BAKERSFIELD, CA - We should all be looking for ways to conserve in our state as we face ongoing water woes. People can take shorter showers, not water lawns as often, and go to the bathroom outside. Yes, a Bakersfield man has invented a way guys can conserve at the can.

It's called "Sweet Pea." It's basically an outdoor urinal for men. Because we are in a drought, and everyone has to go at some point, inventor Mike Henson thought now was the time to throw Sweet Pea into the marketplace.

As a third generation farmer and professional landscaper at Maranatha, the custom clay can was his next pit stop.

"You know, I would be in the backyard taking care of the flower beds and I would hear, "You kids! Don't go in the house soaking wet. Go over there and pee in the flower bed." And, I'm thinking, I'm going to be digging in that in a little bit," said Henson.

Henson came up with the backyard Sweet Pea a year and a half ago. It’s a decorative clay sculpture with a drain fitted to a pipe.

"This fits down into the pipe and it's shaped so it won't splash and the urine runs out real quickly," said Henson describing how his invention works.

Its patent is still pending. But, as our state has seen so little rain this year, Henson couldn't hold it any longer.

"But as the drought got worse, I thought just throw the dice and let them go," said Henson.

And speaking of going, our state's 16 million men go, on average, six times a day. That's two gallons a flush. That's 192 million gallons of water a day.

"They're cool," said customer Erica Hurley. "I'm definitely going to look into more about it and see where we can put one and eventually have one one day."

Henson says Sweet Peas can drain deep into the ground. A three-foot pipe will bury the business. And, Henson says it won't harm plants. Or, Sweet Pea's pipes can be thread into the clean out line leading to the sewer.

"There's no air that brings the stench back up like a porta-potty or porta-bathroom. The air (from those) you can smell them a block away," said Henson.

Each is handmade and kiln-fired into a flower, acorn, beehive, or fish, sure to lure urine to the loo.

The Sweet Peas take three to four weeks to make and run $150 to $350. There is not one designed yet for women, but Henson says it's in the works.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- Bakersfield's Derek Carr is headed to the silver and black.  The Oakland Raiders has selected Carr as the fourth pick in the second round of the NFL draft.

Carr is the younger brother of former number one overall pick and fellow Fresno State Bulldog David Carr.  Experts seemed to be split on if Carr was a late first round or second round pick, and Carr said Thursday night he knew he might not go until day 2.

ARVIN, CA -- A brand new environmental report on soil contamination in an Arvin neighborhood is now under review.
But seven weeks after being forced from their homes, evacuated residents have no idea when they'll return.

The lengthy report was prepared by Petro Capital Resources, the owner of the gas pipeline that burst, and contaminated those properties.  The study examines conditions at each of the eight evacuated homes.

Thursday night, fifth district Supervisor Leticia Perez told us, county experts will now study that report.  But there's still no timeline for when evacuees can go home. "We simply don't know how long it's going to take, until the levels are safe. As you can imagine, experts will disagree as to when that is. Ultimately the county is responsible to determine if and when that is safe. But the process from here to now, moving forward, is really on the company."

Perez says, PCR will continue soil clean-up efforts at those homes.  But until it's certain those displaced families won't be facing unsafe conditions, she says they'll remain evacuated.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Community Action Partnership of Kern honored its Humanitarian of the Year at a banquet Thursday night. The award went to CEO of the Bakersfield Homeless Center and Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault, Louis Gill.

He began working with the Bakersfield Homeless Center 14 years ago. Even before then, Gill had a strong work ethic -- growing up on his grandfather's ranch outside Porterville.

"I had a very rural upbringing, chores in the morning. We had cattle and pigs and going and getting the eggs and for a while milking the goats, the whole deal," said Gill.

A trip to Mexico as a foreign exchange student inspired gill to help others.

Gill said, "I learned to speak Spanish and realized how truly fortunate we are, by simply being born in this country."

Gill went to college in San Francisco.  He majored in Spanish and eventually earned a master's degree in non-profit administration.

"I started working in non-profits there and it's become my life," Gill said.

Gill, his wife and son moved to Bakersfield after finding out they were having twin girls.

"We wanted to move closer to family," he said.

When he started at the Bakersfield Homeless Center in 2000, Gill said family services were lacking.

Gill said, "It was focused on single men. There were ten beds for families. It was set up to deal with your stereo typical homeless individual."

