23ABC News at 5 p.m. | Top Stories for January 6, 2020

Video Credit: 23ABC News | Bakersfield
Published on January 7, 2020 - Duration: 13:29s

23ABC News at 5 p.m. | Top Stories for January 6, 2020

Homelessness on the forefront for both the city and the county.

A look at how they're planning to tackle the issue this year.

Plus, court is back in session as the trial of Leslie Chance continues.

Today one of her daughters is taking the stand for the defense.

What she told the jury about her parent's relationship.


23ABC News at 5 p.m. | Top Stories for January 6, 2020

NEWS AT FIVE -- I'M JESSICAHARRINGTON.TONIGHT'S TOP STORIES..HOMELESSNESS ON THE FOREFRONTFOR BOTH THE CITYAND THE COUNTY... A LOOK AT HOWTHEY'RE PLANNING TOTACKLE THE ISSUE THIS YEAR.PLUS -- COURT IS BACK INSESSION..

THE TRIAL OF LESLIECHANCECONTINUES... TODAY ONE OF HERDAUGHTER'S TAKING THE STANDFOR THE DEFENSE.

WHAT SHE TOLDTHE JURY ABOUT HERPARENT'S RELATIONSHIP.23ABC NEWS AT 5 STARTS RIGHTNOW...THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN OUTSPOKENABOUTHOMELESSNESS -- AND THE IMPACTSSTEMMING FROM IT.SO THIS YEAR -- 23ABC ISDEDICATED TO CONTINUING THEDISCUSSION OF THE HOMELESSCRISIS IN KERN COUNTY.BOTH THE CITY AND COUNTY HAVEALSO PRIORITIZED HOMELESSNESSAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES INOUR COMMUNITY.ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS --SEVERAL HOMELESSINITIATIVES THAT WERE LAUNCHEDIN 20-19 ARE EXPECTED TO SEEFRUITION THIS YEAR.23 ABC'S BAYAN WANG REVIEWEDSOME OF THOSE INITIATIVES ANDJOINS US LIVE IN STUDIO WITHMORE.

BAYAN?JESSICA -- THE DEVELOPMENT OFLOW-BARRIER SHELTERS IS ATTHE FOCAL POINT FOR OUR LOCALGOVERNMENT... OF COURSE, THECOUNTY SOLIDIFIED THEIR LOCATIONFOR A SHELTER AT THEEND OF 2019, WHILE THE CITY ISSTILL IN THE PROCESS OFCONFIRMING THERE OWN.

ON TOP OFTHAT, THE BAKERSFIELDHOMELESS CENTER AND THE MISSIONAT KERN COUNTY, BOTHVOWED TO ADD 40 NEW BEDS TOTHEIR SHELTERS - AND THEY EXPECTTO HAVE THAT DONE BY THE END OFTHE YEAR.SOT: CARLOS BALDOVINOSWE'RE GOING TO START OFF WITHTHE 40, WE MADE THATCOMMITMENT AS AN ORGANIZATION ACOUPLE OF WEEKS BACK,WE'VE ACTUALLY BEEN WORKING WITHTHE CITY ON THAT PROJECT.KERN COUNTY LEARNED A LOT IN2019 - A POINT-IN-TIME COUNTREVEALING THAT THE NUMBER OFUNSHELTERED HOMELESSINDIVIDUALS DOUBLED FROM THEYEAR PRIOR - THE MAJORITYRESIDING ON THE STREETS OFBAKERSFIELD.CARLOS BALDOVINOS"THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT CREATEDOVERNIGHT, THISHAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FORTHE LAST 5, 6 YEARS.

IT'S GOINGTO TAKE MORE THAN 2020.

I HOPE,I HOPE WE MAKE A BIG DENT IN2020 -THAT'S THE HOPE."A HAIL OF COMPLAINTS FROM THECOMMUNITYSPURRED ACTION FROM BOTH CITYAND COUNTY OFFICIALS -ADDING MORE RESOURCES TO COMBATTHE ISSUE THIS YEAR.A RAPID RESPONSE TEAM LAUNCHEDIN SEPTEMBER OF2019, HAS RESPONDED TO NEARLY1500 REQUESTS TOCLEAN UP HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTSAND TRASH,COMPLETING OVER 95 PERCENT OFTHEIR TASKS.

