CHEYENNE, WY-- Self-proclaimed dog rescuer Kimi Peck has taken her show on the road, it seems. Nearly four years after she surrendered more than 140 dogs to authorities in Tehachapi, Peck Friday crossed paths with animal control officers in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The last we heard from Kimi Peck she had taken a plea deal with county prosecutors,walking away from a dozen charges connected to the rescue operation she was running illegally in Tehahcapi. Officials actually called it dog hoarding. When it was all over rescue teams tagged and processed at least 144 dogs from the home Peck was evicted from.

Friday animal control officials took 54 dogs from a fifth-wheel trailer Peck was living out of in Cheyenne.

KWGN-TV reporting that Peck had been cited in April for not having the proper rabies tags on her dogs. When she pulled up at a veterinary clinic Friday to get 30 dogs vaccinated animal control intervened taking 54 dogs to the local shelter to check their health.

“It's kinda hard at this point,” said Debbie Lee with Cheyenne Animal Control. “Right now it's kinda get them into the crates, so we can get them checked out and see what condition they are in.”

Animal control officers say the dogs appear to be in good health. People living in Cheyenne are not allowed to own more than four dogs by law, but Peck wasn't arrested. If she had been all of her dogs would have to be held as evidence for 30 days so they couldn't be adopted out or taken in by foster families.

Kimi Peck has become a target of animal rights groups. A Facebook page was created last month with the heading “Where on earth is Kimi Peck?" Now they know.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The following is news release from the Bakersfield Police Department:

On May 2, 2014, the Bakersfield Police Department began receiving information that several students at Centennial High School had baked cupcakes tainted with bodily fluids including semen and fecal matter. These reports were received primarily through social media sources. At the request of the Kern High School District, Bakersfield police officers and detectives were dispatched to initiate an investigation. Thus far our investigation has revealed that this matter was thoroughly investigated by the Kern High School District Police Department and Centennial High School personnel prior to our arrival.

Their investigation indicated that there were no bodily fluids or poisonous substances baked into the cupcakes. Suspect and witness statements indicated all foreign substances baked into the cupcakes were household kitchen items such as mayonnaise, barbeque sauce and soy sauce and all edible. One of the students mentioned a hair from her head mixed into the cake batter and another student had mentioned semen but there is no evidence and witness statements contradict that allegation. All of the involved students’ families were notified and none of the families wished any further action other than the administrative process that will take place through Centennial High School and the Kern High School District. The tainted cupcakes were all destroyed prior to police notification.

It was reported that several students tasted the cupcakes and due to the poor taste immediately spit them out, however one student consumed an entire cupcake despite the poor taste. That student stayed home the following day due to stomach cramps and throwing up. No students required medical aid. At this point in the investigation it appears this event can best be categorized as a high school prank however the investigation is still on-going.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call Detective Ted King at (661) 326-3857 or the Bakersfield Police Department at (661) 327-7111.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Call it wheeling and dealing, bargain hunting or popping tags, the annual Junkatique is on. The rummage sale at Calvary Bible Church opened Friday morning to a swarm looking for a steal.

The church collected donations for nine months for the sale. It is legendary to people who have lived in Bakersfield for a while. They don't want to miss a deal.　

Deal dashers put it in fifth gear Friday morning, racing to the rummage sale for must-haves.

Tiffany Rojas was asked if it is a pretty serious sale. She said, "Oh yeah, it's huge, huge."

"Um yeah, to say it mildly, it's overwhelming," said Pastor of Calvary Bible Church, Steve Truitt.

Calvary Bible Church has held the sale for over 25 years. The money raised helps missionaries locally and around the world. They are currently working on building a church in Mexico.

"You know, this is part of helping not only our own community, but helping folks around the world these folks will never see," said Truitt.

Throngs of thrifters even spent the night in anticipation of the sale. The first bargain buster, Alvin Deshieles, spent eleven hours in line.

"There's something in there I want so I figured I'd get it," said Deshieles.

