If you smell natural gas in your neighborhood today, it may not be a cause for concern. PG&E says it will continue to release an over-odorized pocket of natural gas around areas of Kern County. Last week, the company received more than a thousand complaints from customers worried about a possible gas leak. Turns out, crews put too much of a chemical into the system. PG&E says the chemical is harmless and people in Arvin, Bear Valley Springs, and Tehachapi may smell gas today during the process.
A man died when he was hit by a car while trying to cross a busy downtown Bakersfield street. The accident happened just before 6:00 p.m. Monday night at 24th Street and Buck Owens Boulevard. Police say the man in his 30s was crossing outside a crosswalk when he was hit. His name has not been released. If you have any information, you're urged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 327-7111.
Wednesday, you have a chance to make this summer a little cooler for those in need. KGET is hoping to collect hundreds of fans to help the elderly and others who need relief from the heat, but can't afford to use an air conditioner. Our Keep Kern County Cool fan drive kicks off Wednesday outside the KGET studios on 22nd and M Streets. We'll be there from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m. collecting new and gently used fans along with monetary donations.
The highway patrol says it made 30 DUI arrests over the long Memorial Day weekend. Local law enforcement set up several DUI checkpoints around the county. The goal of beefing up presence on the roads is to make drivers think twice about getting behind the wheel drunk.
New housing numbers out today could show that the bottom of the housing market is near. An index of home prices in the country's major metro areas has sunk to its lowest level since the housing bubble burst in late 2006. Analysts say a record number of foreclosures are forcing home prices down, and they are expected to keep falling through this year. They say the market is locked in a downward spiral, not only because people are out of jobs or trapped in homes that are worth less than the mortgage, but because even those who can afford them are opting out.
It's a vital part to battle forest fires here in California but the forest service may put tighter restrictions on aerial fire retardant drops due to a legal battle with environmentalists. Environmentalists argue pouring millions of gallons of the chemical mixture on wildlands every year is an ecological hazard, including killing fish. The new proposals would not cut overall usage. Rather, they are intended to reduce drops on and near waterways. The forest service is expected to make a final decision on the rules by the end of the year.
Testimony is scheduled to resume today in the murder trial of Casey Anthony. Her mother Cindy tearfully took the stand in Orlando Saturday, talking about her murdered granddaughter, Caylee. Prosecutors claim Casey killed the toddler in 2008 but defense attorneys say Caylee drowned.
Singer Sean Kingston is now in an intensive care unit at a Miami hospital. The 21-year-old was involved in a serious jet ski accident Sunday night. Officers say he and a female passenger collided with a bridge. Now we're hearing about the man who's credited with saving Kingston's life. Jonathan Rivera was an off-duty Coast Guard officer out in the waters when he heard Kingston's friends yelling for help. He kept Kingston's head above water until authorities arrived. Authorities do not believe alcohol played a role in the crash.
A high-powered Egyptian executive was arrested late last night in New York City on charges he groped a hotel maid. Mahmoud Abdel Salam Omar is expected to appear in court later today. Police say the maid was called to Omar's room Sunday night and, once inside, the 74-year-old wouldn't let her leave and touched her inappropriately. Omar is a former banking chief in Egypt. As you may recall, it was just two weeks ago the head of the International Monetary Fund faced similar accusations from a New York Hotel maid. He's now under house arrest.
