7 MAY 2024 · Some of today's top stories - Fire crews raced to the scene of a two-alarm structure fire in east Bakersfield early this morning.This is on Fairfax Road near Pioneer Drive...     You can see fire crews attacking the flames in what appears to be an apartment complex.     No word on any injuries...     The cause of the fire is under investigation - We continue our coverage of the investigation into one of Kern County's supervisors, Zack Scrivner.     Scrivner is under investigation following allegations he sexually assaulted a child....     And this morning... the Kern County Board of Supervisors is set to meet -- with Scrivner's name still on the agenda. Scrivner has NOT been arrested... NOR have any charges been filed against him. We also do NOT know if Scrivner will be present at the meeting. As for what happened... Sheriff Donny Youngblood says he received a call from District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer two weeks ago... saying her nephew... Zack Scrivner... was armed and suicidal.  Youngblood says he immediately dispatched deputies to Scrivner's Tehachapi home. When they arrived it was discovered Scrivner had been stabbed over allegations he had sexually assaulted a child. The following day detectives arrived with a search warrant for the stabbing and sexual assault.  They seized 30 guns ... electronics... including his phone... possible evidence of both the stabbing and sexual assault... as well as forensic evidence. 17 News learned last week that Scrivner's wife, Christina Scrivner, asked a judge to keep her estranged husband away from their four children. However, the accusations she makes against him are completely censored. There is a family court hearing for the Scrivners scheduled for later this month. But again, Scrivner has not been arrested...and he has not resigned from his position. Therefore, his name remains on the meeting agenda, as it always has been...but we do NOT know if he will be present at today's 9 a-m board meeting - A woman brought a box of processed cannabis to bakersfield police after some students found it near their school in a Southwest Bakersfield neighborhood.     But, Erica De LaRosa says police refused to accept it.     17's Rob Hagan explains what happened.

6 MAY 2024 · Some of today's top stories - Another massive structure fire erupted yesterday morning at a tow yard in Central Bakersfield.multiple explosions from more than a dozen vehicles burning inside the building. The Bakersfield Fire Department was dispatched to the Ten Eight Tow Yard on Inyo Street about 8am. Fire crews deployed the ladder truck to attack the flames from above to prevent it from spreading. The BFD got assistance from the Kern County Fire Dept and both teams deployed their high ladder hoses to keep the flames from spreading dozens of vehicles surrounding the property. No injuries have been reported. Thankfully, crews were able to put out the fire and mop up the remaining hot spots. But then, hours later about 1pm the fire reignited calling back fire crews. One firefighter had to saw open the gate to gain access to the fire. A man on scene who spotted the reignited fire and called the BFD told 17 news he is the insurance agent for Ten Eight Tow Incorporated. He claims the estimated damages to the building put the cost somewhere between 300,000 and $400,000. The owners arrived on scene to the aftermath of the fire that destroyed their business and torched more than a dozen vehicles. One of the business owners declined to comment saying they were still in shock. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. - And the Bakersfield Fire Dept raced to another structure fire in an apartment complex on Real Road near Garnsey Lane around 2:30pm yesterday.     Fire crews had to use a ladder to get to the roof to the fire located in the attic crawl space.     You can see firefighters tearing out roofing tiles to get to the flames.     No injuries have been reported.      The cause of this fire is also being investigated. - One person suffered major injuries following a crash in east Bakersfield yesterday CHP says it happened about 3:30pm at the Brentwood Drive and Pioneer Drive intersection.     The crash was originally reported as a pedestrian hit by a vehicle, but you can see a smashed up bicycle on scene.     No word yet on the status of the victim or the driver.     The cause of the crash is being investigated - And now to our homelessness crisis... the latest point-in-time count has been released, showing a 37% increase in those experiencing homelessness in Kern The 2024 survey took place in January.  A total of 2,669 people were contacted... 62-percent were living unsheltered... while about 1,000 people utilized shelters.  Coming up this morning at 6:20 on Sunrise, we'll speak with the executive director of the Kern Regional Homelessness Collaborative, about this crisis and the rising numbers.

