Kget 17 News

Some of today's top storiesA family is grieving this morning after a swimmer drowned near Tehachapi. It happened Sunday evening at Four Island Lake just before 5.    Bear Valley Police say they responded to an initial report of a swimmer in distress.    CPR was performed, but the swimmer was pronounced dead.    This is an ongoing investigation...    Police urge everyone to follow safety guidelines while being in the lake.A community in East Bakersfield that endured the severe heat without water... now has water again.    But many residents fear this water is not safe and that there is a possibility of another shutoff.  Initially, after the shutdown of Victory Mutual Water Company's wells, East Niles Community Services District temporarily provided water through an emergency contract.     Residents say they weren't notified that Victory Mutual is now providing the water again.    Last week, county health officials notified residents to boil water for drinking and cooking to avoid stomach illnesses.     That no

Some of today's top storiesWith this excessive heat warning, health officials are asking the public to take proper precautions. Health officials are saying to start hydrating now, BEFORE you're out in the heat, and to drink plenty of water.    Electrolite drinks like Powerade and Gatorade are nice, but they can't be used just on their own.    Even if you stay indoors or have a job that's inside, experts are saying to still take this very seriously. Many people are already sweating it out and trying to stay cool  -- and it's about to get even hotter. OMAR LEWIS from our sister station KTLA has more on the heatwave's impact on southern California.A major legal win for former president donald trump.    The supreme court ruled along ideological lines in a 6-3 decision that the former president is immune from prosecution in certain cases but not all of them.    Nbc's brie jackson has the latest from washington.

Some of today's top storiesa wild crash leaves one person dead...and police are now looking for the driver who took off. It happened yesterday at the intersection of East California Avenue and Mount Vernon Avenue.    Police say that's where a driver hit another car -- and the passenger in the car that was hit... jumped out. Officers say they're still investigating the crash...and looking for the driver.A woman was sent to the hospital and a man was arrested after a rollover crash in Southwest Bakersfield Saturday night. It happened at the intersection of Panama Lane and Buena Vista Road just before midnight.    You can see crews using the jaws of life to chew through the door to pull out the woman passenger who's pinned inside the overturned jeep.    She was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.    Police say the man who was driving was intoxicated.    He was booked into jail for DUI.    If you have any information on this case, call police.In your 17 crime watch......    The SWAT faced

Some of today's top storiesSparks flew at the first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign season.     President biden and former president trump sparred over topics from immigration to abortion - all key issues in this race.     But did either side sway voters? And who came out better?     NBC's Alice Barr has the latest from washington.And Kern County voters were sure to tune in... with local Republicans and Democrats gathering for debate watch parties.      17's Jenny Huh attended both and joins us with local reaction.A wellness check turns into an hours long standoff with the swat team and ends with a man transported to the hospital from a self inflicted wound.    17's Rob Hagan has the story.The Kern County Sheriff's Office has released body worn camera footage of an officer-involved shooting in northwest Bakersfield, that resulted in the death of the suspect. Deputies responded to a home on Shellabarger Road on May 14 after getting a 9-1-1 call from Robert Robinson's wife, stating he was armed and thr

Some of today's top stories17 News is your local election headquarters....    Finally, debate night is here.     President biden and former president trump face off in what will be a highly watched debate.     The two men expected to spar on the economy, abortion rights and immigration - all hot button issues.     Nbc's alice barr has our report this morning from Capitol Hill.Kern County's Registrar of Voters will soon be sending out notifications to tens of thousands of inactive registered voters across the county who may be cut from the voter registry. County Clerk Aimee Espinoza announced at the county board of supervisors meeting Tuesday she will mail notifications to 77,000 inactive voters, a little over 17% of total registered voters in Kern County.    Recipients have to respond within 15 days of recieving the notification or they will be taken off the voter role list.    But, some people are floored by the number of inactive voters. It's now been over two months since Sheriff Donny Youngblood revealed