Bargain hunter Kristina George was asked if she was spending more then she has planned. "Possibly," she answered. "But, the deals are so good, and I mean, I just got a ton of irises for much better than I would get at the garden center."

From furniture and fancy pigs, figurines, and new wheels, it's all up for grabs until Junkatique 2014 is a wrap.

"People don't really need those things, but it brings us memories and that's what is good about it," said Truitt.

Junkatique is open Saturday, May 3rd, from 6:00 am to noon.

If you have something you'd like to donate for next years sale, you can call 327-5921 for information.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Bakersfield family is starting over after losing everything in a house fire Wednesday.

The property owner says he doesn't think there were any smoke detectors in the home, but still rented it out to the family last month.

Smoke detectors are required in all homes under California law, but the property owner says he didn't know that. He says he never had the property inspected.

Now, the family who rented that home is just thankful they're all safe after what could have been a tragedy.

"We got a loud knock at the door and they said 'your house is on fire, the back of your house' and we're like no there's nobody back there what do you mean? And, we open the door and there was just flames."

And, those flames quickly tore through the home in the 3700 block of L Street in northeast Bakersfield Wednesday, destroying everything Randi Reddick, her boyfriend, and their three young children owned.

"I actually just packed up from the motel they gave me for two nights now. I actually don't know where we're going for the day," Reddick said.

"It's kind of weird because I don't know how it started and it's sad and I lost everything and I don't know what to do," said 12-year-old Arionna Salazar.

The property's owner, Bernard Bugarin, says the home still needed some minor renovations. But other hazards, like live wires hanging from the ceiling, were not immediately fixed.

"That's the way I bought the house. I thought it was part of the house connection because it is an older house. It's a hundred year old house so I have no idea if those wires were to code or not," Bugarin said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but both Bugarin and Reddick say it was electrical.

If you would like to help the family you can contact Andrae Gonzalez from Stewards Inc. at 565-4636.

Gonzalez says the biggest need right now is cash donations to help get this family into a new home.

MCFARLAND, CA -- A McFarland man is facing almost three dozen felony sex charges after police say he had molested a then 11-year-old girl for several years.  Miguel Herrera, 39, was booked Thursday on 34 felony counts and is being held on more than $3 million dollars bail. 

McFarland police say their investigation began Monday and an emergency protective order was issued against Herrera.  Detectives say Herrera admitted to the molestation allegations provided by the victim. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jerrod Place at 661-792-2121 extension 3207.  Herrera is expected to be arraigned on the charges Monday. 

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Cat lovers who are looking to adopt a furry friend can do so for a special price on Fridays throughout the month of May. 

During the promotion, all cats can be adopted for $5 at all three Kern County Animal Services shelters in Bakersfield, Mojave and Lake Isabella.  Typical adoption fees according to Animal Services are normally $40 and $50.  All of the fees include spay/neuter, first set of vaccinations, microchip, rabies vaccination, flea treatment and de-wormer. 

For information on adopting a pet, please email adopt@co.kern.ca.us or call 661-868-7100 Monday-Friday between 8 am and 5 pm.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Navy SEAL commander who starred in the 2012 film "Act of Valor" was in Bakersfield Thursday night, to support the families of fallen soldiers.

Navy SEAL Commander Rorke Denver says he knows too many families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty. The gala was dedicated to raising funds and awareness for those who are not on the front lines of battle, but who deal with the pain that comes from losing a loved one.

He starred in the hit film "Act of Valor." Navy SEAL and author, Rorke Denver, was keynote speaker at the inaugural "Red, White, and Blue Gala" benefiting T.A.P.S.- the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

"Warriors, in general, are prepared for that ultimate sacrifice. You don't train to pay that ultimate price, but you're obviously aware that, that's a potential in your job. Sadly, it feels like it's the families who pay the tax of those decisions and that sacrifice," said Denver.

T.A.P.S. is a national organization dedicated to helping families cope with the loss of a loved one who served in our armed forces.

