Bakersfield’s new budget sparked a heated debate over public safety funds and whether they’re being used to help the fight against homelessness. City leaders on Tuesday reviewed the proposed $850 million budget for next year. Concerns surfaced about how $12 million in Measure N funds are being used. Measure N is a voter-approved sales tax…… Read More
A former Stallion Springs police officer has pleaded no contest to sexually abusing a child. James Best. Jr., 54, entered the plea Wednesday to two felony charges after prosecutors say he abused the girl for several years. She was between the ages of 9 and 16. She came forward to authorities in 2023. Best admitted…… Read More
A 19-year-old man is facing assault and vandalism charges after an alleged rock attack at a downtown Bakersfield McDonald’s. Police say Quintin Flight threw softball-sized rocks at a truck in the drive thru on F Street on May 21, shattering the driver’s window and causing cuts to the man’s face and neck. Flight allegedly laughed…… Read More
The superintendent of the Bakersfield City School District is stepping down. Mark Luque announced his resignation during Tuesday’s board meeting. He pointed to ongoing disagreements with the board. Luque is a former BCSD student. He called the role as superintendent personal and thanked the community. He’ll stay on for the next ninety days while the…… Read More
Kern County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating a double homicide in Oildale. Deputies found Jasmine Hernandez, 31, and Anthony Reveles, 25, dead Monday morning at the Belcourt Apartment Complex in the 2600 block Park Meadow Drive. Deputies say both victims suffered gunshot wounds, however the sheriff’s office hasn’t confirmed a murder-suicide. Family members say the victims…… Read More
A dangerous heat wave is heading for California with temperatures expected to top 105 degrees in parts of the Central Valley including Bakersfield. That National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch extending from Friday through Sunday morning. Officials warn the risk of heat-related illness is high, especially for kids, seniors, and outdoor workers.…… Read More
Two men are dead following a shooting in east Bakersfield. Kern County Sheriff’s deputies responded around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday to reports of shotS fired in the area of Flower and Virginia streets where they found the men dead at the scene. There’s no word yet on the victims’ identities, suspects, or what prompted the shooting.…… Read More
A family in southwest Bakersfield is safe today thanks to their dog. The Bakersfield Fire Department reports the dog named Lulu awakened the family when a two-alarm fire broke out at their house on Titanium Street at around 4 a.m. Sunday. Officials say the fire started on the outside of the house and caused significant…… Read More
A 21-year-old woman is facing felony charges following a deadly hit-and-run accident that killed a bicyclist in Wasco. Deputies say Gabriella Garza was drunk when she hit Gloria Soto, 41, last November near the intersection of Sequoia Drive and Palm Avenue, then drove off. Surveillance video and car parts led investigators to Garza’s home where…… Read More
A 30-year-old man from San Diego has been arrested after a stabbing in Frazier Park. Deandre Andrews was arrested Thursday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after Kern County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the 700 block of Avalon Trail to find Andrews had taken off in a pickup which was found later…… Read More
