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News Observer Bakersfield

Volume 47 Number 20

Serving Kern County for Over 47 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

America Honors MLK While parades and other festive gatherings for the heroic civil rights leader will not occur this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, national and local organizations throughout the country still will honor Dr. King’s legacy.

Memorial for his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington. (Courtesy Photo)

26th Annual Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Community Awards Breakfast Held Virtually The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By Darlene L. Williams Contributing Writer BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Six local community leaders were awarded with the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Award at the 26th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee Community Award Breakfast. The event was held Monday, January 18, 2021.

Bakersfield College and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Committee hosted the hour long celebration, “DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.-AN AMERICAN ICON,” which aired on

FOX58, virtually, from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

Rev. Wesley Crawford, MLK Committee Chair, opened the event with remarks and paid homage to the slain civil rights leader, Dr. King.

Though much different from the well-attended event in years past where there were no social distancing restrictions or threats from a deadly pandemic, the televised event remained loyal in remembering the life and legacy of Dr. King, with several tributes from community leaders and dignitaries.

“Dr. King’s gift to us must transcend an annual holiday for an exemplary worldwide leader,” said, Mayor Karen Goh. “The precious gift of his words and actions must galvanize us all to fulfill that vision and legacy.”

Keynote Speaker, Publisher/Editor of the Bakersfield News Observer, James. C. Luckey Jr. congratulated the award recipients and commended The Southern Leadership Conference of Kern County and The MLK Committee for “preserving and pushing Continued on page A7

Dr. Ronnie Claiborne-Medical Director, Central Valley Medical Group

Sen. Harris Set to Become First Woman Vice President in American History

Speaking from Delaware on Saturday, Nov. 7, Vice president-elect Kamala Harris paid tribute to Black women who “so often prove they are the backbone of our democracy.” (Photo: abc7.com)

Manny Otiko California Black Media This Wednesday, when Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor swears in former California Sen. Kamala Harris as vice president, she will make history for several reasons.

Harris – who was born in Oakland and spent part of her

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Oprah Winfrey Documentary on Apple TV+

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Media mogul Oprah Winfrey will have a biographical documentary released on Apple TV+.

The streaming platform announced Thursday a two-part documentary focusing on Winfrey’s life. The project will chronicle 25 years of American history through the lens of Winfrey “who rose from humble roots to become a billionaire, philanthropist, actress, media executive, and agent of social change.’’

Winfrey’s documentary will be headed by Oscarwinning director Kevin MacDonald and Emmynominated producer Lisa Erspamer, who is known for her work on “The Oprah Winfrey Show’’ and “Whitney.’’

In 2018, Apple and Winfrey reached a multiyear deal to create original programs. Some shows released on the streaming service include “The Oprah Conversation,’’ “Oprah Talks COVID-19’’ and “Oprah’s Book Club.’’

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Fifty-three years after Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, and 38 years after his birth date became a national federal holiday, America is now facing another pivotal moment of national racial reckoning.

While parades and other festive gatherings for the heroic civil rights leader will not occur this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, national and local organizations throughout the country still will honor Dr. King’s legacy.

In Maryland, the nonprofit Civic Works plans to welcome groups of volunteers to participate in its annual MLK Day of Service.

The 9 a.m. plans include 150 volunteers banding together across nine sites [both physically with Covid-19 This Aug. 28, 1963, file photo shows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledging the crowd at the Lincoln Continued on page A6

Free!

childhood in Berkeley -- will become the first woman and the first person both of Black and Asian descent to assume the second-highest political office in the United States.

“With just a few days left, I am anticipating seeing Kamala raise her hand and take the oath to become the most powerful woman in American history. I am so honored.

She is ready and able. And she is a sister, a good friend and an inspiration to so many people here in California and to so many more Americans,” said Amelia Ashley-Ward, the publisher of the San Francisco Sun Reporter, the city’s largest and oldest African American newspaper.

Ward, who has been friends with Harris for decades now, says it seems “like yesterday” when Harris began running for district attorney 18 years ago. At that time, people in San Francisco told her to drop out because she was not prepared.

“It was unheard of in this city for a Black woman to challenge the status quo and win. She did it and remained true to who she is,” said Ward. “From district attorney to attorney general to United States senator, to running for the presidency, then becoming vice president. I will be watching, inspired, and in tears, with a heart full of joy.”

As Harris, who has represented California in the Senate for four years now, prepares to ascend to the vice presidency, she enters the White House at a time when the country is fraught with division and uncertainty. A raging pandemic has been sending shocks through the economy over the past 11 months. And the country is unsettled in the throes of an ongoing reckoning on race expressed partially by riots that erupted last summer after a Minnesota police officer violently killed George Floyd, an unarmed Black man. On top of those crises, far right-wing groups, which have been resurging across the country for more than a decade now, have been organizing protests with threats of violence opposing the election of Vice President-elect Joe Biden and Harris.

On Jan. 6, a violent mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters, including some trained military personnel and law enforcement officers, stormed the U.S. Capitol. The violent riot resulted in five deaths, including the murder of a police officer, the evacuation of members of the U.S. Congress and significant damage to the historic building.

As a result of the mayhem at the site where Biden and Harris will be sworn in, the inauguration is being held under tight security. Some 20,000 national guard troops

Continued on page A6

SC’s King Day at the Dome Rally Going Virtual COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – For the first time in more than 20 years, a South Carolina civil rights organization isn’t holding a Martin Luther King Jr. Day rally at the Statehouse.

The South Carolina NAACP will hold its annual King Day at the Dome celebration online Monday instead.

The decision was made because of COVID-19 and before security officials closed the Statehouse because of national threats of violence in the days leading up to the presidential inauguration.

The NAACP is holding an event on Zoom starting at 10 a.m. Monday. Guests include U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn and state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell.

The event plans to discuss what the NAACP and others can do to improve racial inequality in the justice system, education, economics and health care.

The NAACP held its first King Day at the Dome rally in 2000 to call for the removal of the Confederate flag from the top of the Statehouse dome.

Over the past 20 years the rally has become both a rallying point for racial equality and a place for presidential candidates and others to talk to AfricanAmerican voters.

Officer Behind Social Media Post Out of Job PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (AP) – A Northern California police officer who posted obscenity-laden comments against Black Lives Matter on a right-wing social media platform is no longer with the department, the police chief said.

Pacific Grove Police Chief Cathy Madalone said in a video posted Wednesday on the department’s YouTube channel the officer is no longer employed by the department but that legal constraints prevented her from commenting on a personnel matter.

Madalone said the department received a report in November that the officer, who has not been identified, may have been posted disparaging remarks against Black Lives Matter movement on his Parler account.

She said the department also investigated the officer last year after it was made aware in May of controversial decals affixed to his vehicle.

The decals on the officer’s pickup included one mocking the LGBT movement and silhouettes of automatic weapons. Another decal named a group called the Three Percenters, a group that’s part of the militia movement and that was among who assaulted the Capitol on Jan. 6, the Monterey Herald reported.

The officer was investigated but exonerated when he claimed he didn’t know what the Three Percenters were, the newspaper reported.

Seattle Officer Fired After Investigation of Racist Remark SEATTLE (AP) – Seattle’s interim police chief has fired an officer for making a racist remark about a Black man last year, following an internal review into the incident.

The review came after three officers reported their colleague’s comments, The Seattle Times reported Sunday based on records released by the city’s police watchdog, the Office of Police Accountability.

The unnamed officer, who worked for the department since July 2017, was fired in November.

In late March 2020, the officer and the three others had responded to a trespass call at a North Seattle hospital that led them to remove a Black man who “appeared to be of African descent,’’ according to a summary of the investigation.

Days later, while the officers were waiting to pick up a meal, the now-fired officer referred to the Black man as “Kunta Kinte,’’ a central character in author Alex Haley’s 1976 novel “Roots,’’ about a young African man sold into slavery, according to the investigation.

When an investigator questioned the accused officer, he said he used the name “because the individual was African” and he could not remember his name.

It was “abundantly clear’’ that the officer’s statement constituted biased policing, Office of Police Accountability Director Andrew Myerberg said.

“The use of ‘Kunta Kinte’ to refer to any Black person, let alone an individual of African descent, is racist and in direct contravention of policy,’’ Myerberg wrote.

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Wednesday, January 20, 2021

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER

World & Nation

U.S. Attorney Seeking Sedition and Conspiracy Charges in Aftermath of Capitol Riot y Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Sedition and conspiracy are among the most severe

charges federal prosecutors said they were looking into in the aftermath of the domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin said while some misdemeanor charges are only acting as placeholders until more information is gathered, some involved in the

insurrection – directly or indirectly – may well face severe counts of sedition and conspiracy.

According to Findlaw.com, sedition is defined as an act of revolt or violence against a lawful authority to destroy or overthrow it.

A conviction on sedition charges can result in a 20year prison sentence.

The general conspiracy statute provides a maximum punishment of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“We are resolutely committed to upholding the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment, including speech, peaceful assembly, and press, and we will investigate, prosecute, and hold accountable anyone who attempts to obstruct or curtail these freedoms through violence or intimidation,” Sherwin pronounced.

