An investigation is underway after an inmate was found dead in his cell at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi. Parish Duren, 31, was found unresponsive with obvious injuries in his cell Saturday morning after his cellmate Demetrius Cole, 37, made a distress call to guards. Duren died at the prison triage center. Cole has…… Read More
fatal shooting in southwest bakersfield
At least one person is dead following a shooting in southwest Bakersfield. It happened late Saturday night in the parking lot of Blue Clouds Market on Wible Road south of Belle Terrace.near Santiago’s Grill and Seafood. Witnesses reported to law enforcement hearing about ten gunshots. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office says there’s no suspect information,…… Read More
kern releases new campaign in fight against valley fever
Kern County Public Health has launched a new campaign about Valley Fever. The outreach comes in the wake of new numbers which reflect 3,990 cases were reported in the county in 2024. 49 people died from the virus. The numbers set an all-time high for cases in the county. Public Health Director Brynn Carrigan says…… Read More
county administrative building turns blue
The Kern County Administrative building will be illuminated with blue lights in commemoration of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Lights on the building on Truxtun Avenue will remain blue throughout April to remind everyone of their role in safeguarding children and reporting suspected child abuse. This year’s theme is, “It Takes a Village: Understanding and Expanding…… Read More
child abuse bill by central valley lawmaker approved
A bill authored by Central Valley lawmaker Dr. Jasmeet Bains which is aimed at increasing penalties for people convicted of torturing a child has been approved. Bains, a Democrat from of Delano, announced Thursday the Assembly Public Safety Committee unanimously approved Assembly Bill 1094, her legislation to nearly triple the penalty for criminal who torture…… Read More
four taft residents arrested
Four people are behind bars after sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant in Taft. Kern County Sheriff’s deputies received help from Taft police to serve the warrant Thursday on Tyler Street where Luis Buenrostro and Melissa Rodriguez were arrested for drug sales, conspiracy, and other charges. Timothy Caples and Austin Casteel were also taken into…… Read More
children among suspects arrested for ridgecrest thefts
Four people, including two children, have been arrested after allegedly stealing from unlocked cars in Ridgecrest. Officers responded Thursday morning to reports of people checking car doors in the College Heights area and caught up with a fleeing car occupied by people tossing objects from the vehicle. Landon Matthew Bard and Dillon Southard and two…… Read More
becerra announces run for governor
Former Biden administration Health Secretary and former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Wednesday became the latest Democrat to join the crowded field seeking to become California’s next governor. The Stanford Law School graduate enters the race with a lengthy resume of government service, including stints as California attorney general, a U.S. House member and…… Read More
court issues ruling on kern water flow
A state appeals court has overturned a ruling that stopped the city of Bakersfield from using weirs to reduce the flow of water in the Kern River below levels needed to keep fish alive. In 2023, a Kern County Judge issued the order after a lawsuit by the group Bring Back the Kern. But the…… Read More
suspect charged after alleged assault on kern sheriff’s deputy
A Bakersfield man accused of using a choke hold on a Kern County sheriff’s deputy is facing charges of attempted murder. Quane Sutton, 28, is being held without bail on six felony counts and two misdemeanors after the incident March 4, 2025, where he allegedly refused to let go of the deputy who was trying…… Read More
