Bakersfield Local News

Lead stories from "First Look with Scott Cox's" Big 6: SENTENCING: Sentencing for a Bakersfield man convicted for his role in a wild crime spree. Rene Gomez, 28, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison after pleading no contest in July to robbery and a count of hit and run was dismissed. Authorities say Gomez and Steven Lujan robbed the Freeway Express Market in Mettler on March 1 of more than 10,000. Lujan is charged with robbery, attempted murder and sexual battery and is being held on $880,000 bail. His next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 19. Read the full story here. 

Posted: Wednesday Aug-28-2013 9:00 AM
Source: The Bakersfield Californian

Ashburn I had a long talk with former state Senator Roy Ashburn this week, and it is good to see him rebounding from his personal and political setbacks. In an hour-long, no-holds-barred interview on First Look with Scott Cox, Ashburn spoke candidly about his DUI arrest in Sacramento and his decision a week later to come out as being gay. He also revealed that he is no longer registered as a Republican because of the party's stand on immigration and gay rights. Was he hypocritical while in office? "I lied and disappointed people," he told me. "I was not honest." The hardest decision after his DUI arrest: Calling his mother and telling her he was gay. In another surprise, Ashburn told me his younger brother died of AIDS 20 years ago, making the telephone call even harder. With the emotional weight of a secret life behind him, Ashburn is now refocused and happy. Are politics behind him? "I don't have a need to be in public office," he said. "But I wouldn't rule anything out."

Posted: Wednesday Aug-28-2013 6:00 AM
Source: The Bakersfield Californian

I'm sure you will all be pleased to know that a bunch of state judicial bureaucrats just got a 3.5 percent raise while Kern County has closed down one of our outlying courts entirely, is preparing to shut another on all but a single day of the week, and continues to have to cut back hours that clerks can take filings or even talk to the public on the phone. Yup, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy too.

Posted: Tuesday Aug-27-2013 11:00 PM
Source: The Bakersfield Californian

He was honored for "conspicuous gallantry ... above and beyond the call of duty." That's what the official citation says.

Posted: Tuesday Aug-27-2013 11:00 PM
Source: The Bakersfield Californian

Three nonprofit advocacy groups with nationwide memberships are waging an ad battle in Kern County media over immigration reform, with U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy in the middle. That's because the Bakersfield native's powerful status as House majority whip -- the body's No. 3 leadership position -- will make his influence on the issue count when Congress returns Sept. 9 from its summer recess.

Posted: Tuesday Aug-27-2013 8:00 PM
Source: The Bakersfield Californian

Convicted robber Rene Arturo Gomez was sentenced to two years in prison Tuesday morning for his role in a wild March crime spree. Gomez, 28, made no comment during the sentencing held in Department 1 of Kern County Superior Court.

Posted: Tuesday Aug-27-2013 7:00 PM
Source: The Bakersfield Californian

Will the scheduled Wednesday morning rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base be visible from Kern County? Maybe, said a spokeswoman at the base near Lompoc. And maybe not.

Posted: Tuesday Aug-27-2013 6:00 PM
Source: The Bakersfield Californian

TO OUR READERS The Californian provides free death listings using information supplied by local mortuaries. The in-depth notices that follow are paid obituaries and remembrances. These listings must be purchased by 2 p.m. To place an Obituary or In Loving Memory, call 395-7302. Full obituaries are posted at Bakersfield.com at 9 p.m. on the day before publication.

Posted: Tuesday Aug-27-2013 5:00 PM
Source: The Bakersfield Californian

The Bakersfield Police Department and the Kern County Sheriff's Office continue to investigate the three sexual assaults that happened in the past month in east Bakersfield. BPD Chief Greg Williamson said this particular case is a tad difficult because the suspect has been seen wearing a black ski mask during each encounter.

Posted: Tuesday Aug-27-2013 4:00 PM
Source: The Bakersfield Californian

After identifying himself as a Republican for 59 years, former state Sen. Roy Ashburn has left the party. Although he said he will always remain a Republican at heart, Ashburn said the GOP's stance has changed and he no longer feels connected to the party.

Posted: Tuesday Aug-27-2013 4:00 PM
Source: The Bakersfield Californian