Since Gill took the reins, the homeless center's mission has shifted.

"Our focus has gone from just thinking about beds and meals to how do we help people be successful in permanent housing. How do we help them finish their education? How do we make sure that they can get a job, get on that path to self sufficiency," said Gill.

As for his thoughts on being humanitarian of the year -- he's grateful.

Gill said, "I'm incredibly fortunate. I do a job that I love. It's not easy, but I love it. I have the best staff in town. I can promise you they're amazing people and it's easy to be proud of them.It feels great to be a part of that. It feels great to be in a community where you can say I need some help and folks show up. They want to help. It feels, all I can say is grateful."

Awards were given out in three categories: humanitarian, community partner and volunteers.

Honorees are selected based on support of CAPK programs and individual involvement of helping people and changing lives in our community.

BAKERSFIELD, CA- It was a huge heroes welcome home Thursday night at Meadows Field, as hundreds of people awaited the arrival of our veterans from their whirlwind trip to Washington D.C.

Banners, posters and patriotic music filled the lobby as the 10th Honor Flight group touched back down from the trip of a lifetime. For many family members it was a time to celebrate their loved ones who fought for our nation, but it was also a time to commemorate a trip that was a long time coming.

The Perez family is one of many crowded inside Meadows Field to give the greatest generation the warmest welcome home.

"It is such an honor for our family to be here to honor our father that is so deserving to go to this Honor Flight and we're all excited," said Rachel Perez whose father went on this Honor Flight.

Stanley Perez is one of the 75 local veterans returning from the 10th Kern County Honor Flight. He and his new buddies received a hero's welcome home.

"It was an honor to be with them i met quite a few people and I talked to them and I can't describe it," said Korean War veteran Stanley Perez.

Not everyone in the audience was family, many people just wanted to cheer our local veterans on as they returned. Young Kelsey Holloway-Rizo raised enough money at her lemonade stand to send a vet to the capital.

Her message to her local vets was simple.

"I hope you had a great day, two days at the memorial and I hope you had the best experience of your life," Holloway-Rizo said.

They had smiles for miles as they arrived home from the nation's capital and an unforgettable trip. Celebrating their battle years ago, that have protected our freedoms today.

"It's hard to go describe what it's really like to go over there and I'd like to go back," Perez said.

The trip is free to our veterans, thanks to donations from our community to Honor Flight Kern County.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The death penalty case for a 2010 double homicide is underway as Erran West is accused of killing a couple over $50. 
The trial is four years in the making. The prosecution said a witness and cell phone data make it clear that West killed two people. But, the defense says it plans to poke holes in all of it. 
On September 4 2010, a man was found shot dead in a vacant lot. The next morning a woman was discovered dead in an orchard, seemingly unrelated homicides until police find out the victims knew each other and owed money to Erran West. 
"The fact that he owed him something is clear, and there's evidence to that," said Jim Simson, Deputy District Attorney. 
West is accused of killing both 43-year-old Ernastine Trejo and 58-year-old Levon Vines. 
Opening arguments began Thursday morning. The prosecution's case is based on the testimony from an eyewitness who describes events as follows. It started out as a normal Saturday night when a woman picked up West and later Trejo and Vines. 
"It was a night that she would later describe to detectives: a night like a nightmare that wouldn't end," said Simson. 
The witness says they stopped on Collins Way. West and Vines got out of the car and West shot Vines six times, three shots to the chest and three to the head. 
"He gets in the car, West does and simply says drive," said Simson.  
The witness says they ended up at Edison Highway, where West and Trejo got out of the car.  The witness said West then shot Trejo in the head, got back in the car and told the witness this. 
"I've already got people set up to kill you," said Simson. 
The defense contends West was not involved in these murders at all. 
"Fundamentally, the biggest question is who did it and whether the prosecution can prove Mr. West did it. They cannot because he did not," said Michael Lukeheart, West's attorney. 
The defense also pointed fingers, not at West but the witness. 
"She's not stupid," said Lukeheart. "She knows it's better to be an informant than a defendant." 
All the while West sat stone-faced in the courtroom awaiting his fate from the jury. West has always and still asserts his innocence, pleading not guilty to all counts. 

The trial is expected to last a couple of weeks. 

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Residents in southwest Bakersfield want a trucking company out of their neighborhood.

Many trucks are transporting biosolids from southern California into Kern County and keeping residents up throughout the night.

