17 News @ Sunrise 04/12/2024

Some of today's top storiesA traffic alert for you this morning... vehicles have been backed up on the northbound side of I5 over the grapevine, for more than 15 hours now.This is a live look this morning at the closure that started just before 2 p.m. yesterday.As of 2 this morning the CHP website reported that officers expected clean up to take a few more hours.As of last check, two lanes were closed. It all started when the CHP says a truck carrying 23-thousand pounds of paper products went up in flames     Again, this is the northbound side of Interstate 5, just north of Grapevine Road.     The fire has since been extinguished, but traffic is still slow going.     One woman posting on social media last night said - it took her nearly four hours to get from Lebec to Grapevine Road.The County Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for a new Bakersfield crematorium. Rick Woody has been fighting to operate a crematorium in a multi-tenant building near Meadows Field Airport, for nearly two years.    But, he has faced opposition from other business owners of the 16-unit complex... like Pete Leveroni who urged the planning commission this evening, not to approve the project. In November, the Planning Commission postponed a decision for further environmental impact review.     But last night, commissioners voted to approve the crematorium project.The Downtown Business Association wants to stop the trend of smashed windows and plywood by ramping up patrols with Citiguard Security Services. The DBA got a grant of $50,000 for increased security patrols in 2 key areas. A 4 block raduis from 17th Street to 20th Street, and Chester Avenue to H Street. There's also increased patrols on F Street.Bob Smith with Citiguard says there's a staff and 21 security officers and 4 patrol cars working 24/7 using non-lethal force. They do up to 1,500 business checks a week. The reports go to the BPD.Patrols started April 1st. Sharon Martinez with Timeless Furnishings says the store has been dealing with vandalism, fear, and even human feces on the sidewalk outside the store.... but she says now, they don't have to come to work afraid. A man accused of abducting an 11-year-old Bakersfield girl and taking her to Utah, has pleaded not guilty. 29-year-old Joshua Stehle {stay-lee} of Colorado was arraigned yesterday on charges of kidnapping and child molestation.    The girl was reported missing last month, and when deputies searched a computer at her home, they say they discovered the two had an online relationship.     The two were later found in Utah.    Stehle is being held without bail and is due back in court April 22nd.