapenos used to make Sriracha are grown in Kern County. Chapman says the move would reduce some truck traffic and emissions.

But, it's what is emitted from the Irwindale plant that might force it to relocate.

Some living nearby have complained pepper fumes have irritated their lungs and eyes and caused nosebleeds.

"Every morning it smells like chili powder and that it gets irritating," said nearby resident Edward Anthony, in October.

"The Air Quality District investigated it and there were no violations found. Some of these complaints have come when chili pepper grinding is not occurring," said Chapman.

While Chapman admits he is unsure how far the smell can carry, he says Kern County has plenty of designated industrial districts like near Tejon Ranch and Shafter.

"They are not going to plop down in the middle of Seven Oaks or wherever you live in the northwest. This is not where one of these goes," said Chapman.

And, Chapman says the plant comes with 70 full-time jobs, 200 seasonal. That sounds good to Charlie Chiang who supports the plant relocating to Kern County.

"Anything that creates jobs in Kern County would be just fabulous. That's what we need around here. I know that we already have things that smell like the dairies, but as long as we keep people employed and Kern County going, I think that's really important and it's their loss," said Chiang.

Chapman says a congressman from Dallas County, Texas is set to tour the pepper plant next week. And, other California counties have expressed interest.

The Irwindale City Council isn't expected to make a decision until May 14th.

Services scheduled

Betty G. Fraser, 86, Bakersfield, April 18. Memorial service 10 a.m. May 2, Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara Funeral Directors Chapel. Doughty-Calhoun-O'Meara Funeral Directors.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The Kern County Sheriff's Department says a report of a downed plane in Rosamond Tuesday afternoon turns out to be untrue.  The Kern County Fire Department had received a call about a downed aircraft in the 10600 block of McConnell Avenue shortly before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.  The report indicated a passenger suffered a broke leg. 

Sheriff's spokesman Ray Pruitt says the report of a downed airplane was false and the department is investigating.  We'll have more information on this developing story as it becomes available. 

ROSAMOND, CA -- Kern County Fire crews are responding to a report of a downed aircraft on a street in Rosamond.  Fire officials say there were two people were on board when the plane went down in the 10600 block of McConnell Avenue around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday. 

Fire information officer Sean Collins says one passenger has a broken leg.  We have a photographer en route and will have more information as it becomes available. 

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Deputies need your help to identify three people wanted for a suspected burglary which took place in Lamont last month.  Deputies say around 9:00 am on March 31st three people forced their way into a home and removed several items, including a television.

Deputies say they then fled in a white over green Chevy four door which was later located by deputies and impounded. The vehicle has also been identified as possibly being used in several residential burglaries in the Bakersfield area.

If anyone has information on the people in this case they are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110, Senior Deputy Daniel Perez at 661-868-5755, or Secret Witness at 661-322-4040.

Anonymous text tips can be sent to TIP411 (847411). Just type the keyword “KCSO” prior to the message.

(MSNBC) -- Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned from the NBA for life Tuesday, and Commissioner Adam Silver announced at a news conference in New York that he would urge owners to force a sale of the team.

Sterling confirmed to Silver that it was his voice on an audio recording made public by TMZ over the weekend, in which Sterling was heard making racist remarks.

The league fined Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum penalty under NBA rules. Sterling is worth $1.9 billion, and the team is valued at more than $500 million.

Silver expressed “personal outrage” over Sterling’s remarks and said “the hateful opinions” expressed by Sterling had no place in an “organization that has taken a leadership role in race relations.”

On behalf of the NBA, Silver apologized personally to some of the NBA’s greatest athletes – and specifically to Magic Johnson, who was a target of Sterling’s rants.

Johnson welcomed the decision.

PASADENA -- Bakersfield College golfer Jeremy Choi qualified for the SoCal Regionals and earned all conference honors with a 36-hole total of 153 on Monday in the Western State Conference finals at Brookside Golf Club.

The Renegades finished seventh out of eight in the team competition. Jack Gilkey (74-79--153), Carlos Fernandez (74-83--157), Suraj Patel (74-88--162), Paul Cooper (76-86--162) and Robert Chavez (88-82--170) competed in the event for BC.

Marquez Smith hit two homers, including a three-run shot in the first inning to give Bakersfield a lead it would never relinquish, helping the Blaze to a 6-2 win over the Stockton Ports on Monday.

Smith also hit a solo homer in the seventh inning. Kyle Waldrop, who leads the league in batting average at .389, went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in the fifth inning.

BAKERSFIELD, CA--There's a new contract on the table Monday night for employees of Golden Empire Transit in Bakersfield. In a private meeting at the Clarion Hotel on Rosedale Highway, union members heard the latest proposal.

Here are some of the key points in the new contract proposal union members told 17 News about, off camera.

There's a two percent raise for full time and part-time or "flex" employees.

Bidding for schedules would now be based on seniority regardless of whether employees are full time or part-time.

One of the more controversial items is a rule that employees must work at least 2,080 hours before a raise can occur. One bus driver told 17 News off camera this is controversial with some union members because under the old contract employees received a raise on a specific calendar date. Under this proposal if an employee calls in sick or misses work it will delay the raise until the 2,080 are met.

Officials from GET said they would rather wait until a final vote is made on the contract at around 6 p.m. Tuesday before making comment. Teamsters officials would not comment on specific terms of the contract either but think overall it's a step in the right direction.

"Really, just increases is all we are looking for,” said Chester Suniga, Teamsters Local 517. It is not a bad offer it comes with a recommendation from the union and the negotiating team."

