I am writing in regard to the May 19 news story "Kern's image may be taking a hit." What I find most disturbing about this article is that the city leaders of Bakersfield appear to care more about our image than the fact that a terrible thing has happened with the death of David Sal Silva. While it is yet unclear as to who was at fault, a young man, a father of four children, was killed. This is a tragedy, one that is played out far too many times in our city.
For years, our city's image-makers have tried to "brand" Bakersfield as a "family-friendly city." The facts say otherwise. Our high rates of poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, child neglect/abuse, crime and murder are the reality in our city and a real threat to family welfare. Yet our...
Many throughout the county are outraged because Kern County sheriff's deputies went into a private residence and took cellphones of private citizens because they believed the phones contained evidence of a crime. I'm referring to the...
Because of school budget constraints, the Helmet Club was formed more than 25 years ago as a nonprofit to help the Bakersfield College football program. It has always done so with utmost integrity. The chancellor of the Kern Community...
The Bakersfield College football situation is one more example of cutting off your nose to spite your face. Or how about the law of unintended consequences forced on us by power-blind bureaucrats. Without supporters, booster clubs and...
With regard to the David Sal Silva case, why are the media and the general public so quick to blame law enforcement? A man died and that is awful, but how do we know it was a result of the officers' attempt to detain him? Notice I didn't...
Now is the time for the Kern County District Attorney's Office, under the leadership of Lisa Green, to immediately take over the investigation of David Sal Silva's death at the hands of local law enforcement officers. What role Kern County...
Am I the only one who is alarmed by the huge amounts of homework students are faced with every day? It's horrendous! As soon as they get home from school, they start doing their homework with a break for dinner -- then back to the homework...
As a World War II Air Force veteran, I was part of Kern County's "Honor Flight" to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II Memorial and other national shrines, a fulfilling and thrilling experience. However, for me the most emotional...
Interacting with special needs students on your high school campus makes a big difference to them. I would like to ask all regular-ed students everywhere in Kern County to take the time next week to say hi to a special ed student on their...
For those who feel like they've been spinning their wheels with regard to the increased water rates put forth by Cal Water in Bakersfield and Lake Isabella, I suggest the California Public Utilities Commission is the wrong avenue to get the...
Nothing is going to come of this IRS stuff or this Department of Justice stuff or this Benghazi stuff. Nothing. You want to know why? It's because the Republicans jumping all over it are doing so from a hypocritical position, since they...
This country has become way too politically polarized. Elected or appointed federal officials wind up serving about one-half of the country. These people, once chosen, should be required to pledge that they will represent all of the...
Apparently, the talking-point word of the day in the local Democratic Party is "transparency" since it appears in two letters on the same day ("Vidak didn't show up for his interview" and "Vidak lacks transparency," May 14). I wonder if the...
Sheriff requests FBI inquiry into in-custody death (26)
Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by...
Authorities return cellphones to beating witnesses; video could be released Friday (26)
Two cellphones confiscated last week from witnesses to the in-custody death of David Sal Silva were returned Wednesday to the attorney representing the witnesses.
Lost trust in law enforcement drives protest against brutality (17)
About two dozen protesters stood in front of Kern County Superior Court next to the Liberty Bell Thursday morning to make a statement about police brutality.
Kern's image may be taking a hit (15)
The death of a man in custody following a prolonged struggle with Kern County Sheriff's deputies and CHP officers and the subsequent fracas over confiscated witness cellphones have gained international attention and raised concerns here that the incidents could tarnish the county's emerging...
Dad who died during arrest 'begged for his life'; witness videos seized
Blood stains are still visible on the sidewalk at the corner of Flower Street and Palm Drive, where a Bakersfield man struggled with as many as nine officers and later died this week.
Sheriff requests FBI inquiry into in-custody death
Responding to what he called a case that “has consumed the media and our community,” Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday he has asked the FBI to conduct a “parallel” investigation into the death of Bakersfield father of four David Sal Silva, who died May 8 after he was beaten by deputies.
Debate erupts over cell phone video of Silva beating by officers. Witness: "I can still hear him."
A war of words erupted Friday over video footage taken of David Sal Silva’s deadly encounter with law enforcement officers.
BC vacates 2012 state football championship
Bakersfield College will vacate its 2012 state football championship and forfeit its regular-season wins from the 2011 and 2012 seasons because of California Community College Athletic Association rules violations.