THIS YEAR THEBAKERSFIELD HOMELESS CENTER MAYJOINTHE CLEANUP INITIATIVE FROM 6:30A.M.

TO 11 A.M MONDAY THROUGHFRIDAY, A CONTRACT THAT WOULDRUN THROUGH DECEMBER - IFAPPROVED.PRIVATE SECURITY ESTABLISHED FORTHE DOWNTOWN AREA WILL REMAIN,WHILE CITY STAFF WILL RECOMMENDAN EXTENSION FOR A BIO-HAZARDCLEANING TEAM LAUNCHED IN 2019.IF PASSED - THERE HOURS WOULDINCREASE FROM 20 TO 26 HOURS PERWEEK.ON TOP OF THAT.

THE COUNTYCONFIRMED A LOCATION OF ALOW-BARRIER SHELTER IN CENTRALBAKERSFIELD,WHILE THE CITY IS STILL DECIDINGBETWEEN TWO LOCATIONS FORTHEIR OWN SHELTER IN SOUTHEASTBAKERSFIELD.

CARLOS BALDOVINOSWE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS MORE ONDETOX FACILITIES TO GETPEOPLE OFF THE STREETS, WE NEEDTO START TALKING ABOUTWRAP AROUND SERVICES TO HELPPEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH, JOBTRAINING, TO GET THOSE PEOPLEINTO PERMANENTHOUSING..TOMORROW NIGHT THE CITY ISINVITING THE PUBLIC TO THEIRTHIRD HOMELESS COMMUNITY MEETINGAT 6 P.M.

IN THE POTATOROOM AT THE MECHANICS BANKCONVENTION CENTER.

THE CITYIS ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TOEXPRESS HOW HOMELESSNESSMAY BE AFFECTING THEIRCOMMUNITY.

LIVE IN STUDIO --BAYAN WANG -- 23ABC CONNECTINGYOU.LESLIE CHANCE IS BACK IN COURTFOR HER RETRIAL -- AND TODAY NEWWITNESSES TOOK THE STAND --INCLUDING ONE OF HER OTHERDAUGHTERS.23ABC'S ALEX BELL JOINS US LIVEFROM DOWNTOWNBAKERSFIELD AND HAS MORE ON HERTESTIMONY.

ALEX?TODAY LESLIE CHANCE'S ATTORNEYCALLED SARAH CHANCE TOTESTIFY.... SARAH IS THEDAUGHTER OF TODD AND LESLIECHANCE.EARLIER TODAY SHE TOLD THE JURYSHE WAS VERY CLOSE WITHHER FATHER AND CALLING HERSELF ADADDY'S GIRL.DEFENSE ATTORNEY TONYLIDGETT ASKED SARAH QUESTIONSABOUT FAMILY VACATIONSIN THE SUMMER OF 2013.SARAH SAID HER FAMILY VISITEDTHE BEACH, SAN FRANCISCO ANDLAS VEGAS.HE ALSO ASKED HER ABOUT THEIRMARRIAGE..

SHE SAID SHE DOESN'TREMEMBER THEM HAVING ISSUESEXCEPT FOR ONE FIGHT ABOUT TWOWEEKS PRIOR TO TODD'S DEATH.THEY ALSO HAD SARAH LOOK ATSURVEILLANCE VIDEO AND ASKEDIF SHE BELIEVED ANYONE IN THATVIDEO WAS HER MOM..

SHEREPEATEDLY SAID NO.DURING CROSS EXAMINATION ANDREAKHOLER ASKED CHANCEHOW HER MOTHER LESLIE FELT ABOUTGUNS.

CHANCETESTIFIED THAT HER MOTHER DIDNOT LIKE GUNS AND THAT IT WASNOT A SURPRISE TO ANYONE THATSHE DIDN'T.CHANCE ALSO TESTIFIED THAT HERMOTHER DID GO SHOOTING AFOR THE FIRST TIME A FEW WEEKSBEFORE TODDS DEATH.KHOLER ALSO ASKED SARAH IF SHETHOUGHT IT WAS ODD THATHER AND HER MOTHER ONLY VISITEDHER FATHERS GRAVESITE ONCETOGETHER.

