Legal proceedings are moving ahead for a man accused of a DUI crash that took the life of an Arvin educator. Marque Qualls, 28, will stand trial beginning August 11, 2025, on charges of second degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated following a crash that killed Larry Hallum in February 2023. Prosecutors say…… Read More
A Kern County murder case ends in a mistrial. The case involves Eliot Moore, 28, who’s accused of fatally shooting Jamari Darde, 29, in the 700 block of Brundage Lane in June 2022. The jury remained deadlocked on the first-degree murder charge Thursday morning. Jurors also rejected a lesser charge of manslaughter but found Moore…… Read More
Officials with the Kern County Fair are warning you about a scam. Fair officials posted a message on social media Thursday about someone posing as a staff member who is emailing possible vendors for this year’s fair. They say although the message appears to come from a real staff member, it is sent from a…… Read More
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
