I feel lucky to be a part of the best news team in Kern County, covering the stories that make a difference. Nothing is as rewarding as helping people solve their problems or giving them the information they need during an emergency. As a journalist, my job is to "keep 'em honest." I'm especially proud of my investigation that uncovered restaurants that had gone up to two years without a county health inspection.

I grew up in Ventura County and first came to the Valley in 1996 to study journalism at California State University Fresno. After graduating in 2000, I started my television career as a sports anchor/reporter at WTAJ-TV in Altoona, PA. While I was in Pennsylvania I landed interviews with golf legend Arnold Palmer and hockey star Mario Lemieux. But not even a trip to Super Bowl XL could keep me from switching to news. And in 2006, I joined the Eyewitness News team.

When I'm not at work, I like to play golf -- perhaps too much. Like many people, I'm addicted to the game. I've also been know to hit the gym occasionally when I'm not watching my beloved Fresno State Bulldogs and San Diego Chargers.

You can watch my reports throughout the week on Eyewitness News at 5, 5:30, 6, 10 & 11 p.m. If you have a tip or a story idea you'd like to share, call me at (661) 325-6397, ext. 228, or send me an email using the link below.

You can e-mail John Dabkovich at jdabkovich@bakersfieldnow.com