Kget 17 News

Some of today's top storiesIn your 17 crime watch... new developments in a story we've been following since December 2022.    That's when the burned body of a young mother was discovered on the side of Highway 99 in Bakersfield.    This morning, the man suspected of killing her is behind bars in the southland.    Carlos Saucedo has more on this late-breaking development.Turning now to your 17 court watch..    An agreement is made in the case of a Kern County sheriff's deputy who filed restraining orders against another deputy she accused of sexually assaulting her. Carly Snow has dropped her civil harassment case against Enrique Plaza. The restraining orders against him have been withdrawn.Snow is suing the county, alleging she was subjected to lewd comments and retaliation by more than a dozen Sheriff's Office employees during her years on the force.She says she fended off multiple unwanted sexual advances by colleagues, and was twice sexually assaulted by Plaza.Snow filed restraining orders against Plaza an

Some of today's top storiesIt's the first day back to school for most students across Kern County... including for the Bakersfield City School District.    As you're waking up to get the kiddos to school, being mindful of street safety could save lives.It's hard to believe but it's already that time of year.     With the kids going back to school, comes safety zones and traffic.    California Highway Patrol wants to warn drivers that 25 mph zones are back. This also means 25 miles per hour for football practices and other activities.     That's definitely something to keep in mind considering that Friday night football will be here again.As students return to school this week, Governor Gavin Newsom is urging districts statewide to ban the use of cell phones in classrooms.     17's Mikhala Armstrong looks at our local policies and has reaction to the governor's request from students.This morning -- the Borel Fire continues to burn in the mountains east of Bakersfield, although the fire is nearly out. Containme

Some of today's top storiesWe begin with education news and a reminder for parents.    As many kids in Kern County head back to school this week - are your kids up-to-date on their vaccines?    17's Connor Dore explains, there are are required vaccines for different grade levels with very few exemptionsIn your 17 court watch.    The man accused of leading police on a chase the night a Bakersfield police cruiser slammed into another vehicle with deadly results, was in court yesterday. Police say Michael Monte Stephens Junior led officers on a high-speed chase in January 2023.    He crashed at the intersection of South Vineland and Muller Roads.    Stephens pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and other charges filed in connection to the crash.    Meantime, former Bakersfield police Officer Ricardo Robles crashed while responding to assist in the chase.    It's alleged Robles drove more than 100 mph –without overhead flashing lights activated.    Police say he ran a stop sign and crashed into another car, killing

Some of today's top storiesWe begin with news breaking overnight.    A man is dead this morning after being hit by a car in east Bakersfield. It happened last night just after 10 p.m.    The man was riding a bicycle on East California Avenue near South Tulare Street when he was hit.    He suffered major injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.    Bakersfield police say speed and impairment do NOT appear to be factors in this crash.    No arrests were made.    The man's identity has not been publicly released.Now to Kern County's newest wildfire called the Blue Fire.    The blue fire started about 12:30 Saturday afternoon near Sand Canyon Road in Caliente. The fire has burned 430 acres and was 35% contained as of the latest update. A level 2 evacuation is still in effect near Twin Oaks.    To check your zone go to the Genasys protect app or go to our website KGET.com.    The cause of the fire is under investigation.Now for an update on the Borel Fire in the mountains east of Bakersfield.    The fire is j

Some of today's top storiesA new court filing obtained by 17 News shows former county Supervisor Zack Scrivner says he can't afford to pay child support... since he's now unemployed.    17's Jenny Huh has the story.now to the Borel Fire.    We are happy to report it is nearing full containment this morning...more than two weeks after it started. That fire is now just over 59-thousand acres and is 88-percent contained this hour...leaving a trail of destruction that's claimed hundreds of buildings and left many families homeless.    Some of them now returning to see what's left...as evacuation orders are lifted.    This all started the afternoon of July 24th when a pick-up truck went over the edge of the canyon...catching fire and killing the driver.The Borel Fire has wreaked havoc on our Mountain communities, destroying hundreds of structures and damaging dozens more.    tHE residents of Havilah are now returning home, to find out what's left.    17's Mikhala Armstrong has more

