No water after the landlady doesn't pay the bill

Submitted by Carol Ferguson on Wednesday, May 16th, 5:14 pm

Families in an Oildale apartment complex are left high and dry, after their landlady didn't pay the water bill. They say that's not their fault, but they're stuck with the problem.

"I didn't think they could shut it off, with us being here, and we all have kids," Tiffany told Eyewitness News. The renter didn't want to give her full name. She said the tenants have been struggling with problems at the four-unit complex for months.

But, Tuesday was the worst when the water was shut off.

"This is our home, we have small children," Christy added. She also didn't want to give her full name.

Both renters said they've worried since early this year. First real estate people started to show up, and then then got letters from a bank. They called the landlady, but didn't get answers, even when they specifically asked if the property was in foreclosure.

They had a batch of questions. "We can't a hold of anybody," Tiffany said.

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Governor Brown releases revised proposed budget

Submitted by KBAK_Web_Staff on Wednesday, May 16th, 11:52 am

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Governor Jerry Brown released a revised state budget Monday that protects funding for public education and public safety. But there are billions of dollars in proposed cuts that local agencies aren't happy about.

The state deficit now stands a $15.7 billion and Brown says nearly $8.3 billion will have to be cut to get California back on track.

"Cutting alone doesn't do it. That's why I'm linking those serious budget reductions. Real, increased austerity with a plea to voters: please increase taxes," Brown said.

That increased tax is currently on the November ballot. According to Brown, if approved by voters, it will bring in a forecasted $8.5 billion.

But an increase in taxes won't fix the deficit. Brown is also proposing cuts to education.

"With the budget cuts we anticipated coming, we are certain that people won't have jobs that currently have jobs," California Faculty Association local union president Bruce Hartsell said.

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Caring for the Caregiver, upcoming seminar

Submitted by Lisa Krch on Monday, May 14th, 5:57 pm

Several topics will be covered at the Caring for the Caregiver seminar coming up on Saturday, June I6th,

This free event is from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm at Hodel's, 59I7 Knudsen Drive. It is for caregivers, professionals and family members. Adult day care will be provided, but you are asked to RSVP. Topics covered that day include: Dementia, veterans benefits, behavioral issues and the value of support groups. A light continental breakfast & lunch will be served.

For more information, contact The Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County at 393-887I. Reserve your spot before Friday, June Ist.

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Fewer California high school grads going to state universities

Submitted by KBAK_Web_Staff on Monday, May 14th, 1:35 pm

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK - KBFX) -- Fewer California high school graduates are heading off to college at CSU and UC campuses, and critics blame state budget cuts. That’s the finding in a new study, and local students and educators say it’s just what they’re seeing.

“It’s just so expensive to go to California Sate or other colleges or universities,” Scottie Gee told Eyewitness News. He is now a senior at California State University Bakersfield, but the high cost of tuition forced him to start first his first two years at a community college.

Soaring tuition and fees are one reason given by the Public Policy Institute of California for a steep drop in California high school graduates enrolling at CSU and University of California campuses.

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Tour of California starts Sunday, arrives in Bakersfield Thursday

Submitted by KBAK_Web_Staff on Saturday, May 12th, 8:49 pm

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The starting gun fires Sunday morning just before 11 a.m. in Santa Rosa, setting the riders of the Tour of California peloton on a collision course with the "race of truth" Thursday in Bakersfield: the individual time trial.

The 18.4-mile race in Bakersfield could decide the overall winner of the race, the permiere stage race in North America.

Racers consider the time trial the "race of truth" because it pits lone riders against the clock.

The riders work as teams and ride in groups during the other, longer stages.

Before the showdown with the clock in Bakersfield, however, the riders in the 2012 Tour of California must first cover four stages, all over 100 miles long.

Stage 1 on Sunday in Santa Rosa covers almost 116 miles. The next day in San Francisco, racers face a 117 mile course; followed by 115 miles in San Jose on Tuesday.

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Man smashes stolen SUV, snarls traffic in police chase

Submitted by KBAK_Web_Staff on Tuesday, May 8th, 4:43 pm

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A man who was fleeing authorities crashed a stolen Ford Expedition on Airport Drive.

Bakersfield police were chasing the suspect Tuesday on Highway 99, but officers backed off due to heavy morning rush-hour traffic. The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Mykel Isaac, took the Airport Drive exit but lost control and crashed.

Four other vehicles were damaged in the crash, and traffic was snarled for a while in the area of Airport Drive and Buck Owens Boulevard.

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Bakersfield raises $2.1M for cancer research via Relay for Life

Submitted by KBAK_Web_Staff on Monday, May 7th, 8:31 am

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The Bakersfield edition of the Relay for Life pulled in more than $2.1 million dollars for the American Cancer Society.

The 24-hour event at Wingspoint, an open area near Meadows Field Airport, began with the emotional Survivor's Walk - a chance for thousands of cancer survivors to meet, greet and support one another.

Saturday night featured the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles were lit in honor of those stricken with cancer.

This was the second straight year that thousands of Bakersfield residents raised more than $2 million for cancer research.

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