KGET: Local News

Local YMCA faces closure unless money is raised

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:02:05 -0700

It's a place for kids in Kern County to go after school to have fun and staying out of trouble. But after 85-years in Bakersfield, the YMCA may be forced to close its doors.

CEO Clete Harper tells us he inherited $100,000 of debt when he took over the local YMCA, a year ago.

Harper says if creditors don't get paid, the local YMCA will have to file for chapter seven bankruptcy June first.

"We need to raise $200,000. $100,000 of that will go to pay off old debt. The other $100,000 will give us working capital for another year, which gives us time to restructure our operation model and to expand the programs that are doing well for us and we're gonna have to get rid of the programs that aren't," said CEO Clete Harper.

Harper hopes the community will help save the YMCA.

Donations can be made by calling 837-9622 or visiting their website at www.ymcaofkern.net

Local readers can't get their hands on erotic romance novel

Wed, 16 May 2012 07:41:23 -0700

It's the latest series creating a stir among women. The book "Fifty Shades of Grey" is classified as an erotic romance novel.

"I would read all night take it to work with me and read on my lunch break, I just couldn't put it down," Aubrey Palmer said.

The graphic novel is about the relationship between a business man and a young female student.

It details their erotic relationship, a topic some are too shy to talk about.

"There is a stigma that you are not supposed to be into the subject matter and it's wrong to actually be excited about reading this book," Palmer said.

But people are excited about reading it. And don't expect to find it at the local library. A hundred people in Kern County are on the waiting list to get their hands on the book.

"There are books that just spark interest and you never know what book that might be," library interim-director, Sherri Gomez, said.

While some libraries across the country have banned the book, the Kern County Library is ordering more copies.

"Kern County is part of the San Joaquin Valley library system that's nine jurisdictions from Kern County all the way to Merced County," Gomez said. "There are 500 holds on the book for the San Joaquin Valley library system."

The first book in the series was published a year ago and climbed to the top of the New York Times bestseller's list. Its only grown in popularity, spreading by word of mouth.

"I'm reading it, I've told all my friends about it and my sister and my stepmom," Palmer said. "It's also very well written and it leads you on a journey in their life and you feel really close like you know these people"

Some have criticized the book for being sexist. There is talk of a movie in the future and a big debate over which actors would fill the roles.

Residents invited to get update on High-Speed Rail project

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:43:17 -0700

Tuesday evening was the first chance for people in Kern County to view the updated High-Speed Rail project plans.

The revised environmental impact report and updated maps, showing the possible routes, were on display in Shafter.

It was a two-hour open house that attracted people from the surrounding areas, both for and against the rail project.

It gave residents a chance to ask the rail planners questions and view the options.

The High-Speed Rail project has been at the center of controversy for some time.

This week, Governor Jerry Brown announced California's budget deficit has ballooned to nearly $16 billion.

But, despite the grim news, it's still full steam ahead for the rail project.

"We are looking for the state legislature to fund part of this project. As you know, we have grant funding from the federal government, and we need a matching from the state government so we can start construction," said Tom Tracey, Regional Manager of the High Speed Rail project.

California could lose that federal funding if the first 130-mile segment of the line is not finished by September 2017.

Tuesday evening, an open house was held in Shafter to give residents an update on the project, including maps and the environmental impact report.

But, not everyone is on board.

"We are going to be subsidizing the High-Speed Rail, in my opinion, for at least 20 years, in my opinion. And, we will just be going, going deeper into debt," said Joe Graf, who was at the meeting marching a picket line

But, Dave Cross thinks the project will bring only good things to our community.

"It will make it grow, the city of Bakersfield grow. It will bring new new vitality to downtown Bakersfield. This will be like a chick magnet, bringing all the glamor to downtown Bakersfield."

There are two more meetings in Bakersfield this week, to learn more about updated High-Speed Rail plans.

Wednesday, it will be at Grace Baptist Church, 2550 Jewetta Avenue, from 5 p.m. until 7p.m.

On Thursday, a meeting will be held at the Kern County Administration building on Truxtun, also from 5 to 7 p.m.