3 MAY 2024 · Some of today's top stories - Southbound lanes of Interstate 5 are closed this morning after CHP said a semi-truck overturned.This is just north of Grapevine Road...     It happened just before 4 a.m.     Three lanes are closed... you can see traffic moving slowly through.     It is unclear if there were any injuries in this crash.. - we continue to follow the ongoing investigation of Kern County District 2 Supervisor Zack Scrivner.      17 News has learned Christina Scrivner has asked a judge to keep her estranged husband away from their four children.     But her accusations are blacked out in page after page of an otherwise public document.     17's Jenny Huh has more.  - 32-year-old Rico Herring was found guilty Wednesday in a case that started here in Bakersfield and stretched across the state.  A jury found Herring used violence and death threats to force a 16-year-old girl into sex work.  Prosecutors say he met the victim online, bought her a bus ticket, then assaulted her and forced her into sex work. He could face 15 years to life in prison. - Hours after they were arrested, some protesters were back at it on the campus of UCLA. According to the L-A-P-D...  210 people were arrested and booked for charges related to unlawful assembly.. and then released.     Some had occupied the encampment in the ucla quad that was raided yesterday morning and removed...     Others made up the crowd outside the encampment who failed to disperse as police lines closed in. After the clearing of the campus, Los Angeles mayor karen bass released a statement saying in part "that every student deserves to be safe and live peacefully on their campus. harrassment, vandalism and violence have no place at ucla or anywhere in our city."     Across the country thousands of demonstrators have been arrested at pro-palestinian protests...     President biden weighing in on the issue yesterday.

2 MAY 2024 · Some of today's top stories - Simmering tensions between counter-protesters and pro-Palestinian demonstrators escalates into bloody violence on the campus of UCLA Officers in riot gear with L-A-P-D and C-H-P are moving in on a pro-Palestinian encampment on the UCLA campus Law enforcemement ordered hundreds of protestors to disperse...calling the encampment unlawful.     Some protestors were seen wearing hard hats, goggles and respirator masks in anticipation of the raid.     Others banged on drums and waved Palestinian flags....As officers marched onto the campus grounds.     We're now learning officers have moved in and started arresting those protestors. This is the second night of protest on the campus.     Classes were canceled yesterday after the first night of protest.     No word if classed will be held today. - The state's effort to 'Take Down Crime' in the Central Valley is showing early signs of success, with an aggressive partnership between the California Highway Patrol and the Bakersfield Police Department.      17's Mikhala Armstrong has a closer look.  - The owner of a Shafter Tobacco Shop is in trouble with the law for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation. Shafter police and inspectors with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration raided the shop on Central Valley Highway yesterday.  Officers found two gambling machines in a back storage room of the shop during their search.  They also seized illegal cannabis and tobacco products the owner had in the shop.  The owner, Yassin Shaw, was cited and released.

1 MAY 2024 · Some of today's top stories - A new poll by Nexstar... the parent company of 17 News ... shows what could be an ominous battle ahead for President Joe Biden... running for reelection against former President Donald Trump.      Biden trails Trump in seven key swing states... six of which Biden won in 2020.      17's Jenny Huh has a breakdown for us.  - Ballots are already being sent out for this month's special election.  On May 21st, voters in the 20th Congressional District will once again make their voices heard.   This is the race to fill the remainder of Kevin McCarthy's term in Congress.   Voters will see two names on their ballots -- State Assemblyman Vince Fong and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.   For more details on the upcoming election, just head to our website.. kget dot com.  - The numbers are out.     And it appears the latest effort to crackdown on crime in Bakersfield is working Governor Gavin Newsom announced the partnership between Bakersfield police and CHP last week.     It expanded CHP operations in and around the city to address car and retail theft while providing highly visible traffic enforcement.     Most recently, Bakersfield Police and CHP issued over 200 citations, made three felony arrests and the recovered nine stolen cars.     And they did all that in just one day.     Similar partnerships are ongoing in Oakland and San Francisco