Some of today's top storiesKern County has not stopped shaking... ever since that  5.2 magnitude earthquake rumbled through Tuesday night... shaking homes, breaking windows and waking people from their sleep. There have been hundreds of aftershocks - including a 4-point-4, widely felt, just after seven o'clock last night. The epicenter of Tuesday's 5-point-2 quake, was roughly eight miles west of Mettler and Interstate 5. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows there have been hundreds of aftershocks, although most of them were too small to feel.Seismologists say we can expect to feel aftershocks from Tuesday's quake for up to a week.    But, what they don't know is which fault the activity is coming from.    Kimberly Cheng with our sister station KTLA looks into the possibility it's a *new* fault.Local Public safety experts are calling for more preparedness and safety as we continue to experience aftershocks, and for future earthquakes to come. CSUB geological science professor William Krugh (CREW) says s

Some of today's top storiesIt shook homes, broke windows, woke people up from their sleep, and it even shut down Interstate-5.     A 5.2 magnitude earthquake rattled Kern County just after 9 o'clock last night, striking near Mettler, just south of Bakersfield. Bakersfield Police and Kern County Fire tell us there have been no reports of any structural damage or injuries... but it left plenty of people shaken up. surveillance video capturing the moment the earthquake hit. liquor bottles falling off the lower shelves as an employee and customers bolt out of the store.     This all happening at Verdugo Market on Mettler Frontage Road -- about 10 miles from the epicenter of the quake. The earthquake also caused a major headache for drivers on Interstate-5.... in the shape of a large boulder.    It closed lanes for nearly two hours as Cal Trans workers used heavy equipment to clear the debris.     The road is back open this morning. And then there was this -- emergency crews last night responding to a hazmat inves

Some of today's top storiesTurning now to the latest on the investigation into former Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner.Yesterday, we caught our first glimpse of Scrivner - since April.  Scrivner resigned from the Board Friday, and yesterday supervisors held a special meeting to discuss the future of his vacated seat.   17's Jenny Huh has the story.Prosecutors have filed charges against two men in connection to the mass killing in Mojave last year. The shooting happened late in the night in April 2023.     Four people were shot and killed.     According to court documents, Ricardo Reyes-Partida was seen arguing with two of the victims earlier in the day.     He pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges last week and is being held without bail.(banner}      There is a warrant this morning for Jonathan Hernandez, who is charged with being an accessory after the fact and attempted murder.      Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the DA's Office at 661-868-2340.In your 17 follow-up

Some of today's top storiesFire crews say they've stopped the Borel Fire to the south but they're still fighting it in the mountains East of the town of Lake Isabella. The fire has burned almost 60-thousand acres and is now 57-percent contained as of news time.    The Borel Fire burned over 53,000 acres in less than four days.    It started over a week ago when a pick up truck went over the edge of the canyon and caught fire-killing the driver.    California Highway Patrol is now investigating whether alcohol was a factor in that crash.    Fire officials updated residents impacted by the Borel fire in a community meeting in Lake Isabella yesterday afternoon.    Some people applauded fire crews, others criticized them for not saving their homes.    17's Rob Hagan was there.KGET has teamed up with Kern River Valley Bridge Connection and the Boys and Girls clubs to collect gift cards for wildfire survivors.  We're looking for gift cards from any of the businesses you see here that can be used in the Lake Isabell

Some of today's top storiesSupervisor Zack Scrivner has resigned from the Kern County Board of Supervisors, effective today, amid allegations of sexual assault.     Since 2011, he has represented the county's 2nd District, which includes eastern and central communities surrounding Tehachapi.     17's Jenny Huh has been following the investigation...    She joins us in studio now with more on the future of Scrivner's seat. the County released a statement late last night saying Board Chair David Couch received a letter of resignation from Scrivner.     Scrivner says he is resigning quote "for significant health and medical reasons."Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia has officially resigned his post, amid allegations swirling around social media. Calls for Garcia to resign came after a video posted by a shadowy group, accused Garcia of attempting to meet an underage boy in Bakersfield.     In the video, Garcia is also slapped by those behind the camera, who appear to have set up a sting operation targeting such questionabl

