It was a messy cleanup on Highway 99 after a semi hauling potatoes overturned. Highway Patrol Officer Tomas Martinez says just before 7am Monday, a Freightliner hauling potatoes didn’t see slow traffic ahead of him in the northbound lanes near California Avenue, swerved to avoid a crash, but struck a Toyota 4-Runner… The 4-runner then…… Read More
Six weeks since the quadruple homicide in Mojave, and still no arrests. Kern County Sheriff’s officials have issued an update saying that they have sent items of evidence to a crime lab for D-N-A analysis, to see if results are linked to a nearby shooting scene earlier that same day. A request has also been…… Read More
Two Bakersfield men have been arrested after allegedly breaking into a car at Meadows Field, and then ramming an officer with it. Lori Meza with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office says around 6 o’clock last night, an airport officer was struck. The severity of the injury has not been disclosed, but he was taken to…… Read More
With the Kern County Fair now 15 weeks away, the concert lineup has been finalized… Rodney Atkins will be on the Budweiser Pavilion Stage Opening Night September 20… Facility Marketing Representative Chelsey Roberts says R-and-B artist Brian McKnight will be there the following night, and then some rock with Blue Oyster Cult the first Friday…… Read More
The verdict is in in the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West… Both were found guilty on five of seven counts in the deaths of four year-old Orrin and three-year old Orson West, the adopted California City boys whose bodies have never been found… That’s family friend Keisha Stevenson. The jury deadlocked on two charges…… Read More
Kern County Sheriff’s investigators continue to search for the suspect who killed four people in Mojave Sunday night. Few details have been released for a variety of reasons. Lori Meza says there’s no security video available, several persons of interest haven’t been as helpful as deputies had hoped, and leads keep changing. Meza also says…… Read More
Four people have been shot to death in Mojave, and the shooter or shooters are still at large. Lori Meza with the Kern County Sheriff’s says deputies responded around 11:20 last [Sunday] night to a property on H Street near Cerro Gordo Road… The victims were inside what Meza described as an RV parked on…… Read More
Interstate 5 at Grapevine Road is open in both directions now, after the northbound lanes were closed for about 12 hours because of a shooting. The suspect is still at large and fled the scene after shooting a truck driver around 7:30 last Monday night. Highway Patrol Officer D-C Williams says the freeway was closed…… Read More
A jury has been seated and opening statements begin Tuesday in the murder trial of the missing California City boys. Trezell and Jacqueline West are charged with killing their two adopted sons Orrin and Orson West two years ago, although the bodies of the boys have never been found. The Kern County District Attorney has…… Read More
A Bakersfield man has been convicted of second degree murder for a street racing crash that killed a 58-year-old woman, and seriously injured her two grandchildren. Chief Deputy District Attorney Cole McKnight says Ronald Pierce Jr. slammed into Maria Navarro’s mini van in November 2019 on Old River Road between White Lane and Ming Avenue……… Read More
The 50th anniversary of Title IX, giving women equal access to education and sports is being celebrated, but with a caveat. At Tuesday’s event at Bakersfield College, Head Softball coach Casey Goodman said we’re used to men being passionate about sports, but not so much for women… Goodman noted that when you take salary out…… Read More
The Academy of Country Music has nominated the Cliff and Tanya Show, and our own Brent Michaels for On Air Personality of the Year. This show was nominated for a Country Music Association award last year, and KUZZ was named Station of the Year by both the ACM and CMA in 2022. The ACM Awards…… Read More
Many people in the Kern County evacuation areas are being allowed to return home now. Most evacuation orders were lifted yesterday afternoon, and early last night. There are still some areas where the evacuation orders are still in place. Kern County Fire Captain Andrew Freeborn says he had about a hundred personnel on storm detail,…… Read More
As it is with every crisis or emergency situation these days, it seems there are scammers out there trying to take advantage of it. Lori Meza with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office says be careful if you get a phone call asking for donations to help local victims of flooding… Meza says it could sound…… Read More
