TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Recent Blogs

1. Seth's Law discussion to be held at CSUB

   By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

   Monday, May 21 2012 10:00 PM

   In July, a law will kick in requiring all California school districts to institute anti-harassment policies with shorter timelines for investigating bullying claims.

   Schools for months have been gearing up for Seth's Law, named after Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old Tehachapi boy who hanged himself in 2010 after being bullied repeatedly for being gay. Federal officials found that his school failed to respond appropriately to the sex-based harassment

   On May 30 at Cal State Bakersfield, the Seth Walsh Foundation will host parents, educators and community members interested in learning about AB 9 and other legal measures for students who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

   The event will feature a slew of guest speakers including Walsh's mother, Wendy Walsh, and: Judith Pratt, CSUB professor and co-advisor of the campus Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network; Suzanne Taylor, civil rights attorney with the U.S. Department of Education; Reena Doyle, human rights consultant with California Teachers Association; Vinnie Pompei from the Center for Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership; Daniel Rodriguez, a local attorney representing Walsh in her ongoing wrongful death lawsuit; and Gary Takasian, film director.

   Takasian's film, "Teach Your Children Well," will be screened. California Teachers Association is sponsoring the forum.

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2. Fire destroys garage, car

   A fire gutted a detached garage and charred a car Monday night in Oildale.

3. Police identify suspect in child's murder

   Police have identified a suspect in the killing of a toddler last month and are asking for help finding him.

4. Former elementary school teacher pleads guilty to child porn possession

   Michael Scott Cooper, 43, of Bakersfield, pleaded guilty Monday to possession of child pornography.

5. North High awarded in national safe-driving contest

   North High School has been awarded $2,000 by Allstate Foundation and National Organizations for Youth Safety for students' efforts in organizing safe driving activities throughout the school year.

6. Sex offender on the loose

   The Kern County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in locating Curtis Cain Jr., a registered sex offender and parolee at large.

7. Arrest made in Rite Aid robbery

   On Monday, Bakersfield police received an anonymous tip which led them to the identification and arrest of Jesse Cruz Alvarado, 18, on suspicion of a May 9 robbery at Rite Aid.

8. Gay tolerance the focus of CSUB 'Ally Rally"

   Cal State Bakersfield will focus its attention on tolerance of the gay community from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in its third annual Ally Rally in the CSUB student union multipurpose room.

9. Two suspects wanted for pot dispensary robbery

   The Bakersfield Police Department is asking for the community's help identifying two suspects wanted for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

10. Pot grower sentenced to more than six years

    Jorge Alejandro Aburto, 28, of Michoacán, Mexico, was sentenced Monday to six years and eight months in prison for conspiring to cultivate, distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana.

11. Fire agencies declare start of wildfire season

    The public was asked to use caution during the upcoming wildfire season -- which officially began Monday -- during a news conference at Kern County Fire Department headquarters.

12. Shooting victim dies early Monday

    An autopsy is scheduled Tuesday for a 27-year-old woman shot and killed in the 200 block of Donna Avenue in Bakersfield.

13. Cat rescued from burning home

    At 4:05 p.m. Sunday, Kern County firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 500 Block of Suzanne Road.