KGET: Local News

Bakersfield man dies while in custody of the Kern County Sheriff's Department

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 08:13:50 -0700

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Bakersfield man died Monday night while in the Kern County Sheriff's Department's custody. It's the second in-custody death in as many months. This time, deputies say the man appeared to have choked on bags of drugs in the backseat of a patrol car after a scuffle with deputies.

Kern County Sheriff's officials say it started Monday just after 9:30pm when they went to a home in the 1900 block of South J Street, attempting to locate a suspect who had a felony warrant. That's when they say 25-year-old Wilfredo Ramos came out of another house, began acting suspiciously, and ran from deputies.

Sheriff's department spokesman Ray Pruitt said, "The suspect began discarding items as they chased him. At one point, a short distance away, the deputies were able to catch up to the suspect and, after they had caught him, they became involved in a brief scuffle and were able to take the suspect to the ground and take him into custody."

Pruitt says deputies didn't use batons, tasers, or pepper spray during the arrest. He says Ramos had minor injuries after the scuffle and deputies called for medical help.

"An ambulance did respond. They did check the suspect out. He had some minor abrasions and refused medical aid and at that point the ambulance personnel cleared the scene," said Pruitt.

Officials say Ramos was then placed in the back of a patrol vehicle. They say a short time later a deputy noticed he was having problems.

"The deputy removed the suspect from the rear of the patrol vehicle, un-handcuffed him and placed him on the ground. Deputies then began performing CPR on the suspect and requested that the ambulance return," said Pruitt.

Pruitt says the ambulance arrived a short time later and medical personnel began treating Ramos.

"Ambulance personnel removed what appeared to be two plastic baggies from the throat area of the suspect. The plastic baggies appear to contain some type of illegal controlled substance," said Pruitt.

Ramos was transported to Memorial Hospital where he died just after 11:30pm. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday. Detectives are conducting an investigation into the death.

Local advocates await Supreme Court decision on gay marriage issues

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:41:00 -0700

Bakersfield, Ca. -- The Supreme Court could issue a ruling on same-sex marriage here in California as early as Monday.

A Bakersfield native is at the center of that lawsuit asking the court to strike down Proposition 8 and legalize same sex marriage, but she isn't the only one awaiting the decision.

Local advocates, on both sides are anxiously awaiting a decision. No matter the outcome, it will affect local couples and the legal definition of marriage.

While the legality of gay marriage in California is in the hands of the Supreme Court, Aaron and Philip Ranney say the justices can't control the future of their relationship.

Aaron Ranney said, "They don't, that's the truth. We're married and even though that's not legally recognized, we know that."

They're anxiously awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court on Proposition 8, to see if that will change.

"It makes you feel nervous waiting for someone else," said Ranney.

While the Ranneys are hoping justices overturn the California law banning same sex marriage, Ken Mettler says it should be upheld.

Mettler said, "Who would've ever thought, and certainly our founding fathers never thought it would come to having to change our constitution to define something so basic as natural marriage being between one man and one woman."

Mettler says legalizing gay marriage would open the door for other legal challenges like the age of consent and polygamy.

"What it is, is tearing down the core fabric of your society, the most basic building blocks and the order of, the natural order in which our society conducts itself," said Mettler.

Both sides are passionate about the issue, but the court will make a final ruling.

Ranney said, "It would be really sad if Proposition 8 stood, it's been a long journey, a lot of ups and downs."

"I just hope the court has some wisdom here and understands that the very core of your society can start to tear away that fabric, if indeed we get an adverse ruling," said Mettler.

Many Californians await the supreme court's decision on Proposition 8, but a decision is also expected on the Defense of Marriage Act, which could have national implications. If the court rules that DOMA is unconstitutional, legally married gay couples will be recognized by the federal government.

Same sex marriage was legal for a brief period of time in California. Marriages performed during that time remain valid, no matter what the ruling on either of these cases.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to issue rulings every Monday this month.