It happened again. Just three days after a man was struck and killed by a car on Wible Road, and another pedestrian has died. Highway Patrol Officer Tomas Martinez says this crash was three miles away, on Wible Road at Wood Lane… Martinez says a 32 year-old man was standing in the roadway, and the…… Read More
Governor Newsom is pledging the state will spend 30 million dollars to build 12-hundred small homes to help ease homelessness and clear out encampments… Some of the homes are as small as 120 square feet, and some can be built in as little as an hour and a half. It’s up to local governments to…… Read More
Some of the fears about this storm are starting to come true now in Kern County, especially in the Kern River Valley… Lori Meza with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office says an Evacuation Order has been issued in the Tillie Creek, Riverkern, and Wofford Heights areas… An evacuation order is the last warning given, meaning…… Read More
The Bakersfield Fire Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying who they are calling ‘a person of interest’ for a fire at the Home Depot on Gosford Road on February 18. The man is described as white, in his early to mid twenties, with short black hair. He was last seen wearing dark…… Read More
A very long Kern County Board of Supervisors meeting got rowdy at times while they were talking voting machines. The Board voted 3-2 to keep the controversial Dominion machines for the next three years. Many from the public were not happy, with one instance causing this exchange between Board Chair Jeff Flores and a speaker……… Read More
It was a wintry weekend in Kern County, but these storms are not over yet… Meteorologist Jim Bagnall with the National Weather Service in Hanford says the Tehachapi and Fort Tejon areas got a couple of feet of snow over the weekend, and Bakersfield got close to two inches of rain. The National Weather Service…… Read More
It’s not a term you ever hear in California, but meteorologists say a blizzard is headed to Tehachapi. City Manager Greg Garrett says the city is prepared… He’s telling residents not to go out if you don’t have to, and keep an eye on your neighbor. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines a blizzard…… Read More
Two storm systems and cold temperatures are headed our way bringing rain to the valley and snow to the mountains. National Weather Service Meteorologist Jim Bagnall says it possible we could even see some snowflakes in Bakersfield… Bagnall says the valley should get about a half-inch to three quarters of an inch of rain this…… Read More
Bakersfield has had a hockey team for 25 years, and they will have one for at least five more. The Condors have renewed their lease with the city and Mechanics Bank Arena through 2028, with an option to go through 2031. General Manager Keith Gretzky says several N-H-L teams are trending toward having their minor…… Read More
The Tulare County Sheriff says they have made two arrests in the massacre in Goshen last month, where six members of a family were killed. Mike Boudreaux says 35 year-old Angel Uriarte was found in Goshen, and 25 year-old Noah Beard in Visalia, with Uriarte exchanging gunfire with A-T-F agents before being injured by a…… Read More
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield says things went well in his meeting with President Biden, and indicates that the meeting is just the first of several… No word on when the conversation will continue, but McCarthy is adamant about wanting to cut spending… Thanks to a move by the Treasury Department, they’ve got until…… Read More
State Water Project allocations are jumping from five to 30-percent for contractors who depend on the water supply. Director of the Department of Water Resources Karla Nemeth says all that rain and snow last month have made a “dent” in the drought, but it’s still early in the rainy season… The State Water Project is…… Read More
Highway 178 through the Kern River Canyon is closed again due to another rockslide. One last week damaged some of the pavement. This one, though, not only has one giant boulder in the center of the road, but Christian Lukens with CalTrans says there’s another one that could also fall, so it’s not clear yet…… Read More
A standoff with Bakersfield police and a suspect has ended after several hours overnight. 59 year-old Richard Firo of Bakersfield was taken into custody around 3:45 this morning on Cibola Drive, near White Lane and Gosford Road, after holding himself up in the home since around 9 o’clock last night. Police say at one-point, he…… Read More
