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.

Kate's mortgage rates and trend report for the week ending June 5, 2014: Mortgage rates shake out near last week's averages.

But before you get too comfortable, discuss locking interest rates with your loan originator based on this morning's news -- The European Central Bank has cut their rates to a record low 0.15% and announced policy changes that could increase lending.

30 year fixed mortgage rates... averaged 4.14 percent costing .5 in points, UP from 4.12 percent last week. Compare to 3.91 percent this time last year.

15 year fixed mortgage rates... averaged 3.23 percent costing .5 in points, UP from 3.21 percent last week. Compare to 3.03 percent this time last year.

5 year fixed/25 year adjustable mortgage rates... averaged 2.93 percent costing .4 in points, DOWN from 2.96 percent last week. Compare to 2.74 percent this time last year.

Do you get frustrated shopping for the lowest mortgage rates? Click here to avoid borrower remorse!

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.

County votes to sue over high-speed rail review
Bakersfield Californian
... rail lawsuit its attorney previously said it wouldn't win. Authorized Tuesday on a 4-1 vote behind closed doors, the suit is expected to allege that an environmental review approved last month by the California High-Speed Rail Authority violates ...

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'First Look': First News for June 5
Bakersfield Californian
At the annual draw breakfast, held Wednesday to choose the 11 horses' gate positions, Californian reporter Steven Mayer asked California Chrome's co-owner, onetime Bakersfield resident Steve Coburn, what it would take to win. The race's outcome is ...

and more »

Ask Your Home Inspector: Check your house for potential wiring hazards
Wausau Daily Herald
Rich Duerkop of American Sentry Home Inspection is a state-licensed home inspector and president and education director of the Wisconsin Association of Home Inspectors, Central Wisconsin Chapter. He can be reached at 715-241-8222 or by email at ...

How Accurate is Exterior Moisture Testing?
Minneapolis Star Tribune
This is a guest blog post by Barry Eliason, of Structure Tech Home Inspections and Private Eye Moisture Testing. I received a call a few weeks ago that was typical of calls I get several times a year. It was the real estate agent for a client of mine ...

Letter: Home inspector rules don't protect consumers
Concord Monitor
If people who have a vested interest in selling property, (i.e. real estate agents) are allowed to control the home inspector selection process, are buyers really being protected? Should someone who has a vested interest in selling a property be ...

THE GRADE: Awards, freebies and a settlement
Bakersfield Californian
The first participating PACA schools -- Paramount Academy, Avenal High School between Fresno and Bakersfield, McFarland High School in Kern County and Sanger High School southeast of Fresno -- will begin camps later this month. Paramount is one of 39 ...

and more »

Advocate.com
Seth Walsh case settled for $750000
Bakersfield Californian
BY LAUREN FOREMAN Californian staff writer lforeman@bakersfield.com. The mother of a gay 13-year-old Tehachapi student who hung himself in 2010 after being bullied at school has accepted a settlement with the Tehachapi Unified School District for ...
Settlement reached in Tehachapi boy's suicide after bullyingBakersfield Now
California mom reaches settlement in son's suicideSFGate
Settlement reached in boy's suicide after bullyingFresno Bee

all 81 news articles »

California Chrome draws No. 2 position
Bakersfield Californian
"It's a good post," said Steve Coburn, a onetime Bakersfield resident and co-owner of the phenomenal 3-year-old colt. "It's going to be a jockey's race," Coburn told The Californian. The legendary Secretariat was in the No. 2 position when he won the ...

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Police seek man accused of stealing car outside Burlington Coat Factory
Bakersfield Californian
By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN. Bakersfield police are seeking a man wanted on suspicion of stealing a car May 29 at Burlington Coat Factory's parking lot. At 10:26 a.m., the man allegedly stole a white Honda Accord from the parking lot at 4400 ...
Bakersfield police want help finding alleged car thiefBakersfield Now

all 2 news articles »

stv.tv
Inspector found soiled linen and chairs in care home, hearing told
stv.tv
A care home inspector found chairs, mattresses and bed linen stained with faeces at a facility which reeked of urine, a hearing was told on Wednesday. Teresa Docherty allegedly failed to put a regular cleaning schedule in place while managing the ...

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