Chicano Commencement Ceremony

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:39:00 -0700

Dozens of students from Cal State Bakersfield earned their diplomas Sunday morning in the Chicano Commencement Ceremony. For one Bakersfield woman, it was a triumphant end to a long, hard battle to receive an education.

Paola Fernandez came to the U.S. as a child from Mexico and as an undocumented immigrant. Though she always had the passion to go to college, she could never afford it.

That is until California passed its version of the Dream Act in 2011, legislation that allows undocumented children like Fernandez to apply for financial aid.

"It wasn't easy," Fernandez said. "I did graduate from high school in 2004, so it took me about nine years to do it. But I think it all has been worth it."

Fernandez also applied for a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It's a 2012 program which allows undocumented children to apply for drivers licenses in California so they can work legally and pay state and federal income tax.

"When I got my first check about three weeks ago, my first formal check, they took a lot of money there for taxes. You know, state and federal. So I'm not the only one that is benefiting from this. The country benefits from this as well," said Fernandez.

Immigration reform is an issue the has been the focus of intense debate for years. Activist Roberto De La Cruz is hoping one day, undocumented immigrants have a path to citizenship.

"The majority in this country want an immigration reform with citizenship in it. All over the country, the polls tell us. So that's my message, please help us out," said De La Cruz.

This day was more about a celebration and a chance for one mother to see her daughter achieve her education dream. "For me, it is one of the most important days of my life," said Paula Fernandez, mother of Paola Fernandez.

National immigration reform is still being debated in Congress with a vote in the House of Representatives scheduled for July.

New documents reveal more information on BC sanctions

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:36:17 -0700

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Newly released documents paint an unflattering picture of the Bakersfield College athletics program, with complaints that football players were given preferential treatment over other student athletes.

The women's track coach at Bakersfield College complained numerous times about exclusive BBQ dinners and other perks received by football players, but says she was told by the college's athletics director it was none of her business.

That's what coach Pam Kelley told the accounting firm Brown Armstrong.

The accountants were hired by the college to look into the football program and its booster club after regulators stripped the school of its 2012 state title and banned the football team from this year's playoffs for a series of violations.

Women's track coach Pam Kelley ran down a list of problems and concerns she had with the athletics program at B.C.

Kelley says she went to athletics director Ryan Beckwith numerous times about BBQs for football players that excluded other student athletes.

Kelley says she was told to "not to worry about the football program".

Football coach Jeff Chudy told Brown Armstrong the Thursday BBQs were put on by boosters and the BBQs were open to anyone, though he concedes it wasn't advertised that way.

Assistant men's track coach Houston Courtney said he approached cooks at the BBQ to see if his athletes could eat too but was told no, it was for football players only. Courtney said the track team felt unwelcome.

The BBQ was initially held at the track field, but amid complaints, the BBQ was moved to the football stadium and the gates were locked.

The accountants found athletics director Ryan Beckwith knew of the BBQs and asked coach Chudy if they were permissible under conference rules, but they say Beckwith never followed up with the coach to be sure and Beckwith never shut the BBQs down.

The BBQs are part of a series of enticements that also included a work study program paid for by the Helmet Club Boosters and housing arrangements made by coach Chudy for out-of-state football players.

Regulators say the perks break College Athletic Association rules and stripped the community college's 2012 state title. This week, Bakersfield College filed a formal appeal.

Kelley told the accountants she felt rebuffed when she questioned why the football program was allowed to fundraise through a booster club off campus, separate from the university's foundation.

She also wondered why football players were allowed to enroll late for class and enrollment was postdated for up to a year.

Kelley says she approached athletics director Beckwith who told her don't worry about what they do and don't ask questions.

The accountants found football seems to be the only athletics program on campus that has an independent booster association.

B.C. Vice President Zav Dadabhoy oversees the athletics department.

In a statement released Thursday, Dadabhoy says Kelley discussed the Helmet Club Booster program and the BBQs with the president of the community college athletic association while seeking advice about a personnel matter.

He says Kelley and the association president initially joked about the BBQs and the association president knew about the BBQ for years.