30 APR 2024 · Some of today's top stories - Fire crews raced to the scene of a building on fire in southeast Bakersfield. It happened just before 2 a.m. this morning on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard...     You can see in this video of a building engulfed in flames.     There are no known injuries at this time...     And the cause of the fire is under investigation. - Drinking water is becoming more dangerous, particularly in the Central Valley.      The state has a troubling list of contaminated wells, and Kern remains a leader.      17's Mikhala Armstrong takes a deep dive tonight at 6 in the 17 News Special Report 'Poison in the Water'.      Here is a look into this crisis.  - It's been 15 years since California's High Speed Rail Project was endorsed by voters...     And yesterday, the Rail Authority held a meeting at Westchester Hall to get public feedback on Bakersfield's bullet train station coming in 2030.     17's Rob Hagan has more. - Making news around the nation...     The city of Charlotte, North Carolina is grieving this morning after multiple officers lost their lives in the line of duty. Three local officers and a U.S. Marshal's task force member were shot and killed..     Four other officers were wounded while serving a warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.     A total of eight federal and local officers were shot yesterday as they came under fire from suspects inside the east Charlotte residence.     The suspect who fired the first shots was killed.     But officers received additional gunfire from inside the residence.     Two people inside the home are now being questioned as persons of interest.     The Charlotte police chief called it a tragic day for the city.. A woman and a 17-year-old male found inside the home after a three-hour standoff are being held for questioning.

29 APR 2024 · Some of today's top stories - It has been 5 days since allegations of sexual abuse came out against Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner.     As the investigation continues, he has not been arrested. Scrivner is under investigation following allegations he sexually assaulted a child.  Sheriff Donny Youngblood says he received a call from District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer around 11 Tuesday night... saying her nephew... Zack Scrivner... was armed and suicidal.  Youngblood says he immediately dispatched deputies to Scrivner's Tehachapi home. When they arrived it was discovered Scrivner had been stabbed over allegations he had sexually assaulted a child. The following day... Wednesday... detectives arrived with a search warrant for the stabbing and sexual assault.  They seized 30 firearms... electronics... including his phone... possible evidence of both the stabbing and sexual assault... as well as forensic evidence.  Youngblood says to his knowledge... Scrivner is no longer in the hospital.  He also confirmed there is an emergency protective order to keep him away from his children. This is still an ongoing investigation...     But we've compiled all this information on our website, KGET dot com.      Just scan the Q-R code on your screen for complete coverage of developments in the case, including Thursday's full press conference at the KCSO headquarters.  - A pedestrian was hit and killed over the weekend on the off ramp of a busy freeway in Bakersfield. Authorities responded to Eastbound 58 near the Union Avenue offramp on Saturday just after 1 p.m..     The victim died on scene.     No other injuries have been reported.     The crash is under investigation.     By our count... this is the 19th pedestrian fatality so far this year in Kern. - And a bicyclist is dead after being hit by a semi-truck in southwest Bakersfield Friday. The crash happened 6 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Wible and Planz roads. According to police, the truck was headed north on Wible and the bicyclist was headed west on Planz, when they collided. The man on the bike died at the scene. Investigators say the driver left the scene, but returned after learning about the collision from a witness. BPD says alcohol, drugs, and speed do not appear to be factors in the deadly crash. - Family and friends came together last night for a prayer vigil honoring the memory of Dontrell Smith who was gunned down just days ago in Central Bakersfield. Dozens gathered in the street near the spot where Smith took his last breath.     The vigil was held at the intersection of V Street and 8th Street  west of Union Avenue.     Family, friends, and church members joined in prayer and lit candles in Smith's memory who was shot multiple times Thursday night, according to police.     He died at the scene. Dontrell Smith's wife said he was 29 years old.     31-year-old Marlon Burch and 35-year-old Rodney Gipson were arrested on charges of murder and participating in a criminal street gang.     We'll have more on this story on 17 News at 5.