"Our families here in Kern County are so grateful to the support T.A.P.S. has provided. They've been connected to other survivors who have suffered a similar loss and they've found hope and healing," said president and founder of T.A.P.S., Bonnie Carroll.

T.A.P.S. has helped more than 200 local families throughout its 20 years of service. Organizers of the gala hoped to raise $75,000 - $100,000 that will go toward seminars, grief counseling, and summer camps for children of fallen warriors.

"We're such a patriotic and generous and giving community, and now we want to start what we call a third triad to help the families of our veterans, especially those killed in active duty," said Jim Tague of E&B Natural Resources, the company that sponsored the gala.

For Denver, Kern County's military supportive reputation preceded itself.

"It's super special to be in a place where service is much more the norm, than a very unlikely path for a man or woman who wants to serve," Denver said.

On Friday, there will be a golf tournament benefiting T.A.P.S. at the Bakersfield Country Club.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Preparations are underway for the country's biggest 24-hour cancer fundraiser.

Organizers of Bakersfield's Relay for Life, say more than $1 million has already been raised for cancer research.

So far, 290 teams have registered for the event, with nearly 4,000 participants.

Survivors say it's a time to come together and make Relay for Life even bigger.

It's also an event that helps Lisa Sadro, a two-time breast cancer survivor. This year, she and her friends have their own team.

"We're called the "Breast Friends" because we're all best friends and it's breast cancer. We just thought it was the cutest thing," said Sadro.

After she was first diagnosed with cancer in 2010, Sadro quit her job and decided to give her kids her undivided attention.

"At the end of the day, I don't want to say that I've worked all my life. I want to say that I've experienced life with my kids and I was there. I was part of their school.I was part of their after school sports. I never missed a game. That's the stuff that's important to me," Sadro continued.

"She's the strongest lady I know," said Ashley McMahan, Sadro's best friend. "Everything that she's gone through, she's done it with a smile and kept everyone in awe of her. She's an amazing lady."

Cancer survivors say Relay for Life makes you realize how precious life is and that cancer research is not over.

"Everybody in one way or another is going to benefit from the research that's being done whether it's you, your family member or your best friend," said Patsy Romero, breast cancer survivor.

"2,900 people will be diagnosed with cancer in Kern County this year, but we'll see fewer people die of cancer this year. So, it's another amazing testimony to the advances we're seeing in research," said Brittney Neal, American Cancer Society.

ACS says research is critical to cancer patients and survivors.

"We're going to finish the fight and we're going to keep moving forward because that's our passion and mission to celebrate more birthdays and have a better world and better future that's cancer free," Romero continued.

Opening ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, with the survivor's lap starting at 10 a.m.

BAKERSFIELD, CA --Bakersfield Police need your help finding a sex offender and parolee they say who has disabled his ankle monitor and his location is unknown.

He has been identified as Phillip Eugene Williams, 33.  He is 5’11”, and weighs 190 lbs.

If you have any information, call Bakersfield police at (661) 327-7111.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Bakersfield police say two Kern County Sheriff's deputies were arrested late Wednesday night after a fight involving several people at a restaurant in southwest Bakersfield. 

Police say their investigation revealed three suspects were initially involved in a fight inside Applebee's on Ming Avenue  and several other patrons and employees attempted to separate the combatants.

After the fight one of the suspects, Sean Curtis, 24, of Bakersfield, fled in a vehicle driven by Curtis’ girlfriend and was stopped by officers a short distance away. The other two suspects, Christopher Saldana, 23, and Jonathan Nunez, 23, both of Bakersfield, who identified themselves as Kern County Sheriff’s Deputies, remained at the scene.

Witness and suspect statements indicated that the fight started over comments made about Curtis’ girlfriend. Curtis requested citizen arrests of Saldana and Nunez and Nunez requested a citizen arrest of Curtis.

Officers accepted their citizen arrests. Saldana and Curtis were arrested for fighting in public, assault and public intoxication.