The Tulare County Sheriff says detectives are working 24 hours a day to find the killers who gunned down six people Monday at a home in Goshen, and they’re getting a lot of help… Mike Boudreaux says they know of at least two suspects, but he’s being careful about what he says… Boudreaux says a…… Read More
Bakersfield has announced the guest speaker for the 43rd annual Bakersfield Prayer Breakfast next week… Mayor Karen Goh says Lawrence has local ties. He grew up in Bakersfield, went to Bakersfield High School, and then Cal State Bakersfield before starting a ministry. Lawrence was named Bishop in South Carolina in 2006. The prayer breakfast is…… Read More
Six people have been killed in mass shooting in Goshen, and the victims include a 17-year-old girl and her six month old baby. Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux says there were so many shots heard around 4am Monday at a house on Harvest Avenue, that deputies believed it was an active shooter situation… Bodies were…… Read More
California’s governor has submitted a balanced budget, despite the state looking at a 22-billion dollar deficit coming off a previous surplus. Gavin Newsom says no major cuts are coming, with full funding for education and combating homelessness. Newsom even took a shot at House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, with 40-billion dollars in transportation money coming from…… Read More
The heavy rain and mud flows near Lost Hills led to several drivers being trapped along Highway 33 Monday, and a serious collision Tuesday morning between two semis. Kern County Fire Captain Andrew Freeborn says the first truck was stuck in the mud near Brown Material Road around 2am, and the second truck slammed into…… Read More
A campaign linking the mind-body connection to good health is underway in Kern County, to help people deal with the ill-effects of the pandemic. Public Health Director Brynn Carrigan says being on lockdown took a toll… They’re teaming up with Behavioral Health and Recovery after spike in mental health issues. The program will advertise a…… Read More
Bakersfield police have arrested two men believed to be organizers of a sideshow which shut down an intersection New Year’s Weekend. Public Information Officer Robert Pair says 20 year-old Juan Aguilera was arrested on McNutt Street Friday night, but he didn’t go quietly… On Saturday, 28 year-old Alfonso Mendoza was arrested at a home on…… Read More
Governor Newsom has declared a state of emergency, and is also asking for federal help, with more rain and wind on the way in this series of atmospheric rivers. The most damage has been in northern California, but the entire state has suffered damage. Governor Newsom says you really shouldn’t travel if you don’t have…… Read More
Police are investigating two men found dead at a home in southeast Bakersfield. Bakersfield Police Sergeant Robert Pair says it was a shooting that happened early Friday morning… They are looking for a man named Jovannie Ayon. He is 31 years old, described as Hispanic, 5-foot-9, 140 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes. He is…… Read More
Bakersfield Congressman Kevin McCarthy has failed to win enough votes to become the new Speaker of the House, after three roll call votes came up short. The former Minority Leader was nominated in the first round by G-O-P Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York… McCarthy is the first Speaker nominee in 100 years who…… Read More
The first of several snowpack surveys of the season is being called the best start in 40 years, but there’s a catch. Sean de Guzman with the state Water Resources Department ran yesterday’s measurements near Lake Tahoe… The surveys help determine how much snow melt will run off to state reservoirs, but De Guzman warns…… Read More
A new law for 2023 will not change the way Bakersfield Police do business. Officers are no longer allowed to write tickets for jaywalking unless there’s an immediate public danger, but Sergeant Robert Pair says that’s pretty much the status quo.. Pair says they will still run enforcement operations in business areas like Union Avenue,…… Read More
2023 will be a big year for commuters in Bakersfield, when the Westside Parkway will finally connect with Highways 99 and 58… City Public Works Director Gregg Strakaluse says that should happen in the fall. The current project does not include a ramp from the Westside Parkway to northbound 99, but that ramp is funded…… Read More