17 News Investigation: Corrections officer arrested, accused of framing inmate

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:55:00 -0700

A corrections officer at Kern Valley State Prison, who was left battered and bruised by an inmate, now faces criminal charges.

That's because state investigators say he actually agreed to the fight, then tried to frame the inmate to avoid getting in trouble. But, that inmate refused to go down alone, saying he could remain in prison for life for a third strike conviction.

41-year-old Christopher Cruse pleaded not guilty late last month to six felony charges, including filing a false peace officer's report.

Prosecutors are also charging Cruse with filing false insurance claims after he went out on stress leave following the fight.

As Delano Judge Robert Tafoya read off a laundry list of charges, Cruse scribbled copious notes and then entered his plea... not guilty.

Cruse, once charged with protecting and serving those at Kern Valley State Prison, could soon himself serve time behind bars on charges he accepted a challenge to fight an inmate.

Investigators say it happened in late February 2011 in the hard yard of Facility D.

Documents indicate inmate Frances Allen argued for a short time with Cruse before the corrections officer challenged the inmate to a fight. A watch tower guard let the two into the yard, where they squared off and began throwing blows. But, the fight didn't go as the officer planned and soon he found himself on the ground being pummeled by the inmate.

A second corrections officer who is only identified in reports as "Murphy" had followed the two to the yard. Officer Murphy ordered inmate Allen to stop. But, when he didn't, Officer Murphy struck inmate Allen in the thigh with a baton and placed him in handcuffs.

All three agreed the fight was over, but the officers soon realized others had seen what had happened and knew too much. So investigators say Cruse and Murphy hatched a plot to walk Allen through a prison hallway and pretend the inmate assaulted Cruse there.

The officers tried to get Allen to go along with the story, but he refused, saying it could mean a third strike conviction for him and a life sentence.

But, the officers went ahead with the plan, tackling Allen in an empty hallway and reporting Allen had attacked Cruse without provocation.

A 300-page internal affairs report obtained by 17 News, contains large blacked out areas, usually involving names of officers on duty that day. The documents paint a picture of an initial coverup, in which a sergeant ordered an officer to scrub Officer Cruse's blood off the yard with a brush and bleach. Another lieutenant said her report of the incident was erased from the prison computer.

Inmate Allen received an administrative penalty that added 90 days to his term, but he has not been charged criminally for the fight.

Cruse hasn't been charged for the fight either, but faces a slew of felonies for filing false reports after he went on stress leave.

An ex-girlfriend told Internal Affairs investigators Cruse bragged at the time he was making more on disability than he did while working.

Cruse is out of custody on a $60,000 bond. No one answered the phone at the number listed for his current address.

He said during last month's hearing that he's in the process of hiring a defense attorney.

17 News Investigation: Internet sweepstakes cafes

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:12:00 -0700

In Kern County, there are eight internet sweepstakes cafés, which are sometimes referred to simply as internet cafés. However, some suspect what's for sale is a chance to win money, which would make them casinos.

The District Attorney's office says it is currently investigating four of them in Kern County and working to shut them down. 17 News went inside one of the cafés called 'Online Fun,' which is located behind Mercado Latino on Edison Highway in Bakersfield.

Inside the business, customers are able to purchase time on computers, which gives them free internet access and the option of playing games of chance. Erica Arias, Manager of Online Fun, says it is simply an internet service which they provide to their customers.

"You log in. You can either browse the internet, go on Facebook, MySpace, pay your bills or you can play games. It is not a slot machine or a casino in any way. You are not gambling," she said.

However, Deputy District Attorney Greg Pulskamp says places like this constitute gambling. "The bottom line is if somebody is paying money for the chance to win additional money by a purely random process, then that is gambling."

Daisy Lugo of Bakersfield says she comes to the center because she doesn't have internet at home, and it gives her a chance to catch up on e-mail.

"It's like when you are on Facebook at home, you can play games too that you need to use a credit card to buy credits, so it is basically the same thing," she said.