Some of today's top storiesWe begin this morning with the latest on the Borel Fire, still burning in the mountains east of Bakersfield.     People in those communities still watching and waiting to return to their homes...or at least to go back and see what's left.  The U.S. Forest Service now reporting this wildfire has scorched more than 58-thousand acres. But firefighters continue to make progress... The wildfire is about 39-percent contained as of news time.The Borel Fire started over a week ago when a pick-up truck crashed over the edge of the canyon on highway 178...catching fire and killing the driver. The inferno exploded in a matter of hours...eating up dry fuel and racing up unforgiving terrain...showing firefighters fire weather they'd never seen in that area before. It more than tripled in size Friday night...destroying the historic town of Havilah in the process. The blaze continued to spread over the weekend...threatening the communities of Bodfish and Lake Isabella. But conditions eased and fir

Some of today's top storiesNow to an update this morning on the devastating Borel Fire.    CHP reporting Highway 178 is now open in both directions.    But the danger is still far from over.    Borel has scorched more than 57-thousand acres since it started less than a week ago.    And it's only 22-percent contained.    California Governor Gavin Newsom paying first responders a visit yesterday morning to see the devastion of the inferno.     17's Jenny Huh brings us the story. "Unprecedented."    That's how firefighters described the behavior of the Borel Fire as they called on local leaders to declare it the *largest* wildfire in Kern County history.    The Borel Fire now larger than the Erskine Creek fire that scorched more than 51-thousand acres in 1942...and the more-recent Erskine Fire that incinerated nearly 48-thousand acres in 2016. County supervisors declared the Borel fire a local emergency during their meeting in Bakersfield yesterday.    That paves the way for more state and federal assistance in

Some of today's top stories-- firefighters are gaining group on the Borel Fire, as it continues its trek across the Kern River Valley.    The blaze has quickly become one of Kern's largest and most destructive wildfires. All eyes were on Walker Basin and Rankin Ranch as flames inched closer.     But some of those folks are breathing a sigh of relief...as fire crews exhaust themselves to slow the spread. This after the Borel Fire nearly leveled the community of Havilah over the weekend...burning almost every building...including the historic courthouse. This fire started last Wednesday afternoon when a car crashed over the edge of the canyon...catching fire and killing the driver.    It more than tripled in size in a matter of days.    It has now scorched more than 57-thousand acres and is 5-percent contained. Still, hundreds of people remain under evacuation orders tonight...and more are watching and waiting to leave if the fire continues to spread.    Everyone living in the red zone is urged to go now if you

Some of today's top storiesRight now -- all eyes are on Walker Basin....and the renowned Rankin Ranch.    The fire is inching closer...and getting ready to move in.    But fire crews are standing by ready to fight...But the Borel Fire already used the community of Havilah to show its ferocity.    The flames moved in to the area like an unwanted guest -- burning almost everything, including nearly every home. This fire broke out Wednesday afternoon after a car crash sparked some brush.    These are the first few images of the fire shortly after igniting.    Since then, it has quickly become one of the largest and most destructive fires in Kern County history.    The firefight has been brutal as crews battle gusty winds, thick dry brush and steep terrain.    Officials say this area hasn't been scorched in decades, allowing this hungry fire to quickly devour everything in its path. the fire is more than 50-thousand acres.    That's about 80 square miles.    It is zero percent contained.    More than 2-thousand p

Some of today's top storiesAn evacuation order remains in place in the Kern River Canyon and Highway 178 through the canyon remains closed. The fire started around 1 o'clock Wednesday afternoon on the 178 near Democrat Road, southwest of Lake Isabella.  Kern County Fire says a car went over the side of the canyon and caught fire - and that fire quickly spread.  The driver of the car died.  Officials say more than 31-hundred acres of brush has burned and there is no containment on the fire at this hour.  This is video of the smoke cloud earlier this evening.An evacuation order is in effect north of Forest Route 28-S-07, south of Highway 178, east of Breckenridge Road, and west of Forest Route 28-S-19.  The CHP says Highway 178 will remain closed overnight, with no estimate on when it will reopen. This morning -- France was under attack just hours ahead of the Olympic Opening Ceremony.Paris prosecutors say the French high-speed rail network came to a grinding halt due to arson attacks, despite a massive securit