Bakersfield police have arrested two multi-offenders for allegedly running a chop shop in southeast Bakersfield. Police were investigating a possible catalytic converter theft at an uninhabited residence on Earlene Court Monday morning, when they found several vehicles and catalytic converters. B-P-D Sergeant Robert Pair says 34 year-old Jonathan Cotilla-Pina faces several charges… Also arrested was…… Read More
Kern County Elections staff have completed their portion of the recount in the race between Republican David Shepard, and State Senator Melissa Hurtado, and there are no changes to report. Shepard requested recounts in 70 of the 300 precincts and won over 57-percent of the vote, but trails Hurtado by 22 votes across the district.…… Read More
Two Kern County Philanthropists have donated 400-thousand dollars to expand the medical clinic at the California Living Museum near Hart Park. CALM Director Meg Maitland says it will greatly enhance the care they provide for the animals… Lynda and Stewart Resnick own the Wonderful Company, which is also matching donations up to 100-thousand. The Wonderful…… Read More
Bakersfield College has announced the passing of long-time sports announcer, Carl Bryan. Bryan, who became known as the Voice of the Renegades, came to BC in 1973 as a volunteer at track events, and went on to announce valley, state, and national track meets, and the World Masters. He had recently retired. Bryan was 77.… Read More
If you have a young child, the Highway Patrol wants to make sure the car seat for him or her is installed correctly. Just last week, a three year-old boy was in his seat during a crash in Bakersfield, and he and the seat were ejected, causing a broken rib. C-H-P Officer Tomas Martinez says…… Read More
Bakersfield Police need the public’s helping identifying two young women who attacked a kiosk vendor at Valley Plaza Mall. Sergeant Robert Pair says one of the suspects held a gun against the woman’s head on Friday as they tried to rob her… The victim has non-life-threatening injuries and no merchandise was taken. The women are…… Read More
When it’s time to take down your real Christmas tree, you can recycle it free of charge at several locations. Eric Galvan with the City of Bakersfield says they take the trees because of safety concerns… You can drop them off at the Mount Vernon Recycling and Composting Facility, the Bakersfield College parking lot, or…… Read More
One person has died and another is injured in a Christmas Eve house fire. Kern County Fire officials say it happened Saturday evening on East Brundage Lane near Fairfax Road. One person was found dead inside the home. Another was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. The cause is under investigation.…… Read More
Several hundred low income and homeless guests are expected at the Mission at Kern County, where they will be treated to a Christmas Eve meal. It’s not only a day early, but also early in the day, starting at 11am. Organizer Jamie Atkinson says that’s the usual time of the big meal, so guests are…… Read More
It’s been a long wait, but a permanent location has been found for a new Lake Isabella visitor center. The old one had to be removed by construction of an emergency spillway at Isabella Dam, and an interim center has been operating at the Lake Isabella Fire Station. Rick Brown with the U-S Army Corps…… Read More
An officer involved shooting in east Bakersfield has resulted in the death of a suspect. According to Bakersfield Police, a railroad worker reported a man with a gun on the tracks near East Belle Terrace and Madison Avenue around 9:40 Tuesday morning. Sergeant Robert Pair says officers responded, and fired at the suspect, who then…… Read More
The race for State Senate in District 16 may not be over yet. Republican David Shepard, who trails Democrat Melissa Hurtado by just 20 votes, has announced he has requested a recount. In a video posted on his Facebook page before the the elections were certified, Shepard questioned Kern County’s vote totals, and also said……… Read More
Bakersfield officially has a new City Council, saying goodbye to Chris Parlier after eight years serving Ward Seven… Manpreet Kaur took the Oath of Office Wednesday night, the first Punjabi and Sikh American to serve on the council… Eric Arias and Bob Smith were also sworn in to new terms. Ken Weir was not present…… Read More
Does money generated from the one-cent sales tax passed in unincorporated Kern County have to be spent in unincorporated Kern County? Chief Financial Officer Jim Zervis was asked about a library, for example, if it’s built inside city limits, it would still benefit people in unincorporated areas. County Supervisors have now officially established an oversight…… Read More
