17 News @ Sunrise 04/03/2024

Some of today's top storiesWe begin with breaking news out of Taiwan.    At least 9 are dead after the most powerful earthquakes in decades struck the island this morning.    This is a look at the violent shaking.    The quake came in at a 7-point-4 magnitude.. the strongest to shake Taiwain in 25 years.    Seismologists say the island is among the most active areas in the world for earthquakes. Back here at home... the National Tsunami Warning Center says there is no tsunami threat to California and the rest of the west coast following that powerful earthquake overseas.Turning to education news.     During last night's monthly meeting... the Kern High School Board made five new appointments, including a new position in KHSD's equity and inclusion department.     17's Jenny Huh was at the meeting and files this report. The man -- accused of abducting a Bakersfield pre-teen and taking her to Utah -- will appear in a Kern County courtroom for the first time tomorrow.    Records show 29-year-old Joshua Stehle was booked into Lerdo jail on suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment with violence, child molestation and contacting a child to commit a sex act    The pre-teen girl was reported missing last month... and when deputies searched a computer at the home, they say they discovered the two had an online relationship.     Stehle was later arrested in Utah... and extradited to Kern County yesterday. The defense counsel says they are not ready for trial to begin in the case of two men accused of killing a corrections counselor. Robert Parnell Roberts and Sebastian Parra both face charges of murder and attempted robbery in the death of Benny Alcala, Jr.      Alcala was shot and killed back in 2022 near the Target on Stockdale Highway, where he'd been charging an electric car.     A new hearing date of April 22nd was set yesterday     Both men face life terms in prison if convicted.