The prosecutor said the Department of Justice had created a specialized task force that “will look at everything from travel to movement” of the individuals involved.

“The range of criminal conduct is unmatched,” he declared.

The FBI has warned government officials of plans for armed protests at most state Capitols and Washington, D.C., leading up to the inauguration.

Authorities also released photos of a suspect wanted in connection to the death of U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick.

Another officer Howard Liebengood committed suicide.

At the same time, Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said preparation is underway for an unprecedented military presence during the Jan. 21 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

Milley said a message had been sent to the entire military force ahead of the inauguration.

The message was intended to remind military personnel of their responsibility to defend the Constitution.

“Homeland Security must adjust its approach to the inauguration in several specific ways,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote in a letter this week to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf.

“There must be a federal force deployment [plan] for all U.S. government property,” Bowser demanded.

Senate Passes Bill to Create African American Burial Grounds Network “We know that for too long in too many parts of our country, Black families were blocked from burying their loved ones in white cemeteries,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). “These men and women were freed slaves, civil rights champions, veterans, mothers, fathers, workers in communities. We need to act now before these sites are lost to the ravages of time or development,” Brown concluded.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation that would better protect historic African American cemeteries.

The measure also paves the way for the creation of an African American Burial Grounds Network.

“We know that for too long in too many parts of our country, Black families were blocked from burying their loved ones in white cemeteries,” Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) remarked.

“These men and women were freed slaves, civil rights champions, veterans, mothers, fathers, workers in communities. We need to act now before these sites are lost to the ravages of time or development,” Brown concluded.

Initially introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019 by Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) and Congressman Donald McEachin (D-Va.), the bill primarily addresses at-risk Black cemeteries in South Carolina.

Still, it authorizes the Department of the Interior to conduct a thorough investigation of African American burial grounds across the country.

According to a Smithsonian Magazine report, the study would “lay the groundwork for the network, allowing experts to coordinate research efforts, create a nationwide database of Black cemeteries, and receive grant funding.”

Sen. Brown and now ex-Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) later introduced the measure in the Senate. It now heads back to the House for a formal vote.

The action is yet another recent legislative attempt to honor and preserve Black burial grounds.

In 2019, then-Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), along with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), were joined by Reps. Gregory Meeks, Yvette Clarke, and Adriano Espaillat (all of New York), and announced the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Education Center Act’s reintroduction.

That legislation would establish a museum and

education center at the African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan.

This site currently holds the remains of an estimated 15,000 free and enslaved Africans and early-generation African Americans from the colonial era.

The National Park Service would manage the museum in consultation with the African Burial Ground Advisory Council, which would be established by the legislation.

“The African Burial Ground is culturally and

historically significant to New York and the nation. The establishment of a museum and an education center at this cemetery will illuminate the plight, courage, and humanity of the free and enslaved Africans who helped create New York,” Sen. Schumer told NNPA Newswire in 2019.

“As a nation, we must always remember the tremendous burdens and afflictions experienced by those who were brought here in bondage, and who fought – for generations – against impossible odds to achieve the full

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The African American Burial Grounds initiative would provide grant opportunities and technical assistance to local communities as they work to recover and preserve those historic sites.

Biden Admin to Appoint Kristen Clarke to Key Civil Rights Post

Kristen Clarke has extensive civil rights experience, starting her career as an attorney in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

measure of dignity and equality and justice that they were due. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to pass this bill and for the president to sign it into law.”

The African American Burial Grounds initiative would provide grant opportunities and technical assistance to local communities as they work to recover and preserve those historic sites.

According to the letter signed by more than 60 organizations dedicated to cultural heritage and preservation, cemeteries are places of tribute and memory, connecting communities with their past.

“Unfortunately, many African-American burial grounds from both before and after the Civil War are in a state of disarray or inaccessibility,” the letter stated.

“By creating a national network, the African American Burial Grounds Network Act would help re-discover the existence of burial grounds ahead of commercial development, helping to avoid disturbances that create distress and heartache in communities. Preserving and protecting these sacred sites, and the stories they tell is an integral part of our American heritage.”

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Kristen Clarke, the president of the Lawyer’s Committee Civil Rights Under Law, will serve as assistant attorney general for civil rights under the new Biden Administration.

Clarke’s appointment adds even more diversity to an incoming administration that has kept its campaign promise to ensure that top staff and cabinet members reflect all of America.

“Our first-rate nominees to lead the Justice Department are eminently qualified, embody character and judgment that is beyond reproach, and have devoted their careers to serving the American people with honor and integrity,” Biden said in a statement.

“They will restore the independence of the department, so it serves the interests of the people, not a presidency, rebuild public trust in the rule of law, and work tirelessly to ensure a more fair and equitable justice system.”

Clarke has extensive civil rights experience, starting

her career as an attorney in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

While at the DOJ, the Brooklyn-born attorney served as a federal prosecutor in the Criminal Section Division, responsible for police misconduct, hate crimes, and human trafficking.

Through the Division’s Voting Section, she also worked on voting rights and redistricting cases.

The current president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Clarke has also served as the head of the Civil Rights Bureau for the New York State Attorney General’s Office, where she successfully led landmark efforts to address discrimination in housing, the school-to-prison pipeline, and reforming practices and policies of police departments.

Clarke previously served at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, focusing on voting rights and election law.

Clarke received her A.B. from Harvard University and her J.D. from Columbia Law School.

President: Ellen Coley Operations Manager: Jon Coley Editor: James Luckey

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The Observer Group Newspapers reserves the right to publish views an opinions that may not necessarily reflect those of the staff and management and are solely the product of the responsible individuals who submit commentaries published in these newspapers. Letters, articles and comments appearing in the Observer Newspapers reflect the opinions of the contributor and do not constitute the opinion or endorsement by The Observer Newspapers or its staff. The Observer Group Newspapers assumes no responsibility for photographs, articles, letters, press releases and unsolicited materials. Decisions as to the editing and publishing of materials are at the discretion of the Publisher and Editors. All rights are reserved on materials accepted for publication unless otherwise specified.

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Wednesday, January 20, 2021

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER A3

Entertainment

Bowl Games Look to Future After Weathering Challenging Year

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) – Even after canceling the Tournament of Roses parade during the summer and scaling back the pregame festivities normally associated with the Rose Bowl, David Eads and his staff were still preparing for a College Football Playoff semifinal on New Year’s Day to be played at the picturesque stadium in Pasadena, California.

That was until the day before the CFP pairings were announced and the game was moved to Dallas due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Even though the Rose Bowl was still played at another location for the first time since 1942, the ever-evolving changes highlight what was an extremely challenging bowl season. Of the 45 bowl games that were scheduled, concluding with Monday’s College Football Playoff championship game, 19 were canceled, including three after the participating teams were announced.

The Rose and New Mexico bowls shared one thing in common _ they were played at different sites, both in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Nick Carparelli, the executive director of Bowl Season, attributed some of the late cancellations to it being the end of the season.

“The regular season had a lot more flexibility built in to postpone. When it came to the bowls, we were kind of at the end of the line. There really was no solution,’’ he said.

David Eads, executive director for the Tournament of Roses committee, and his staff had been working with an evolving schedule since April. The annual Tournament of Roses Parade wasn’t held for the first time since 1944 after it was call off in July. Eads said the decision was made during the summer because of the many logistics involved in arranging travel.

The game was a different matter. Media and production areas were mostly set up at the Rose Bowl when the game was moved. Teams were leery of traveling across the country and a waiver that would have allowed players’ families to watch the game in stands was denied.

“We were all set to host the game in Pasadena until it wasn’t feasible anymore. The team did a great job in less than two weeks getting everything to Dallas and putting the game on there,’’ Eads said.

In a year during which college athletic programs are seeing huge decreases in revenue, the cancellation or relocation of bowl games carried a huge economic impact as well. Eads said the Rose Bowl brings in $200 million to Southern California, including $40 to $60 million to

Pasadena.

The Fiesta Bowl committee, which runs two games, averages $175 million in economic impact to the Phoenix area in years when the Fiesta Bowl isn’t one of the CFP semifinal games. Oregon and Iowa State, which played in this year’s game, are known for bringing fervent fan bases, but couldn’t this year due to the reduced capacity.

The Fiesta Bowl also runs the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, but that game was canceled when there were not enough teams to fill available bowl spots. Many schools announced in early December that they would decline invitations so players could celebrate Christmas with their families after a long, stressful season.

“Going into the last weekend of the regular season we are planning on playing. It was a little frustrating but when you step back and see how tough it was for the players and coaches, it speaks to how much they went through and the toll it took to play the season,’’ said Mike Nealy, the executive director for the Fiesta and Guaranteed Rate bowls.

Nealy and his staff stayed flexible throughout last year.

They had to find a new title sponsor for the Phoenix game as well as coming up with new events that would benefit area charities.

Nealy said there still were some companies interested in corporate sponsorships. The Fiesta Bowl also donated $3 million last year to area charities as well as an additional $1 million last March for emergency COVID relief. With some fundraising events having to be canceled, they came up with new ones, including an additional golf tournament.