Nunez was arrested for fighting in public and assault. All were booked into the Kern County Jail.  A sheriff's spokesman says Saldana and Nunez are on paid administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation.  All three people have been released on bail. 

If you have information regarding this case call Bakersfield Police at (661) 327-7111.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Bakersfield police say a 72-year-old man suffered minor injuries after a crash Thursday morning in central Bakersfield. 

Police say the man had to be rescued by firefighters after the Nissan pickup he was driving was struck by a Ford F-450 work truck, towing an empty cement trailer.  It was heading eastbound on Brundage Lane.  The 72-year-old man had been pinned inside after the collision.  The investigation found the Nissan had ran a red light before the collision with the work truck. 

The Ford was driven by a 24-year-old man who was not injured.  Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.  If you have any information, you're asked to call Bakersfield police at 661-327-7111. 

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A group of local veterans is coming together through art -- to recognize women who served in the military. They say the female veteran is often overlooked.

The committee formed about a year ago, in an effort to reach female veterans in our community. This Saturday, the group is inviting women to come share their story of service through an art project.

Women Veterans Advisory Committee member Jeannine Waits said, "We're going to decorate our combat boot in a way that reflects how we each have viewed our own military journey and how that's maybe impacted our civilian lives."

"Walk a Mile in My Boots" is a creative workshop for female veterans.

Committee member Jenny Frank said, "Well I served four years in the Marine Corps. I served from 1989 to 1993, during Desert Storm."

"I was in the Air Force. I'm actually a third generation Air Force," said Waits.

Committee chair Deborah Johnson said, "I joined the military, the Wisconsin National Guard when I was a senior in high school."

Each woman has a different story, but they all face similar challenges.

"When we leave the military, we take on completely different roles than our male counterparts do when they leave. We become mother, we become wives, we go into the workforce and so those different roles that we take on kind of tend to bury what we did in the military, as far as our own personal identity," said Waits.

The California Veterans Assistance Foundation's Women Veterans Advisory Committee aims to locate females who were in the military and honor them for their service.

Johnson said, "It is a part of who we are and we need to be proud of it and let people know."

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are almost 185,000 female vets in California. So far, the local committee has identified 135 in our area.

"Kern County, being such a large veteran population, that we do have a lot of women veterans out there and there are a lot that haven't been reached yet and just don't know that there are those services out there for them," said Frank.

The group hopes events like "Walk a Mile in My Boots" will help get the word out to more local women.

Waits said, "We want to be able to gather with other women veterans and talk and share the stories and share the memories, share the experience and share the recovery."

The event is Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Mercy Art and Spirituality Center downtown. It's free, but registration is required. To register call 632-5747 and leave a message with your name and phone number.

The combat boots will be provided. Organizers say veterans are encouraged to bring patches, tags or anything to personalize the boots. They also say art experience isn't necessary.

To register, click on the link below.

http://www.mercybakersfield.org/PATIENTS_AND_VISITORS/ART_FOR_HEALING/INDEX.HTM

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- More than 150 Chevron employees have pledged to give back to their community at the 2014 Humankind nonprofit expo.  The event held Tuesday in southwest Bakersfield put together the employees with more than 30 non-profit organizations. 

The goal of the event was to among other things identify board leaderships and charitable donation opportunities for Chevron's employees.  Organizers say the employees can give up to $10,000 of their own money and Chevron was expected to match that donation.  Last year, Chevron employees volunteered more than 7,700 hours to benefit more than a hundred non profits. 

