Testimony from a 16-year-old Bakersfield girl will likely send a 32-year-old man to prison for human trafficking. Deputy DA Janae Knallay says Rico Herring seduced the girl online and sent her a bus ticket to be with him. Knallay says Herring used the victim’s desire for a romantic relationship, which is common in trafficking cases,…… Read More
A woman whose body was found in an orchard just east of State Route 43 is identified as 33-year-old Claudia Vazquez of Bakersfield. Deputies found her April 26th in the area off Superior Road and Stockdale Highway, but it’s not known how long she’d been there or how she died. An autopsy is planned. Photo…… Read More
Bakersfield Police are investigating a fatal stabbing that happened early Tuesday morning on Butte Street near Tulare Street, and say a suspect has now been arrested. The victim was discovered around 2:15am following a report of a stabbing, 37-year-old Jeremy Roberts was booked on suspicion of murder. The Coroner’s Office is withholding the victim’s name…… Read More
The CHP says a man who was running across the lanes of State Route 58 has died after being struck by a moving vehicle. It happened around 1:15 Saturday afternoon at Union Avenue, and the driver of the Honda stayed at the scene. That 24-year-old woman was not hurt and investigators say drugs and alcohol…… Read More
Dozens of people turned out for a High Speed Rail open house in downtown Bakersfield to get a look at how the project is going and give their input. Planning Director Margaret Cederoff tells 17 News their focus is on the link between Merced and Bakersfield, which will end at Golden State Avenue and F…… Read More
BPD is investigation a fatal collision between a semi and a bicycle rider on Wible Road. It happened just before 6:00 Friday night at Planz Road in south Bakersfield, although details aren’t clear. The truck driver initially left the scene but returned when he was told what happened. Alcohol, drugs and speed do not appear…… Read More
Defense attorney HA Sala is furious that allegations against Zack Scrivner were made public before an investigation. He spoke with reporters after the Sheriff’s news conference Thursday, saying the claims were not true and the altercation happened when the kids tried to take the gun away from him. Sala says Scrivner was distraught over the…… Read More
The whereabouts of Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner are still unknown, after an incident at his home in Tehachapi. Sheriff Donny Youngblood says he was called late Tuesday by DA Cynthia Zimmer, who is Scrivner’s aunt, she said he was having a psychotic episode and threatening to kill himself. Youngblood says the child who allegedly…… Read More
The Governor’s office says the Highway Patrol will be expanding its role in Kern County, partnering with Bakersfield Police to target problem areas. BPD Sgt. Eric Celedon says those new officers will be deployed to areas where problems have been identified, including organized retail theft, vehicle theft, and roadway violence. The Bakersfield Police Department was…… Read More
The Department of Water Resources has opened the taps once again for the State Water Project, increasing allocations to 40-percent for growers and cities. A news release says that’s enough water for an additional 1.5-million households for a year, but also notes the flow is still restricted south of the Delta due to endangered fish…… Read More