“We were a pretty strong proponent of focusing on what you can control. We are in a unique situation because we have a New Year’s Six game and operate another one (a mid-level game),’’ Nealy said. “No one knew in March how hard the impact was going to be. We originally thought we would get through the summer and soon after that the Big Ten and Pac-12 initially said they weren’t going to have a season.’’

Tag Garson, Wasserman’s senior vice president of properties, noted some games canceled early because the lost money from empty stadiums would have had a longterm effect on whether some would be able to survive.

“There is an economic equation that bowls were taking into consideration,’’ he said. “I think the unfortunate part is there is a lot of good that bowl games do, but unfortunately that couldn’t be highlighted as much.’’

The canceled bowl games not only had an economic impact on host cities and the charities they benefit, but it also meant lost advertising revenue for the networks that

broadcast them. According to Kantar Media, which tracks media spending, $28.86 million was spent by companies on the 2019 games that were not played this bowl season.

The total advertising spending on all games during the 2019-20 bowl season was $303.24 million.

Most of that loss revenue would have gone to ESPN. The network, along with ABC, broadcast all but one of the bowl games this season but also had arrangements with all but three of the canceled games. ESPN Events owns and operates 17 games, but nine were canceled.

ESPN declined requests to discuss the financial impact from the truncated bowl season.

“Could not have been a better partner throughout this season. It is important to them just like all of us,’’ Carparelli said. “I honestly think to look back and second guess what we did over the past six months, everyone did the best they could.’’

All the bowls are in the planning mode for the

upcoming season. Eads noted that the time they had after the parade was canceled has allowed them to go through all their events and come up with new ideas that they are hoping to utilize over the next 12 months.

A bigger question is whether all 45 games will be back, especially if businesses reassess corporate sponsorships due to the condition of the economy.

“I love bowl games. I’m just concerned about the economics to be sustained with the inventory,’’ Garson said.

Carparelli said a huge focus for the upcoming year will be for all the bowls to work together, but that some are better equipped than others. Bowl Season was launched as a brand this year to promote the games leading up to the College Football Playoff.

“One of our primary functions is to connect the dots with everyone,’’ he said. “The entire bowl system feels confident that whatever the future of the playoff is that it will continue to be a part of it.’’

On it.

Ending racial injustice requires all of us to work together and take real action.

What can you do to help?

Educate yourself about the history of American racism, privilege and what it means to be anti-racist. Educate yourself

about the history of American racism, privilege and what it means to be anti-racist.

A warrant has been issued for Rapper YFN Lucci who was the driver in a fatal shooting.

Warrant: Rapper YFN Lucci Was Driver in Fatal Shooting ATLANTA (AP) – Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci is accused of being the driver in a gang-related drive-by shooting that left one man dead and another wounded, authorities said.

The 29-year-old rapper turned himself in Wednesday, a day after Atlanta police announced murder charges against Lucci, whose real name is Rayshawn Bennett.

Police said Bennett and other “gang members'' drove through rival gang territory on Dec. 10 and two people inside the car opened fire, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported citing an arrest warrant.

The rivals returned fire, hitting James Adams, 28, in the head, police said. Adams was “manually ejected'' from the car and police later found his body lying in the road.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Later that day, Kevin Wright, 32, arrived at a fire station with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He survived.

Police said Ra'von Boyd, 23, was also in the vehicle during the shooting. Boyd and a 17-year-old juvenile were charged in the incident and were both arrested in Miami.

A warrant was put out for Bennett's arrest Tuesday, charging him with murder, aggravated assault, participating in criminal street gang activity and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Before he surrendered to authorities Wednesday night, he released his latest music video on his Twitter and Instagram pages.

Bennett's attorney Drew Findling said a “review of the initial evidence'' provided “no basis for any criminal charges.''

Lucci is best known for his 2016 song “Key to the Streets'' featuring the Atlanta-area-based rap group Migos.

Commit to actions that challenge injustice and make everyone feel like they belong, such as challenging biased or racist language when you hear it.

Vote in national and local elections to ensure your elected officials share your vision of public safety.

Donate to organizations, campaigns and initiatives who are committed to racial justice.

Let’s come together to take action against racism and fight for racial justice for the Black community.

Visit lovehasnolabels.com/fightforfreedom

Dr. Dre Back Home After Brain Aneurysm LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Dr. Dre was back at home Saturday after being treated at a Los Angeles hospital for a reported brain aneurysm.

Peter Paterno, an attorney for the music mogul, said Dre was home but offered no other details in an email exchange Saturday. The rapper and producer reportedly was released Friday from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

In a Jan. 5 social media post, Dre, 55, said he was “doing great and getting excellent care from my medical team.'' TMZ had reported that he suffered a brain aneurysm the day before and was recovering at the medical center.

On Friday, actor and rapper Ice T posted that he had connected with Dre on FaceTime and that he had “just made it home. Safe and looking good.''

Born Andre Young in the Southern California city of Compton, Dre broke out on the music scene as a co-founding member of N.W.A., producing the group's groundbreaking 1988 debut album, “Straight Outta Compton.''

He produced his own hits and multiplatinum albums, along with crafting music for many others including Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Nas. He also found success outside of the rap genre, producing pop hits for Gwen Stefani and Mary J. Blige.

Dre founded Beats Electronics in 2008 with Jimmy Iovine, and six years later they launched a streaming subscription service, Beats Music. Apple acquired both in a $3 billion deal in 2014.

A4

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF SAUL ALCARAZ RUIZ CASE NUMBER: BPM-20-003047 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of SAUL ALCARAZ RUIZ A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by SAUL GABINO ALCARAZ in the Superior Court of California, County of KERN 1215 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 Branch Name: PROBATE DIVISION THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that SAUL GABINO ALCARAZ be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: Jan 28, 2021 Time: 10:30 a.m. Dept: P Room: located at 1215 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided on Probate Code section 9100.

The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (for DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate code section 1250. A request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner: MICHAEL C. MADDUX 1894 Commercenter W. Suite 108 San Bernardino, Ca. 92408 Telephone: (909) 890-2350 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (MM) PUB: Dec 30, 2020, Jan 6, 13, 2021

������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B5544 Doing business as: PHEC HOSPITAL at 5300 California Avenue Ste 200, Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 Mailing Address: 420 Exchange Ste 250, Irvine, Ca. 92602 County: Kern Full name of registrant: PACIFIC HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER, CA, 5300 California Avenue Ste 200, Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 The business is conducted by: Corporation SIGNED: CHIN KIM, CFO The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 11/18/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: December 16, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: N FRANCO, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on December 16, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Dec 30, 2020, Jan 6, 13, 20, 2021 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B5507 Doing business as: TAVGUN TRANSPORT at 2417 Sosa Dr., Bakersfield, Ca. 93313 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: JATINDER SINGH, 2417 Sosa Dr., Bakersfield, Ca. 93313 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: JATINDER SINGH The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: December 15, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: N FRANCO, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on December 15, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Dec 30, 2020, Jan 6, 13, 20, 2021

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER

Entertainment PUBLIC NOTICE ������������������������������� SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) CASE NUMBER (Número del C a s o ) : B C V - 2 0 - 1 0 0 3 0 4 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): BILL G DESTEFANI aka BILL DESTEFANI aka BILL GENE DESTEFANI aka WILLIAM J DESTEFANI aka DESTEFANI BILL, and individual; FLYING TIGER FARMS, INC., a CALIFORNIA CORPORATIONS, adba FLYING TIGER FARMS; DOES 1 THROUGH 20, INCLUSIVE YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): AMERICAN EXPRESS NATIONAL BANK NOTICE! You have been sued.

The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff.

A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case.

There may be a court form that you can use for your response.

You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case.

The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the c a s e . ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.

Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen.

Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta.

Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más a d v e r t e n c i a .

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal S e r v i c e s , (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN, 1415 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Mordechai Wolowitsch, Esq. SBN: (324413) Michael & Associates, PC 555 St. Charles Drive, Suite 204 Thousand Oaks, Ca. 91360 DATE (Fecha): 2/4/2020 TAMARAH HARBER-PICKENS, Clerk (Secretario), by Rebecca Saldivar, Deputy (Adjunto) ( S E A L ) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served 1. as an individual defendant.

