A 67-year-old man has been sentenced for a shooting that left a young man dead in California City. Court records indicate Gordon Tripp was sentenced last week to six years in prison after pleading no contest August 1 to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Luis Esparza, Jr., 21, at a house on Tamarack Avenue…… Read More
California lawmakers have shot down a vehicle smog law by a Bakersfield state senator and a popular TV personality. Hollywood star power wasn’t enough to convince the Assembly Appropriations Committee Friday to advance Assembly Bill 712, also known as Leno’s Law, which would allow classic car owners to be fully exempt from the state’s rigorous…… Read More
Police are investigating a stabbing in southwest Bakersfield. It happened Saturday morning near White Lane and Stine Road where the victim sustained minor injuries in what authorities are describing as an isolated incident. Officers say an arrest has been made. Anyone with information is asked to call the Bakersfield Police Department att (661) 327-7111.… Read More
At least one person is dead after a head-on crash on Taft Highway. Highway Patrol officers say two pickups collided Sunday afternoon when one of the trucks crossed into oncoming traffic near Dustin Acres. The impact caused one of the vehicles to roll over and come to rest off the side of the highway. There’s…… Read More
Houchin Community Blood Bank announces the return of its popular “Pint for a Pass” campaign. The promotion offers successful blood donors two free tickets to the Kern County Fair plus admission to one of the concerts at the Budweiser Pavilion. It runs from September 1, 2025, through the end of the fair. Donations can be…… Read More
A driver accused in a deadly crash in northeast Bakersfield is facing murder charges. Police say Jamie Oceguera, 35, veered into oncoming traffic on Union Avenue near Columbus Street August 10 and struck a car carrying Juana Guerrero, 16, who was killed in the crash. Three other people were injured. Oceguera was also hurt and…… Read More
A man convicted in a deadly crash north of Bakersfield wants to withdraw his plea. William Pederson, 56, pleaded no contest to murder and other charges and was convicted in May after prosecutors said he was driving drunk and high when he crossed into traffic on Highway 65 near Famoso Road, killing Juana Calderon, 53,…… Read More
Eight people were apprehended as part of a homeless sweep in east Bakersfield. The Bakersfield Police Impact Team worked with the city’s Rapid Response Team, Code Enforcement, and park rangers for the operation at 801 E. 11th Street across from Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Bessie E. Owens Elementary School. The suspects were arrested…… Read More
The defendant in a felony drunk driving case in Taft has changed his plea. Lonnie Neumann, who was 70 at the time of the incident, had entered a no contest plea to one felony count of drunk driving causing injury in exchange for another charge being dropped following a crash that injured a motorcycle rider…… Read More
A hearing has been postponed until October for a former Kern County Supervisor facing allegations of child cruelty. Former District Two supervisor Zack Scrinver was a no-show in court Tuesday, but his attorney and prosecutors met privately with the judge to work out a possible plea bargain. The State Attorney General’s Office alleges Scrivner took…… Read More
