The Big Lots on White Lane in southwest Bakersfield is closing for good. The discount retailer said earlier this year it planned to close around 550 stores. More than 240 locations had been permanently shuttered as of mid-October. Three other Bakersfield stores have already closed.… Read More
bakersfield man who shot 5-year-old to death receives sentence
A man convicted of murder in the shooting death of a young Bakersfield boy will spend life in prison. A judge ruled Tuesday Jonathan Knight, 35, will not be eligible for parole after his conviction in October on eleven counts including murder and attempted murder. Kason Guyton, 5, was an unintended target who was shot…… Read More
latest kern county vote count
Kern County election officials are working on a few thousand more ballots to get final totals in the general election. As of Tuesday, the number of uncounted ballots stands at 8,485 with more results expected Friday. In the controversial race for 5th District County Supervisor, Kimberly Salas maintains a 19-vote lead over incumbent Leticia Perez.…… Read More
bakersfield groper found guilty on new charges
A Bakersfield man convicted of groping a teenage girl has been found guilty of exposing himself to a woman pushing her daughter in a stroller at Panorama Park. Timothy Kensavath, 24, was found guilty Tuesday of indecent exposure after the woman who reported the incident in August identified him from a photo lineup. In April…… Read More
driver sought after fatal accident
A driver is sought after killing a pedestrian and injuring another person in south Bakersfield. Highway Patrol officers responded early Sunday morning to northbound Highway 99 south of Houghton Road after the driver of a gray Ford compact car drove away from the scene after striking a 46-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman who were…… Read More
suspected drunk driver to stand trial
A man who allegedly drove drunk in a crash in northwest Bakersfield has been ordered to stand trial. Jimmy Vasquez is accused of DUI and other charges after a woman was seriously injured when Vazuez’s Ford Mustang collided head-on with an SUV near Zerker and Snow Roads in May. Valdez allegedly had a blood alcohol…… Read More
search resumes for missing nurse
The search has resumed for a nurse whose SUV was found submerged in the Kern River. A diver announced Sunday another attempt is being made to find Christina Murphy whose wrecked Toyota 4 Runner was pulled from the river off westbound Highway 178 in Lake Isabella in September. Murphy was reported missing July 22. Rescuers…… Read More
Bakersfield man arraigned on child porn charges
An elderly Bakersfield man has been arraigned on child pornography charges. Joseph Maretich, 64, pleaded not guilty on Friday to a charge of possessing child sexual abuse material. An investigation began October 16 when an employee in the Bakersfield Police Department Digital Forensics Unit noticed what appeared to be child sexual abuse material on Maretich’s…… Read More
atv rider killed in east bakersfield accident
A quad rider is dead after an accident in east Bakersfield. Police responded Sunday afternoon to reports of a crash involving an off-road vehicle that overturned in the foothills near the 11000 block of Kern Canyon Road just east of the roadway. The man died at the scene after the four-seater struck a rut and…… Read More
former bakersfield cop sentenced after fatal car crash
A former Bakersfield police officer has been sentenced to time served and community service after a fatal crash east of Bakersfield. Ricardo Robles, 26, ran a stop sign at South Vineland and Muller roads and struck two Grimmway Farms workers driving home from work in January 2023. Mario Lares, 31, was killed and Ana Hernadez,…… Read More
