Truck Flips Off Cliff; Man Ejected Into Kern River, Dies

A man missed a curve on rain-slickened Round Mountain Road and died after his truck flipped off a cliff, struck a tree and ended up in the Kern River on Sunday.

According to KBAK, the California Highway Patrol said Beau Adams, 33, of Bakersfield was headed east near Rio Mesa Road around 11 a.m. Sunday. He missed a curve and the truck rolled and ended up in the Kern River, they said.

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Suspicious Death Of Man, 32, At East Bakersfield Jade Hotel

Early Sunday, a man who recently moved to Bakersfield from Des Moines, Iowa was found dead at the Jade Hotel. Police said the man's death is suspicious.

Old Town Kern -- it's not the kind of area most people want to be found after dark. Just east of popular Narducci's Restaurant, the Jade Hotel is attached to Lazlo's Pool Hall on the corner of Baker and 21st streets in Old Town Kern. It's an area filled with strange and dark Bakersfield nightlife and is riddled with crime.

Kirk Aaron Swedblom was found dead on the second floor of the Jade Hotel around 6:15 a.m. Sunday, according to Bakersfield.com. The newspaper reported Swedblom was found by Bakersfield city firefighters face down in a second-floor hallway.

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Officials: 3 Arrested; Meth, Marijuana Found; Home, Cars Searched

There's one less bag of methamphetamine on the streets of Bakersfield after Sheriff's officials said they arrested 3 people in connection with a drug bust on Sunday.

Officials said members of the Kern County Sheriff's Office Problem Oriented Policing Team and members of the California Multijurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team served a search warrant at 517 Ansol Lane in Bakersfield just before 4 p.m. on Sunday. They said team members searched a home and vehicles.

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Carjacking Nightmare: Man Kidnapped, In Vehicle As Deputies Chase

You think some hoodlums might have a weapon as they approach your car. They force you to drive to your own home. While you're terrified, at least you're wise enough to call 9-1-1.

Any carjacking is a nightmare. But imagine if the hoodlums who want your car and money drive off in the vehicle with someone you know inside.

Sunday night two Bakersfield men, Isaac Chavez 22, and Maricio Gonzalez 41, told officials they were sitting in a Cadillac Eacalade parked in the 300 block of Cooley Street when two men approached them demanding $60.

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Build It And They Might Not Come: Budget Woes Means CSUB May Turn Back Enrollees

"Build it and they might not come after all," could be the new CSU Bakersfield slogan if they have to turn away enrollees due to state budget woes. This after millions have been spent renovating the CSUB campus, including a new Student Recreation Center that's currently under construction on campus.

In a Nov. 6 press release from the CSU chancellor, CSUB, along with 22 other California State Universities, may restrict enrollment and turn away some eligible students.

It would be the first time CSU schools would be impacted all at once.

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Weekend Leftovers: Are Your Teens Spinning Out Of Control?

I don't think the skid marks in the above photo on South Laurelglen in Bakersfield were made by a 40-year-old man last Saturday night. I mean, they could be. But what are the chances?

Wait a minute. I forgot I just turned 40. Am I capable of such rubber-burning treachery? Not likely. I'm a light drinker and a sleepy drunk. I'm more fun on Red Bull or coffee. But even those don't always have the desired effect when losing at a late-night game of Scrabble. I don't even think my truck can do that under my control.

It's amazing how sort of boring you can get compared to teenagers. I suppose compared to the people who had fun spinning out in circles and nearly killing themselves by crashing into a wall would think I'm a bore. What would my kids think?

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Sex Assault Suspect Video, Delano Woman Shot, Oildale Plans

You have a good Saturday night? Are you still recovering from that 5-2 Condors loss to Fresno at the Nest? How about what's hot in the local news Sunday?

Looks like another shooting in Delano. Terryl Lynn Roberts, 48 was found shot in the head in the 1000 block of Montana Way, KGET reported. They also reported investigators said she was shot in the head and that it was suspicious. Investigation continues.

