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03-09-2010
A jury has convicted Tommy Pernell Davidson, 44, for the first-degree murder of Jessie Hill, Jr., 21, whom Kern County prosecutors say was a gang "shot caller." Hill died a year ago Friday, just hours after he had been released from jail. Davidson was arrested several weeks later, following the attack in the 400 block of Powell Street in Bakersfield. His sentencing is April 6. |
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03-09-2010
Kern County residents could decide in November if they want a municipal utilities district, after Supervisors decided June would be too soon. They're still fighting Pacific Gas and Electric to lower rates, even as it is providing $36 million to fund Propostion 16 in June to restrict locally-run districts. PG&E vice president Tom Bottorff agrees the bills are too high, but he shifted the blame on rate payers. "It's more a consequence of the fact that people who use more energy have higher bills, and that's just a fact of choosing to live in that kind of climate," Bottorff said. Supervisor Jon McQuiston had harsh words Tuesday for Bottorff. "The proposition is not defendable," McQuiston said. "No parent likes to admit they have an ugly child. This is an ugly baby, and it's yours." Kern County's counter-measure is advisory, and still needs studies to see what prices local utilities would charge. Ultimately, the state's Public Utilities Commission and the legislature vote to change energy rates.
Meantime, Supervisor Michael Rubio says some of his constituents -- who live outside of incorporated Bakersfield -- are being charged a "city surcharge" on their PG&E bills. Rubio says it's a mistake, and that they don't deserve the extra fees. He's telling them to report the error to Assistant City Manager John Stinson's office at 661-326-3751. |
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03-09-2010
A Bakersfield College student is under arrest, accused of making threats with a gun at the campus cafeteria Tuesday. The Renegade Rip newspaper reports witnesses say Jermaine Turner, 19, was heard saying "I will kill you all." BC spokesperson Amber Chiang says the students in the cafeteria kept their cool. "They took him very seriously, and one of the students was able to call our public safety officers to respond to the scene immediately," Chiang said. "They contacted Bakersfield police for assistance." BPD cordoned off the area, locked the cafeteria down for ten minutes, and arrested Turner, who reportedly gave what turned out to be a B-B gun to an accomplice to hide it in the gym. The gun was recovered, and no one was hurt. |
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