On Thursday, Bakersfield Code Enforcement said it will investigate the company.

The city attorney's office will also investigate GIC Transport which is zoned for agriculture and limited to 18 trucks.

But residents say every night, dozens of trucks park behind their neighborhood, and in some cases, they see trucks leaking material.

"It's a serious issue and that's why last night when we referred it to the city attorney's office, we're going to get to the bottom of it and find out what we can do," said Councilmember Russell Johnson.

Homeowners who live directly off McKee Road say too many trucks travel near their homes.

"Not only is it the noise, but I worry about our house, the build of it, the stucco cracking, the concrete in the back, our patio," said Randon Blake, concerned resident.

Councilmember Johnson says code enforcement will investigate to see how many trucks are operating daily.

"They're going to go in there and look at exactly what these folks are permitted to operate with, what they're not allowed to do, and make sure they're conforming with their land use zoning and land use approvals."

On Thursday, the attorney for GIC released a statement, which reads in part, "All of GIC's trucks and equipment are locally purchased to support our local community. The trucks are cleaned every day before returning to the yard."

The statement continues, "An overpass is going to be built on McKee Road in the near future and regular vehicle traffic on this collector street will dwarf the noise impacts on our new neighbors."

GIC also points out it opened its business in 2002 and residents chose to move near it in 2008 when their homes were built.

Residents who want GIC to leave their neighborhood have started a petition.

BAKERSFIELD,CA - Heart disease doesn't discriminate.

"I was diagnosed at six weeks old. That's when I had my very first open heart surgery," said heart disease survivor Bianna Bravo.

At 19, Bravo has already had four open heart surgeries. "That's why I love sharing my story because that's what a lot of people think is that older people suffer from heart disease or from a heart attack," said Bravo.

Bravo shared her story at Go Red Por Tu Corazon or Go Red for Your Heart, an event aimed at spreading awareness to the community.

"Hispanic women are affected more by heart disease, more than any other population," said Marisol Ventura with Kern Family Health Care.

According to the American Heart Association, Kern County ranks last among California's 58 counties for incidents of heart disease. Kern County has more deaths from heart disease per capita than any other area in California. The numbers show for every 100,000 Kern County residents, 136 died from coronary heart disease between 2010 and 2012.

"We're investing in ourselves, our health, our bodies, our heart," said Victor Lopez, owner of Victor's Mexican Grill.

Lopez taught healthy cooking methods to the crowd. He says making simple choices like switching out fatty oils with olive oil, cutting out fats in meat,s and using salsas for flavor can make a difference in your diet. There were also health screenings to check blood pressure and blood sugar levels. But it wasn't all lecture, the ladies got up to dance to shed some calories.

"It's important to take care of yourself right now as soon as you can before it becomes an emergency," said Bravo

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Bakersfield police are asking for your help finding two men wanted for stealing cell phones from a store on Rosedale Highway. 

Police say on April 24, the men entered the Go Wireless business at 13133 Rosedale Hwy.  One of the men distracted an employee while the other man took three cellular telephones from the counter.

Both men fled from the business in a possible gold Chevrolet Malibu. Police describe one of the men as black early 17-18, 5’8”, 120-140 lbs., wearing a white t-shirt, tan shorts and black baseball cap.

The second is described as a black man, early 17-18, 5’8”, 120-140, wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans and black baseball cap.

If you have any information regarding this case, call Detective Brian Holcombe at (661) 326-3561 or Bakersfield police at (661) 327-7111.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Bakersfield police need your help finding two men suspected of a burglary in Rosedale. 

Police say the men entered a business at 8120 Rosedale Hwy on the afternoon of March 12.   One of the men allegedly grabbed a cell phone from a display and forcibly pulled it from the security cord. Both men fled from the business on foot. Police describe the first man as black, early 20’s, 5’10”-6’0”, medium build, wearing a red t-shirt, blue jeans and red shoes.

The second man is described as black, early 20’s, 5’10”-6’0”, medium build, wearing a black t-shirt, black jeans and dark shoes and a baseball cap.

If you have any information regarding this case, call Detective Joel Luera at (661) 326-3947 or Bakersfield police at (661) 327-7111.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- A local man with a famous name finds himself in jail.  Deputies say Elvis Presley, 55, of Bakersfield was among three people arrested Wednesday on Redbank Road in Lamont. 

