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  1. Centennial grad Watson says UCLA brings different mindset to this postseason
  2. Ex-BC star Crawford ready to build on successful rookie season with Cowboys
  3. Her closest friends are stricken by teen's death
  4. Her closest friends are stricken by teen's death
  5. Nut festival organizers look to improvements next year
  6. From ‘curly-haired Willie’ to councilman-elect
  7. From ‘curly-haired Willie’ to councilman-elect
  8. Innovative energy storage project tested near Tehachapi
  9. Innovative energy storage project tested near Tehachapi
  10. June 18 community sports announcements, accomplishments
  11. June 18 community sports announcements, accomplishments
  12. Hit-and-run driver gets three years
  13. Hit-and-run driver gets three years
  14. PHOTO GALLERY: An evening of drag racing at Famoso
  15. PHOTO GALLERY: An evening of drag racing at Famoso
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  1. Bette Addington: New website for Mexican-American Bowling Association

    BY BETTE ADDINGTON and mike hefley Contributing columnists X Pete Montalvo, director of the Mexican-American Bowling Organization, announced that MAMBO now has a new website: www.mambo.org. Regarding the upcoming annual MAMBO tournament at South Point in Las Vegas, there are still a couple openings for team spots...

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    Centennial grad Watson says UCLA brings different mindset to this postseason

    Omaha, Neb. -- When Florida State eliminated UCLA from the College World Series last year, Bruins head coach John Savage said his team was "schooled in a positive way." It wasn't what Centennial High School alum Grant Watson wanted to hear, but he took it heart for the 2013 season. "I think last year we came here...

  3. Evacuations ordered due to fire near road into Yosemite

    MARIPOSA -- A wind-whipped wildfire near the main route into Yosemite National Park in the Sierra foothills forced the evacuation of at least 150 houses Monday and was threatening more, state fire officials said. The blaze that began Sunday afternoon had burned about had burned about 21/2 square miles, or 1,600 acres,...

  1. Wrong-way driver reported in massive 14 Freeway pileup, delay

    AGUA DULCE -- A dozen people have been injured in a freeway accident north of Los Angeles. KABC-TV reports three were critically hurt in Monday's wreck caused by an apparent wrong-way driver. The accident, which involved at least eight vehicles, occurred during afternoon rush hour on the 14 Freeway in the Antelope...

  2. HOLLY CULHANE: National gun control debate spills into workplace

    It's not surprising that the debate over gun control that is roiling across the nation is spilling into the workplace. More than 20 states have enacted "parking lot gun laws," which require employers to allow their workers to bring guns onto company property as long as the weapons are locked in parked vehicles. Some...

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    Ex-BC star Crawford ready to build on successful rookie season with Cowboys

    IRVING, Texas -- Tyrone Crawford's first year in the NFL went about as well as the former Bakersfield College standout could have expected. Crawford made 20 tackles in 16 games. But the 25-year-old defensive end is looking to have an even bigger impact this season. "I'm really comfortable with this defensive scheme,...

  1. Evacuations ordered due to fire near road into Yosemite

    MARIPOSA -- A wind-whipped wildfire near the main route into Yosemite National Park in the Sierra foothills forced the evacuation of at least 150 houses Monday and was threatening more, state fire officials said. The blaze that began Sunday afternoon had burned about had burned about 21/2 square miles, or 1,600 acres,...

  2. Wrong-way driver reported in massive 14 Freeway pileup, delay

    AGUA DULCE -- A dozen people have been injured in a freeway accident north of Los Angeles. KABC-TV reports three were critically hurt in Monday's wreck caused by an apparent wrong-way driver. The accident, which involved at least eight vehicles, occurred during afternoon rush hour on the 14 Freeway in the Antelope...

  3. HOLLY CULHANE: National gun control debate spills into workplace

    It's not surprising that the debate over gun control that is roiling across the nation is spilling into the workplace. More than 20 states have enacted "parking lot gun laws," which require employers to allow their workers to bring guns onto company property as long as the weapons are locked in parked vehicles. Some...