Police released a video of a man they said may have committed the sexual assault of a woman in the 2400 block of Christmas Tree Lane after following her from a convenience store. KBAK said Dwayne Armstrong, 37, was arrested after the video was released. But if you don't think that's the man. Call the police. Bakersfield.com reported she was assaulted in her home.

Links and full report

America's Gun Control Paranoia Sweeps Into Kern County

Rising gun sales in Kern County are related to Barack Obama being elected as the next U.S. President. But such gun control paranoia causing gun lovers to stock up is really nationwide, according to the New York Times.

KGET reported that sales at Valley Gun in Bakersfield have gone up since Tuesday. They said Kern County gun owners are stocking up, fearing their right to bear arms will be taken away.

As an Illinois state legislator, the TV station said Obama has a history of tightening gun laws with restrictions on some firearms. Though Democrats dispute such harsh paranoia from the nation's gun lovers and gun dealers.

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Farmer's Market Report: Ballou Family Farms Almonds

Reports from Saturday's Farmer's Market were that bell peppers, green beans and egg plants all looked healthy, fresh and were one of the week's best deals. "The eggplants were so purple and full of color," said Chingpea, Truxtun Avenue's reporter on the scene.

"The Bread Guy's squaw bread and the organic farmer's oranges and hybrid plums looked really good," she added.

And while she came away with strawberries, bananas and bread, it was Ballou Family Farm's almonds that captured the day. Chopped almonds, whole almonds, blanched almonds, cinnamon almonds, garlic almonds -- they were all there.

Every Saturday we hit the local farmer's market. Here's the report.

Marketplace Decorates for Christmas In Bakersfield

Another November befalls us
It's time to move fast
The decorations have risen
It's like Turkey day's already past

It's just days since Obama
Was voted the man
But that's not why Christmas trees
Light up our land

Read the full goofy poem and see photos

High-Risk Sex Offender Moves Into Bakersfield Neighborhood

On Thursday, residents were told a high-risk sex offender moved into their central Bakersfield neighborhood, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

Police said registered sex offender Louie Garcia Jr., 48 moved into 3505 ½ L Street. They said he is classified as a sexual violent predator by the California Department of Justice. Officials said Garcia possibly drives a white 1988 Plymouth.

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Home Alone: Journalist Son, 14, Hides From Knife-Wielding Burglar

A brick smashes a window, and soon, a knife-carrying hooded figure walks through the house. Alone in the home, a 14-year-old boy hides in a closet with a knife and a baseball bat. Across town, a journalist father later finds a work phone message that says, "Dad, you have to come home right now." The father drives frantically across the city.

That was the story Wednesday afternoon when Bakersfield Californian staff writer Steve Mayer said he received a phone call from his 14-year-old son that someone had broken in and entered their home, according to Bakersfield.com.

Mayer wrote a personal, blogger-style report about the ordeal, in which he said his son was smart enough to call 911 and hide in the closet to give 911 dispatchers a report.

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MEDIA MADNESS: Bakersfield News Coverage Of Election 2008

Election 2008 coverage: What's Bakersfield media doing, saying, reporting on the election? Keep checking for up-to-the minute coverage of media online coverage...

BAKERSFIELD "MEDIA MADNESS":

KBAK: They say voting went smoothly. Updated article at 6:17 p.m. Say 80% of Kern County voters expected to turn out at polls...

BAKERSFIELD.COM:

6:25 p.m. Giddy voters get interviewed...they report few problems but emotions run deep, outcome fears evident in interviews...

Read: Lois Henry: Like voting? Thank a poll worker
Read: Voters Excitement Palpable...few problems
Read: Election Eve Arvin Mayhem!
Read: Voter reports from Bako polls

BAKOTOPIA:

Read: Asking Locals For Their Election Stories

KERN RADIO:
10:30 a.m.: Caller to Inga Barks: Planz and Hughes cardboard sign: "Some queer stole my Yes on 8 sign..." Hate?