Some of today's top storiesWe have an update this morning on the abrupt firing last week of Michael Tree...Golden Empire Transit's new CEO - the first in nearly 20 years.     The Board of Directors for GET... the city's public transit system... met last night for its first meeting since the dismissal and confirmed Tree's termination is final.     But employees are calling for his reinstatement... and the resignation of all five GET board members.     17's Jenny Huh attended the meeting and has the story. We also have an update this morning on the water shutoff affecting hundreds of people in an East Bakersfield neighborhood.    As we've been reporting, the area with more than 200 homes is serviced by Victory Mutual Water Company and has been without water since Saturday morning.    Yesterday, the East Niles Community Services District stepped in to help get water flowing to the area.    And this morning, we can report, the water is back on for those residents.    East Niles says it will provide water for seve

Some of today's top storiesThe Kern County District Attorney's will *NOT* to prosecute a former police chief in a child sex case... at least not at this point.     It has been three months now since former Delano police chief Mark Derosia was arrested on suspicion of contacting a minor for sex.         The 68-year-old was arrested back in March... as the Sheriff's Office says investigators conducted a decoy operation when Derosia contacted a deputy who was posing as a 15-year-old. Investigators say the conversation turned sexual and Derosia arranged to meet the decoy for sex.    A district attorney spokesperson told us there was insufficient evidence to move forward with this case, and have instead returned it to KCSO for further investigation.    Here is what Sheriff Youngblood said about the case three months ago when Derosia was first arrested. An arson investigation is underway this morning after a Jewish synagogue caught fire in downtown Bakersfield Sunday.This is the latest in a string of recent structu

Some of today's top storiesA person is dead after being hit by a train in northwest Bakersfield. Here is a look of the scene....    This is near the Rosedale Highway overpass.    crews nearby assessing the situation...    We will continue to follow this crash and bring you any updates.A person is in the hospital this morning after being hit by a car in east Bakersfield late last night. It happened on East California Avenue near Beverly Drive.    According to C-H-P, the car involved in the crash took off.    The person hit was taken to the hospital.    We're still waiting to hear if their injuries are life-threatning.Day three of this latest heat wave and multiple residents in an East Bakersfield neighborhood are suffering through it, in homes that are without water.    17's Justin White has the latest on the dry spell. Fire crews were busy yesterday containing the spread of a fire in the middle of an East Bakersfield neighborhood. This happened at a home on Lucky Street, near Mount Vernon Avenue.    County an

Some of today's top storiesA man is in the hospital this morning after being shot in east Bakersfield.    This is video of the scene.    This happened just before 11:30 near Sacramento and Bernard Streets.    No word yet on that man's condition or on any suspects involved.A man is in critical condition this morning after being struck by a vehicle in east Bakersfield. Bakersfield Police responded to reports of the crash shortly before 10pm last night.    It happened on South Brown Street near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.    When officers arrived, they found the man down in the road with major injuries.    CPR was administered and he was taken to the hospital.    No arrests have been made.This morning, we know the name of a pedestrian struck and killed by a Bakersfield police car in south bakersfield.    It happened Monday on south union avenue, north of Watts Drive.     B-P-D said Officers Julian Garcia and Zachary Ward were responding to a stolen car when Garcia hit 27-year-old Brandon Elliott Gabrie

Some of today's top storiesA suspected killer is behind bars this morning after a woman's body was found inside a trailer in South Bakersfield. Kern County Sheriff's deputies were called out for suspicious circumstances yesterday at a trailer park on South Union Avenue. And that's where the woman's body was found.  43-year-old Jesus Navarro Razo was arrested in connection to her death.  The woman has not been identified as of newstime. A homicide investigation is underway in Rosamond after a man was found stabbed to death.     On May 31st, deputies were called out to Harvell Street and Sierra Highway.     The victim, identified as 48-year-old Gary Martin, was found in a dirt lot outside a motorhome.     42-year-old Raul Rodriguez was arrested more than a week later in connection to Martin's death.     He's due in court next week.Police are searching for a suspect wanted for questioning in a fraud investigationPolice say this man made a fraudulent purchase at a business on North Chester Avenue back on February