  1. HERB BENHAM: The dime I can spare, brother, but not the guilt

    March of Dimes sent me a solicitation. In the envelope was a shiny dime. An attractive, shiny dime. What made it more compelling was that the envelope contained address labels, too. A shiny dime and address labels. Usually, you get one or the other. Both is a banner day. Address labels come in handy. There aren't...

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    Her closest friends are stricken by teen's death

    With a hair brush in hand, 18-year-old Mia Ramirez would sing her lungs out to her favorite Miley Cyrus song, "The Climb." She wouldn't care who was around. She would just sing loudly, giving her listeners goosebumps. The spur-of-the-moment songs sung by her are no longer heard. Her voice now only lives in the...

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    Nut festival organizers look to improvements next year

    Even successful events can do with a little adjustment here and there. Parking, seating, security, currency -- all have come up as possible areas for improvement as organizers of Saturday's inaugural Kern County Nut Festival take stock of what was, by many accounts, a big success. "It's not like we forgot to put...

More Local
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    Innovative energy storage project tested near Tehachapi

    Century-old railroad technology is mixing with green-style innovation at an energy storage project now being tested in the heart of Kern County's wind power region. Santa Barbara-based Advanced Rail Energy Storage recently began running a specially designed locomotive up and down quarter-scale railroad tracks a few...

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    Walmart proposes new store in Lamont

    Walmart Stores Inc. proposes to build a new store in Lamont that would anchor a 20-acre shopping center on what is now farmland. Still in the planning stages, the 130,000-square-foot store would open within the next two or three years at the southeast corner of Weedpatch Highway and Di Giorgio Road, Walmart...

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    Couple pleads guilty in federal mortgage fraud case

    A Bakersfield couple pleaded guilty Monday in a mortgage fraud scheme that prosecutors say cost lenders more that $6 million in losses. In a Fresno federal court, Eric Ray Hernandez, 37, and Monica Marie Hernandez, 32, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and bank fraud. They are...

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    Goats nibble away at weeds, an eco-friendly alternative for GET

    She isn't like normal goats. She doesn't roam around with her herd all day. She prefers to socialize with humans and get rubbed and massaged. And once in a while nibble at clothes. Her name is Panchita. With a chiming bell around her neck, the one-and-a-half-year-old goat rubs her head against Javier Onaindia's hand,...

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    Outlet mall's opening date set for May 2014

    Construction on The Outlets at Tejon Ranch is expected to begin around the end of this summer, with an opening date tentatively set for Memorial Day weekend 2014. Lebec-based Tejon Ranch Co. released a timetable for the project Monday, saying that, barring unforeseen delays, it hopes to celebrate a grand opening of...

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    Goodbye Cuties, hello Halos

    Cuties are out and Halos are in at Paramount Citrus, one of Kern County's largest agricultural operations. The change is mostly semantic: The local division of Los Angeles-based Roll Global LLC will be growing, selling and shipping the very same product -- a small, sweet, easy-to-peel mandarin that has surged in...

More Business
  1. HERB BENHAM: The dime I can spare, brother, but not the guilt

    March of Dimes sent me a solicitation. In the envelope was a shiny dime. An attractive, shiny dime. What made it more compelling was that the envelope contained address labels, too. A shiny dime and address labels. Usually, you get one or the other. Both is a banner day. Address labels come in handy. There aren't...

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    JAMIE BUTOW: Hashtags arrive on Facebook

    Hashtags have become such a huge part of Twitter that it's hard to imagine the platform without them. And now after months of speculation, hashtags have arrived on Facebook. Support for the topic organization system began rolling out to some Facebook users last week, and will roll out to all users in the coming...

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    Bakersfield Observed: A blog about life, media, politics and people

    College There has been a surge in the percentage of Americans who how hold a college degree. That's the word from the National Center for Education Statistics, which reported that 33.5 percent of Americans age 25-29 how hold at least a bachelor's degree. That compared with 24.7 percent in 1995. Locally, according to...