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Election Day 2008 Sentiment: Travels Through Bakersfield, Oildale Neighborhoods

The man sweat as he looked down at a catalog of streets and names. Beads dripped down his face. He scrolled through the list. He couldn’t remember how to spell Gosford Road. “It’s G-O,” I said. My eyes were already at the bottom of the page. He needed to flip one more. He needed to sit down and fan himself.

I’d just put on a light jacket. There was a bit of a chill to the air. Wind had kicked up outside, rattled a sign. I stood in line for just a few minutes. People seemed to creep their way into the church as I snapped a few photos.

The sweating man found my name and didn’t bother to wipe his face. I unzipped my jacket. It wasn’t that it was that hot. It was the sentiment the man wore. He seemed nervous.

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MEDIA MADNESS: Bakersfield News Coverage Of Election 2008

Election 2008 coverage: What's Bakersfield media doing, saying, reporting on the election? Keep checking for up-to-the minute coverage of media online coverage...

GET ALL MEDIA UPDATES. CLICK NOW

BAKERSFIELD "MEDIA MADNESS":

KGET: Reports of trouble at the polls...see below...

Kiyoshi Tomono twitter:

8 a.m.: Hi guys, we'll be updating our KGET coverage of local races as they happen right here on twitter...
8:40 a.m.: One story we're working on now: Several reports of people not on the voter rolls and them having to use provisional ballots...
8:41 a.m.: Anybody else having that problem?
9:30 a.m.: Andy, that's what we're hearing from several people. They weren't on the main list, and then were sent somewhere else where again their ....name was missing. So they are told to cast provisional ballots. The woman we talked to said she wants her vote to count today and now. Jim Scott and I were saying it's interesting that there's no voter apathy this year. People really want their vote to count and be heard.
9:47: Yes, apparently free Starbucks tall brewed drip today whether you voted or not.

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Police: Boy Shot In Head With BB Gun, 4 Other Juveniles Fired On

A group of boys between the ages of 11 and 13 were shot by a 26-year-old man with a BB gun outside of Howard's Mini Market on Monday. He was assisting a youth who had argued with the group, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.

Police said they received a report of a juvenile shot at the Howard’s Mini Mart at 4201 Belle Terrace around 1:11 p.m. After a brief investigation they found 5 juveniles, ages 11-13, who had been shot by someone with a BB gun.

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Kern County Election Results 2008: Flash Pass

NOTE: 2008 KERN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, U.S. PRESIDENT ELECTION RESULTS: Tuesday, Truxtun Avenue will post up-to-the-minute updates on all the races, propositions on this page.

Many people don’t want to waste time in reading all the propositions candidates, et al regarding the Nov. 4, 2008 election. Here at Truxtun Avenue, we don’t pretend to have all the answers. So we're offering you a flash pass. We feel the need to provide you with a little information on the Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 election. We salted them a little bit for fun. Refer to your voter guides and google searches for more info.

CLICK FOR ELECTION FLASH PASS AND RESULTS

Bakersfield Farmer's Market Report: The Bread Guy

He's like an artist, but with bread. And he loves his subject. This week's Farmer's Market report features the bread guy from Great Harvest Bread Co. If you never thought baking could be romantic, think again. You haven't met the bread guy.

Jeff Cornelius spends long hours baking bread in two giant ovens prior to each weekend's Farmer's Market at Golden State Mall on F Street. He not only offers great-tasting unique breads, but also offers some of the most exciting bread conversation you can ever have in Bakersfield. It's part of the reason Truxtun Avenue flocks to his table every Saturday morning between 8 a.m and 12 p.m.

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Pit Bull Bites Face During Attack On Bassett Hound

On Day of the Dead it was nearly the same for a local bassett hound and its owner, who were both attacked by a 50-pound pit bull in Bakersfield, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff's officials said just after 12 p.m. Saturday deputies went to the 1100 block of Blossom Street. They said a 50-pound pit bull escaped from it's backyard and attacked a bassett hound that lived across the street from the pit bull's home.