Some of today's top storiesNow to your 17 crime watch - and the investigation into a sexual assault that happened on the main campus of Bakersfield College Monday night.     Officials suspect a masked homeless person attacked and fondled a female student in a bathroom... the same bathroom where another sexual assault happened in 2017.     17's Jenny Huh reports.Firefighters are making signifcant progress in the battle to contain the *post fire* burning in l-a  and ventura counties. The fire started saturday next to the 5 freeway near gorman and burned dozens of cars at an auto repair business.      The fire has scorched more than 15-thousand-600 acres.    But, this morning the fire is 39-percent contained.    L-a county firefighters say their main challenges are the dry conditions... Low humidity... And the high winds... Which can send embers flying more than a mile away.    Some homes remain threatened.    The cause is under investigation.Today you can stop by Compassion Corner to drop off a new or gently us

Some of today's top storiesAn hours long standoff in southeast Bakersfield has come to an end. It all happened at a home on South Haley Street.    Police say a man with a knife was threatening to kill his girlfriend.    Officers say the woman was able to safely escape.    But, the boyfriend, barricaded himself inside and refused to come out.    After several hours of trying to get the suspect to surrender, the SWAT team went inside the home and arrested the man.    He was faces numerous charges, including domestic violence.An investigation is underway this morning after a person was hit and killed yesterday by a Bakersfield Police officer.     BPD says two officers were responding to a call for service in one vehicle, but the vehicle's overhead emergency lights and siren were off.     17's Mikhala Armstrong reports.Now for the latest on the wind-driven Post Fire.    Nearly 1,700 firefighters are battling the raging flames in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. At last report, the Post fire has burned more than

Some of today's top storiesAs most areas of Kern County remain under a Red Flag warning, a massive fire continues to burn just south of the Grapevine. It's being called the Post Fire. This is what many people witnessed as they drove over Tejon Pass. The wind-driven fire ignited Saturday and quickly ran up the mountainside. This morning -- more than 14-thousand acres haved burned and it's only 2-percent contained. Two commercial properties have BEEN DESTROYED from the fire... And air quality warnings have been issued across the region. An LA firefighter explains how challenging the Post fire is to knock down.Tulare police are releasing details from a 2 month-long illegal drug sales and gun possession investigation. Two shotguns, four rifles, five handguns, 150 pounds of liquid Codeine, 200 pounds of Marijuana and concentrated cannabis, Psilocybin mushrooms, Ecstasy, a Hash Oil Lab, and ammunition and cash were seized in Tulare and Goshen. 25-year-old Thomas Alexander Browning of Goshen , 32-year-old Dominque D

Some of today's top storiesProsecutors have brought charges against the man police were chasing when a BPD patrol vehicle slammed into *different* car -- killing a man and seriously injuring a woman. That crash happened last year at the intersection of South Vineland and Muller Roads.     Court documents say 23-year-old Michael Stephens Jr. led police on a high-speed chase but the vehicle became disabled, and he was taken into custody.     More than a mile away -- former officer Ricardo Robles crashed while responding to assist in that chase.     It's alleged he drove more than 100 miles per hour — without his overhead lights and siren on — shortly before running a stop sign and plowing into a Honda Accord.    The Honda's driver, Mario Lares, died at the scene. 17 News has learned Stephens is now charged with vehicular manslaughter, evading a peace officer causing death and other offenses.    Robles -- who is also charged with manslaughter -- has pleaded not guilty. a bizarre scene that played out overnight i

Some of today's top storiesThe state agency in charge of certifying California law enforcement officers met yesterday in West Sacramento to decide the professional future of a former Kern County Sheriff's lieutenant.    David Hubbard, fired in 2022 by the Sheriff's Office and now an employee of the Kern County District Attorney's Office, was facing his permanent decertification as a peace officer.    17's Robert Price was there and attended a hearing of the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST.     He files this report.A salary increase for the Superintendent at Greenfield Union School District is stirring up a heated discussion online. Many say the money should have gone to teachers or even students, instead. At last night's district board meeting, the issue was not a topic of discussion, however, we spoke with those who attended the meeting on both sides of the issue. Superintendent Ramon Hendrix began his post in 2017, after serving on the board of trustees for eight years.     When