Some of today's top storiesNow to an update on a developing story we brought you at 5 o'clock yesterday evening.    Highway 178 remains closed in the Kern River Canyon due to a rapidly growing wildfire. The so-called "Borel Fire" started around 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon on the 178 near Democrat Road, southwest of Lake Isabella.    Kern County Fire says a car went over the side of the canyon and caught fire - that fire quickly spread.    At last report, it has burned more than 16-hundred acres of brush and there is no containment.    Sadly the driver of the car that caught fire, died at the scene.    An evacuation warning is in effect for areas south of 178 and east of Breckenridge Road.    There's no estimate on when Highway 178 through the canyon will reopen.And a woman is dead this morning after a crash in northwest Bakersfield. It happened just before 7:30 yesterday morning, on Mohawk Street near Refinery Avenue.    A vehicle was found upside down on the west side of Mohawk, with the woman suffering fr

Some of today's top storiesbreaking overnight a pursuit that began with an alleged stolen vehicle in Los Angeles County came to an end last night in Kern County. The chase started around 7:30 yesterday evening in Stevenson Ranch and headed northbound on Interstate 5 over the Grapevine.    Officers with the California Highway Patrol chased the suspected car thief until the vehicle came to a stop on northbound I-5 just before the Taft Highway exit.     About an hour later, witnesses say a K-9 was deployed and the suspect was pulled out of the vehicle and placed under arrest.    He was given medical aid at the scene.    Both southbound and northbound lanes were shut down during the standoff, but have since reopened.Controversy continues to surround the Kern Golden Empire Transit District's leadership...as discussions take place about the organization's future.    The Board named a new interim CEO yesterday ...following the sudden dismissal of its much-respected CEO... Michael Tree... just four months into his ne

Some of today's top stories17 News is your local election headquarters...    Supporters are rallying around vice president kamala harris as the favorite for the democratic presidential nomination.    And for the first time, president biden is speaking out about leaving the race and passing the torch as republicans pivot their focus.    Nbc's brie jackson is in washington.Meantime, there's breaking news from overnight.    Governor Gavin Newsom says he's not seeking the V-P role.    There has been speculation the governor might be considered to join this year's democratic ticket as the pick for vice president. Newsom's office released a statement saying, "From (Newsom's) perspective, he has the best job in the world. He looks forward to supporting VP Harris and whomever she picks as her running mate."With Vice President Kamala Harris on the cusp of a historic Democratic Nomination, local leaders representing our minority populations spoke to 17's Mikhala Armstrong about what this nomination could mean for them.

Some of today's top stories17 News is your local election headquarters...    Joe Biden has officially stepped down in the race for the white house...    Announcing yesterday that he will NOT seek reelection in November.    NBC's Brie Jackson is in Washington this morning with the very latest.While this new page in American history raised many eyebrows in Kern County...    Both parties say they're ready for the election in November.    17's Jenny Huh has the reaction from local political leaders.Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential race has caused an aftermath of mixed opinions online. So has his endorsement of Kamala Harris as president. 17's Aleeya Fitzgerald has the reaction from our younger generation.Memes – those visual one-liners that populate the web, especially in reaction to major news events – started hitting Facebook, X and the rest – within minutes of Joe Biden's announcement.         17's Robert Price has been collecting what he could find.

Some of today's top storiesBreaking overnight... and right now..    Flights worldwide are grounded due to a global microsoft outage. An outage with microsoft causing massive problems at airports, banks and broadcasters all across the world.The disruptions are still ongoing hours after the technology company said it was quote, investigating an issue affecting access to microsoft 365 apps and services. According to microsoft 365's admin center - the outage started just before 3 p-m pacific time thursday.      The f-a-a says united, american, delta and allegiant flights have been grounded across the country.    Cyber security experts with "Crowdstrike" say this is not the result of a security breach or cyber attack.The f-a-a instructed air traffic controllers to inform  pilots of the communication issues.    Airlines are currently grounded worldwide..    The extent of the issue remains unclear...     At this time we do not know how long this will last.a police chase in east Bakersfield ended with one person dead