26 APR 2024 · Some of today's top stories - one of the most powerful political figures in Kern County -- 2nd District Supervisor Zack Scrivner -- is under investigation following allegations he sexually assaulted a child.   The troubling allegations regarding Supervisor Scrivner and what happened at his Tehachapi house began circulating early Wednesday morning. It was a lot of hearsay... until Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood confirmed some of those shocking details.  Scrivner has *not been arrested or charged. Youngblood says he received a call from District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer around 11 Tuesday night... saying her nephew... Zack Scrivner... was armed and suicidal.   Youngblood says after hearing from a concerned and emotional Zimmer... he immediately dispatched deputies to Scrivner's Tehachapi home. Youngblood did not confirm the sexual assault but he says they're investigating with reason.   That altercation led to Scrivner being stabbed twice in the upper torso with a knife.   It is unclear what type of knife.   Scrivner was taken to Kern Medical and treated for non life threatening injuries.   Youngblood says to his knowledge... Scrivner is no longer in the hospital. The sheriff says Scrivner... his four children... all minors... and his parents were at the scene.  Scrivner's wife Christina Scrivner was not on site.   DA Zimmer also was not on site.   Youngblood says no one other than Scrivner is under investigation.   And it's unclear if there were attempts to conceal evidence... as alleged.   The following day... Wednesday... detectives arrived with a search warrant for the alleged stabbing and sexual assault.   They seized 30 firearms... electronics... including Scrivner's phone... possible evidence of both the stabbing and sexual assault... as well as forensic evidence. There is an emergency protective order to keep Scrivner away from his children... who are with their mother. - Criminal defense attorney H-A Sala is representing District 2 Supervisor Zack Scrivner.  Yesterday, he lashed out at Sheriff Donny Youngblood, over allegations, he says are false.  About an hour after that declaration was made by Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood, Zack Scrivner's defense attorney H.A. Sala fired back at his own news conference. Again, Scrivner has not been arrested or charged with a crime. Sala believes there shouldn't be any charges filed.  Sheriff Youngblood and Defense Attorney Sala do agree on one thing: the investigation is going to take longer because the case will be moved out of Kern County.  As we mentioned, the county's lead prosecutor, District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer is Scrivner's aunt. - There are several unanswered questions surrounding this investigation this morning... including...     Where is Zack Scrivner?     Was an emergency psychiatric hold placed on Zack Scrivner?     Was there any effort to conceal what happened at the home?     And what is Scrivner's future on the board of supervisors.      We'll let you know, when those questions are answered. You can find all of our coverage of the investigation into Zack Scrivner on on our website, KGET dot com.      Just scan the Q-R code on your screen for complete coverage, including the full news conference at the KCSO headquarters.  - A homicide investigation is underway in central Bakersfield - following a shooting on V and 8th Streets, west of Union Avenue. According to Bakersfield police, officers were alerted to the shooting through a ShotSpotter activation around 6:45 yesterday evening.     When they arrived, there was a victim with several gunshot wounds who died at the scene.     The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call police.