The Kern County Board of Supervisors had plenty of questions for Registrar of voters Mary Bedard about the November election. Bedard took responsibility for some incorrect wording on some of the measures. There were 17 of them on various ballots… During the periodic updates, sometimes more votes were counted than were estimated. She says there’s…… Read More
The Kern County Supervisors has held its last regular meeting of the year Tuesday, which was also the last one ever for Mike Maggard, who served 16 years representing District Three. Maggard was honored with a lengthy proclamation outlining his work on several projects. Maggard thanked his colleagues, staff, family, and the community… His Chief…… Read More
Kern County’s brand new assemblywoman hit the ground running after being sworn in, introducing a bill that fulfills a major campaign promise to go after fentanyl. Dr. Jasmeet Bains says AB 33 will create a statewide task force with experts on all sides of the problem. “Law enforcement, our prosecutors, district attorneys, school board members,…… Read More
The state corrections department has announced eight prisons that will either be closed or de-activated, and two of them are in Kern County. One is California Correctional Institution ‘Facility D’ in Tehachapi. City Manager Greg Garrett says the announcement came with little notice… The prison is Tehachapi’s top employer… It’s slated to close early next…… Read More
It started as a simple call of a suspicious man looking to possibly break into a car, and turned into a near death experience for a Kern County Sheriff’s Deputy. When deputies responded to calls from the Sierra Vista Mobile Home Park in Rosamond early Friday morning, 19 year-old Edgar Rojas was armed. Sheriff Donny…… Read More
Five people have been injured in a head on crash on Copus Road, where the CHP says a woman driving a Silverado miscalculated the distance between her and oncoming traffic. The truck slammed into a Camry at about 80 mph just before 5:30 Wednesday morning, west of Interstate 5 as the pickup tried to pass…… Read More
A large scale enforcement operation by the Highway Patrol Bakersfield Division resulted in 230 citations being issued. Those included 127 for speeding and 13 cellphone violations, and three persons arrested for unspecified felonies. Wednesday’s campaign focused on Hwy 99 and State Route 58 on Wednesday, where 14 drivers got off with a warning, Nine vehicles…… Read More
Governor Newsom has signed his Budget Shortfall Bill to slash Billions from the looming state deficit, much to the chagrin of Sacramento Republicans. Bakersfield Assemblyman Vince Fong, who is Vice Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, says negotiations took place behind closed doors and the plan won’t work. AB 106 slashes $17.3 billion from the…… Read More
A bill that would require the University of California to build a medical school in Kern County has passed its first legislative hurdle and now goes before the Assembly Appropriations Committee this Friday. Bakersfield Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains, who is a medical doctor as well, told 17 News back in January that the Grow Our Own…… Read More
Highway Patrol investigators in Bakersfield and LA Sheriff’s homicide detectives are asking for help finding in solving the murder of a 27-year-old woman whose body was set on fire. CHP Detective Jose Bravo says Karla Terron was in Kern County the day she was stabbed and dumped on the southbound 99 Freeway off ramp at…… Read More
Bakersfield Police are investigating an early morning hit and run collision where a woman was killed. The victim was walking on Ming Avenue just after 2:00 a.m Saturday when she was struck by a unknown driver near South P Street. The speed limit in that area is 40mph, there is no information regarding the suspect…… Read More
A Bakersfield man has been arrested for child trafficking after a six month investigation. Police Sergeant Eric Celedon says detectives first took the suspect into custody on April 9th. And BPD says Gallardo posted bond and was released the following day, only to be arrested again the next day for possession of child pornography. He’s…… Read More
The Bakersfield Downtown Business Association has been granted another $50,000 to increase security patrols in areas where local businesses are concentrated. Bob Smith from Citiguard Security says, they’re pleased to be part of the revitalization that’s underway. The patrols that began April 1st will be re-evaluated in six months. They are an outgrowth of the…… Read More
