A hearing takes place Monday for a man suspected of slitting his estranged wife’s throat after a graduation party in east Bakersfield. Rafael Estrada, 44, allegedly stabbed Taylor Estrada, 32, to death May 28 at a house in the 2400 block of Monterey Street. Kern County Sheriff’s deputies say Estrada was not invited to a…… Read More
Delano Assemblywoman Jasmeet Bains is calling for the resignation of California’s top air regulator. Bains says California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph should step down after admitting the agency doesn’t study how its rules affect gas prices. Randolph made the statement during a state hearing on the new Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which could…… Read More
A young woman was stabbed to death Wednesday at a house in east Bakersfield, prompting authorities to issue a warning about the dangers of domestic violence. Kern County Sheriff’s deputies say Taylor Estrada, 32, was killed Wednesday night, allegedly by her estranged husband Rafael Estrada, following a graduation pizza party for the victim’s middle-school-aged daughter.…… Read More
Bakersfield’s new budget sparked a heated debate over public safety funds and whether they’re being used to help the fight against homelessness. City leaders on Tuesday reviewed the proposed $850 million budget for next year. Concerns surfaced about how $12 million in Measure N funds are being used. Measure N is a voter-approved sales tax…… Read More
A former Stallion Springs police officer has pleaded no contest to sexually abusing a child. James Best. Jr., 54, entered the plea Wednesday to two felony charges after prosecutors say he abused the girl for several years. She was between the ages of 9 and 16. She came forward to authorities in 2023. Best admitted…… Read More
A 19-year-old man is facing assault and vandalism charges after an alleged rock attack at a downtown Bakersfield McDonald’s. Police say Quintin Flight threw softball-sized rocks at a truck in the drive thru on F Street on May 21, shattering the driver’s window and causing cuts to the man’s face and neck. Flight allegedly laughed…… Read More
The superintendent of the Bakersfield City School District is stepping down. Mark Luque announced his resignation during Tuesday’s board meeting. He pointed to ongoing disagreements with the board. Luque is a former BCSD student. He called the role as superintendent personal and thanked the community. He’ll stay on for the next ninety days while the…… Read More
Kern County Sheriff’s detectives are investigating a double homicide in Oildale. Deputies found Jasmine Hernandez, 31, and Anthony Reveles, 25, dead Monday morning at the Belcourt Apartment Complex in the 2600 block Park Meadow Drive. Deputies say both victims suffered gunshot wounds, however the sheriff’s office hasn’t confirmed a murder-suicide. Family members say the victims…… Read More
A dangerous heat wave is heading for California with temperatures expected to top 105 degrees in parts of the Central Valley including Bakersfield. That National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch extending from Friday through Sunday morning. Officials warn the risk of heat-related illness is high, especially for kids, seniors, and outdoor workers.…… Read More
Two men are dead following a shooting in east Bakersfield. Kern County Sheriff’s deputies responded around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday to reports of shotS fired in the area of Flower and Virginia streets where they found the men dead at the scene. There’s no word yet on the victims’ identities, suspects, or what prompted the shooting.…… Read More
