THE BLUE FIRE IS 100 PERCENT CONTAINED

THE BLUE FIRE IS 100 PERCENT CONTAINED

Kern County Fire reports the Blue Fire that broke out last weekend near Caliente is now 100-percent contained. The fire that was in steep, rocky terrain north of Caliente Creek Road was stopped at 427 acres and no structures were lost, and we’re now learning it was sparked by target shooting in the area. And…Read More

BAKERSFIELD SUES OIL COMPANY OVER WATER CONTAMINATION ALLEGATIONS

BAKERSFIELD SUES OIL COMPANY OVER WATER CONTAMINATION ALLEGATIONS

Bakersfield is suing a long-troubled oil company over claims of water contamination. A news release Monday says Griffin Resources LLC is being investigated for actions and/or omissions regarding an incident in June that forced several Truxtun Avenue businesses to close for several days. The city seeks more than $150,000 in damages, an amount that does…Read More

BOREL FIRE DAMAGE ESTIMATES

BOREL FIRE DAMAGE ESTIMATES

Preliminary damage estimates are coming in for the Borel Fire in the Kern River Valley, even as it remains an active incident. Kern County Fire reports 223 structures were destroyed, including 63 single family homes, 55 mobile homes, and 34 motor homes. Also lost were another 70 miscellaneous structures and a commercial building. Most of…Read More

3 CHINESE NATIONALS ARRESTED IN MARIJUANA GROW OPERATION

3 CHINESE NATIONALS ARRESTED IN MARIJUANA GROW OPERATION

Three Chinese nationals have been arrested after the discovery of a massive, underground marijuana grow near Boron. Officers with several Kern County law enforcement agencies served a search warrant Tuesday, finding buried seatrains with ventilation and cooling systems. More than 17,000 pounds of marijuana was destroyed.Read More

CRASH ON I-5 LEAVES 3 DEAD AND 1 INJURED

CRASH ON I-5 LEAVES 3 DEAD AND 1 INJURED

Three Bakersfield men have been killed and one critically injured in a crash on Interstate 5 in Castaic. The CHP says it happened around 4:30 pm Monday afternoon when the driver of the Toyota Avalon left the road near Templin Highway at a high rate of speed into a dirt embankment, sending the vehicle airborne.…Read More

TWO MEN CHARGED IN MOJAVE QUADRUPLE HOMICIDE

TWO MEN CHARGED IN MOJAVE QUADRUPLE HOMICIDE

Two men have been formally charged for the murders of four people in a Mojave trailer park last year. The DA’s Office alleges Ricardo Partida shot the victims and is also a felon who was in possession of multiple firearms, including an assault weapon. He’s in custody for first degree murder, and law enforcement is…Read More

EXPANDED LEARNING PROJECT CONFERENCE

EXPANDED LEARNING PROJECT CONFERENCE

The 5th annual Expanded Learning Project Conference brought 350 after school professionals together to enhance their skills supporting Kern County students. Director David Stricker says state funding helps provide about 850 hours of after school programming each year. Children spend an average of about a thousand hours in the classroom each year.Read More

FEMA HELP FOR BOREL FIRE

FEMA HELP FOR BOREL FIRE

FEMA has granted Kern County’s request for help battling the uncontrolled Borel Fire. That financial assistance will cover 75-percent of eligible firefighting costs, including field camps, equipment use and materials, supplies and mobilization. Approximately 4,000 homes remain under threat from the Borel Fire in Kern County.Read More

BOREL FIRE BURNING KERN RIVER VALLEY

BOREL FIRE BURNING KERN RIVER VALLEY

The Borel Fire in the Kern River Valley was burning unchecked Monday morning, scorching over 50,000 acres since the weekend and destroying nearly every building in historic Havilah. Kern County Fire Chief Deputy Dionisio Mitchell says crews are fighting in their own backyard. Mitchell says residents should take precautions now to avoid a rush if…Read More