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    JOSE GASPAR: New council member has heavy burden to bear

    The special election held earlier this month produced some most interesting observations. First, the Bakersfield City Council has some new blood with the election of Willie Rivera as the people's representative of Ward 1. It was a crowded field with six candidates all giving it their best shot at getting elected....

  2. PETE TITTL: Fine restaurant not so fine this time

    If there's one high-end restaurant we thought we could count on for consistency, it was The Bistro, which for years has turned out exquisite meals from its inventive kitchen on California Avenue. For that reason, I thought it would be the perfect place to take the most interesting couple in Bakersfield (and, no,...

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    SOUND OFF: Readers write about NASCAR, sellouts, wipeouts, grossouts

    Our Duck Dynasty story last Monday (June 10) prompted the following question: READER: Why don't we know about events until after they happen in Bakersfield?! -- Brandi Reiter ARTHUR: Eye Street Editor Jennifer Self replies: The event had been listed in our calendars for a while. Our resources are limited but I had...

More Columnists
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    Centennial grad Watson says UCLA brings different mindset to this postseason

    Omaha, Neb. -- When Florida State eliminated UCLA from the College World Series last year, Bruins head coach John Savage said his team was "schooled in a positive way." It wasn't what Centennial High School alum Grant Watson wanted to hear, but he took it heart for the 2013 season. "I think last year we came here...

  2. 20120811_zaf_m67_065.JPG

    Ex-BC star Crawford ready to build on successful rookie season with Cowboys

    IRVING, Texas -- Tyrone Crawford's first year in the NFL went about as well as the former Bakersfield College standout could have expected. Crawford made 20 tackles in 16 games. But the 25-year-old defensive end is looking to have an even bigger impact this season. "I'm really comfortable with this defensive scheme,...

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    June 18 community sports announcements, accomplishments

    Baseball Pitching velocity camp on Saturday-Sunday. Core power, arm strength, throwing program, pitching mechanics and video analysis. First session (grades 5-8) Saturday 8:30-10:30 a.m. and Sunday noon-2 p.m. Second session (freshmen-seniors) Saturday 11 a.m.-1 p..m and Sunday 2:30-- 4:30 pm. Coached by Phil...

  1. Bette Addington: New website for Mexican-American Bowling Association

    BY BETTE ADDINGTON and mike hefley Contributing columnists X Pete Montalvo, director of the Mexican-American Bowling Organization, announced that MAMBO now has a new website: www.mambo.org. Regarding the upcoming annual MAMBO tournament at South Point in Las Vegas, there are still a couple openings for team spots...

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    PHOTO GALLERY: An evening of drag racing at Famoso

    An evening of drag racing provided lots of entertainment Saturday night at Auto Club Famoso Raceway. The event is known as Saturday Night Ntiro. Californian photographer Autumn Parry captured the night in photos. 

  3. Local report: Blaze wins 1st-half finale

    MODESTO -- Juan Silverio blasted two home runs as the Bakersfield Blaze closed its first-half schedule with a 12-3 victory over the Modesto Nuts at John Thurman Field on Sunday. Silverio hit a two-run blast in the first inning to give Bakersfield a 2-0 lead. He then hit a grand slam to left field to cap a five-run...

More Sports
  1. PETE TITTL: Fine restaurant not so fine this time

    If there's one high-end restaurant we thought we could count on for consistency, it was The Bistro, which for years has turned out exquisite meals from its inventive kitchen on California Avenue. For that reason, I thought it would be the perfect place to take the most interesting couple in Bakersfield (and, no,...

  2. The Dish: Restaurants have specials for Dad

    Today being Father's Day, many restaurants will be running specials to help you honor dear old dad. BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse not only will be giving a limited-edition Father's Day pint glass to every dad all weekend, but you can enter to win a trip for four to the 2013 PGA championship tournament. The Outback...