Deputies had been investigating methamphetamine sales in the 5000 block of Redbank Road and a search warrant had been issued.  When deputies arrived they found 11 grams of meth, and a small amount of heroin.  They also found a stolen cargo trailer, guns and marijuana plants. 

Crews from Pacific Gas and Electric also responded because deputies say the suspects were illegally connected to the electricity grid. 

Also arrested were Steve Cockren, 57, of Bakersfield and Mary Corning, 44.  She was arrested on a felony warrant. 

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Seventy five Kern County veterans spent the day in our nation's capitol, touring the war memorials built in their honor, and much more.

The first stop, Arlington National Cemetery. At the Tomb of the Unknowns, our honor flight veterans joined several thousand other visitors for the changing of the guard. A ceremony performed with razor-sharp precision every hour of every day.

On the way back to our buses, dozens of school children visiting from Ohio and Tennessee stopped to salute Honor Flight. The day was punctuated by other impromptu surprises, World war surprises. World War II veteran Bill Davies suddenly finds himself surrounded by his grandson and his family, his grandson a legislative liaison for the Army at the Pentagon. "We're just so proud of him, I'm proud to be his grandson. He's always been a role model for his his hard work. It's just overwhelming."

And the pinnacle of the tour, the World War II memorial, an awe-inspiring structure erected to honor the world-changing sacrifices of our nation's greatest generation. "It's fabulous, this memorial, it's just so fabulous, and it took so long to get here."

Steady rain showers drove us back into the buses at midday. We detoured to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum for some bonus tourist time. Skies cleared by late afternoon and nearly 50 Korean War veterans got to see the memorial dedicated in their honor in 1995 inside a walled triangle, 19 larger-than-life stainless steel statues, representing a squadron on patrol, drawn from each branch of the service.  Polished volcanic rock of the 58,195 service members who died or are missing in action from the war in Southeast Asia.

So despite some inclement weather, we managed to get it all in, as we some unexpected time visiting the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. And Thursday, our honor flight tour will culminate with a barbecue at the US Navy yard for 11,500 service members, plus the 150 members of Honor Flight, catered by none other than Bakersfield's own "Cooks from the Valley."

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Many aspiring professional football players work toward the NFL Draft all their lives. Bakersfield's Derek Carr is one of those athletes.

Draft day will be one of the biggest days in his life. The NFL will announce first round draft picks Thursday night.

For Carr,  it's a family affair. His brother David was the number one overall pick back in 2002. Derek is expected to follow in his brother's footsteps.

He is expected to be picked up in the first round and will likely begin a promising career as a professional football player. Unlike most top prospects, he's not at the draft in New York. Instead, he's here at home.

Derek Carr said, "All that traveling I want to spend those 3 days working out in the gym and getting ready for mini camp and I don't want to do all the visits and parties I want to work and run and throw and I have so much family I am not getting there on my own and there are too many people that have helped me that i want to be around."

Family plays a major role in his life, working closely with his older brother.

"Ever since he was little I knew he would be looked at as a first round pick where will he go and I was just hoping I could be there for him and fortunately I have been," said David Carr.

As the dream plays out for Derek, he's still looking to his brother for guidance.

Derek Carr said, "Who else would you want the guy went number one in the draft, 13 years, a super bowl ring, you put that resume people wish that guy could help them he has been there the whole way, he made me move into his house, he dragged me because I didn't want to live with him. But no it has been good it has been a blessing."

Derek says the best advice his brother has given him is to enjoy it.

Derek Carr said, "Looking back at it everything flew by fast and you put this work into it and it is gone and it shows you how fast things go and have to enjoy it and that's one thing that is hard is to remember to enjoy the process."

The draft starts at 5 p.m Thursday.