The District Attorney's office advises anyone who is considering opening a business like this to understand the liability. "It would be wise to advise anybody out there that is considering opening this business along these lines to realize that they are exposing themselves to criminal and/or civil liability."

The manager of Online Fun said they have been open for three weeks and haven't had any major problems, partly because they do not allow or serve alcohol.

Early release of inmates re-evaluated after 17 News investigation

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:11:00 -0700

The Kern County Sheriff's Department is re-evaluating the way it releases inmates after 17 News reported Friday that a six-time DUI offender was set free from Lerdo Jail after serving 81 days of a six-year sentence.

Israel Iglesias was supposed to be locked up for six years, but was released after less than three months. "This really has us defensive on trying to do the right thing," said Sheriff Donny Youngblood, Kern County Sheriff's Department.

Iglesias' early release could bring changes to how the Sheriff's Department chooses which inmates at Lerdo Jail to release early. "I've asked questions, and I want to know how that happened and what level are decisions being made," Youngblood continued.

Iglesias is out because of Assembly Bill 109. The state realignment plan, which took effect in October, sends state parolees who violate their parole conditions to Lerdo Jail, allowing others to be released early, back to the streets under supervision.

"What is that going to teach them? What's going to happen next time they come though? Yeah, give me ten years. Give me 20 years," said Scott Spielman, Assistant Kern County District Attorney.

Under the realignment plan, a group of deputies at Lerdo Jail decides which inmates to release early.

Iglesias was released because he is considered a non-violent, non-serious, and non-sexual offender.

"Every day is a different day, and come Friday we have to prepare for the weekend. This is somewhat of a chess game with real lives, and it's pretty frightening because we're trying to protect the public as best we can," said Youngblood.

According to court documents, Iglesias was serving a six-year sentence after he was arrested in December for driving under the influence on a suspended license.

Police say Iglesias drove legally drunk into a DUI checkpoint. He was booked into jail on his sixth DUI. It was his third DUI in three years.

As part of Iglesias' early release, he checks in with a parole agent and takes substance abuse and driving classes that he must complete between 18 and 30 months to become eligible for a California driver's license.

"I'm going to classes three times a week. I got Sheriff's parole every month. I got to check with felony probation, they got a chain now around me. They'll give you slack, but they'll only give you enough to hang yourself," said Iglesias.

"Just from what I know about this, I didn't like what I saw. How did that happen? At the very least, when we release someone that is controversial, it has to come to at least the Bureau Chief's level to make that decision," said Youngblood.

"I can't expect line staff to make controversial decisions the administration should be making. So we're looking at how that happened and whether we did the right thing or the wrong thing," he continued.

Sheriff Youngblood reminds us that Kern County's population has doubled since the 1980s, while the number of jail beds has remained stagnant.

There is a federal cap on how many inmates the Sheriff's Department can house at Lerdo Jail, and Youngblood says if he goes over that number it would cost taxpayers millions of dollars in lawsuits.

Taft mother with brain cancer gets great news

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:42:25 -0700

Five months ago, Amanda Robison says her world was crumbling down. She and her husband were out of work, they didn't have a car or enough money for their six children.

On top of that, doctors told her she had a rapidly-growing brain tumor.

Robison says two medical centers denied her help because she had no medical insurance and children but one finally agreed to help save her life.

"I thought I was dying, I'll be dead in a couple months," said Robinson who believed her stage four cancer diagnosis was a death sentence. "I cried and cried and cried myself to sleep so many times because I'm not ready to die, I don't want to die, but being here now it makes me feel good."

Robison received treatment free of charge from the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center, which has vast community outreach resources. The center treated Robison without medical insurance, handled all her paperwork, and expensive radiation and chemotherapy.

Robison soon got great news that her grade four tumor was now just scar tissue.

"Fortunately, she completed all of her treatment, she's now in remission, and now has to be started on maintenance treatment for ongoing support and control over cancer," said Dr. Ravi Patel, the CBCC medical director.

Now, Robison just needs to take two pills a day for one week a month for 18 months.

"Things are a lot better now than they were before I got better news," she said.