Rank and file union members told 17 News they did not want to speak on camera about the contract because they are fearful of being blacklisted by GET management if they talk to the media. However, they did tell 17 News they feel this contract will be voted down.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The man accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a pregnant woman on January 17, is back behind bars. Joseph Maine had his bail increased to $2 million when a report from the alcohol ankle monitor he was ordered to wear after the crash, said he wasn't in compliance.

It was checked because Maine was re-arrested while out on bail earlier this month, and accused of assaulting his girlfriend.

Maine had a prior record for "wet reckless" before he was involved in the deadly crash at Monitor Street and Fairview Road. Deputies said Maine was drunk when he ran a light and struck the passenger side of a car carrying Vanessa Carrillo. She was 32 weeks pregnant when she died.

Maine's first bail was set at $97,000, but he had to wear a SCRAM alcohol detection monitor.

"Ankle monitors are on the rise and the reason for that is that AB 109 has really impacted the local jail," said Superior Court Executive Officer Terry McNally. "Every American has the right to bail. People go to a bail bondsman and the bail bondsman charges a fee for that bail. They generally try to ensure their client appears at court."

Maine was arrested earlier this month for spousal abuse and assault after officers said he fought with his girlfriend at a Bakersfield hookah bar. Results of his ankle monitor showed he was not in compliance, but prosecutors said that could mean one of three things: he drank alcohol, put something in between his skin and the device to prevent an accurate reading, or he took it off.

The prosecution requested the full SCRAM report, but does not know when it'll be released.

The judge increased Maine's bail to $2 million and he was ordered to stay away from all places that sell alcohol.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The retrial began Monday morning in the case that alleges a 16-year-old autistic girl was mentally damaged from a sexual assault on school grounds. It's a civil case against the Kern High School District.
The incident happened in October 2009 at Independence High School. Teachers said two mentally disabled students were found in a school bathroom with their pants down. In court Monday, no one disputed that.
The argument is whether the incident did irreparable damage to the girl. 
17 News was not allowed to record video in the courtroom due to a paperwork error. But, each side laid out their opening arguments.
The Kern High School District's attorney Leonard Herr said a teacher's aide said he heard a girl cry out in a normal way. That teacher then checked in the bathroom and said he found a mentally challenged boy behind a girl with his hands on her hips. The attorney said the teacher's aide said both had their pants down.
The school alleges there is no evidence to suggest anything else happened and that expert psychologists will argue the girl is fine.
The plaintiff, the girl's family, argues since that day the girl has had nightmares and crying spells and this is something the mentally challenged girl will never get over. 
"I'm hoping that loud and clear for all children that are under the Kern County High School system and children in America, that there is a loud clear voice that it isn't harmless to sexually assault a mentally retarded autistic child," said Ralph Wegis, the family's attorney. "It is horrible." 
The Kern High School District declined to comment. 
A mistrial was declared in this case last year. The judge ruled the father mentioned something that had been ruled inadmissible during his testimony on day four of the trial. 
The girl's stepmother, Judy, testified Monday claiming her daughter has changed since the incident. 
The trial is expected to take three weeks. 
Testimony will continue Wednesday due to the judge's conflict Tuesday. 

Services scheduled

Flossie Mae Crabtree, 84, Bakersfield, April 22. Service 2 p.m. April 29, Hillcrest Memorial Park. Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Loved ones are mourning the loss of a six-year-old girl and her mother, both killed in a car crash on Highway 99 in Bakersfield Friday night. A 10-year-old girl who survived remains in critical condition.

Those who knew Jamie Robertson say she was a loving mother and a woman of God. As they come to grips with the loss of a dear friend, loved ones gathered to raise money to lay her and her daughter to rest.

"We came south on the 99 and that's when I saw our car underneath the diesel, my daughter and Jamie," said Jonathan Robertson.

It's been three days since Jonathan Robertson lost his wife, Jaime, and her six-year-old daughter in a fatal car crash on Highway 99.

CHP officers say Robertson was with her daughters, Paisley Myall and Callie Grover, Friday night when she entered southbound Highway 99 from Rosedale Highway, lost control and swerved into the path of a big rig. Officers say the driver of the big rig tried to avoid the car but couldn't, killing Robertson and Myall.

Grover remains at Children's Hospital in Madera, fighting for her life.

"Neither one of them should've been taken. You never expect that to happen to your children. There's comfort that she and Paisley are in heaven," Robertson's stepmother Gayle Rogers said.

"I couldn't ask for a better sister. She was my best friend. She was a loving mother. Her kids were her whole world. That's all she ever wanted to do was be a mom," Robertson's brother John Rogers said.

Robertson's family says they're hoping for a miracle that little Callie overcomes her injuries.

A car wash was held Monday to raise money for funeral expenses, but it was also a time to remember the loving mother of eight and a child gone too soon.

"She loved. She loved hard. She loved strong. She loved passionately, and she was one of the best women I've ever had the honor of being a part of her life," said close friend Michelle Stansbury.

There is an account set up to collect donations for funeral expenses for Robertson and her daughter Paisley.

www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/xdj4/jamie-and-paisley-memorial-fund.

Sacramento State used three first-inning doubles to build a three-run lead and rode the strong ptching of Justin Dillon on the way to a 7-3 victory Sunday over Cal State Bakersfield at Hardt Field.

In eight innings of work, Dillon struck ot three and faced only four batters over the minimum.

SAN JOSE -- Ben Lively pitched six scoreless innings and kept his perfect record intact as the Bakersfield Blaze beat the San Jose Giants 10-2 Saturday in at Municipal Stadium.

Lively (5-0) allowed five hits, struck out seven and did not walk a batter. He has allowed only one earned run in his 29 innings pitched this season. The Blaze (17-7), which put the game away with a six-run eighth inning, begins a four-game home-stand tonight at 7 against the Stockton Ports.