If Derek is picked in the first round, he'll be on his way Thursday night to starting his NFL career in a new city.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Budget numbers show Kern Medical Center's finances are still spiraling out of control. As Kern County gets set to take on another $30 million deficit this year, we asked why? 
What we found is KMC loses more money than any county hospital in the state, and per patient it has the most staff and the highest spending, leaving some to wonder, do we need KMC? 
Counties are obligated to provide health care to the poor and uninsured. In Kern County, this includes thousands of undocumented immigrants, a population the Affordable Care Act does not help. Right now, that leaves the county to pick up the bill. 
According to KMC staff, keeping the hospital's doors open is a cost the county takes on every day, losing nearly $3 million a month.
"The hospital cannot continue at the rate that it is currently incurring," said County Supervisor Mike Maggard. 
Kern County is one of twelve counties with hospitals across the state. According to our analysis of data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, KMC is one of only two county-run hospitals that lost money in the last five years. The other is San Francisco General Hospital. But according to our analysis over the last five years, Kern County lost 14 times what San Francisco General lost. 
"It's a never ending saga like a TV series that never ends," said Mike Turnipseed, executive director of the Kern County Taxpayers Association. 
State data suggests a major issue is staffing. According to our analysis of data from the OSHPD, KMC has the most full-time equivalent staff per patient and spends the most money per patients of any county hospital. 
"Yes, Kern Medical Center has been overstaffed in the past," said Russell Judd, new CEO of Kern Medical Center. 
However, streamlining the roughly 1,400 employees isn't simple. County staff says current contracts guarantee employees a minimum number of hours regardless of how many patients are served.
"We have floors with a minimum patient population, with a maximum employee staff coverage, and it takes us weeks or months to adjust and flex to match our staffing with our patient load," said Supervisor Maggard. 
That's why Maggard is looking at another option, bringing in patients, specifically the 150,000 members with Medi-Cal that belong to the county-based insurance program, Kern Health Systems. Right now, Kern Health Systems said patients can be referred to various hospitals across Kern County and other parts of the state. 
"That system is broken at the moment, and it's a fundamental solution to KMC that we must fix," said Supervisor Maggard. 
Maggard said he wants all those patients referred to KMC and only KMC, something other Kern County hospitals say would affect their bottom line dramatically. 
So why does Kern County have KMC? According to county officials, the county is obligated to provide care for the poor and uninsured. But, it's not obligated to operate a hospital to provide this care. In fact, most other counties use different methods, methods Kern is considering. 
One option is to create an independently funded hospital authority, taking decision-making power away from the Board of Supervisors. The other option is to close KMC and contract with other Kern County hospitals to care for the uninsured. 
But, the idea of closing the county hospital isn't popular. 
"Shutting it down would be a failure," said Turnipseed.      And, a burden the other local hospitals would have to take over in the absence of KMC, something KMC CEO Russell Judd said currently other hospitals aren't taking on. In 2012, data from the OSHPD provided by KMC, show zero percent of patients at Mercy and Memorial Hospitals were considered uninsured the county is obligated to care for. At San Joaquin and Good Samaritan Hospitals, they accounted for one percent of their patients.  But at KMC, it accounts for 24 percent of its patients.
"Why is Kern Medical Center losing money? It's that right there," said Judd.      According to Judd, those uninsured are not expected to go away even with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. That's because not everyone qualifies for insurance under the federal law, namely the undocumented. 
"As the law is written we will always have a significant population of the uninsured," said John Nilon, Kern County Administrative Officer. 
Kern County said last year there were about 160,000 uninsured in the county. Since provisions of the Affordable Care Act took effect, the county said it cannot say for sure the number of uninsured, but early estimates show the uninsured only decreased to about 140,000, many of whom could be Kern's 119,000 illegal immigrants, people KMC will not turn away. 
"We're here to care for the people. That's why Kern Medical Center exists. We will never turn anyone away because of any type of status," said Judd. 
But, a ruling made ten days ago by a Fresno Superior Court judge is challenging that mandate, lifting a 30-year injunction requiring Fresno County to cover the undocumented.
"If we have sister counties in California that have been upheld in their positions that do not cover the undocumented that come to their door, I would like to see that." said Supervisor Maggard. 
But some say KMC is not just about caring for the uninsured, it's also essential to caring for the critically injured. That's because according to the state, KMC is the only trauma center between Fresno and Los Angeles.
"Where would those people go? I don't know. Without Kern Medical Center there's hundreds that don't survive," said Judd. 
And, potentially hundreds who no longer receive specialty care in Bakersfield. 
"We have on any day about 20 babies in that NICU. There are not an additional 20 beds in the neonatal intensive care unit in this town," said Judd. 
Judd also said without KMC there won't be enough rooms to deliver babies. 
"We deliver 220 or so babies each month," said Judd. "There is not the capacity in this town to deliver those babies. The community cannot live without Kern Medical Center. I've got to find a solution." 
Supervisors are scheduled to discuss the future of KMC at length Monday, May 12th. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Board of Supervisors chambers. 
17 News did reach out to San Joaquin and Mercy Memorial Hospitals about KMC. Here's how they answered our questions: 
Dignity Health: Mercy and Memorial Hospitals
1)     In light of KMC's fiscal troubles is Dignity in any talks with Kern County to possibly take on some of the responsibility of providing care for the uninsured and medically indigent? 
We do provide care for the uninsured and medically indigent. These patients present at all local hospitals. Kern Medical Center receives federal and state funding to support these patients. We care for all patients that present at our hospitals, regardless of their coverage. 
2)     Would any of your hospitals be willing to garner the necessary qualifications to become a trauma center in case the county closed KMC? 
The answer is yes. We have been approached by physicians and others in the community over the years but have declined because of our intent to fully support the trauma center at Kern Medical Center.
3) Kern County is considering mandating Kern Health Systems to refer its members only to KMC. What do you think of that? Would that substantially hurt business? 
We have negotiated a contract in good faith and have been a longtime supporter of Kern Health Systems. Such an action could result in a reduction in volume for all local hospitals and prevent Dignity Health from carrying out its mission to serve all of the residents of Kern County.
San Joaquin Community Hospital:

1) In light of KMC's fiscal troubles is San Joaquin in any talks with Kern County to possibly take on some of the responsibility of providing care for the uninsured and medically indigent? 
Kern Medical Center is an incredibly important component of our local health care community. The services they provide to many citizens of Kern County are invaluable and our hope is that KMC continues to move forward and be an active hospital in Bakersfield for many years to come. At San Joaquin Community Hospital, we are similarly committed to providing medical care that is both compassionate and of the highest quality to each of our patients. As a not-for-profit hospital, we are also focused on reaching out to the indigent populations in our community through multiple community benefit activities. In 2013, our hospital provided over $22 million in charity care to help offset the costs for patients that could not afford to pay their medical expenses. In addition, through programs like the Grossman's Burn Center Chevron fund and our Children's Mobile Immunizations Program, we are actively working to both prevent the spread of disease and assist families when the need for care arises. These activities are a major part of our mission of providing whole-person care."
2) Would any of your hospitals be willing to garner the necessary qualifications to become a trauma center in case the county closed KMC?
"Kern Medical Center has done a great job in running the trauma center for Bakersfield and Kern County. As KMC continues to operate as a trauma center at this time, there are no current plans for San Joaquin Community Hospital to open a competing service line. It wouldn't be fair to speculate on the myriad of "what-ifs" that would be present were KMC to close. If or when that situation arises, the local health care community would have a number of issues to collectively and individually assess. Certainly, the location of a new trauma center would be on the list." 
3) Kern county is considering mandating Kern Health Systems to referral its members only to KMC. What do you think of that? Would that substantially hurt business?
"Like KMC, Kern Health Systems is a core member of our local health care community. At San Joaquin Community Hospital and our affiliated outpatient services, we are committed to providing high quality care for all of our patients and their families, including those who are members of Kern Health Systems. Since no such mandate has been enacted by the county, it wouldn't be fair to speculate on the ramifications if such a decision were made. In health care, the only constant is change. At SJCH,  adjustments are constantly made to safeguard our hospital and give us the ability to quickly adapt to any situation." 

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Bakersfield police need your help to find a teenager they say broke a glass display case at a business in March. 

Police say he removed the loss from the display case at a store on Fashion Place and fled on foot. 

Police describe the teen as African American, medium height and thin build.  He was last seen wearing a black hoodie and dark jeans. 

If you have any information regarding his identity, call Detective Luera at 661-326-3947 or Bakersfield police at 661-327-7111. 

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is looking to hire fill 7,000 positions in the next three years and some of those jobs will be in Kern County.

The department says all of the 7,000 will be for correctional officers.  The department says the demand is due mostly because of retirements.

There will be open positions in Kern County.  To apply, you log onto www.joincdcr.com

FRESNO, CA-- The High-Speed Rail Authority Board approved the final Environmental Impact Report and the first 114-mile segment of the bullet train’s route Wednesday morning. That initial segment of track will run from Fresno to just north of 7th Standard Road.

The proposed route through downtown Bakersfield is still up for discussion, which will be taken up later this summer.

At the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting, both Ward 2 Councilmember Terry Maxwell and Bakersfield City Planning Director Jim Eggert voiced their opinions on the proposed route through downtown. Maxwell said the train should either go to the east or west of downtown, but not through it. Eggert said while the city supports High-Speed Rail, he’s still requesting at least a 60-day written notice for the city once a decision is reached on the route south of 7th Standard Road.

