Two people are behind bars after the body of a young child is found at a Bakersfield hotel. Ray Mata, Jr., 31, of Bakersfield, and Graciela Bustamonte, 27, of Delano, were apprehended on suspicion of murder, torture and several counts of child abuse. The arrests came after police responded Saturday evening to reports of an…… Read More
A 67-year-old man faces six years in prison following a shooting in California City. Gordon Tripp pleaded no contest on Friday to voluntary manslaughter. A first-degree murder charge was dismissed. Tripp shot and killed Luis Esparza, Jr., 21, during a confrontation at a home on Tamarack Avenue in December 2023. Esparza reportedly answered the door…… Read More
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