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    Theaters offer cool matinees to keep kids busy

    Keeping the kids entertained during the summer can feel like a full-time job. Local theaters are doing their part to help you be the cool parent (or baby sitter) with a season of movies geared for young audiences. Reel Kids Summer Movie Series Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., June 18 through Aug. 14, Reading...

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    MATT MUNOZ: Making most of her big break

    When iconic rock vocalist Pat Benatar gave Brynn Marie a chance, the aspiring artist went out and hit it with her best shot every night. "I had the chance to open for Pat last summer in Oklahoma and was asked back again and again," said the 28-year-old singer of landing the coveted gig that brings her to Rabobank...

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    Baritone-deaf to his comic appeal? Not Michael McDonald

    It's a voice so unique and soulful that it has the power to take millions of baby boomers to the streets while triggering uncontrollable fits of laughter in the children of said baby boomers. But no one is happier than Michael "Yah Mo B There" McDonald that his baritone still has cultural currency as a popular punch...

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    It's a bird, it's a plane ... it's Edwards AFB?

    If buzz and anticipation are any indication, the new Superman is about to conquer the world. But first he had to survive Edwards Air Force Base. "Man of Steel," which hits Bakersfield screens at 12:01 a.m. Friday, was shot on location at the east Kern military base in early 2012, said Joanie Haenelt, film liaison...

More Entertainment
  1. And now for the downside of state budget

    There are several things to like about California's new, $96.4 billion state budget, which awaits only the signature of Gov. Jerry Brown sometime in the next two weeks to become official. We can like the fact that it's the earliest the Legislature has passed an on-time budget in a quarter-century; is somewhat...

  2. Counterintuitive, but we need more people on food stamps

    Signing up for the federal food stamp program, known in this state as CalFresh, is good for the economy. Who knew? The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which runs the national food stamp program, figures every CalFresh dollar spent creates $1.79 in economic activity. As the L.A. Daily News reports, a 2013 study by...

  3. DAVID KERANEN: Proof is in exceedingly short supply among paranormalists

    Stafford Betty's June 10 Community Voices article, "Materialism: The Creed of the Scientific Fundamentalist," almost literally cries out for a refutation. The word "fundamentalist" as used in the title is a form of dismissal and mildly derogatory. In general, fundamentalists of all varieties tend to have some of the...

  1. City jumped the gun on allocation lawsuit

    I would like to comment on the June 9 article, "Court fight looms over tax money." I am the Kern County Auditor-Controller. As the Auditor-Controller, I am charged with correctly allocating property taxes to all public entities in Kern County: the cities, schools, special districts and the county. This duty belongs to...

  2. Shelling out Nut Fest thanks

    I would like thank Beth Pandol and Sheryl Barbich for their work in organizing the first Kern County Nut Festival last weekend. It seems like the only things you hear about Kern County involve bad air and police brutality, but these two women had the foresight and perseverance to put together an event that we in Kern...

  3. Immigration bill too lengthy

    The Californian's Sunday editorial ("At least one valley congressman gets it," June 16) implied that tea party folks are giving Rep. Kevin McCarthy a bad time because they oppose immigration reform. Our Founding Fathers would have called the 800-page immigration reform bill just what it is: "pretended legislation."...

More Opinion
  1. Evacuations ordered due to fire near road into Yosemite

    MARIPOSA -- A wind-whipped wildfire near the main route into Yosemite National Park in the Sierra foothills forced the evacuation of at least 150 houses Monday and was threatening more, state fire officials said. The blaze that began Sunday afternoon had burned about had burned about 21/2 square miles, or 1,600 acres,...

  2. Wrong-way driver reported in massive 14 Freeway pileup, delay

    AGUA DULCE -- A dozen people have been injured in a freeway accident north of Los Angeles. KABC-TV reports three were critically hurt in Monday's wreck caused by an apparent wrong-way driver. The accident, which involved at least eight vehicles, occurred during afternoon rush hour on the 14 Freeway in the Antelope...