3. on behalf of (specifiy): under CCP 416.10 (corporation) BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (M&A) PUB: Dec 30, 2020, Jan 6, 13, 20, 2021 ������������������������������� ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER BCV-20-102599 Superior Court of the State of California, for the county of Kern, 1415 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 PETITION OF: ELLIOTT GRAEME WALLACE FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: ELLIOTT GRAEME WALLACE for a decree changing names as

PUBLIC NOTICE follows: Present name ELLIOTT GRAEME WALLACE Filed a petition with this court Proposed name ELLIOTT GRAEME HAUSCHILD THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Feb 16, 2021 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: 12 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER Date: December 15, 2020 Linda S Etienne COURT COMMISSIONER Andrea Sanders DEPUTY Petitioner: Elliott Graeme Wallace 11600 Caliente Bodfish Rd. Caliente, Ca. 93519 Phone: (805) 638-3581 E-Mail Address: BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (ROG) PUB: Dec 30, 2020, Jan 6, 13, 20, 2021 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B5566 Doing business as: AFTER BODY SCULPTING at 8315 Bantam St., Bakersfield, Ca. 93311 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: R A E G E A N NICOLE HERNANDEZ, 8315 Bantam St., Bakersfield, Ca. 93311 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: RAEGEAN NICOLE HERNANDEZ The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: December 17, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on December 17, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021 �������������������������������

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B5657 Doing business as: SO CAL TRANSPORT at 3608 Camino Minorca, Bakersfield, Ca. 93311 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: JUAN F REYES PALOMERA, 3608 Camino Minorca, Bakersfield, Ca. 93311 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: JUAN F REYES PALOMERA The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: December 22, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on December 22, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021 �������������������������������

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER BCV-20-102936 Superior Court of the State of California, for the county of Kern, 1415 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 PETITION OF: DEEPAK KUMAR FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: DEEPAK KUMAR for a decree changing names as follows: Present name DEEPAK KUMAR Filed a petition with this court Proposed name DEEPAK SHARMA THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above

PUBLIC NOTICE must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Feb 22, 2021 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: 12 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER Date: December 18, 2020 Linda S Etienne COURT COMMISSIONER Andrea Sanders DEPUTY Petitioner: DEEPAK KUMAR 9915 Mulligan Ct. Bakersfield, Ca. 93311 Phone: (661) 578-8208 E-Mail Address: BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021 �������������������������������

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER BCV-20-102969 Superior Court of the State of California, for the county of Kern, 1415 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 PETITION OF: ALVIS RAY WALKER FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: ALVIS RAY WALKER for a decree changing names as follows: Present name ALVIS RAY WALKER Filed a petition with this court Proposed name ELVIS RAY HOWARD, SR. THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Feb 23, 2021 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: 12 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER Date: December 23, 2020 Linda S Etienne COURT COMMISSIONER Andrea Sanders DEPUTY Petitioner: ALVIS RAY WALKER IN PRO PER 1501 Gorrill St. Bakersfield, Ca. 93307 Phone: (661) 324-4865 E-Mail Address: Prepared by: LEGAL HELP CLINIC-KCLDA #137 1234 L St. Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 Phone: (661) 325-9670 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (LHC) PUB: Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021

�������������������������������

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER BCV-20-102994 Superior Court of the State of California, for the county of Kern, 1415 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 PETITION OF: CHRISTOPHER ANDREW MURPHY FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: CHRISTOPHER ANDREW MURPHY for a decree changing names as follows: Present name CHRISTOPHER ANDREW MURPHY Filed a petition with this court Proposed name RONAN CHRISTOPHER MURPHY THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Feb 24, 2021 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: 12 The address of the court is: Same as noted above.

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

this county BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER Date: December 24, 2020 Linda S Etienne COURT COMMISSIONER Andrea Sanders DEPUTY Petitioner: CHRISTOPHER ANDREW MURPHY 2221 Symonds Drive Bakersfield, Ca. 93222-6363 Phone: (310) 200-9010 E-Mail Address: rcm@venetowest. com BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021

NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements.

You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.

Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte. ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN, 1415 Truxton Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Judge A. Robertson, 1200 First Street, Bakersfield, CA 93394 DATE (Fecha): 11/19/2020 (no signature), Clerk (Secretario), by (no signature), Deputy (Adjunto) (SEAL) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Dec 16, 23, 30, 2020, Jan 6, 2021

known to plaintiff.

8. This court is the proper court because a. At least one defendant now resides in its jurisdictional area. c. Injury to person or damage to personal property occurred in its jurisdictional area. d. Other (specify): 2308 Connie Avenue Bakersfield, CA 93304 9. Plaintiff is required to comply with a claims statute and

a. has compiled with applicable claims statutes CCP Section 1714(a).

The plaintiff did not enjoy his tenancy unmolested (Salinas v. Martin (2008) 166 Cal. App.3d735 10. The following causes of action are attached and the statements about apply to each (each complaint must have one or more causes of action attached): e. Premises Liability f. Other (specify): See other unattached Cause of Actions bases pursuant to California code, EVID Section 1070//Calif. Code, Civil Procedure - CCP Section 1250.130// to record a notice of the pendency of the proceeding in the manner provided by, Section 1250.150//Title 14 HIPAA, 45 CFR Section 164.526.

11. Plaintiff has suffered

a.

Wage loss

b.

Loss of property c. H o s p i t a l and medical expenses d. G e n e r a l damage e. P r o p e r t y damage

f.

Loss of earning capacity

g.

Other damage (specify): Emotional distress; Intentional Tort, Willful failure to warn, Compensatory Damages, Negligance.

14. Plaintiff prays for judgment for costs of suit; for such relief as is fair, just, and equitable; and for a. Compensatory damages The amount of damages is (in cases for personal injury or wrongful death, you must check (1)): 1) A c c o r d i n g to proof

2) In the amount of $ as provided by a Jury Trial 15. The paragraphs of this complaint alleged on information and belief are as follows (specify paragraph numbers): Paragraphs as noted from 1 - 15. Request for a Jury Trial IT-1. Plaintiff (name): Judge A. Robertson Alleges that the defendant (name): Gail Ellen Martin, business owner, et al Prem.L-1 (name): Gail Ellen Martin alleges the acts of defendants were the legal proximate cause of damages to plaintiff.

On (date) Aug 21 2019 plaintiff was injured on the following premises in the following fashion (description of premises and circumstances of injury): At the business of the Connie House at 2308 Connie Ave Bakersfield, CA 93304, after moving into the Shared Rooms, of four, days after my rent of $800.00, I was not informed that the premises had dangerous Bed Bugs; the manager/owner Gail Martin had stated by her cell phone leaving a message for me alleging: (“We are going to spray. We already have a pest control service but obviously it is not working. I have a lead on another company that deals primarily with bed bugs and I’ll call them tomorrow.”) Further during the whole entire living there she never had professional service.

Does one to ten Prem.L-2 Count One – Negligence the defendants who negligently owned, maintained, managed and operated that described premises were (names): Gail Martin, the owner/operator of the Connie House, Cottie a house keeper, cook etc. at 2308 Connie Ave Bakersfield 93304; they was Negligence and by intent caused Harm to Judge A. Robertson, a tenant thereof.

Does one to ten Prem.L-3 Count Two – Willful Failure to Warn [Civil Code section 846] The defendant owners who willfully or maliciously failed to guard or warn against a dangerous condition, use, structure or activity were (names): The owner/operator and her works willfully or maliciously failed to guard or worn against (“Bed Bugs”) which cause excessive itching which has caused sores, and other illnesses, by cross-contaminating with my Blood; although seen by my LA doctor, as he having treated me with ongoing treatment since July of 2017, as a Tenant thereof.

Does one to ten Prem.L-4 Count Three – Dangerous Condition of Public Property The defendants who owned public property on which a dangerous condition existed were (names): At the mentioned address above the owner Gail Martin, owner/operator, did not forewarn about the dangerous conditions of her business the Connie House; this business has infestation of contaminated insects “Scabies.”

Does one to ten

a.The defendant public entity had actual notice of the dangerous condition in sufficient time prior to the injury to have corrected it.

Allegations about Other Defendants The defendants who were the agents and employees of the other defendants and acted within the scope of the agency were (names): Cottie and Lura a weekend worker; they was a (“nonprofessional fumigator”) Etc. However, Gail had relied on their spraying the dangerous insects all along.

Does one to ten b. The defendants who are liable to plaintiffs for other reasons and the reasons for their liability are described in an attachment Prem.L-5b as follows (names): Gail E. Martin, owner/operator, and the following defendants will be added on as plaintiff and learn the True Names.

GN-1 Plaintiff (name): Judge A. Robertson alleges that defendant (name): Gail Ellen Martin, a business owner et al and Does one to ten Was the legal (proximate) cause of damages to plaintiff. By the following acts or omissions to act, defendant negligently caused the damage to plaintiff On (date): Aug 19th 2017 at (place): The Connie House, 2308 Connie Ave Bakersfield CA 93304 (description of reasons for liability): That Plaintiff, Judge A. Robertson, alleges the acts as follows, that the defendant(s) and each of them were the legal proximate cause of the damages to plaintiff. Date plaintiff moved in residence on June 20, 2017; and Further, on Date of July 14 2017 Plaintiff seen his primary Doctor Michael Yadegari, M.D. for Chief Complaint having Rashes over his body, these Rashes also caused (“excessive itching”) on a continual basis; Furtherer, the ongoing itching was the first time the plaintiff expe-

rienced such severe nonstop itching; Further, doing the first week of Moving into the premises, the defendant Gail E. Martin’s failure to exercise that degree of care which a person of ordinary prudence (a reasonable man [person]) would exercise under the same circumstances. Whereas, the defendant knew of the dangerous bedbugs; as she had acknowledged of their presence; however alleged that she was going to get a (“professional fumigator”) however instead should have recognized as involving an unreasonable risk of causing an infestation:[of the Bed Bugs] of an interest of another [plaintiff Judge A. Robertson] which resulted as a failure to do an act necessary for the protection or assistance of another and which the actor is under a duty to perform. See id. Section 284. Therefore doing my treatments my doctor had advised me to Move therefor the following month I did on Aug 19 2017; since after being injured by the types of inspections thereon the premises at 2308 Connie Ave., I have suffered continual effects of nonstop pain and suffering, over the months, till this day. I have been under Medical Care since becoming harmed physically and emotionally by the invasion of these Bed Bugs. And as by respect of a Jury Trial; plaintiff will show cars by exhibiting demonstrative evidence; by forms of photographs, containing the depictions that will be corroborated with the proof and explanations of law.