SARAH SAID SHE DIDN'TTHINK SO.

SARAHTESTIFIED THAT HER AND HERMOTHER HAD SPOKEN ABOUT WHO MAYHAVE KILLED HER FATHER AND SARAHSAID IT MAYHAVE BEEN SOMEONE TRYING TO TAKEHIS CAR.

COURT WILLRESUME TOMORROW AT 9AM.

JESS.(Q) ALEX -- LET ME GO BACK TOTHE FAMILY VACATION.

WHY WASTHATBROUGHT UP -- WAS THERE ANYTHINGOF SIGNIFICANCE?(A) THEY WENT TO A CSIEXPERIENCE..

THE ATTORNEY ASKEDIF THAT MADE HER WANT TO GO KILLANYONE... SHE SAID NO.(Q) AND WHAT ABOUT THAT FIGHTJUST TWO WEEKS PRIOR... DID SHESAY WHAT THEY WERE FIGHTINGABOUT?(A) SHE SAID IT WAS A FIGHTABOUT CLEANING... BUTAFTER THAT SHE SAID EVERYTHINGREALLY JUST WENT BACK TONORMAL.(Q) THE SURVEILLANCE VIDEO --SHE SAID IT'S DEFINITELYHER MOM... HOW DOES SHE KNOW?(A) SHE SPECIFICALLY POINTED OUTTHE BODY SHAPE ANDFEET SAYING IT DID NOT MATCH HERMOM.TODAY -- ASSEMBLYMAN RUDY SALASINTRODUCED A NEW BILL THAT WOULDIMPLEMENT ACCOUNTABILITYAND TRANSPARENCY MEASURES FORLOCAL FAIRS...THEY WERE REPORTEDLY RECOMMENDEDBY THE STATEAUDITOR FOLLOWING ITSINVESTIGATION OF A DISTRICTAGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION --WHICH OPERATES UNDER THEOVERSIGHT OF THE CALIFORNIADEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND AG.THESE ASSOCIATIONS HOLD LOCALFAIRS AND EXHIBITIONSAND HIRE EMPLOYEES TO OVERSEEOPERATIONS ANDENSURE CERTAIN POLICIES AREBEING IMPLEMENTED.FOLLOWING THE WHISTLEBLOWERCOMPLAINTS -- THE STATEAUDITOR REPORT FOUND THAT ASTATE COUNTY FAIR GROSSLYMISMANAGED STATE RESOURCES.

