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Kern River claims lives,
threatens more
threatens more
Supervisors throw out unfavorable map
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
City requests bids for trash service
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
| Photo by Elizabeth Babcock |
| ( click for larger ) |
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
consideration by the Kern County Board of Supervisors. Locals are attributing the triumph in part to the early action of
residents of Ridgecrest and other nearby communities who joined together to protest the proposal at several public
hearings, as well as at the board’s regular meeting last week. District lines are redrawn every 10 years to reflect
changes in the census to ensure that the five county supervisors represent roughly equal populations.
The 2010 census revealed that only the 3rd and 4th districts were out of balance with legal population requirements. One
of the five proposals being considered for adoption by the supervisors adjusts only the line between those districts,
leaving the rest of the districts as they are.
residents of Ridgecrest and other nearby communities who joined together to protest the proposal at several public
hearings, as well as at the board’s regular meeting last week. District lines are redrawn every 10 years to reflect
changes in the census to ensure that the five county supervisors represent roughly equal populations.
The 2010 census revealed that only the 3rd and 4th districts were out of balance with legal population requirements. One
of the five proposals being considered for adoption by the supervisors adjusts only the line between those districts,
leaving the rest of the districts as they are.
Etoch dies at age 74
At press time the News Review learned that longtime resident,
businessman, patriarch and modern example of the rags-to-
riches journey Fredrick Michael Etoch died Monday. (See also
his obituary on Page 6).
Within hours of his passing, word spread throughout the
community, and residents began to reflect upon the
contributions of a man who was generally regarded as a
colorful, quick-witted character with passionate opinions he
was eager to share. But close friends pointed out that his
generosity and love for family and community were his
definitive qualities. “The thing I remember the most was his
ability to teach others to give and to care,” said Peggy Breeden.
“He gave with an open heart and a caring soul. He was not a
high and mighty person, but he was a great man.”
businessman, patriarch and modern example of the rags-to-
riches journey Fredrick Michael Etoch died Monday. (See also
his obituary on Page 6).
Within hours of his passing, word spread throughout the
community, and residents began to reflect upon the
contributions of a man who was generally regarded as a
colorful, quick-witted character with passionate opinions he
was eager to share. But close friends pointed out that his
generosity and love for family and community were his
definitive qualities. “The thing I remember the most was his
ability to teach others to give and to care,” said Peggy Breeden.
“He gave with an open heart and a caring soul. He was not a
high and mighty person, but he was a great man.”
| The late Fred Etoch is pictured with his wife Barbara. |
| Ridgecrest Mayor Pro Tem Chip Holloway (right) and Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce President Jay Chun (left) are among the scores of residents who showed up Saturday morning to clean up the median staff of Gary Charlon State Farm Insurance. |
After collecting input from the public, as well as from staff and
a professional consulting firm, the city of Ridgecrest has
released a request for proposals for solid-waste-collection
services for residential and commercial ac-counts.
The contract will replace the one currently held by Benz
Sanitation. Although the city renewed the 10-year, evergreen
contract with the trash hauler in 2009, an arbitration judge
found that the contract conflicted with the city’s municipal code,
which limits franchises to 30 years before services must be
put out to bid.
That decision was part of the city’s ongoing legal dispute with
Benz, which arose after the city commissioned a universal
collection program, then provided an option out after residents
complained about a more-than-doubled, and mandatory, fee
Members of the city’s staff and council have said that Benz will
not be excluded from the bidding process, but noted that at
least three other companies have indicated an interest in the
contract.
a professional consulting firm, the city of Ridgecrest has
released a request for proposals for solid-waste-collection
services for residential and commercial ac-counts.
The contract will replace the one currently held by Benz
Sanitation. Although the city renewed the 10-year, evergreen
contract with the trash hauler in 2009, an arbitration judge
found that the contract conflicted with the city’s municipal code,
which limits franchises to 30 years before services must be
put out to bid.
That decision was part of the city’s ongoing legal dispute with
Benz, which arose after the city commissioned a universal
collection program, then provided an option out after residents
complained about a more-than-doubled, and mandatory, fee
Members of the city’s staff and council have said that Benz will
not be excluded from the bidding process, but noted that at
least three other companies have indicated an interest in the
contract.
By KENNETH C. CURNOW, News Review Correspondent
“It’s not deep or wide, but it’s a mean piece of water, my friend.” American songwriter Merle Haggard wrote of the
treacherous River Kern. Those lyrics became horriflying real for locals and visitors as at least two lives were claimed —
and at least six others endangered — in just the last 11 days. According to various releases issued by the Kern County
Sheriff’s Office, two men have been reported missing and two (presumably different) male bodies have been found. Six
others were rescued from drowning by various rescue agencies.
Just after 10 p.m. on July 3, three subjects were reported stranded on the Kern. After a 13-year-old male had gone into
the water and been swept downstream, two of the family members with whom he was camping entered the water in an
effort to rescue him. None of the three had life vests, and all three were left stranded. Sheriff Search and Rescue units
used rafts to retrieve all three subjects.
treacherous River Kern. Those lyrics became horriflying real for locals and visitors as at least two lives were claimed —
and at least six others endangered — in just the last 11 days. According to various releases issued by the Kern County
Sheriff’s Office, two men have been reported missing and two (presumably different) male bodies have been found. Six
others were rescued from drowning by various rescue agencies.
Just after 10 p.m. on July 3, three subjects were reported stranded on the Kern. After a 13-year-old male had gone into
the water and been swept downstream, two of the family members with whom he was camping entered the water in an
effort to rescue him. None of the three had life vests, and all three were left stranded. Sheriff Search and Rescue units
used rafts to retrieve all three subjects.
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