Dadabhoy says he wonders why the association didn't bring up the BBQ sooner if they knew about them and finds it curious the investigation began only after B.C. won its state championship.

Bakersfield police to draw down motorcycles

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:30:00 -0700

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Police Department is reducing the number of motorcycles on the street. It is a safety issue due to recent accidents and deaths.

Five years ago, the BPD had about 30 motorcycle cops. Now, they have eleven and they want to go down to four and reassign those officers by 2014.

Bakersfield Police Chief Greg Williamson said the last two officer fatalities in the department have involved a motorcycle.The chief now says it's time for a change.

"Sad for me to go into disability retirement hearings,” Williamson said “And look at officers who have been involved in motorcycle accidents, who have been injured so bad they have lost their career. No longer (able to) work as a Bakersfield police officer. We have had many of those over the years."

Even though the chief wants to draw down the number of motorcycles, he is not ready to stop using them all together.

"They still have a usefulness until they reach a certain age,” Williamson said. “And, we have been phasing them out as they become aged out. I believe in this fiscal year they will phase out seven more. We will have four left and those will mainly consist of those motors that will be patrolling the river bed.”

Its not just the deaths that are a factor in the draw down.

Since 2007, Bakersfield City Manager Alan Tandy says police motorcycle accidents have cost the city nearly $1.5 million in workers comp claims.

Tandy says a police vehicle accident costs about $6,347 in workers comp compared to $21,561 for a police motorcycle accident.

"Not only is it wrong to injure that many police officers,” Tandy said. “But, we need them on the street not at home recuperating. So those numbers are bad."

We asked both the police chief and the city manager if they were concerned about lawsuits from motorcycle officers, and both said it is a volunteer position and the officers know what they are getting into.

Giants fan, badly beaten at Dodgers game, treated in Bakersfield

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:15:24 -0700

BAKERSFIELD, CA - A San Francisco Giants fan, badly beaten at a Dodgers game two years ago, is home after spending more than a year in rehabilitation in Bakersfield.

Bryan Stow suffered brain damage, losing his ability to walk, talk and write. As he was regaining some of those skills in therapy at the Centre for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield, his insurance stopped coverage of the rehabilitation.

His family said Bryan could have benefited greatly with more therapy. But now, they are caring for him at their home in Santa Cruz and have noticed the progress he made here, slipping.

Dr. Mark Ashley, C.E.O. of the Centre for Neuro Skills, said Stow was making great progress.

"He wasn't able to talk, he wasn't able to walk, he was very involved. And, I'm pleased to say he's made a lot of change," said Dr. Ashley.

According to a video posted on the Stow's family website, www.support4bryanstow.com, Stow stayed at the Bakersfield center from March 2012 to April of this year.

In a statement, the family says, "Even though it was four hours away, we felt it was the best fit for Bryan."

Dr. Ashley says in that time he learned more motor skills, to speak and walk with help. But, the family reports the therapy ended when insurance stopped paying for it and Bryan's regressed, stating, "Due to a huge cut in therapy coverage, Bryan has physically experienced a big setback."

"You would never see a woman with breast cancer treated this way. You would never say to the woman with breast cancer, 'let your husband take care of your treatments'," said Dr. Ashley.

Dr. Ashley says rehabilitation costs $45,000 to $60,000 a month. About 60 percent of people referred to CNS don't get clearance from their health insurance. And, if they do, most policies only cover 30 to 90 days. He believes Bryan received more treatment time thanks to his notoriety. And, if given more time, Stow would have kept improving.

"It's tremendously unethical, in my estimation, that we would knowingly withhold effective treatment from people for money," said Dr. Ashley.

The Stow family has hired nurses for 24-hour care. But, Dr. Ashley says since Stow returned home, insurance will never again pay for the intense rehab he was getting.

Stow has filed a lawsuit against the Dodgers and, then owner, Frank McCourt.