Some of today's top storiesAn hours long standoff in northeast Bakersfield came to an end late last night. Bakersfield police were called to the six-thousand block of Hill Dale Court around 6 p.m. for a domestic violence incident.    When they arrived, officers were able to get a woman and her children safely out of the home.    But, BPD says the suspect, 30-year-old Paul McCormack refused to leave and made threats to the officers.    The SWAT team and crisis negotiators were called out and a couple of hours later, they made entry into the home and arrested McCormack.    He was booked into Kern County jail on numerous charges including domestic violence, child endangerment, and violating a restraining orderA woman who stands accused of killing a child outside an Ohio grocery store, says she killed before...here in Bakersfield  32-year-old Bionca Ellis pleaded not guilty to all seven of her charges, including murder, at her arraignment Monday.    Police say the stabbing appears to have been a random attack.   

Some of today's top storiesFirefighters were busy once again last night, with a vegetation Fire along Truxtun Avenue. This fire started just before 6 p.m. near Empire Drive.    If you were driving in the area at the time, you no doubt saw a lot of smoke from the flames.    Crews were able to get it knocked down quickly.    No word on how it started or how much brush burned.Some residents in Wofford Heights who were evacuated during last week's 155 wildfire, say they're concerned for their safety should another fire start. That's because one of their only escape routes, Sierra Way, has been closed for more than a year. Sierra Way was damaged by flooding more than a year ago.First District County Supervisor Phillip Peters addressed the community's concerns with a construction update posted on Youtube.Peters said repairs are slated to begin mid-July to repair Sierra Way and complete the route around Lake Isabella.Repairs are expected to be completed September 23. We told you yesterday morning that the oil leak t

Some of today's top stories2 people are hospitalized this morning following a brutal crash in south Bakersfield. This happened just after 10 p.m. last night on East Panama Lane and Sparks Street. Two cars were involved and one reportedly caught on fire.  two people suffered moderate to major injuries. No word on their condition as of this morning. The cause of this crash is unknown.an update on an oil spill that's contaminated water in parts of Bakersfield... that left many businesses closed for almost a week.    But those businesses now have the go-ahead to use water, according to the newest update from Cal Water yesterday. The investigation into the contamination is focused on a local oil producer.     Early Tuesday afternoon, oil was discovered in the City's drinking water system.    That prompted officials to urge people not to drink or use the water.    Cal Water says it appears the backflow of oil... responsible for the water contamination... occurred at Griffin Resources LLC... a local oil producer.  

Some of today's top storiesA man is in the hospital this morning after being shot. It happened in a field about a mile east of the Bakersfield Speedway.    KCSO says deputies found the man with multiple gunshot wounds.    He was taken to the hospital.    Authorities have not provided any information on a suspect.We turn now to the latest on two wildfires in Kern County - one prompting an evacuation order in Wofford Heights. The so-called 155 fire was reported in the area of Wofford Heights Boulevard near Old State Road just before 5 p.m.     Nearby residents were ordered to evacuate as strong winds fanned the flames.    Some saying, this situation brought back fears of the devastating Erskine fire. Some good news  - those evacuation orders have been lifted according to the Genasys map.    According to the Kern County Fire Department, at least 50 acres have burned, but forward spread has been stopped.    No word at this hour on containment.County firefighters have also gained the upper hand ona brush fire in L

Some of today's top storiesthe ongoing investigation into Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner.     Scrivner is accused of sexually assaulting a child back in late April, but the second district supervisor's whereabouts have remained unknown since.    After nearly six weeks of silence surrounding this case, today *COULD* be his first public appearance since the accusations.  17's Aleeya Fitzgerald is live in front of the Downtown Justice Building with more.This morning marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day....and we're highlighting some of the veterans who were on the beaches that day.    Here's Marielena Balouris with one veteran's message.We are one step closer to the groundbreaking of Bakersfield's new Veteran's Affairs Clinic.     Hanford Congressman David Valadao helped pass a bill yesterday that's now headed to the Senate.  If passed... the bill would require the V-A to move forward with construction no later than September 30, 2025.    A new clinic has been promised... yet never delivered since its appro