  3. Highway 178 lanes reportedly closed

    The westbound lanes of Highway 178 were closed at 4:09 p.m. due to a car accident that sparked a fire, according to the California Highway Patrol website. Several television stations are reporting that the closures are ongoing. A CHP official referred The Californian to its automated traffic information line, however,...

  1. Local student-historians compete at National History Day event

    Several local students competed in a National History Day event last week at the University of Maryland. The students qualified for nationals at the National History Day-California competition last month in Sacramento. Results of last week's contest are: Junior Group Exhibit Fifth Place: Caitlyn Richter, Kaitlyn...

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    Sheriff's detectives tracking man suspected of burglary

    The Kern County Sheriff's Office is requesting the public's assistance in identifying a suspect wanted for burglary. The case goes back to the evening of Jan. 23 when a man entered the Gas Wars mini-mart at 1915 N. Chester Ave. in Oildale, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release Monday. The man selected several...

  3. Deputies make traffic stop, find meth

    Kern County Sheriff's deputies stoped a car for vehicle code violations in the area of Di Giorgio and South Fairfax roads Saturday night, and then found suspected methamphetamine, according to a sheriff's news release. Jaime Urias, 22, of Bakersfield, was arrested on suspicion of being an unlicensed driver, the...

More Blogs

Editors' picks from the last week

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    NUTS! They attract a crowd of thousands to inaugural Kern County Nut Festival

    Almond everybody went walnutty for Kern County's first nut-themed mega-festival Saturday at the Kern County Museum. The pathways of the museum's Pioneer Village were packed with people and lined with vendors hawking nut-influenced snacks, desserts, beverages, beers, meals and novelties as the sprawling Kern County...

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    Trash pickup program a pathway out of homelessness

    If you can think of it, someone has thrown it out of an open window at 70 miles per hour, and one of these seven men probably has picked it up. Part of a unique collaboration that has Caltrans paying the city of Bakersfield to hire residents of the Bakersfield Homeless Center, seven men in fluorescent yellow,...

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    RICHARD SHIELL: Turn your garden into a natural salad bar

    Making salad is a great way to incorporate garden produce and herbs. Sliced fruit, nasturtium petals, a sprinkling of finely chopped rosemary, mint or lavender all liven up the first course. Softer-leaved herbs like tarragon and cilantro can be pulled off their stems and added directly. Two things make or break a...

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    SHERRY DAVIS: Good dog training lays groundwork for growth

    When I start a new dog on basic commands I am laying the groundwork for everything it will learn in the future. It is a valuable, if not exciting, part of a process. Basic commands in obedience are similar to the compulsories in figure skating; if you're not good in your compulsory or foundation skills, you'll never...

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    Condors patient in search for coach

    Condors general manger John Olver said he's not about to make a rush to judgement when it comes to hiring a new coach. So, as spring is about to turn to summer, Olver is content to wait for what he called the "coaching carousel" to stop before making a decision. Olver was hired as general manger April 11 and his top...

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    School's in for summer program students

    It was one of those rare Bakersfield summer days when the heat wasn't in fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk range. Normally children would have been playing outside in the mild weather. Instead, hundreds of Bakersfield City School District youngsters were huddled in groups at school cafeterias. Some wrote in journals. Others...

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  1. Evacuations ordered due to fire near road into Yosemite

    MARIPOSA -- A wind-whipped wildfire near the main route into Yosemite National Park in the Sierra foothills forced the evacuation of at least 150 houses Monday and was threatening more, state fire officials said.

  2. Wrong-way driver reported in massive 14 Freeway pileup, delay

    AGUA DULCE -- A dozen people have been injured in a freeway accident north of Los Angeles.

  3. Highway 178 lanes reportedly closed

    The westbound lanes of Highway 178 were closed at 4:09 p.m. due to a car accident that sparked a fire, according to the California Highway Patrol website.

  4. Sheriff's detectives tracking man suspected of burglary

    The Kern County Sheriff's Office is requesting the public's assistance in identifying a suspect wanted for burglary.

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