http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/goodbye2007/18884 Bakersfield is a wild news town and 2007 didn’t disappoint in delivering wacky headlines. Prosecutor prosecuted Some party. Her husband bit a casino security guard, prosecutors allege, and she battered three men, including a Kern sheriff’s deputy. Misdemeanor charges, sure. But they’re filed against a Kern County deputy district attorney. Andrea and Gregory Kohler face criminal charges in Santa Barbara County following their October arrest at a Santa Ynez casino, where a wedding party for a D.A. colleague apparently ended in a melee. Their next court appearance is slated for Jan. 23 in Santa Maria. Paper clip plot On May 29, the morning a jury said he should be executed for murdering his family, Vincent Brothers made what authorities called an escape attempt — with paper clips. Yes, paper clips. Ones he’d hidden in his hair. Sheriff’s officials said Brothers manipulated his leg restraints so they were attached to the same leg — making them useless — and put paper clips fashioned into handcuff keys in his hair. But authorities foiled Brothers’ apparent plan and he’s on death row at San Quentin State Prison. Beaver makes waves Nine cottonwood trees downed along the Kern River Bike Path by a prolific beaver spurred city parks staff to seek help from state wildlife officials in December. For a short time, the beaver had a death sentence. But a flood of calls from around the country prompted officials to spare the critter once they find it. Missing doctor sends money Even as a county-hired investigator searched for him in early December, Kern’s former public health director slipped a bank check to county auditors to pay off a cell phone bill. An unidentified woman hand-delivered the $6,125.36 payment on behalf of Dr. B.A. Jinadu, who was possibly at his new house in San Diego County. State officials are trying to put a lien on that house (he owes them money) while county officials want to keep tabs on him, too (he might owe them money). Developer sues environmentalists A would-be mine operator filed a lawsuit against two Bakersfield residents who, they allege, asked “meritless and frivolous” questions during public hearings. Delaware-based Carlton Global Resources wants $10 million from Leroy Cass and Renee Nelson. The pair questioned environmental impacts from a mine in Jawbone Canyon. County supervisors approved the mine permit in November, the same month Carlton filed its suit — and Nelson and Cass sued the county demanding additional environmental assessment of the mine. Pastor hit by stray bullet A bullet fired in April became permanently lodged in a local pastor’s back when a sheriff’s deputy missed his fleeing target. The Rev. John Pace of Riverview Southern Baptist Church took the stray shot while riding his motorcycle shortly before 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning in Oildale. Deputy Eric Jackson had fired at a gun-brandishing man who ran off after a traffic stop. Pace said he wanted only an apology — which never came. The shooting was ruled justified. Hillary snubs Sikhs A canceled political fundraiser sponsored by the local Sikh community became a minor international incident in November when Hillary Clinton failed to show, leaving an expected $1 million on the table. A New York Sun reporter was in Bakersfield covering the reaction of disappointed Sikhs. Online Indian news sites, meanwhile, carried word of the incident across international borders. Clinton’s campaign staff claimed security issues scuttled her appearance. Event organizers returned contributions to would-be donors. Mini-flood wets Thomas’ house Former Bakersfield Rep. Bill Thomas’ future home was inundated in December when builders ruptured a water line, sending mud and rocks down a hillside near the Rio Bravo Country Club. Fire officials estimated $40,000 to $50,000 worth of damage to the hilltop house, which was under construction. Grades flummox fancy eateries Taco Bell earned an A, Cafe Med a B when the county’s letter-grading system for restaurants launched in November. Two other higher-end establishments — Tahoe Joe’s and Mimi’s Cafe — initially earned Bs, but paid for re-inspections that landed them in the A camp. All Taco Bells and 7-Elevens inspected since July, on the other hand, earned As the first time through. Bakersfield is a wild news town and 2007 didn’t disappoint in delivering wacky headlines. Prosecutor prosecuted Some party. Her husband bit a casino security guard, prosecutors allege, and she battered three men, including a Kern sheriff’s deputy. Misdemeanor charges, sure. But they’re filed against a Kern County deputy district attorney. Andrea and Gregory Kohler face criminal charges in Santa Barbara County following their October arrest at a Santa Ynez casino, where a wedding party for a D.A. colleague apparently ended in a melee. Their next court appearance is slated for Jan. 23 in Santa Maria. Paper clip plot On May 29, the morning a jury said he should be executed for murdering his family, Vincent Brothers made what authorities called an escape attempt — with paper clips. Yes, paper clips. Ones he’d hidden in his hair. Sheriff’s officials said Brothers manipulated his leg restraints so they were attached to the same leg — making them useless — and put paper clips fashioned into handcuff keys in his hair. But authorities foiled Brothers’ apparent plan and he’s on death row at San Quentin State Prison. Beaver makes waves Nine cottonwood trees downed along the Kern River Bike Path by a prolific beaver spurred city parks staff to seek help from state wildlife officials in December. For a short time, the beaver had a death sentence. But a flood of calls from around the country prompted officials to spare the critter once they find it. Missing doctor sends money Even as a county-hired investigator searched for him in early December, Kern’s former public health director slipped a bank check to county auditors to pay off a cell phone bill. An unidentified woman hand-delivered the $6,125.36 payment on behalf of Dr. B.A. Jinadu, who was possibly at his new house in San Diego County. State officials are trying to put a lien on that house (he owes them money) while county officials want to keep tabs on him, too (he might owe them money). Developer sues environmentalists A would-be mine operator filed a lawsuit against two Bakersfield residents who, they allege, asked “meritless and frivolous” questions during public hearings. Delaware-based Carlton Global Resources wants $10 million from Leroy Cass and Renee Nelson. The pair questioned environmental impacts from a mine in Jawbone Canyon. County supervisors approved the mine permit in November, the same month Carlton filed its suit — and Nelson and Cass sued the county demanding additional environmental assessment of the mine. Pastor hit by stray bullet A bullet fired in April became permanently lodged in a local pastor’s back when a sheriff’s deputy missed his fleeing target. The Rev. John Pace of Riverview Southern Baptist Church took the stray shot while riding his motorcycle shortly before 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning in Oildale. Deputy Eric Jackson had fired at a gun-brandishing man who ran off after a traffic stop. Pace said he wanted only an apology — which never came. The shooting was ruled justified. Hillary snubs Sikhs A canceled political fundraiser sponsored by the local Sikh community became a minor international incident in November when Hillary Clinton failed to show, leaving an expected $1 million on the table. A New York Sun reporter was in Bakersfield covering the reaction of disappointed Sikhs. Online Indian news sites, meanwhile, carried word of the incident across international borders. Clinton’s campaign staff claimed security issues scuttled her appearance. Event organizers returned contributions to would-be donors. Mini-flood wets Thomas’ house Former Bakersfield Rep. Bill Thomas’ future home was inundated in December when builders ruptured a water line, sending mud and rocks down a hillside near the Rio Bravo Country Club. Fire officials estimated $40,000 to $50,000 worth of damage to the hilltop house, which was under construction. Grades flummox fancy eateries Taco Bell earned an A, Cafe Med a B when the county’s letter-grading system for restaurants launched in November. Two other higher-end establishments — Tahoe Joe’s and Mimi’s Cafe — initially earned Bs, but paid for re-inspections that landed them in the A camp. All Taco Bells and 7-Elevens inspected since July, on the other hand, earned As the first time through. en-us Wed, 26 Dec 2007 15:03:46 PST