Members of the Service Employees International Union in Kern County plan to strike March 5, 2025, over claims of low wages and unfair labor practices. The one-day strike would include many of the union’s 5,300 local members including behavioral health employees, assessors, and road workers. Workers rejected the County’s latest offer of a salary package…… Read More
taft man enters plea to murder charges
A Taft man accused of murder tells a judge he’s not guilty. Michael McClintock entered the not guilty plea to first-degree murder charges last Wednesday after authorities say he stabbed Randy Stark, 63, in the chest in the 300 block of Crystal Street in South Taft in November 2024. McClintock was arrested in Midland, Texas…… Read More
lake isabella man on probation arrested
Kern County Probation officers have arrested a Lake Isabella man after reportedly finding a weapon and drugs inside his home. Joshua Ramirez was apprehended on February 18, 2025, during a routine home visit in the 2800 block of Fulop Street where officers reported finding a loaded semi-automatic handgun and about a gram of suspected methamphetamine.…… Read More
newsom trump-proofs california but asks congress for money for wildfire relief
Governor Gavin Newsom has asked Congress to approve nearly $40 billion in aid to help the Los Angeles area recover from January’s devastating wildfires which he said could become the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Estimates of the total economic loss from the firestorm have been estimated to surpass $250 billion, with real estate…… Read More
shafter man arrested on sex charges in san diego
A Shafter man has been arrested in San Diego County on suspicion of child sexual assault. Shafter police say they became aware of the alleged sexual assault that took place in January allegedly involving a minor and Guillermo Lopez, 37, who was apprehended February 18, 2025, on suspicion of lewd and lascivious acts, domestic violence,…… Read More
man arrested for allegedly exposing himself to children
Bakersfield police have arrested a man who allegedly exposed himself to children. Rosado Otero was arrested February 20, 2025, after police investigated lewd acts against children in three separate incidents between October 2024 and January 2025. Police say the incidents occurred near the intersections of Barsanti Avenue and Voltera Street, Reliance Drive and Harris Road,…… Read More
life sentence for east bakersfield shooter
A man who entered a no-contest plea to a charge of second degree murder in a deadly shooting in East Bakersfield will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Michael Green, 23, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years to life, plus 10 years after the shooting in December 2020 of Eduardo Cardenas, 39, at…… Read More
no identification of body found in canal
The identity of human remains found in the canal at Mill Creek park is still a mystery. The Kern County Coroner’s Office says they haven’t yet determined the manner of death or the identity of the person whose body was discovered in the park near California Avenue and Q Street December 9, 2024. A maintenance…… Read More
homeless sweep in central bakersfield
The Bakersfield Police Department and city crews, some on horseback, conducted a large-scale homeless encampment sweep in Bakersfield Wednesday morning. 24 encampments were cleared and 23 people were apprehended during the operation along the Kern Riverbed off Truxtun Avenue between Mohawk Street and Coffee Road. Three people were placed into the Brundage Lane Navigation Center.…… Read More
forever 21 at valley plaza mall closing
Forever 21 in Valley Plaza Mall is closing for good. Signs posted outside the store promote a closing sale. The Wall Street Journal reports the company is closing dozens of stores this year after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2019. The company was bought out of bankruptcy in 2020 and merged with…… Read More
