Governor Brown releases revised proposed budget

Submitted by KBAK_Web_Staff on Wednesday, May 16th, 11:52 am

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Governor Jerry Brown released a revised state budget Monday that protects funding for public education and public safety. But there are billions of dollars in proposed cuts that local agencies aren't happy about.

The state deficit now stands a $15.7 billion and Brown says nearly $8.3 billion will have to be cut to get California back on track.

"Cutting alone doesn't do it. That's why I'm linking those serious budget reductions. Real, increased austerity with a plea to voters: please increase taxes," Brown said.

That increased tax is currently on the November ballot. According to Brown, if approved by voters, it will bring in a forecasted $8.5 billion.

But an increase in taxes won't fix the deficit. Brown is also proposing cuts to education.

"With the budget cuts we anticipated coming, we are certain that people won't have jobs that currently have jobs," California Faculty Association local union president Bruce Hartsell said.

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Glennville Rodeo Round-Up

Submitted by Lisa Krch on Monday, May 14th, 5:26 pm

You are invited out to support Kern County Veterans at the 64th Annual Glennville Rodeo Round-Up. It is the biggest one day rodeo in the nation and now a part of the All American Pro Rodeo Series.

The event is June I0th. Gates open at II:30 and the rodeo begins at I:30 pm. In addition to supporting the Veteran's Association, the rodeo is also supporting the Small Miracles Foundation. A local non-profit providing financial, physical and emotional support for families of children suffering with cancer.

For more information, visit www.glennvillerodeo.org

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Fewer California high school grads going to state universities

Submitted by KBAK_Web_Staff on Monday, May 14th, 1:35 pm

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK - KBFX) -- Fewer California high school graduates are heading off to college at CSU and UC campuses, and critics blame state budget cuts. That’s the finding in a new study, and local students and educators say it’s just what they’re seeing.

“It’s just so expensive to go to California Sate or other colleges or universities,” Scottie Gee told Eyewitness News. He is now a senior at California State University Bakersfield, but the high cost of tuition forced him to start first his first two years at a community college.

Soaring tuition and fees are one reason given by the Public Policy Institute of California for a steep drop in California high school graduates enrolling at CSU and University of California campuses.

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2 rescued from mine shaft

Submitted by Tammy Brown

Sunday, May 13th, 2012, 11:07am

A man and woman in their early 20s were pulled out of a mine shaft in the Keysville area Friday evening.

A Kern County Fire Dept. spokesman said the pair went down the shaft on their own, but got stuck on a ledge approximately 40 feet down.

A fire crew lowered safety lines to the pair while crews came up with an extrication plan. The safety lines and harnesses were aimed at preventing them from sliding further into the vertical mine shaft.

After being pulled out, the man and woman were taken to Kern Medical Center for evaluation. Their injuries were reported to be rope burns to the hands and described as minor to moderate.

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2 rescued from mine shaft

Submitted by Tammy Brown

Sunday, May 13th, 2012, 11:07am

A man and woman in their early 20s were pulled out of a mine shaft in the Keysville area Friday evening.

A Kern County Fire Dept. spokesman said the pair went down the shaft on their own, but got stuck on a ledge approximately 40 feet down.

After being pulled out, the man and woman were taken to Kern Medical Center for evaluation. Their injuries were reported to be rope burns to the hands and described as minor to moderate.

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Tour of California starts Sunday, arrives in Bakersfield Thursday

Submitted by KBAK_Web_Staff on Saturday, May 12th, 8:49 pm

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The starting gun fires Sunday morning just before 11 a.m. in Santa Rosa, setting the riders of the Tour of California peloton on a collision course with the "race of truth" Thursday in Bakersfield: the individual time trial.

The 18.4-mile race in Bakersfield could decide the overall winner of the race, the permiere stage race in North America.

Racers consider the time trial the "race of truth" because it pits lone riders against the clock.

The riders work as teams and ride in groups during the other, longer stages.

Before the showdown with the clock in Bakersfield, however, the riders in the 2012 Tour of California must first cover four stages, all over 100 miles long.

Stage 1 on Sunday in Santa Rosa covers almost 116 miles. The next day in San Francisco, racers face a 117 mile course; followed by 115 miles in San Jose on Tuesday.

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Emergency training at Camp 9

Submitted by Carol Ferguson on Wednesday, May 9th, 3:40 pm

Camp 9 will be used for a special training on the use of emergency vehicles this week on Wednesday and Thursday. Residents may see flashing red lights and hear sirens -- but it's all for practice.

The U.S. Forest Service will run exercises at Camp 9 to certify operators of emergency vehicles. Each student will go to a four-hour classroom session, followed by the driving course. That's designed to help them practice use of red lights and sirens.

"This course will improve our vehicle operators' ability to drive safely and effectively during emergency situations," Suppression Battalion spokesman Steve Griffin explained.

Access to the lake and the campground at Camp 9 will be available on both days, but trainers will control that as needed.

The training will be May 9 and May 10, and run between the hours of 10:00 am and 5:00 pm on both days.

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