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.”

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The theme at the Market Place Thursday was saving a life and the theme song, was "Staying Alive." San Joaquin Community Hospital and the Bakersfield Fire Department teamed up for Sidewalk CPR Day.

Volunteers taught people the basic life-saving skill of hands-only CPR, to the tune of the Bee-Gee's song "Staying Alive." "Anyone can learn it. It only takes 5 minutes. And what it does, in the past you think of CPR, you think of people doing mouth to mouth, and the compressions and stuff. And most people don't want to get involved with a situation like that because they're afraid to do mouth to mouth. But with the latest research and stuff just by doing compressions only, they're realizing that's as effective as what they thought was better years ago," said Cpt. Mike Lencioni with the Bakersfield Fire Department.

Learning hands-only CPR does not mean you are certified in CPR, but officials say knowing the technique could save a life.

If you missed the training but would like to learn hands-only CPR, you can call the public education department with the Bakersfield Fire Department. The number is 661-326-3696.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The latest real estate report from appraiser Gary Crabtree shows a big bump in prices and homes sales here in Kern County.

Crabtree says homebuying is entering its prime season with more homes listed for sale and an increase in homes sold. The median price bumped up nearly 6 percent in May from April to a little more than $209,000.

Crabtree says that's a more manageable increase compared to last year's 30-percent hike in prices.  Still, he says only one half of the median income families can afford a median priced home in the Bakersfield market.

While more homes are receiving multiple offers more buyers are asking for help with closing costs.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- Red light cameras are here to stay.  The council approved a one-year extension on its contract with Redflex Traffic systems to operate red light cameras at twelve intersections in Bakersfield.

The vote was 6 to 1, with Russell Johnson in opposition.

Supporters said the cameras increase roadway safety.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The Kern County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 in closed session Tuesday to authorize county counsel to file a lawsuit against California’s High-Speed Rail Authority.

It claims the authority violated California’s Environmental Quality Act by certifying its Environmental Impact Report last month for the first line of the track between Fresno and Bakersfield. Chairman Leticia Perez was the only no vote.

The lawsuit is expected to be filed by Friday, June 6.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- A Kern County Sheriff's detention deputy convicted for assault with a firearm on a person was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday morning.

A jury convicted 30-year-old James Tackitt in May for holding his wife against her will in their closet in January and pointing a gun at her head.

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- You'll want to bring your appetite when you shop the outlets at Tejon. On Wednesday, developers announced, more restaurants are signing on to the project.

They include Don Perico's, Wing Stop, Tony's pizza, Juicy Burger and Dewar's. Construction of the outlets at tejon is still underway.

The mall is selling tickets to its grand opening party on August sixth, to raise money for local charities; those without a ticket can shop beginning August 7.

An investigation was launched Thursday into the death of an inmate at the California Correctional Institution in Tehacapi.

Oscar Rendon, 41, was found unresponsive in his cell around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday. He was taken to prison medical clinic where he was later prounced dead, according to a news release from the Kern Sheriff's Office.

An autopsy was set to be performed to determine a cause of Rendon's death.

Prison officials say the alleged suspect in the case is identified as inmate Billy Guzman, 53, who is serving a 94-years-to-life sentence from Santa Clara County for assault with a deadly weapon. Guzman was received into CDCR on September 6, 1986.

Temperature: 88.3°F / 31.3°C | Humidity: 10% | Pressure: 29.81in / 1009hPa (Falling) | Conditions: Clear | Wind Direction: SSE | Wind Speed: 23.0mph / 37.0km/h

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Temperature: 73.8°F / 23.2°C | Humidity: 13% | Pressure: 29.96in / 1014hPa (Falling) | Conditions: Clear | Wind Direction: SE | Wind Speed: 14.1mph / 22.7km/h

Temperature: 95.6°F / 35.3°C | Humidity: 3% | Pressure: 29.73in / 1007hPa (Falling) | Conditions: Clear | Wind Direction: SSW | Wind Speed: 2.0mph / 3.2km/h

Temperature: 88.4°F / 31.3°C | Humidity: 23% | Pressure: 29.78in / 1008hPa (Falling) | Conditions: Clear | Wind Direction: NNW | Wind Speed: 3.0mph / 4.8km/h

BAKERSFIELD, CA -- The Buena Vista Museum of Natural History in Bakersfield is offering several science sessions for first through sixth graders.  The camps start in the first week of July.  Space is limited to 25 students per session. 

July 7th - 10th – DINOSAUR WEEK: Everything you always wanted to know about Dinosaurs, but were afraid to ask! A fun exploration of the massive creatures that lived more than 65 million year ago.

July 14th – 17th – Having Fun with Science! Explore the WEIRD, the WILD, and WACKY World Science! July 21st -24th

SPACE WEEK! Astronomy: Exploring the vast world of outer space! The Moon, Sun, Stars, Planets and much more!

July 28- 31st – SHARK WEEK: The Big, the Bad, and the Ugly Sharks! Everything you want to know about Sharks!

Sessions run Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. Cost - $85.00 (Members of the Museum $75.00) per student/per session. Mid-morning snack, Camp T-shirt and materials included. Sign-up and pay for 2 sessions to receive a $5 discount. *

BUENA VISTA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: *Discount is per child sign-up. (2 children in the same session do not qualify for a multi-session discount, and students will receive only one Camp T-shirt for the 2014 Camp).

CANCELLATIONS MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 72 HOURS PRIOR TO START OF SESSION TO RECEIVE FULL REFUND