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
Hearing postponed for man suspected of possessing child porn
A preliminary hearing in the case of a Bakersfield man charged with possession of child pornography has been postponed until April 30. Joseph Maretich, 65, was arrested in October 2024 after an employee in the Bakersfield Police Department’s digital forensics unit reportedly noticed what appeared to be child pornography on Maretich’s phone which was being…… Read More
three arrested for east bakersfield murder
Three men have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the murder of a 21-year-old man at Potomac Park. Kern County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a shooting at the park in east Bakersfield on February 4, 2025 to find Rolando Vargas shot dead. On Monday, deputies arrested Isaac Barraza, 19, for Vargas’s murder. Mario…… Read More
poll puts ellis ahead in state assembly race
A new survey conducted by Guidant Polling and Strategy finds Stan Ellis leading the race for the upcoming special election in California Assembly District 32. Ellis holds a twenty-two point advantage over his opponents with about three weeks to go before the election. The poll, conducted between February 4 and 5, 2025, surveyed 637 likely…… Read More
man with laser enters plea
A Bakersfield man pleads guilty to shining a laser beam at a Kern County sheriff’s helicopter. Federal prosecutors say Jesse Torres-Alonso, 35, struck the helicopter twelve times with a “dangerously bright” beam from a laser pointer, hampering the pilot’s vision in September 2023. He faces five years in prison when he’s sentenced May 20.… Read More
