The County of Kern will pay $300,000 to a former chief deputy of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office who claimed he was fired because he challenged Sheriff Donny Youngblood in the 2018 election. During the campaign, Justin Fleeman promised to stop alleged sexual misconduct within the sheriff’s office and the Sheriff’s Activities League. Fleeman claimed…… Read More
Trial has been moved to September 15, 2025, for a man accused of driving drunk and striking attendees at the 2023 Bakersfield Christmas Parade. Police say Alan Booth, 74, had a blood alcohol level over three times the legal limit when he reversed his truck into a crowd leaving three people injured. Booth faces charges…… Read More
Police have identified the suspect in a hit-and-run accident that killed a motorcyclist in Taft. Alejandro Padilla, 48, is a resident of the Taft area and is described as an Hispanic man standing 6′-2″, weighing about 185 lbs. Police say Padilla was driving a Chevy Silverado that turned into the path of Harley Davidson motorcycle…… Read More
Police are searching for a hit-and-run driver who killed a motorcyclist in Taft. It happened around 10:45 a.m. Sunday on Kern Street just west of Cascade Place when the driver of a pickup made a left turn and struck the motorcycle. Police say after the accident, a man was seen running southbound through the parking…… Read More
A 46-year-old man has been arrested for an alleged killing in Oildale. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office says Daren Williford was arrested July 24, 2025, following the incident July 12 in the 800 block of Beardsley Avenue where deputies responded to reports of a man suffering from trauma. He was pronounced dead at the scene.…… Read More
A tentative agreement has been reached between Albertsons Companies and workers at Albertsons, Safeway and Vons stores in Northern and Central California, avoiding a strike. The deal delivers economic security, health care and pension improvements for 25,000 workers. The United Food and Commercial Workers, 8-Golden State, UFCW Local 5, and UFCW Local 648 announced the…… Read More
A Visalia woman will stand trial September 9, 2025, after her young son died inside a hot car in southwest Bakersfield. Prosecutors say Maya Hernandez, 20, left her two boys alone inside her car for two hours on June 29, 2025, while she received a cosmetic treatment at a medical spa on Real Road. The…… Read More
Jasmine Francisco is undergoing treatment for cancer. As if that isn’t difficult enough, she’s also facing financial difficulties. After purchasing her first home for herself and her two daughters, Francisco discovered severe black mold at the house. That forced the family to relocate for their safety while the house is being repaired. The combination of…… Read More
Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing a bill to streamline permitting for new oil wells. The bill would establish “plug-to-drill” permitting until 2036. That means two wells would have to be plugged and abandoned before a new one is drilled. Environmental groups say the move would wipe out oversight of the industry and could be hazardous…… Read More
A woman is facing murder and arson charges after a deadly fire at a Bakersfield trailer park. Investigators say Nicole Taylor, 34, admitted she lit a pillow case on fire inside her mobile home in the 6000 block of State Road on May 30, 2025. The blaze killed Amber Wimberley, 52, and two dogs. Witnesses…… Read More