17’s Aric Richards is at the meeting and will have more details tonight on 17 News at 5 and 6.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A group of local seniors wants to move a get bus stop back in front of the facility in which they live in south Bakersfield. The group put together an emergency petition they handed to get officials during a board meeting Tuesday night.

The Golden Empire Transit District changed its bus routes in 2012, as part of a plan to make routes more efficient and reduce costs. In the process, it eliminated a stop at Plaza Towers near Wilson and Wible Roads.

Residents at the facility -- mostly seniors with disabilities -- say now they have to walk about four blocks to the nearest stop.

Plaza Towers resident Dean Wayne said, "One man was killed trying to cross the street trying to get to a bus stop because he could not see the car that came and struck him. Another women who was in a wheel chair was struck when she tried to get a bus stop. She was injured but not killed."

Plaza tower residents say the new bus stop is across the street on Wible Road.

"Crossing that street can be hazardous," Wayne said.

They say accessing the sub station, about three quarters of a mile away near Valley Plaza, makes it even more difficult for some people to get around town.

Wayne said, "We can't get to our doctors appointments we can't get out to do our personal business. We can't do our shopping, almost anything that we're trying to do without assistance."

GET spokesperson Gina Hayden says safety is a priority.

"We were not aware of the incidences in front of the Plaza Towers. We will absolutely look into that and see what those circumstances were," said Hayden.

Hayden says when the route was changed in 2012 -- there weren't enough customers to continue stopping on both sides of the street.

"The Plaza Towers, prior to the changes in the system in 2012, was served on both sides of the street, the bus went both ways. It now is served on only one side of the street, which is across the street from Plaza Towers," Hayden said.

She says there is a service for people who need additional transit assistance.

"We have a para-transit curb to curb service called Get A Lift. If a customer is unable to get to a bus stop, that qualifies them for get a lift," said Hayden.

For more information about get a lift call 869-2GET.

No action came out of the meeting, but Hayden says the board will consider the residents' concerns.

ARVIN, CA-- Residents in Arvin voiced their frustration at local officials and Petro Capital Resources Tuesday night over a field gas leak that forced 50 people to evacuate their homes in March.

Residents are frustrated because they thought Tuesday night at the city council meeting they were going to hear data from government officials detailing the cleanup process and what progress was being made. Instead they heard the city complain to the county, and the county complain to PCR about a lack of transparency in releasing data.

“We fully expected that we would have data released this evening and that we would get some information along with you and we are very disappointed,” said Leticia Perez, District 5 Kern County Supervisor.

One of the evacuated homes was broken into last week even though PCR hired a private security firm to watch over the area.

"The items piled up outside, and were still in the process of burglarizing the house, as I understand it, when security forces discovered the break in,” said Louis Cobarruviaz, Arvin Police Chief.

Arvin police say they have made one arrest and have two juvenile suspects while the burglaries are being investigated. For homeowners they just want to know when they will be able to return home and when they do, if it is going to be safe.

"I don't want to bring my kids to that house until they tell me the house, or they can prove the house is safe, and good for my kids,” said Andy Lara, evacuated resident.

An outline of the health and safety standards PCR must meet before residents can move back into their homes was presented at the meeting. However, a timeline for completion of those goals was not.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The Contractor's State License Board has cited a Bakersfield man for various violations during an undercover sting in east Bakersfield. 

Donald Ray Laverdure was among several contractors who were cited after investigators had posed as homeowners on April 30th at an east Bakersfield home.  The investigators would ask the suspects to bid on several projects including painting, patio construction and tree trimming.  Laverdure was also taken into custody for DUI and domestic violence warrants, according to a CSLB news release. 

Nine people had been cited for contracting without a license.  Six suspects according to the news release were cited for illegal advertising which is a misdemeanor. 

The CSLB says among those cited were Frank Tirado, Jim Scott Meadors, Raymond Lee Rangel, Richard G. Palezyan, Heriberto Gonzalez Rodriguez, Julian Robert Baca, Wulfrano Briviesca Lopez and Librado Mateo-Mondragon.

For more information about hiring contractors log on to www.cslb.ca.gov or calling CSLB's toll-free automated line, 800.321.CSLB (2757).