KCFD extinguishes house fire in Cal City

A 4,200-square-foot home and 8.4 acres burned Thursday morning just after midnight in California City, according to the Kern County Fire Department.

Firefighters extinguished the fire in the two-story family home and surrounding areas. KCFD reported no one was injured in the fire and the investigation into the cause is ongoing.

A man died in a motorcycle crash with a car around 1:20 p.m. Wednesday at the intersec

tion of Hacienda Boulevard and California City Boulevard, according to the California City Police Department.

According to CCPD, the motorcyclist died at the scene and he will be identified by the Kern County coroner’s office. The driver of the car remained at the scene and cooperated with police, according to CCPD.

Anyone with information can call CCPD at 760-373-8606.

A woman was beaten by two people around 12:20 p.m. April 30 in the 9000 block of

California City Boulevard, according to the California City Police Department.

Lita Barnes, 59, of California City and Shelton Hickman, 47, of Norwalk were charged by the Kern County District Attorney’s Office on May 2 with attempted murder, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury and false imprisonment with violence. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The pair is accused of attacking a 56-yearold woman at her business. The victim said she knew the two because they would ask for money every day, according to CCPD.

The pair asked for photocopies and when the victim went to make copies, Hickman grabbed the victim and attempted to drag her to the restroom, according to CCPD. Barnes hit the woman about 30 times with a pole, according to CCPD.

According to CCPD, Barnes stated that she did not know the victim but was there to kill her because “she is evil.”

Barnes’ next court date is May 23 and Hickman’s next court date is May 28. Both hearings are to determine if they are legally competent to stand trial.

Anyone with information can call CCPD at 760-373-8606.

Several sheds, cars and trees caught fire in the 4000 block of Oregon Street in east

Bakersfield Thursday afternoon, according to the Kern County Fire Department.

One firefighter burned his leg. There were no other injuries, according to KCFD. Nearby homeowners were evacuated as firefighters extinguished the fire, but no families were displaced, according to KCFD.

According to KCFD, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.