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Mento Buru, Skeletons Dance, In Music Filled Day Of The Dead Bash

Minus the skeleton face paint and dancing devil puppets, it was dancing as usual at the annual Day of the Dead show in Bakersfield featuring music from Mento Buru. Musical guests the Iron Outlaws, L.A.’s the Underground and a guest jam with members of the band Fishbone also livened up the night.

In 2007, the annual Day of the Dead show in Bakersfield was at the Nile Theater and featured local Dia de los Muertos artwork, cultural dancing and life-sized skeleton musicians. Mento Buru had been hitting the stage in past years with painted skeleton faces. But not this year as the 2008 event was held at Fishlips, also in downtown Bakersfield.

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Mohawk Street Extension: Just Another Bridge To Nowhere?

Sources have told Truxtun Avenue that Granite Construction just bid on a new Bakersfield bridge over the Kern River. It's just part of a huge new roadway project that proposes to ease the traffic burden on existing roadways in the area.

But will this be a Bakersfield bridge to nowhere?

Take Mohawk Street for its short curving drive from California Avenue past apartments and commercial buildings. A lone restaurant called Woody's sits on the corner where Mohawk meets Truxtun Extension. While coming up to the intersection a driver can look straight ahead to strip of grass where frisbee golf courses are frequented by hardcore disk tossers. They can be seen playing any day of the week.

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Man Caught Carrying Two Bags Of Stolen U-Haul Goods

Early Monday morning a man walking down an Oildale street was caught carrying two bags of stolen U-Haul property, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Department.

At 4:37a.m., deputies went to a burglary in progress at the U-Haul store located at 107 North Chester, in Oildale.

Officials said deputies arrived within two minutes and discovered Stephen Orsburn, 22, of Oildale, walking in the 100 block of Beardsley Avenue carring two bags of stolen property.

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Commentary: Twitter Novel 'Small Places' Gets Nod For Innovation In Christian Science Monitor

The novel in microform. Not a new concept. That's called flash fiction. But the use of the social media tool Twitter for original literary fiction landed me a nod for literary innovation in an article appearing in both print and online versions of Friday's edition of the Christian Science Monitor.

The article, "The Novel By Tweet: The microblogging site, Twitter, launches into serialized fiction for bored cubicle dwellers," is by Matt Shaer, formerly of the Boston Globe.

Shaer writes, "Nick Belardes believes in brevity. He hews close to that hallowed maxim, beloved by middle school English teachers and old-fashioned newsmen alike: Keep it simple, stupid."

Well, I do believe more in brevity than ever. And in a twitter novel, you have 140-character limits. So I have to pay attention to constraints.

It's an artform that I started learning in college in the mid-1990s. My writing was too long-winded. So a professor had me writing 150-word summaries of entire history books. That was tough going. But those exercises paved the way to my success today in writing a short-form continuous-thread twitter novel.

I asked Matt Shaer why he was interested in writing about Twitter books. "I write a good deal about books – for the LA Times, for the Globe, for the Monitor – and in the face of seriously sinking readership, it's always a happy thing to stumble upon a hopeful trend," he said.

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True Bakersfield Horror: Terror at the Preventorium

I heard the story about a year ago. I saw the battered people from the car wreck. There was still fear in their eyes. They’d become victims of their own storytelling, their own curiosity of a maddening place in the hills.

People who want to be scared sometimes step too far over the edge. A midnight drive can turn into a midnight car chase or shooting. A late night dip into the wrong alley can lead to nightmares for years to come.

John startled himself when he blurted it out. Three others sat on the couch nearby. They’d been telling spooky stories—true tales about Bakersfield and the surrounding hills. “We can go up to that insane hospital,” John had said to his girlfriend, Sherry, and friends, Matt and Beth. They didn’t know they spoke of the old Kernville Preventorium and Dark Creek Sanatorium. While Dark Creek was a tuberculosis hospital that opened in 1917, the Preventorium was a place where men, women and children with tuberculosis got some healing, or care while dying. One doctor had said the lack of foggy air was good up in the rocky hills for patients.

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