PAYING FOR AIDS PATIENTS

Supervisors have approved a $377,000 federal grant that helps local AIDS patients pay for housing and daily expenses.

Bill Phelps with Clinica Sierra Vista thinks it can be tough for many people to make ends meet without it because some also suffer from mental health or drug issues. The healthcare company is one of several local organizations distributing the funds. The program has been in Kern County for the past 15 years.

One person is infected with HIV every three days here.

Kelli Pierce