The Bakersfield Fire Department has named a new deputy chief. Bryce Patterson steps into the role after more than twenty years with the department. He led the Arson Division and helped develop several key programs. Fire Chief Kevin Albertson says Patterson brings strong leadership and a deep commitment to service. Patterson’s new role starts August…… Read More
Two men were apprehended after allegedly trying to hide from law enforcement inside a house in Taft. It happened July 24, 2025, when Austin Casteel, 25, allegedly ran into a house in the 100 block of Madison Street in Ford City after spotting Kern County Sheriff’s deputies searching for suspects in the area. The house…… Read More
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is warning you about ever-present phone scams. Callers pretend to be sheriff’s deputies claiming you missed jury duty or ignored a court order. They demand payment by gift card, bitcoin, or bank transfer. Officials say real sheriff’s deputies won’t call you asking for money. If the call seems suspicious, hang…… Read More
A Taft man wanted for a fatal hit-and-run crash on Kern Street has surrendered to Kern County Sheriff’s deputies. Alejandro Padilla, Jr., 48, arrived at the Kern County superior courthouse with his attorney Tuesday afternoon after being accused of a wreck that took the life of a motorcycle rider in the 1100 block of Kern…… Read More
The California highway Patrol arrested sixteen people for DUI during a weekend operation in Kern County. The crackdown took place Saturday night as part of a statewide effort to catch impaired drivers. Officers recovered a stolen car, made one felony arrest, issued thirty warnings, and impounded thirteen vehicles. The CHP says more DUI operations are…… Read More
A Ridgecrest police officer has been arrested on allegations of domestic abuse and injury to a child. Laura Kenney was arrested Tuesday after a community member reportedly identified her as the suspect in a domestic violence incident. Detectives who investigated the call say they observed a minor injury to the victim’s face. Detectives say the…… Read More
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