OURI-TEAM WAS ABLE TO PINPOINT THATTHE KERN COUNTY FAIR WASTHE FAIR THAT WAS UNDERINVESTIGATION.THIS ASSEMBLY BILL WOULD ADDRESSSOME OF THE MOSTCONCERNING ISSUES FOUND IN THEREPORT -- BY REQUIRINGDIRECTORS ATTEND ETHICS TRAININGEACH YEAR AND REPORTSALARY INFORMATION.A BAKERSFIELD POLICE OFFICER ISRECOVERING AFTER BEINGINVOLVED IN A CRASH IN OILDALETHIS MORNING...IT HAPPENED AT THE INTERSECTIONOF AIRPORT DRIVEAND STATE ROAD AROUND 11-30 A-M...THE OFFICER -- WHO POLICE WOULDNOT IDENTIFY -- WASDRIVING NORTHBBOUND ON AIRPORTIN A MARKED PATROLVEHICLE WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLECRASHED INTO HIM.WITNESSES AT THE SCENE TOLDPOLICE THE OFFICER HAD THEGREEN LIGHT AND THE OTHER DRIVERRAN A RED LIGHT.THE OFFICER SUFFERED MODERATEINJURIES AND WASTAKEN TO A HOSPITAL FORTREATMENT.POLICE SAY THE OTHER DRIVER WASNOT INJURED AND STAYED ATTHE SCENE.THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.THE BAKERSFIELD POLICEDEPARTMENT NEEDS YOUR HELPFINDING A SUSPECT VEHICLE THATWAS REPORTEDLYINVOLVED IN A DEADLY HIT-AND-RUN LAST MONTH...ACCORDING TO POLICE -- A MAN INA WHEELCHAIR WAS CROSSINGTHE STREET AT CHESTER AVENUE AND3RD STREET -- IN AN UNMARKEDCROSSWALK -- WHEN HE WAS HIT ANDKILLED.THE SUSPECT DROVE OFF SOUTHBOUNDON CHESTER AVENUEFOLLOWING THE COLLISION.B-P-D SAID THEY ARE LOOKING FORA WHITE, LATER 19-90S OR EARLY2000S CHEVY SUBURBAN OR G- M-CYUKON WITH POSSIBLE FRONTEND DAMAGE.IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION --CALL B-P-D AT 327-71-11.A THIRD PERSON HAS BEEN ARRESTEDAND BOOKED INCONNECTION TO A SHOOTING THATTOOK PLACE IN WASCO LASTMONTH...ACCORDING TO THE SHERIFF'SOFFICE -- 21-YEAR-OLD SAMUELOLIVIA OF MCFARLAND WAS ARRESTEDFRIDAY AND BOOKED ONCHARGES OF ATTEMPTED MURDER...ROBBERY ANDCONSPIRACY.K-C-S-O SAID DEPUTIES WEREDISPATCHED TO GRIFFITH AVENUENEAR 7-TH STREET -- WHERE THEYFOUND A 33-YEAR-OLD MANSUFFERING FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND.THE VICTIM WAS TRANSPORTED TOKERN MEDICAL BY HELICOPTER ANDAT LAST CHECK HE WAS LISTED ASSTABLE.TWO OTHER PEOPLE WERE ARRESTEDLAST MONTH INCONNECTION TO THIS CRIME -- 27-YEAR-OLD JUAN CASILLAS OFWASCO AND 35-YEAR-OLD MARIARAMIREZ OF MCFARLAND.IN OTHER NEWS -- KERN COUNTYSUPERVISOR LETICIA PEREZ --WHO IS CURRENTLY BEING CHARGEDWITH MISDEMEANORCONFLICT OF INTEREST -- WASNAMED CHAIRPERSON OFTHE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DURINGA SPECIAL MEETING TODAY.CHAIRMAN PEREZ IS CURRENTLYFACING TWO MISDEMEANORCHARGES FOR CONFLICT OFINTEREST.PROSECUTORS ALLEGED PEREZ STOODTO GAIN FINANCIALLY FROMA VOTE ON WHETHER TO ALLOW THELEGALIZATION OFMARIJUANA IN KERN COUNTY INOCTOBER OF 20-17.IN AUGUST -- A JUDGE SAID THE5TH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR WAS"DISCRIMINATED AGAINST" FORPOLITICAL REASONS IN THECONFLICT OF INTEREST CASE.IF CONVICTED -- PEREZ COULD FACEUP TO A YEAR IN COUNTYJAIL AND BE PROHIBITED FROMHOLDING ELECTED OFFICE FOR FOURYEARS.A STATUS CONFERENCE IN THE CASEIS SCHEDULED FORJANUARY 17.THE KERN LAW ENFORCEMENTASSOCIATION HAS LAUNCHED ACAMPAIGN TO TRY AND PROTECT THEOIL INDUSTRY...THIS OF COURSE COMING AFTERGOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM'S PLANTO SHIFT AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELSAND TOWARD CLEANENERGY.K-L-E-A LAUNCHED ITS KEEPINGCALIFORNIA CAMPAIGN TODAY.KERN COUNTY IS THE 5-TH LARGESTOIL PRODUCER IN THE UNITEDSTATES.ACCORDING TO K-L-E-A -- THEREARE NEARLY 15-THOUSAND JOBSIN THE OILD INDUSTRY AND NEARLY10-THOUSANDSUPPORTING JOBS.NEWSOM SIGNED SIX BILLS INOCTOBER FOR CLEAN ENERGY --INCLUDING ONE THAT WILL BLOCKSTATE LANDS FROM BEING USEDFOR NEW FEDERAL OIL EXTRACTION.KERN COUNTY IS FEELING WARMINGTEMPERATURES AS W HEAD INTOTUESDAY DUE TO HIGH PRESSURETHAT IS IN CONTROL.DUE TO THE CHILLY NIGHTS ANDCLEAR SKIES, THERE IS A FOGTHREAT MAINLY IN THE VALLEYTONIGHT INTO TUESDAYMORNING.TUESDAY WILL BE THE WARMEST DAYOF THE WEEK WITH A HIGH OF61 IN BAKERSFIELD.