IT-1 Plaintiff (name): Judge A. Robertson alleges that defendant (name): Gail Ellen Martin, a business owner et al and Does one to ten Was the legal (proximate) cause of damages to plaintiff. By the following acts or omissions to act, defendant negligently caused the damage to plaintiff On (date): Aug 19th 2017 at (place): The Connie House, 2308 Connie Ave. Bakersfield CA 93304 (description of reasons for liability): 1. Was the proximate cause of damages to plaintiff: By the following acts or omissions to act, as the defendants intentionally cause the damage to plaintiff.

2. On and about the date of June following days after moving into the Connie house plaintiff Judge A. Robertson had encountered somewhat excessive itching and therefore asked the residents are you having the same itch? And they said that the house is infested with bed bugs, I was not familiar with the term, so after viewing a bug known to the housekeeper she said it was a Bed Bug, I had texted the Property Business Owner who had moved me in a day ago.

3. Further, she had claimed by texting me back that she was to have a (“professional fumigator”) come out to spray the house, however she never did, only the two housekeepers did all the spraying, both the caretakers had indicated that they are the primary sprayers to the dangerous insects by using a nonprofessional strength of a brand called “HOT SHOT.” “Formulated to kill bed bugs” as the defendants keeps on location stored away inside their garage for the use of controlling their insect problems; I had been taking photos each time I experienced something unknown to me while living at this location.

4.Further, each defendant foreknown of the dangerous conditions which has taken place at the colony house about the insect infestation’s openly.

5. Furthermore, the defendant business owner Gail E. Martin, was aware before renting the property to the plaintiff Judge A. Robertson; that the possibility of the sufferings of damages of injury were (“destined or (“inevitable”) to the Plaintiff, Judge A. Robertson.

6. Furthering, bases are clear, these premises are infested with Bed Bugs and Scabies, and other bugs and as well the owner of the business, Gail Martin, at no time forewarned the plaintiff that the kind of infested insects make you excessively itch and painful tendency as a result as caused from a contagious sharp nozzle, penetrating the skin and underlying below the tissue causing an adversed condition, by its biochemical mixture of different contaminants causing excessive itching and other uncomfortable severe unpleasant Lee cruel painful conditions.

7. Moreover, plaintive has been under doctors care since living there and is still seeking medical help for needs to combat against this problem of Skin, Neurotic and Emotional Distress problems.

1. Plaintiff, Judge A. Robertson, alleges the acts of defendants with DOES ONE – TEN were the legal proximate cause of damages to plaintiff.

2. On the Date of Aug 19, 2017, plaintiff was injured on the following premises in the following fashion: 3. The plaintiff judge Robertson did undergo suffering of months of fears at the real property at 2308 Connie Ave., Bakersfield, Ca. Under the care and control of Gail martin and her Employees and Does One to Ten. 4. Further, plaintiff’s insomnia caused by the fears of becoming attacked again by the infestation of dangerous insects who attacked at their will; does each time the plaintiff was under attack it was by at least [8] or more different Bedbug species of different sizes and shapes, and I did take photos of them, because they are encounters was all knew to plaintiff of record; ease I would have Moved at the first signs of these type of insects; Scabies and Bedbugs.

5. Each night, I has experienced months of different types of nightmares, thinking when was the next painful needle experience or when will they painfully sting me by their bloodsucking, penetrating my skin and tissue with their frontal bloodsucking apparatus as such the mosquito, this type insect do contaminate human blood by their similar fashions of operation. This causes a biohazard allergic effect as with plaintiff it caused excessive itching, which caused plaintiff to have to over itch and two over scratch all over scratchy effected areas, leaving third-degree painful markings of skin and bleeding.

6. The contagious irruption’s causing months of irritations; my experiences was that after killing bedbugs at the location, I noticed that each time I smashed with an interment, that blood came from each killing of the Bed bug, thereof; these analysis by me had determined that since the Bed bugs do carry and store blood within their bodies, over months before they having to feed again, I had concluded that a mixture of human blood types or contaminations may have become biohazards, at some point.

ATTORNEY OR PARTY WITHOUT ATTORNEY (Name, State Bar number, and address): Judge A. Robertson 4001 Wilshire Blvd F-284 Los Angeles, CA 90010 TELEPHONE NO: 323.470.7244 ATTORNEY FOR: in Pro Per BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, 2021

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SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso): BCL-20-012791 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): PAUL ROBERSON II AND DOES 1 TO 10 YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below.

You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.

There are other legal requirements.

You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.

Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia.

Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte. ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso.

The name and address of the court is (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN, 1415 Truxton Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): REESE LAW GROUP, Harlan M. Reese, 118226, Joseph M. Pleasant, 179571, Dana N. Meyers, 272640, James E. Dalaney, 292600, 3168 Lionshead Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92010; 760/842-5850 (File No. 286554) DATE (Fecha): 6/19/2020 TAMARAH HARBER-PICKENS, Clerk (Secretario), by Evan Moran, Deputy (Adjunto) (SEAL) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served 1. as an individual defendant.

12/16, 12/23, 12/30/20, 1/6/21 CNS-3424141# BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (CS) PUB: Dec 16, 23, 30, 2020, Jan 6, 2021 �������������������������������

SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso): BCV-19-102355 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): GAIL ELLEN MARTIN, a business owner. et al YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): JUDGE A. ROBERTSON

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COMPLAINT-Personal Injury, Property Damage, Wrongful Death Amended Case Number: BCV-19102355 Type (check all that apply): Other (specify): Personal Injury Other Damages (specify): Emotional Distress Jurisdiction Action is an unlimited Civil Case (Exceeds $25,000) 1. Plaintiff: Judge A. Robertson alleges causes of action against defendant: Gail Ellen Martin, a business owner, et al.

2. This pleading, including attachments and exhibits, consists of the following number of pages: 5 3. Each plaintiff named above is a competent adult a. Except plaintiff (name):

a.

3) A public entity (describe): The Connie House 4) An adult b. Except plaintiff (name): Judge A. Robertson 1) A corporation qualified to do business in California 4) An adult 4. Plaintiff: Judge A. Robertson is doing business under a fictitious name: Iam That Iam Systems Inc. No.: 3481243 File June 01/2012 and has complied with the fictitious name laws.

5. Each defendant named above is a natural person

a.

Except defendant (name): 1) Gail E. Martin 2) Business Owner 4) A public entity (describe): The Connie House 5) Other (specify): Rentals 6. The true names of defendants sued as Does are unknown to plaintiff.

a.

Doe defendants (specify Doe numbers): 10 were agents or employees of other named defendants and acted within the scope of that agency or employment.

b.

Doe defendants (specify Doe numbers): 8 are persons whose capacities are un-

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B5634 Doing business as: McCLELLAN BOARD BOARD & CARE at 4104 Milo Avenue, Bakersfield, Ca. 93313 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: VIRGINIA McCLELLAN, 5307 Glacier Springs Drive, Bakersfield, Ca. 93313 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: VIRGINIA McCLELLAN The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 5/1/1988 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: December 21, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: N FRANCO, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on December 21, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 2021 �������������������������������

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B5645 Doing business as: DEVIOUS DESIGNZ at 5117 Belcrest Ave., Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: D A L E VAUGHN, 5117 Belcrest Ave., Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: DALE VAUGHN The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: December 21, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on December 21, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 2021 �������������������������������

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021-B0002 2021-B0003 2021-B0004 Doing business as: DFP SERVICE SOLUTIONS / D.P.F. SERVICE SOLUTIONS / DPF BURN TURN at 2512 Olmo Ct., Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: M I C H A E L ANTHONY GARCIA, 2512 Olmo Ct., Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: MICHAEL ANTHONY GARCIA The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER A5

PUBLIC NOTICE This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: January 4, 2021 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on January 4, 2026 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 2021 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B5527 Doing business as: DID IT DONE IT CONSTRUCTION at 816 Adelaide Avenue, Bakersfield, Ca. 93307 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: B R E N T O N LEJANDER, 816 Adelaide Avenue, Bakersfield, Ca. 93307 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: BRENTON LEJANDER The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 06/12/2019 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: December 15, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on December 15, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 2021 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B5704 Doing business as: ON THE VINE WINE BAR at 10711 Rosedale Hwy., Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: M I S K A T WINE INC., CA, 10201 Wentworth Ct., Bakersfield, Ca. 93311 The business is conducted by: Corporation SIGNED: DARREL CONNER, President The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: December 23, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on December

PUBLIC NOTICE

Legal Notices/ Features

23, 2025

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 2021

������������������������������� STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FILE NO: 2019-B3370 Business Name you wish to abandon: ON THE VINE Street address of business: 10711 Rosedale Hwy., Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 County: Kern Mailing address of business: Same Registrant(s) whose wish to abandon the business name: MIDEAL LLC, 2808 LaCresenta Dr., Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true information, which he or she knows to be false is guilty of a crime.)