For more information about the company's community programs you can log on to www.chevron.com/countries/usa/chevronincalifornia/partneringwithcalifornia/

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The county is still reeling from Tuesday's grim financial news from Kern Medical Center losing $3 million a month, and the hospital is again considering layoffs. But it brings up the question, do we need this county hospital? 
The county studied eliminating KMC in a report in November. Its answer? We don't need a county hospital by law, but the county is obligated to take care of indigent or poor and uninsured people.
At the Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, KMC officials told county officials the hospital is losing patients and as a result, revenue, up to $30 million this fiscal year. It's a rate county staff says is unsustainable.
"It's a needed entity that cannot exist in its current environment," said Russell Judd, CEO of Kern Medical Center Tuesday. 
Which is why Tuesday Supervisor Mike Maggard asked this question. 
"The county should evaluate whether or not we should have a hospital," said Supervisor Maggard. 
County staff studied this in November, drafting this study. By law, the county needs to provide care to the uninsured and poor, but it doesn't need a county hospital to do so. In fact, only 11 of 58 California counties have a county hospital. 
"The county is considering all of its options," said Chief County Administrative Officer John Nilon. 
Nilon said the county could create a separate hospital authority to run KMC or contract out services to another hospital . So far, no Kern County hospital has volunteered to help.
"We're going to need them to come to the table to share some of the load and continue to benefit the community," said Nilon. 
If the county loses KMC, it will lose more than a county hospital. It's the only Level 1 Trauma Center and the only teaching hospital in the county, not requirements but definitely a benefit according to county staff. 
"Kern Medical Center plays a vital role saving thousands of lives every day," said Judd. 
But, if KMC doesn't bandage its financial wounds soon, supervisors warn the whole county could bleed out.
"Are we only going to have county government operate a hospital?" said Supervisor Maggard.
All of these questions will be addressed at a special day-long meeting May 12th. 

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- His name is Larry Murray, but his co-workers at Occidental Petroleum may be calling him "Lucky Larry" from now on.  During the Links for Life golf tournament Monday at Seven Oaks Country Club, Murray "aced" the par-3 eighth hole and won a three-year lease on a brand new Lexus RX 350.

"I went with a 7 iron. Wasn't going to but one of my playing partners said the wind was with us so I switched at the last second, stood up, took a swing. It's a tough hole to hit and I hit it. I never got to see the ball go in but I heard the ladies screaming and I said either an animal has bitten someone or I did something really good," says Murray. 

This is the first time a golfer has won a car with a hole in one in the 21-year history of the Links for Life golf tournament in Bakersfield.  It was Murray's fifth "ace", but his first with a prize attached. Murray will enjoy a no-cost lease on that SUV for three years, courtesy of Motor City Lexus.

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A civil case against the Kern High School District will continue Thursday.

Parents of a young, autistic woman claim their daughter was mentally damaged when she was sexually assaulted at school five years ago.

On Wednesday, the girl's stepmother and a teacher's aide took the stand.

The girl's stepmother says her daughter has changed since the attack. She told the jury and judge her daughter no longer touches or hugs boys or men, not even her father.

The incident happened in October 2009 at Independence High School. That's when a teacher's aide found the, then, 16-year-old autistic girl with an autistic boy, both with their pants down in the bathroom.

On Wednesday, the high school district's attorney showed the girl's stepmother pictures of her daughter after the attack, which show the girl smiling. But, her stepmother testified, not all of those smiles were genuine.

In fact, she said it seems in some, her daughter was agitated and it appeared she was told to pose.

The school contends expert psychologists say they cannot find the girl was damaged from the incident.

"This is a national precedent," said Ralph Wegis, attorney for the family. "This will be a road show on how to defend sexually assaulted autistic children cases, that it's harmless, that it means nothing, that it's o.k. to do this because it is without harm. And, this is critically important that it gets stopped right here because we have people that are in charge of these children that are putting forth this position. This attitude of this leadership that when our children are there, if they are sexually assaulted, it's harmless."

The aide who found the students in the bathroom testified Wednesday he did not consider the whining, crying sound he heard the girl making from the bathroom unusual. He said the, then, 16-year-old would make that sound a hundred times a day.

Again, the Kern High School District did not comment.

This case is expected to last three weeks.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Country music star Josh Turner is coming to Bakersfield this fall. His "Roughstock and Rambler tour" is making a stop at the Fox Theater November second.