THE KERNRIVER VALLEY WILL BE IN THELOW-60S AND THE SOUTH MOUNTAINSIN THE LOW-50S, WITHOVERNIGHT LOWS IN THE 30S.

AIRQUALITY REMAINS MODERATE IN THEVALLEY TOMORROW.

THERE IS NOBURNING UNLESSWITH A REGISTERED DEVICE.

ASYSTEM IS MOVING THROUGH ONWEDNESDAY BRINGING A DIP INTEMPERATURES AND AN INCREASE INWINDS.

THURSDAY LOOKSTO BE THE BEST CHANCE FORPRECIPITATION IN THE COUNTY.

ASOF NOW, WE ARE TRACKING RAIN ANDTHE CHANCE FOR MOUNTAINSNOW.THAT SYSTEM CLEARS BY FRIDAYWITH ANOTHER ON ITS HEELS THISWEEKEND.

WE ARE STILL SEVERALDAYS OUT, BUTCOULDBE SEEING MORE RAIN IN THEVALLEY AND SNOWE CHANCESIN THE MOUNTAINS.NOW TO EDUCATION NEWS...IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO ENROLL INCOLLEGE THISUPCOMING SEMESTER -- BAKERSFIELDCOLLEGE ISHOLDING A ONE-DAY EXPRESSENROLLMENT THIS WEEK.THIS IS VIDEO OF A PREVIOUSEXPRESS ENROLLMENT.YOU NEED TO BRING A PICTUREI-D... HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTSIFYOU ARE A RECENT GRADUATE ORCOLLEGE ANDUNIVERSITY TRANSCRIPTS.IT'S HAPPENING THIS WEDNESDAYFROM 1 UNTIL 5 P-M AT THEPANORAMA CAMPUS.YOU CAN CHECK IN AT THE WELCOMECENTER IN THEADMINISTRATION BUILDING.STARTING THIS WEEK --- THE CITYANIMAL CONTROL UNIT WILL BEOFFERING LOW COST VACCINECLINICS AT LOCAL PARKS RIGHTHERE IN TOWN.CLINICS WILL BE HELD ON THESECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH --FROM 9 A-M UNTIL NOON.THE FIRST VET CLINIC WILL BEHELD THIS SATURDAY AT THEPARK AT RIVERWALK.PET OWNERS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TOGET THEIR PETSLICENSED AND MICROCHIPPED.STARTING FEBRUARY FIRST --VACCINE CLINICS WILL NO LONGERBE OFFERED AT THE ANIMAL CARECENTER.FOR MORE INFORMATION -- HEAD TOOUR WEBSITE -- TURNTO 23 DOT COM.YOU'RE INVITED TO TAKE PART IN ABLACK TIE GALA TO START 20-20 --MAYBE EVEN DANCE WITH THE MAYOR-- ALL TO HELP LOCALFOLKS IN NEED..A PRESS CONFERENCE WAS HELD THISMORNING TOANNOUNCE THE INAUGURAL MAYOR'SBALL WHICH WILL TAKEPLACE AT CITY SERVE ON F STREETNEXT MONTH.IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW..

CITY SERVECONNECTS FAMILIES IN CRISIS-- WITH MORE THAN 80 LOCALCHURCHES OF ALL DENOMINATIONS --HELPS FAMILIES GET BACK ON THEIRFEET.LAST YEAR ALONE -- ITDISTRIBUTED 10 MILLION DOLLARSINPRODUCTS TO FAMILIES.SOT - OUTCUE: FOR MY CHILDREN."AND YES -- MAYOR GOH AND SEVERALOF HER ORGANIZERS FORTHE EVENT..

SAID YOU MIGHT GETTHE CHANCE TO DANCE WITH THEMAYOR!TICKETS ARE ON SALE FOR 100DOLLARS EACH TO ATTEND THEBLACK-TIE GALA ON FEB.

8TH...FOR MORE INFORMATION -- CALL371-26-50 OR GO TO OURWEBSITE..

TURN TO 23 DOT COM.COMING UP ON 23ABC NEWS AT FIVE-- NEW CHARGES

You are here

You might like