Business was conducted by: Limited Liability Company SIGNED: MARRY HEARN, Owner/ Manager This statement of abandonment filed on: December 15, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ Deputy BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 2021 �������������������������������

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021-B0005 Doing business as: ANGIE’S SWEETS & TREATS at 7120 Hanover Circle, Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 12194, Bakersfield, Ca. 93389 County: Kern Full name of registrant: A N G E L A LOCKHART, 7120 Hanover Circle, Bakersfield, Ca. 93309 The business is conducted by: Individual SIGNED: ANGELA LOCKHART The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 09/01/2019 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: January 5, 2021 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: R ROBERTS-MARTIN, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on January 5, 2026 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 13, 20, 27, Feb 3, 2021 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021-B0078 2021-B0079 2021-B0080 Doing business as: JMV VENTURES / MARRIED BY MARIE / MCV MOBILE NOTARY/WEDDING OFFICIANT at 9300 Kingsmill Lane, Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: MARIE C. VILLASENOR, 9300 Kingsmill Lane, Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 Full name of registrant: JOHN M. VILLASENOR, 9300 Kingsmill Lane, Bakersfield, Ca. 93312 The business is conducted by: Married Couple SIGNED: MARIE C. VILLASENOR The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 05/01/2005 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: January 8, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE

MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on January 8, 2026 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 2021 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021-B0065 Doing business as: SYNERGY SLEEP & RESPIRATORY at 900 Truxtun Ave., Suite 330, Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: V A L L E Y OXYGEN LLC, 900 Truxtun Ave., Suite 330, Bakersfield, Ca. 933017 The business is conducted by: Limited Liability Company SIGNED: DANIEL LUNA The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 01/01/2016 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: January 7, 2021 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: N FRANCO, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on January 7, 2026 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 2021 ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020-B5650 2020-B5651 Doing business as: RUCKER’S MORTUARY, BAKERSFIELD / RUCKER’S MORTUARY at 301 Baker Street, Bakersfield, Ca. 93305 Mailing Address: Same County: Kern Full name of registrant: W I L M A DAVIS, 431 W. Wintergreen Rd., De Soto, Tx. 75115 nducted by: Individual SIGNED: WILMA DAVIS The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 05/19/1947 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Kern County on: December 22, 2020 MARY B BEDARD County Clerk By: M HERNANDEZ, Deputy This fictitious Business Name Statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another to a trademark or trade name under federal, state, or common law (see section 14411 ET SEQ., business and professions code).

I declare that all information in this Statement is true and correct. (A) Registrant who declares as true information which he or she knows to be false, is guilty of a crime This statement expires on December 22, 2025 BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 20, 27, Feb 3, 10, 2021

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Martin Luther King Jr and Bernice King (Courtesy Bernice King via King Center)

America Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Continued from page A1

safety precautions, and virtually] to help green a vacant lot in Baltimore, landscape urban farms, sort clothes for AmeriCorps members, writing cards to seniors, and clean public spaces.

The Brooklyn Academy of Music – or BAM – hosts an 11 a.m. tribute that includes a keynote address from Black Lives Matter Global Network founder Alicia Garza. The event will stream on bam.org and also BAM’s YouTube and Vimeo channels.

In Florida, the Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Committee of St. Johns County will host the 36th annual Commemorative Event in the Lewis Auditorium in St. Augustine, FL and online as a virtual event in a celebration of the memory of Dr. King and the influence he had in the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

NNPA President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., is the featured speaker.

Dr. Chavis will address the theme, “Our Lives Begin to End the Day We Become Silent about Things That Matter.” Chavis stated, “Dr. King’s dream and courage for freedom, justice and equality for all must reaffirmed and practiced in 2021 across America and throughout the world.”

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is hosting “United We Serve: A Celebration of the National MLK Day of Service.”

Participants include the Rev. Dr. Bernice King; Martin Luther King III; Chesca; Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan.; Rosario Dawson; Andra Day; Yo-Yo Ma; the Rev. Al Sharpton; Sean Patrick Thomas; Diane Warren; Lynn Whitfield; and Bebe Winans.

The event will be streamed live on at bideninaugural. org and on PIC social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook from 8:00–9:00 p.m.

Eastern on Jan. 18.

“This year’s inauguration will look different amid the pandemic, so we’re committed to providing dynamic programming that will engage more Americans than ever before, all from the safety of their homes,” said PIC CEO Tony Allen in a news release.

“With the help of popular musicians and artists, rising stars, national, state and local leaders, and everyday Americans, we’re going to celebrate our diversity, honor those who are committed to service, and reflect on our history. We will come together as one nation, America united.”

In Houston, the 43rd Annual Original MLK Day Virtual Experience & Live Parade of Giving occurs at MacGregor Park at 5225 Calhoun Road. There, residents are asked to drop-off donations to be distributed to those in need.

In Pennsylvania, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with its “Food justice is social justice” campaign.

The food bank will open one of its warehouses to 30 volunteers to prepare food for distribution across the organization’s 11-county service area from 9 a.m. to noon.

In Atlanta, the Beloved Community Commemorative Service caps a weeklong celebration of Dr. King’s life that features a keynote address by Bishop T.D. Jakes. The event occurs online and features remarks from Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin and U.N. Deputy SecretaryGeneral Amina J. Mohammed.

The event will stream on Facebook and The King Center website.

In California, Stanford University’s four-day online festival honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy culminates on the holiday with musical performances, documentary films, and conversations inspired by the question, Where do we go from here?

“I hope the King Holiday can become an occasion for informing people about King’s legacy and how it relates to the King Institute, but more broadly, how it relates to the San Francisco Bay Area,” Clayborne Carson, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Centennial Professor of History, Emeritus, at Stanford, and director of the King Institute, told the university’s news service.

“One of the things that will be made clear is that the King family has had a very special relationship with this area and with Stanford.”

In Detroit, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History hosts film screenings and other programming that includes a museum-wide live stream of the keynote speech by PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor.

The Rev. Dr. Bernice King posted a heartfelt thank you on Twitter to all those observing her late father’s holiday.

“Thank you for the loving, sincere ways that you honored and celebrated my father on his birthday,” Bernice King wrote in the post that included a photo of her, her father, and her mother.

Harris Set to Become First Woman VP Continued from Page A1

have descended on Washington, D.C., to harden the city and the Capitol building against potential attacks. Much of the National Mall will be closed on Inauguration Day. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has told people to stay away from the inauguration because of COVID-19. She also asked federal authorities to cancel demonstration permits for security reasons.

Harris, who has said she supports having the swearing-in ceremony outside of the Capitol despite security concerns, says Americans should not be defeated by the people who attacked the building that symbolizes American democracy around the world.

“No matter what challenges we face, democracy will always win,” Harris tweeted last week.

This year’s scaled-back inauguration will be broadcast on TV and online and includes a number of events leading up to the main ceremony, including a virtual “We The People” concert hosted by actors Keegan-Michael Key and Debra Messing that was held Sunday night. On Martin Luther King Day, a “National Day of Service” featuring speakers and encouraging people to volunteer across America was held. On the day before Harris and Biden are sworn in, a lighting ceremony is being held in Washington, D.C., and across the country to honor Americans who have died of COVID-19.

Becoming vice president of the United States is the culmination of a long political journey for Harris, whose father immigrated from Jamaica. Her mother, who is now deceased, was an immigrant from India. After completing two terms as district attorney of San Francisco in 2011, Harris was elected California attorney general in 2010, becoming the first African American and first woman to serve in the role. Harris was also the first person of South Asian descent to be elected to the United States Senate

when she was sworn in as the junior United States Senator for California in 2017. At the time, she also made history as the second African American woman to serve in the Senate after Carol Moseley Braun, who represented Illinois from 1993 to 1999.

In the U.S. Senate, Harris served on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on the Budget.

Harris is married to attorney Doug Emhoff, who is based in the Los Angeles area and will become a law professor at Georgetown University when he moves to Washington with Harris this week. Emhoff, who is Jewish, has two children from a previous marriage.

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA-37), who was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) until this month, looked at Harris’s record. She said Harris has “fought long and hard on behalf of Californians everywhere both in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento.”

Harris will be a member of the CBC until Wednesday.

“Congratulations on becoming this nation’s first woman of color to be elected to serve as vice president,” Bass said in a statement. “Your tenacious pursuit of justice and relentless advocacy for the people is exactly what this country needs right now. California is better because of your work as attorney general and stronger because of your work as a senator. Now, all Americans will benefit from your work as vice president. We know you will make us proud as you always have.”

A6

Features

BAKERSFIELD NEWS OBSERVER

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Is Removing Confederate Monuments, Changing Sports Teams Names Just A Distraction?

Professional sports team, including the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians announced they would drop the names that many said were offensive to Native Americans.