Production of frozen dog treat creates new jobs in Bakersfield

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 08:11:55 -0700

BAKERSFIELD, CA - With the warm temperatures, it's nice to cool off with a frozen treat. Frosty Paws, an ice cream line specifically designed for dogs, makes it possible for animals to enjoy a summer snack as well.

Nestle representatives say the Bakersfield operations center is the largest ice cream factory in the world. Two dozen Nestle product lines are made there, including the recent addition of Frosty Paws, creating 26 new full-time jobs.

Bakersfield Operations Center Factory Manager Tim Keating said, "Frosty Paws is a frozen desert treat. We've got two flavors. We've got the original flavor and the peanut butter flavor."

Local dog owner Enedina Huff said, "The first time I gave it to him I thought, 'he's not going to like it,' but actually it's the only thing he will sit for. He's a little stubborn. He'll sit as soon as I go to the freezer, he knows he's getting a Frosty Paws."

Production of Frosty Paws recently moved to the plant creating some new jobs.

Keating said, "In moving the production from co-pack to the site here we were able to save over half a million dollars a year and we also created over 26 full-time employee jobs."

The factory employs more than 1,200 salaried, full-time, and temporary workers. With most employees living in the area, Keating says the plant has huge ties to the community.

"The line itself was just over 6.5 million dollars in capital investments. So Nestle is a firm believer in investing in California and Bakersfield," said Keating.

Something consumers are happy to hear. Huff said, "I think it's great for our economy and for bringing jobs to Bakersfield. That's awesome."

The 26 employees have started working at the factory and the production line is in full swing.

Victims waiting for restitution following million dollar scam

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:27:55 -0700

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Two Bakersfield business owners lost almost $20,000 to a fake debt collection service in 2009 and were told they would get some of it back.

But, that still hasn't happened.

The District Attorney's office says Maxwell Turner and Associates scammed thousands of people around the country, including six or more people in Kern County.

Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Attorney's office said it is getting ready to sell many items seized from the company. That money will go to the victims.

"I pretty much just swept it under the rug feeling like I'm never going to get compensated for this. I'm taking it as a loss," said Jaime Villegas.

It's been almost four years since Jaime Villegas was scammed out of $16,000 by Maxwell Turner and Associates.

His business, Jaime and Sons Pest Control, took a direct hit.

"$16,000 is a lot, especially when you're raising a family and running a business. It's a lot of money," he continued.

The District Attorney's office says the company's website made false and misleading representations, along with people working for the debt collection service.

"We find out that this is actually a criminal enterprise, that there was no Maxwell Turner and Associates. It was a group of scam artists who were calling people and pretending to be a debt collection agency," said Deputy District Attorney John Mitchell.

After an extensive investigation into Maxwell Turner and Associates, Paul Vasquez, Stefan Miller, and Darrian Summers were convicted in federal court of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

Along with their sentence, they were ordered to pay restitution. But for Villegas, he says he hasn't received a dime.

"We just got a general number, what was confiscated and that it would be distributed among thousands of victims, but as far as numbers we haven't gotten any details," said Villegas.

Similar to Villegas, Jared Cole was scammed out of $17,000.

He says in 2009, he wrote several checks to Maxwell Turner and Associates for different amounts.

He, too, says four years later, he hasn't received anything.

"What's going on? Why aren't the businesses in Kern County getting some of that money back? If it's pennies on the dollar, it's pennies on the dollar, but at least there's something," said Cole.

The DA's office says in 2010, all victim restitutions in the case was to be handled by the U.S. Attorney's office.

"What happens from here on out is the actual process of liquidating these assets and then the office back in Washington, D.C. reviewing the claims by the 450 people who have submitted claims and then distributing the proceeds," said U.S. Attorney Benjamin Wagner.

Wagner says some of the assets include cash, several cars, and a diamond ring, adding up to nearly a million dollars.

The losses for the victims in the scheme is $1.3 million.

911 tape released from shooting in northeast Bakersfield

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:14:54 -0700

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The Bakersfield Police Department released the 911 call made early Wednesday morning from the home of Bakersfield attorney Mark Madrigali. Madrigali was arrested on suspicion of shooting his wife.