25 APR 2024 · Some of today's top stories - Kern County firefighters had their hands full last night... with a vegetation fire near the Bena landfill.The call came in around 6:40.     Crews worked quickly to knock down the flames.     At last check, the fire is under control with three acres burned.     No word yet on a cause. - This morning... we know the name of a man who died following a shooting late Friday night near Panorama Park in northeast Bakersfield.     24-year-old Ronald Josue Rivera Hernandez was shot April 19 at the intersection of River Boulevard and Panorama Drive.     He died at the scene.     Bakersfield police said he was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the park's parking lot.      The shooting remains under investigation.     Anyone with information is asked to call BPD at 327-7111. - A man known as the "pillowcase rapist" was sentenced yesterday for trying to kidnap a woman in Bakersfield. A man known as the "pillowcase rapist" was sentenced yesterday for trying to kidnap a woman in Bakersfield.  - 12  years...      That was the sentence handed down to a driver involved in a deadly street racing crash.      The crash happened back in November 2021 on Stockdale Highway.      Nathan Valencia was racing a red Honda Civic, which sideswiped another vehicle and crashed into a traffic pole.. killing Jose Beltran-Lopez and Carmen Romero Vidal.     A third person in the civic survived.     Valencia last month pleaded no contest to two counts of vehicular manslaughter.      Murder charges were dismissed. - A new partnership between the Bakersfield Police Department and the California Highway Patrol - will lead to more officers on the streets.     It comes as Governor Gavin Newsom pledges to crack down on crime in California. It's what Newsom is calling a crime suppression partnership... and it's part of more than one billion dollars spent on crime since 2019....     Meaning there will be more resources and personnel locally.  Partnerships are ongoing in San Francisco and Oakland.      Newsom says compared to the statewide average... Kern County sees higher rates of property and violent crime... as well as arrest rates.      This partnership targets roadway dangers and vehicle and retail theft. - A pressing issue in our community -- businesses hit by vandalism.  The latest incident happened at Mill Creek Antique Mall in downtown Bakersfield.  17's Cecilia Trevino reports.

24 APR 2024 · Some of today's top stories - Farm workers protested outside the Marriott Hotel in downtown Bakersfield yesterday morning, as a hearing got underway in the case of Wonderful Nurseries versus United Farm Workers.      The workers claim they were tricked into unionizing with the U-F-W and they want out. The workers allege the U-F-W approached them... offering $600 in COVID-19 relief funds... as part of a federal program for farm and food workers.      They say they were told signing what they did not know was a union authorization card... was part of the process. U-F-W Vice President Erika Navarrette told 17 News the claims are "a complete lie," and says the workers are being manipulated by Wonderful Nurseries.         The hearing has been adjourned until Thursday.          For more on the case... as well as past allegations against the UFW... you can visit our website, k-g-e-t dot com. - Bakersfield police now say street racing was the cause of a crash in southwest Bakersfield that sent four people to the hospital, including a child.     The crash happened Monday night on Old River Road near White Lane just before 7 p.m.     Investigators say two Chevy Camaros were racing when the white camaro hit several vehicles stopped at a light at the intersection.     The driver of the black camaro drove over the center median and left the scene.     Three adults and one juvenile, who were not part of the illegal street race, were taken to the hospital with minor injuries.     BPD says the driver of the white camaro, 19-year-old Meylin Rosi Barrera, was also taken to the hospital. {banner}     Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call police at the number on your screen. - We have new information this morning on a fire that destroyed a Rosamond home Monday night.       It happened around 7:15 on Cold Creek Avenue.       The Kern County Fire Department has confirmed that one person died in that fire.       Officials say firefighters tried to force their way into the home, but collapsing ceilings kept them from getting inside.       The person who died has not yet been identified.       The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  - We have new details on the arrest of four teens following a high-speed pursuit in Northeast Bakersfield. That pursuit happened Sunday morning in the area of Bernard and Sacramento Streets.      It came to an end when the driver of the stolen car crashed into a street sign and a telephone poll in front of Studio B Salon.      We are learning all four teens have been charged with resisting arrest.      The driver was also charged with felony evading and possession of stolen property - This morning.. we are learning prosecutors have requested futher investigation into a shooting that left a woman dead in East Bakersfield. That shooting happened around 10:45 Friday night on Pearl Street near Robinson Street.      38-year-old Margarita Lopez was killed.      Deputies arrested 36-year-old Paul Magallanes on suspicion of murder.     Magallanes was scheduled to be arraigned yesterday, but no charges were filed.      The case will now be sent back to the to the sheriff's office for further review.