UPDATE: Los Angeles man identified as victim of shooting outside Basham Funeral Care  KERO 23ABC News

Kern County officials: "You can't cancel Halloween"  KERO 23ABC News

With change in the wind, Bakersfield could see a brief respite from wildfire smoke  The Bakersfield Californian

Fires leave Bakersfield families homeless  KGET 17

Murder suspect among those wounded in Bakersfield shooting  KERO 23ABC News

Suspected burglar shot by homeowner while attempting to break into Southwest Bakersfield home  KERO 23ABC News

'Ankle-biter' mosquito now a permanent resident of Kern  The Bakersfield Californian

Hair salons, malls and libraries can reopen Monday under new rules  The Bakersfield Californian

Amazon Fulfillment Center opens in Bakersfield  KERO 23ABC News

Amazon Fulfillment Center opens in Bakersfield  KERO 23ABC News

Support for backyard hens in Bakersfield grows as advocates attempt for legalization within city limits  The Bakersfield Californian

Support for backyard hens in Bakersfield grows as advocates attempt for legalization within city limits  The Bakersfield Californian

Bakersfield allocates $5 million for COVID-19 rental assistance  Bakersfield Now

Bakersfield Police Department looking for suspect vehicle following deadly shooting in Central Bakersfield  KERO 23ABC News

A call for change event held in Central Bakersfield after a deadly shooting  KERO 23ABC News

Local hospitals seek 'hundreds' more workers as surge looms  The Bakersfield Californian

Local hospitals seek 'hundreds' more workers as surge looms  The Bakersfield Californian

BAKERSFIELD, CA - June 6, 1944 marks 70 years since Allied troops stormed the shores of western Europe, known as D-Day. While we prepare to commemorate the pivotal date in U.S. and World History, World War II veterans who were there reflect back.

Boatswain's Mate Second Class, Willis Shepard was 24 years old.

"Sometimes I think that it was yesterday," laughed Shepard, "But, again, it has been a long time."

Shepard was on board the U.S.S. Texas off the coast of Normandy.

"We came in with our 14 inch guns and came in from the side and blew them open," said Shepard.

His job was to target roads and rails, blocking German access to supplies. But, he couldn't help but focus a mile in as Americans and Allies tried to charge the beach.

"The first wave that went ashore, they mutilated them. The Germans just shot up the landing craft and guys were in the water. It was pretty blood thirsty when the first wave went in," said Shepard. "I hope they remember it was the turning point of the war, turning point of humanity really. It was the biggest undertaking that probably ever will be taken."

In the air, Air Force pilot, Keith Bratton, was in a B-24.

"It was the longest and the most, hardest ordeal I've ever been through," said Bratton.

Bratton was ordered to fly the liberator, loaded with bombs, and head toward the beaches.

"Right after takeoff, my number one engine caught on fire. And, I had to feather, shut down the engine and feather, of course," said Bratton.

Unable to keep up with formation, Bratton was forced to turn back to home base.

"No, I was not happy at all because I lost a lot of friends who were in the infantry tank commanders storming the Omaha Beach," said Bratton. When asked if he wondered if his bombs could have protected them, Bratton, with emotion building, said, "Yes."

On the ground, Army Staff Sergeant Ernest Roberts faced the Germans on Omaha Beach.

"There was a ship come in right in front of me and not one soldier got off of it. Not one. Not one. Nothing but arms, legs, and equipment went just like that," said Roberts waving his arms around him.

Of the 72 soldiers on Robert's landing craft, only seven survived.

"I crawled around there and I got a rifle from a dead soldier was laying there, and I went in and got started," said Roberts. "Whew," he continued with tears in his eyes. "You can't ever get it out of your system. It's too much."

It is too much to ever forget and ever take for granted. What are stories now, were reality to these veterans who faced the unthinkable for our freedom.

"It bothers me when the National Anthem (is playing) and you see people turn their backs and walk or talk or skip or jump instead of standing at attention and listen to what it is saying. It means lots. It means everything," said Roberts.

On Friday, you can thank these three men as well as four other local veterans who survived Normandy, at a special ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day. It is at 10 a.m. at the Kern Veterans Memorial Plaza and is organized by Kern County Veterans Service and Honor Flight Kern County. The public is encouraged to attend.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- A judge has delayed sentencing for a man convicted in the death of a 10-week-old baby.  In March, Kylor Smith-Sims pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter and first-degree burglary for the death of 10-week-old Travion Smith-Sims in March 2012.

The father iniitally said he dropped his infant son.   But the coroner found the infant suffered 12 broken ribs, three skull fractures, and bleeding in the brain.

In exchange, first-degree murder and assault on a child causing great bodily injury charges were dropped.

Smith-Sims faces 12 years and four months in prison.  Sentencing is now set for July 8. 

SACRAMENTO, CA -- Kern Valley State Prison in Delano is among 14 prisons statewide receiving grant money for arts-in corrections programs. 

Officials with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation say the programs will offer an array of performing, literary and visual arts disciplines such as theater, music, dance, creative writing, poetry, storytelling, painting, drawing and sculpture.

“Structured arts programs have proven results,” said CDCR Secretary Jeff Beard. “Not only are inmates channeling their energy into constructive, creative projects, they are also learning new skills and expressing themselves in positive ways.”

CDCR committed $1 million to the Arts-in-Corrections program for fiscal year 2013-2014 and has committed to provide $1.5 million next fiscal year.

“Arts engagement is a valuable rehabilitation method that can provide positive change for inmates and for communities across our state,” said Wylie Aitken, Chair of the California Arts Council. “The Arts Council is pleased to award contracts to these exceptional organizations, in partnership with CDCR. The arts are a powerful tool that can address many of the challenges facing the state of California.”