Police say they found Madrigali outside his home on Telegraph Avenue by Bakersfield College when they detained him, just before 4 a.m. Wednesday. Inside the home police found a woman, who Madrigali refers to as his wife in the 911 call, shot in the chest.

Dispatcher: "911"
Man: "Get the EMT over here. Someone's been shot! 1220 Telegraph Avenue."
Dispatcher: "1220..."
Man: "1220 Telegraph Avenue."
Dispatcher: "Someone was shot?"
Man: "Yes."
Dispatcher: "Who's been shot?"
Man: "My wife. Please come over now!"
Dispatcher: "Who shot your wife?"
(Phone disconnects)
Dispatcher: "Sir?"

That 911 call was made from the home of Bakersfield attorney Mark Madrigali at 3:45 Wednesday morning.

Madrigali was arrested and booked for attempted murder and spousal abuse.

One neighbor, Cameron Parsons, told 17 News he would see the couple together, but there were no signs they were having problems.

"Whenever I would see them they would be together. They would be leaving together and coming together, and from my perspective everything seemed pretty normal," Parsons said.

But, other neighbors say they often heard the couple fighting. Court records show Madrigali's wife filed for divorce last November. In January, her attorney asked the court to drop an order to show cause and the case ended.

Police obtained a search warrant for the home and found a small cache of weapons, twelve firearms including two semi-automatic rifles and two semi-automatic shotguns.

Criminal records show Madrigali, a D.U.I. attorney, was arrested in 2008 for driving under the influence in Marin County. Blood tests recorded his blood alcohol level at 0.16, two times the legal limit.

Madrigali's bail is set at $550,000. His arraignment is set for Friday afternoon.

Police say the victim is still in critical condition at Kern Medical Center.

Body found in garage: Murder suspect's mother says her son is innocent

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:01:15 -0700

BAKERSFIELD, CA - 17 News got a look inside a converted garage in southeast Bakersfield where a woman's body was found Tuesday. The murder suspect's mother said her son suffers from mental problems and is innocent.

20-year-old Eddie Rivas was scheduled to be formally charged in court Thursday, but his hearing was postponed because prosecutors say they are waiting on autopsy results. The woman who was found dead inside the garage has not yet been identified.

"I never smelled nothing like that," said Clara Rivas. "It was awful." Clara Rivas described the smell inside her detached garage on Tuesday where her son lives, next to her home.

"When I walked in, I couldn't stand the smell. I had to walk out because I felt like I was going to vomit," said Alex Sanchez, Clara Rivas' boyfriend.

Alex Sanchez showed us inside the garage where he found a rope tucked inside a roll of carpet. "I said what's this rope doing here? So I grabbed it and pulled it and that's when I saw a foot," he explained.

"I tried to unravel it to see who it was, but I couldn't stand it. It took my breath away. I got scared," he continued.

It was a crazy feeling, knowing that I lived there and there's a body in my garage," said Rivas. "I didn't know if it was a girl or guy. It's terrible."

Sheriff's deputies arrested Rivas' son, Eddie Rivas, on suspicion of murder.

"Right now, all my kids and myself, we're very, very hurt. We hurt for that girl that was in the garage. We hurt because my son is over there," explained Rivas.

"Nobody understands that. Nobody understands how we feel," she continued.

Rivas, a single mother of six, said her son was a troubled teen who hung out with the wrong crowd. She said he started stealing and doing drugs and was sent to Juvenile Hall at age 15.

"They had him bipolar when he was Juvenile Hall. From Juvenile Hall, they let him out. He comes home again and goes back to prison," she said.

In 2011, Eddie Rivas was convicted of assaulting a peace officer and received a three-year prison term. He was on parole in that case when he was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of murder.

"I know in my heart he didn't kill her. He's not a killer," said Clara Rivas.

Rivas said she and her boyfriend tried to get her son help Monday for his mental health problems. She said they took him to the hospital, but he wouldn't get out of the car.