Ticket pre-sales are Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.  The promotion code is "Rambler."

For ticket information visit the Fox box office, or go to www.vallitix.com

BAKERSFIELD, CA-- Potential layoffs could be looming at Kern Medical Center as it was revealed Tuesday as the county hospital continues to lose more than $3 million a month.

CFO Sandra Martin and CEO Russell Judd appeared Tuesday morning with more grim news for eight months of budget activity presented through February. They revealed KMC lost $3.4 million in February.

"As an organization, it's a needed entity that cannot exist in its current environment," Judd said.

The main reasons they say is fewer patients than budgeted for, compensating physicians and mainly managing salaries, wages and benefits for staff whose numbers can vary based on patient admittance.

"The biggest struggle of managing health care is you have to match staffing to that volume and it's hard, we're beginning to, I had lunch with some of the staff last Friday and some of the nurses saying, it's hard, we come in, we don't have the staff we're used to and you're having to make changes,” Judd said.

The board and Judd discussed the possibility of layoffs but those wouldn't be easy and would take considerable time to implement.

"There are specific elements of the layoff which would require individuals to be noticed, then individuals would have an opportunity to bump, based on seniority in other positions that they have held in the past,” said John Nilon, Kern County Administrative Officer. “That then requires those individuals who would be bumped to receive the 30 day notice, and so on and so on and so on. Because of that, it can be a very lengthy process to layoff staff."

Nilon added the layoff process could swell to as long as 90 days.

BAKERSFIELD, CA-- Golden Empire Transit bus drivers and maintenance workers Tuesday night rejected the latest contract offer from management. It's a bold move by union members considering their current contract will expire soon.

A veteran bus driver told 17 News one of the main reasons for voting down the contract was union members did not like a rule that employees must work at least 2,080 before they are eligible for a raise. Under this proposal if an employee calls in sick or misses work it will delay the raise until the hours are met. They are used to getting annual pay hikes regardless of the hours worked. 17 News talked with a GET official about the union vote and the possibility of a strike.

"Well we will go back to the table and we will certainly be bargaining in good faith and truly believe they are doing the same,” said Gina Hayden, GET. “We feel that we will come to an agreement fairly quickly. We want what's best for our employees and we also want what's best for the district."

Negotiations for the GET employees were being handled by the teamsters from local 517 in Visalia. A Teamster official said it was not likely a strike would occur, for now.

SHAFTER, CA - Shafter area schools will not be unifying under one district anytime soon. The Richland School District board voted Tuesday to delay a vote, so more studies could be done. 
The seats were filled in Shafter Tuesday night to discuss forming a new district.
"The communication to this point has been dismal, and it looks like you don't know anymore than I do," said Michael Carty of Shafter.      That's why the district brought in its outside attorney. He and district staff drafted a feasibility study that came out in March. It says the Richland School District has the funds to merge its junior high and elementary schools with Shafter High School. But some in Tuesday's audience, disagreed with the studies findings.
"Should we be speculating on a newly unified district that has already shown fiscal irresponsibility in a study that is supposed to display its feasibility?," said Pablo Reyes, a teacher at Shafter High School. 
The idea behind unification is to get the best by providing a consistent education kindergarten through 12th grade.  "We can all agree in this room we want the best for our children, and I think if we look at the results of our schools we haven't hit the best yet," said Natalie Feinberg, a teacher at Shafter High School. 
But, some feel unification is an effort not for students but of a few administrators looking for more control, citing lines from the district's study.
"It states the theme of unification is simple local responsibility," said Brian Feaster, a teacher at Shafter High School. "It should state it is there for the betterment of our students not local responsibility A.K.A. power grab. That's how a lot of people feel." 
Richland School District Superintendent Ken Bergevin was hoping to put the unification measure to a vote for all residents on the November ballot.
Instead, after an hour of testimony the board decided to delay the vote to an unknown time and form a subcommittee of two board members to study the issue without the district staff.