Despite incremental progress, many still argue that unless much more is done to show that Black lives matter, removing racist monuments and changing racially insensitive team names and logos are just mere distractions.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Protests and unrest in 2020 sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, shined an even brighter spotlight on police brutality against African Americans.

The actions led to renewed calls to remove Confederate statutes and other racially insensitive structures.

Professional sports teams, including the Washington Football Team (formerly the Redskins) and Cleveland Indians announced they would change the monikers that many said are offensive to Native Americans.

Despite incremental progress, many still argue that unless much more is done to show that Black lives matter, removing racist monuments and changing racially insensitive team names and logos are just mere distractions.

In other words, those who spoke with the Black Press on the subject said they are eager to see more tangible results.

“Dismantling Confederate monuments and ridding sports teams and brands of racist imagery is not enough,” Marcos Martinez, the owner of the blog, www. themenwhobrunch.com, wrote in an email.

“For there to be racial progress, there need to be drastic improvements in failing schools in minority communities,” Martinez exclaimed.

He noted the many academic studies that prove education leads to better life opportunities.

“I know this firsthand because I lived in Brownsville, one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in New York,” Martinez remarked.

“Many of my [peers] who attended the schools in Brownsville didn’t graduate or didn’t pursue higher education. Most of them are either incarcerated or deceased due to gun violence.”

Darryl Smith, the founding partner for the firm, Florida Car Accident Law Team, said backlash remains from the

dismantling of racist statues and the changing of names by some sports teams.

“The dismantling of the monuments and the rebranding of the teams’ racist imagery is not an end unto itself, and that should be remembered in the face of the expected backlash from those who really don’t want to see that imagery go away and make outsized noise about it,” Smith offered.

“We want to remember that these things are distance markers on the road to moving society toward a more inclusive future,” he continued. “[Monuments] are inappropriate for spaces that are meant to represent all of the people in a particular jurisdiction as opposed to a select few. This is different from the concept of fighting systemic racism.”

Since the murder of Floyd in May, an estimated more than 100 Confederate symbols have been removed from around the country, including a Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from the U.S. Capitol that had represented Virginia for more than a century.

In July, the Washington Football Team announced it would drop the racist nickname, Redskins, after Pepsi, Nike, and FedEx received letters from investors calling on them to end their more than $620 billion sponsorship deals with the team.

The Cleveland baseball team later announced it would drop “Indians” as its nickname after the 2021 season.

“Changing sport teams names and tearing down statues are great PR moves by companies and politicians, but we’re never going to fix the problem until we educate the youth,” pronounced Jamie Hickey, the founder of https://coffeesemantics.com/.

“Racist parents that raise racist kids is the reason why we still have an equality issue in America. Kids aren’t born racist. They are raised to be racist,” Hickey declared.

“It’s the same as when people say pit bulls are mean.

There is no such thing as a mean pit bull, only mean

Workers remove statute of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from U.S. Capitol/ Photo by Jack Mayer, Office of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam

The Washington Football Team rid its nickname after the uprising that followed the killing of George Floyd/ Washington Football Team

owners.”

Ken Eulo, the Smith & Eulo Law Firm’s founding partner in Orlando, Florida, said tangible change is needed.

“In 2021, rebuilding is likely to be a recurring theme.

Black Americans want to reinforce the idea of rebuilding and developing communities in what we hope will be a post-COVID-19 society,” Eulo said.

“We want to see news, think pieces and humaninterest stories that lend themselves to the idea of this being the time for Black innovation and excellence in a way that may not have been advisable before.”

This year needs to be a time “where we as individuals and a community find new ways to uplift ourselves after a

year where we saw widely held beliefs, and long-standing conventions broken and cast aside in the wake of a global pandemic,” concluded Smith, of the Florida Car Accident Law Team.

“This is a time where finding ways to function outside the box can reap real benefits at a time when all bets appear to be off,” Smith demanded.

“We need to see examples of Black people and black communities thriving in the face of this unprecedented adversity, and examples of our political and economic influence being wielded for the betterment of Black Americans and the Black diaspora.”

Tune in to NNPA’s “Let It Be Known” weekdays at 7:30 a.m. EST at Facebook.com/BlackPressUSA.

NNPA Rolls Out Live Daily Breaking News Broadcast

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent For 194 years, the Black Press of America has remained the voice of the African American community and the soul of the nation.

With more than 230 Black-owned newspapers and media companies comprising the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the Black Press’ contributions have remained indelibly associated with the fearlessness, determination, and the strive for excellence of the African American community across the nation.

Wholly embracing the print, social, and digital worlds, the NNPA finished 2020, having broadcast hundreds of livestreams over its many social media channels and on its primary news site, www.BlackPressUSA.com.

The NNPA’s latest initiative into live broadcasts in 2021 is the new daily morning breaking news program, “Let it Be Known,” hosted by NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Stacy Brown.

NNPA President & CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr, emphasized, “We are the only national trade association of Black owned newspapers, digital and social media companies in America. As such, we begin 2021 committed to publishing, distributing, and broadcasting the essential news not only for Black Americans, but also for the entire nation and the international community. These are trying times. But this is also the time to reassert the value, impact, engagement, and commitment of the Black Press to speak truth to power. Let It Be Known: We break the news. We distribute the news. We advocate for freedom, justice and equality.”

The new program, which kicked off earlier this month,

features an interactive rundown of the hot topics of the day – providing news and information to an audience that demands Black inclusion.

Special guests will include NNPA publishers, reporters, photographers, and members of both chambers of Congress.

It will also include global influencers, change-makers, and celebrities.

The program builds upon NNPA’s loaded vault of livestreams that have attracted such superstars as Ice Cube, Chuck D, Ziggy Marley, Kurtis Blow, Stephanie Mills, Mary Wilson, Sinbad, LL Cool J, and many others.

Previous guests include former ESPN anchor Jemele Hill, Meharry Medical College President Dr. James Hildreth, New York Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Infectious Disease Leader Dr. Anthony Fauci, Temptations Legend Otis Williams, Democratic Majority Whip Congressman Jim Clyburn, New York Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

The program adds to the long list of contributions of the Black Press of America, which includes the celebrated works of our founders and predecessors like John Russwurm, Samuel Cornish, Frederick Douglass, WEB DuBois, Ida B. Wells, Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Nkrumah, Robert Abbott, John Sengstacke, and other former NNPA Chairmen such as Dr. Carlton Goodlett and Garth Reeves Sr. Tune in to NNPA’s “Let It Be Known” weekdays at 7:30 a.m. EST at Facebook.com/BlackPressUSA. Use your “Observer Interactive” App on the photo to this story for the most recent episode.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

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26th Annual Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. Community Awards Breakfast Held Virtually Continued from page A1

through to keep the spirit and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King alive in Kern County.”

Luckey, “The second youngest publisher and editor in the United States” stated, ”This year’s theme is, “To whom much is given, much is expected”, and what we’ve all been given is the gift of life, however, with that, I can’t help but remember all the lives we’ve lost over the past year due to COVID-19 and civil unrest.”

“And because of this gift we are blessed with, we all have a moral obligation to love and respect thy neighbor, be there for one another, and leave our community better than the way we found it,” Luckey said.

“It really is the core of what Dr. King stood for, fought for, and ultimately gave his life for— so that all of us have the opportunity to live out life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” he said.

The honorees of The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Award were: Pastors, Rev. John D and Althea Gillette TurnerBlessing Corner Ministries; NaTesha Brooke Johnson-CEO Upside Academy Incorporation; Carlos and Amy BaldovinosExecutive Director, The Mission at Kern County; and Dr. Ronnie Claiborne-Medical Director, Central Valley Medical Group.

“We have been blessed with many gifts and talents from our LORD, but what we give back is our gift on Earth to our community,” said Pastor Steve Watkin, Master of Ceremony and Pastor of Calvary Church of God in Christ.

“The recipients of this year’s awards have exemplified the spirit of paying it forward”, he said.

The dignitaries and community leaders who contributed to the virtual celebration included: Shannon Grove-California State Senate Minority Leader; Rudy Salas- California State Assembly Member; Leticia Perez-Kern County Supervisor 5th District; Eric Arias-Bakersfield City Councilmember; Vince Fong-California State Assembly Member; and Melissa Hurtado- California State Senator.

Special thanks and recognition was given to sponsors, US Representative Kevin and Judy McCarthy and State Assembly Member, Vince Fong.

The celebration also included a gospel hymn, “I’m Still Here”, by Salina Higgins Holmes, Bakersfield College Choir, “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” and a recording of the African American Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.

Rev. Dr. V.K. Jones, Pastor, Peoples Missionary Baptist Church, closed out the event with a prayer for the county, state, and country and gave thanks for the “legacy and lessons taught

by Dr. King”.

NaTesha Brooke Johnson-CEO Upside Academy Incorporation

Pastors, Rev. John D and Althea Gillette TurnerBlessing Corner Ministries

Carlos and Amy Baldovinos- Executive Director, The Mission at Kern County

Keynote Speaker, Publisher/Editor of the Bakersfield News Observer, James. C. Luckey Jr.