Her recovery is also a relief for Robison's husband as well, who says he can go back to work now that his wife is doing better and can take care of their young daughters.

"We were at our end. There's no words to explain how we feel now," said her husband Matt Robison. "Me and my kids can spend the rest of our lives with their mom and my wife."

Robison is waiting for her hair to grow back but says she owes her life to the CBCC.

Robison was chosen to be the torchbearer for the Taft's Relay For Life luminaria ceremony silent lap this Saturday.

Kern County Firefighters help battle Arizona Wildfire

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:49:04 -0700

Kern County Firefighters are in Arizona Tuesday morning helping battle a growing wildfire there.

The Gladiator Fire, north of Phoenix, has already burned some 13,000 acres since Sunday morning.

More than a dozen Kern County Firefighters received the call for help Monday morning.

The fire began at a house. Officials say it has destroyed two buildings and one trailer so far. Also, about 300 homes are still in danger.

Decision made about local Black Republican group

Mon, 14 May 2012 22:54:22 -0700

"Black Republicans In the County of Kern" or BRICK, announced its decision to back Rudy Salas, a Democrat, for the 32nd Assembly seat.

Some saw it as a simple oversight, not understanding all the rules, but others say it was a blatant disregard to being part of a republican group.

The Republican Central Committee was less than thrilled, when it learned BRICK was endorsing a Democrat for California's newly created 32nd Assembly District seat.

"Well actually it's a partisan race, and Republicans support Republicans. We don't support Democrats," said Dr. Dean Haddock, Kern County Republican Central Committee.

BRICK justified its decision to back Bakersfield City Councilman Rudy Salas, a Democrat, because members have worked with him in the past.

Monday evening, the Central Committee met behind closed doors, where it decided to cut ties with BRICK.

We talked to BRICK's founder, Keith Wolaridge, after the meeting, and he says they will continue on.

"We will continue to press forward and expand our conservative values here in the ethnic minority community, especially of African American descent."

Wolaridge also says the group has no hard feelings toward the Republican Central Committee for its decision.

Before the meeting, Salas told us he is grateful for the support from BRICK. "I appreciate BRICK's willingness to cross party lines. I believe BRICK understands what the voters want, somebody who will represent people. They want to represent kids and schools."

After the decision was handed down, Salas echoed this sentiment saying its about the community, not about party lines.

According to the Kern County Republican Central Committee, BRICK will be asked to stop identifying itself as Republican or representing the Republican party.

If it doesn't, the committee will pursue legal action.

Officer-involved shooting leaves one man dead

Mon, 14 May 2012 18:37:00 -0700

An officer-involved shooting in a quiet neighborhood in northwest Bakersfield Monday morning, left one man dead after he was shot multiple times by a Bakersfield police officer.

The man, 43-year-old Edward Asis Fiad, had a handgun on him at the time he was shot, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

Police arrived at an apartment on White Squall Lane where Fiad was staying ,after receiving a call from a woman who also reportedly lived there. Fiad and the woman were involved in a domestic incident the night before.

The woman spent Sunday night at another residence while Fiad stayed at the apartment. On Monday morning, police say the woman wanted to return to her apartment, but was afraid Fiad might harm her.

Two officers, Deron Miller and Robert Whaley, were assigned to escort her to the apartment. When they went inside, they found Fiad, allegedly wielding a handgun.

According to police, the two officers repeatedly told Fiad to put down his weapon. After Fiad refused to do so, Officer Miller shot him multiple times. The incident is now under investigation.

“The officers [were] taken to the police department, separated, and they’ll be interviewed individually,” said Sgt. Mary DeGeare.

Both officers were immediately placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting.

Fiad was taken to Kern Medical Center following the shooting, but later died.

Fiad has had multiple charges of abuse/battery against a spouse or cohabitant filed against him in recent years. Most recently, he was charged with two counts of abuse in January, but both counts were dismissed.

However, in 2007, he pleaded no contest to one count of spousal/cohabitant abuse.

He also pleaded no contest to multiple alcohol-related charges including drunk and disorderly conduct and DUI.

Neither of the officers nor the woman they were escorting was injured.