A Kern County man accused of defrauding the California unemployment system out of hundreds of thousands of dollars has pleaded no contest to felony charges. Ruben Rodriguez entered the plea last week to two counts of making a false statement regarding unemployment compensation and preparing a false insurance claim. Rodriguez was arrested in 2023 for…… Read More
KUZZ News
trial postponed for alleged pot-influenced driver
The trial of a man accused of driving under the influence of marijuana in a crash that killed a woman and left himself and two others injured has been postponed until June 9th. Karim Reyad, 20, faces several charges including second degree murder after the accident in April 2023 that killed Gayla Price, 66. Price’s…… Read More
zack scrivner enters plea to child abuse, gun charges
Former Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner entered a plea of not guilty Friday during his arraignment on child abuse and gun charges. The former District Two supervisor was charged with three felony counts of alleged child abuse, and two felony counts of alleged possession of assault weapons, but no sexual abuse charges were filed. Scrivner stepped…… Read More
settlement reached in property management sex abuse case
A settlement has been reached with a property management company that covers nearly 200 rental units in Bakersfield. The $280,000 settlement involving RCM SoCal resolves claims that one of the company’s property managers engaged in years of sexual harassment against female tenants and that the company failed to act to stop it. RCM must pay…… Read More
suspected motorcycle gang members arrested in mojave
Two motorcycle gang members were arrested after Kern County Sheriff’s deputies allegedly found drugs and a loaded gun during a search in Mojave. Deputies with the Gang Unit served a search warrant Thursday in the 9000 block of 60th Street West where they reportedly seized 44 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded gun, and items associated…… Read More
arrest made in ridgecrest burglary case
A suspect has been arrested after a home burglary in Ridgecrest. Officers responded February 7 to the 900 block of West Hermosa Avenue where several valuable items had been stolen. Police say surveillance video showed John Tagman, 54, and a car believed to be involved in the case. Investigators were able to link the vehicle’s…… Read More
80-year-old mugged at bakersfield car wash
The investigation continues after an 80-year-old woman was assaulted at a car wash in southwest Bakersfield. Police responded Friday morning to Mister Car Wash in the 3200 block of Panama Lane to find Patricia Blackwood lying face-down on the pavement. Authorities say she suffered several injuries trying to chase down a woman who stole her…… Read More
students protest ice raids
Students from several high schools in the Kern High School District walked out of class Wednesday morning and made their way to downtown Bakersfield to protest the recent ICE raids and deportations throughout California. District officials said they were aware of the impending walkout and sent a message to parents the day before. About 1,000…… Read More
man convicted after fatal stabbing in wasco
A 25-year-old man has been found guilty of murder in the stabbing death of another man in Wasco. Aaron Garcia was convicted Tuesday for killing Jose Aleman, 24, in 2021. Aleman was stabbed several times in the 800 block of Broadway Street on May 3, 2021 and died the next day at Adventist Health Delano.…… Read More
name change for bakersfield venue
Another name change is pending for a major Bakersfield venue. Naming rights for Bakersfield’s downtown arena and convention center ended in January, meaning the venue will now be called Dignity Health Arena. The home of the Bakersfield Condors and the center for many of the city’s and county’s largest events was once known as Centennial…… Read More