Pastor Steve Watkin, Master of Ceremony and Pastor of Calvary Church of God in Christ

Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh

Black Lawmakers Dig Into History of Inequality in Criminal Justice System

Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media Two Black lawmakers, Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena) and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), made history last month when they were both appointed Public Safety Committee chairpersons in their respective chambers of the California legislature.

This is the first time in California history that two Black elected officials have simultaneously led the powerful committees responsible for legislation regarding criminal justice and oversight

of law enforcement and other public safety services across the state.

On Jan. 5, Bradford and Jones-Sawyer held a virtual news conference to preview their priorities for the 2021 legislative session. During the event, the men traced the long and documented history of racism and racial discrimination that has long influenced and characterized the American criminal justice system.

Bradford, the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), said this year government should renew its focus

Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena)

on communities of color in California.

“We don’t want to look in retrospect at how we got here but a lot of criminal justice laws, policies, and practices were based on slavery,” Bradford said. “The use of deadly force, implemented in 1872, was a direct result of this: how do you kill -- legally kill -- Black people in the state of California? So, Mr. Jones-Sawyer and I will be able to bring it to the forefront. We hate to make it about race, but it is about race in this country.”

In a rare public conversation, the pair addressed with unusual frankness the historical roots of racism in law enforcement and criminal justice. This is a topic frequently discussed within the Black community but can be thorny for politicians. It is typically discussed -- at least with that level of candor -- outside of the halls of government, within trusted circles or among activists.

“We can now focus like a laser to make sure that our communities are not continually oppressed,” Jones-Sawyer said.

“Many of these laws, African Americans will tell you, were based on slavery to catch runaway slaves. Many of those procedures, that we are trying to outlaw now, were created under those laws.”

Highlighting racial profiling, excessive force, the killing of African Americans by police officers and vigilantes over the years, the conversation delved into how some law enforcement agencies operate in communities of color in California and across the nation. About 40 journalists as well as some of Bradford’s and Jones-Sawyer’s consituents participated in the virtual meeting.

Bradford drew parallels between recent incidents of law enforcement misconduct and the historical atrocities of “slave patrols.”

Slave patrols, widely organized in Southern states during the 1800s, were squadrons made up of non-Black volunteers, empowered to use vigilante tactics to enforce laws related to slavery. Bradford said those actions have a “historical standpoint in criminal justice” and historical ties to some law enforcement practices.

Overall, Bradford and Jones-Sawyer told members of the press, mainly from southern California, that they will concentrate on legislation that emphasizes rehabilitation, economics and education over incarceration, the closure of private prisons, and establishing a police culture that is transparent.

Serving the 59th District in the State Assembly, JonesSawyer was elected to the state legislature in November 2012 and re-elected in 2014, 2016 and 2020.

During his reelection bid, the California Correctional Peace Officer Association (CCPOA) posted a video displaying an image of a “crosshair” symbol over Jones-Sawyer’s face. The political video, roughly two-and-a-half minutes, was circulated on social

Assemblymember Angeles)

Reggie

Jones-Sawyer

(D-Los

media before it was deleted.

“It is unconscionable that the president of a peace officer’s association would use such a scare tactic that could incite someone to take action and cause harm,” said Jones-Sawyer after the incident.

Jones-Sawyer has authored or co-authored several bills focused on criminal justice reform and restorative justice, such as Assembly Bill 672. That legislation provides re-entry assistance such as housing and job training for persons that have been wrongfully convicted and consequently released from prison.

Jones-Sawyer says as chair he will introduce “more bills in the Assembly” proposing criminal justice reforms than other public safety committees have done during past legislative sessions. He says closing more private prisons and providing some financial security for inmates once they are released are also some of his top priorities.

“Giving them $200, a bus ticket, dropping them off, and then saying, ‘good luck to you’ just starts the process all over again,” Jones-Sawyer said, summarizing how prisoners are currently released back into society. “We have to provide wraparound services and institute them to ensure they don’t go back to prison. We have to help make them productive citizens.”

Bradford won the race to represent the 51st State Assembly District in a special election in 2009. He was reelected in 2010.

In 2012, he was elected to represent the newly created 62nd Assembly District Then, in 2016, voters elected him to represent the 35th District in the State Senate, which covers areas in and around Los Angeles. In 2018, he introduced 11 bills signed into law, including Senate Bill 1294, the “California Cannabis Equity Act.” SB 1294 is a first-in-the-nation bill that encourages equitable participation in the cannabis industry and fosters business opportunities for individuals who have been negatively impacted by the War on Drugs.

Bradford, who replaced Nancy Skinner (D-Oakland) as the chair of the Senate’s Public Safety Committee, also authored Senate Bill 203, which requires that children under age 17 have an opportunity to consult with legal counsel before interrogation.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law on Sept. 30, 2020.

“Many of us don’t even fully understand our legal rights when interacting with members of law enforcement,” Bradford said. “This law will protect all of California’s youth and build trust in our criminal justice system. Young people must know their rights and they should not be alone when being interrogated.”

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Wednesday, January 20, 2021

How Covid-19 Mutates and Its New Strains

By Estrella Ramos South Kern Sol Viruses constantly change through mutation, so new variants of a virus are expected. They naturally mutate as they spread through a population and happen by chance.

It can lead to weaker versions of the virus or in a way that helps the infection to spread.

A mutation is a change in a virus’s genome, which is the set of genetic instructions that houses all the information the virus needs to function. According to the CDC, “The virus that causes COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, a large family of viruses. Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surfaces. Scientists monitor changes in the virus, including changes to the spikes on the surface of the virus.”

There have been new versions of the virus since its first detection, but they have not been much different from the original variant, until now, health officials say. A new variant of Covid-19 was first found in the United Kingdom and called VUI-202012/01 or B.1.1.7.

According to Public Health England, “Backwards tracing using the genetic evidence suggests this variant emerged in September 2020 and then circulated at very low levels in the population until mid-November.”

Their collected data from genome sequencing, epidemiology (the study and analysis of the distribution, patterns, and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations), and modeling suggests that it transmits more easily than other variants.

They explained there is no evidence that it is more likely to cause severe disease or mortality.

Other health authorities from around the world have also concluded that it does not appear more deadly than previously identified coronavirus strains. The variant continues to be investigated.

In conclusion, it is more infectious than the original strain but does not make anyone sicker.

However, scientists say it could have more of an effect in young people. COVID-19 virus enters human cells via a receptor called ACE2, it is found on many cells in the upper respiratory tract. The amount of ACE2 a person expresses increases over time, meaning young children have very little. Adults have an abundant ACE2 in their nose and throat, making it easier for the original strain of

COVID to infect them. Children are believed to be less affected due to this fact.

This may be different in the new strain because it is less inhibited. “The newer virus has an easier time doing that and children are therefore equally susceptible, perhaps, to this virus as adults,” said Professor Wendy Barclay of Imperial College London and a New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) member. The number of children infected is expected to increase.

NERVTAG confirmed that the growth rate of the new strain is estimated to be 71% higher than other variants. It is transmitted the same way and the symptoms remain the same. Public health officials advise the continual practice of the same preventative measures: correctly wearing a mask, washing hands thoroughly, and limiting contact with others, to name a few.

Multiple studies reports indicate that the vaccine is still effective against the new strain.

Back in late December, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the new variant has been found in the southern part of California.

The CDC keeps track of the amount of B.1.1.7 lineage cases reported in the United States, 72 in total. It has been found in 8 American states: California (32), Florida (22), Minnesota (5), New York (4), Colorado (3), Connecticut (3), Georgia (1), Indiana (1), Pennsylvania (1), and Texas (1).

Kern Sol reached out to Michelle Corsen, program manager and public information officer for Kern County Public Health Services Department, to establish whether any cases of this particular strain have been found in Kern County cases. There has not.

A similar but separate variant has been identified in South Africa, where scientists say it is spreading quickly along with coastal areas of the country.

It is important to understand how, when, and where COVID-19 mutates.

Keeping track of this new information may feel difficult but it remains essential if local communities aim to slow the spread of the virus and prevent further related deaths. Kern Sol recommends Kern County residents to stay informed and continue to abide by CDC health guidelines.

Former Liberty High School standout and Bakersfield native Krys Barnes was second on the team in tackles for the Packers this season. (Courtesy Photo)

Krys Barnes Growing With the Game

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Krys Barnes pro football start with Green Bay wasn’t a good one. Before the season began he was released, then later returned to the team.

The former Liberty high standout stuck with it. He kept practicing hard and acting like a professional. He eventually worked his way on special teams then saw game action. He became a back-up linebacker.

The former UCLA Bruin is also teammate of another Bakersfield native quarterback Jordan Love who backs up Aaron Rodgers.

His play has become more and more noticeable

against the Rams in last weeks playoff game he had four tackles on the first drive. He had to leave the game because of a thumb injury.

By seasons end the undrafted free agent was a starter for the final three games was second on the team in tackles with 80 behind safety Adrian Amos.

“When you get into training camp and put on the pads for the first time you get to see people’s instincts,” said Amos. “Once he got on the field for a couple of games he showed he could play. He’s got a great feel for defense.”

Now Barnes is one game from the Super Bowl. He has shown in his rookie year he’s grown with the game.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

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Wednesday, January 20, 2021