LOCAL AND REGIONAL NEWS

Monday, July 22nd, 2019

A woman found dead in May following a fire in Weldon died from smoke inhalation and burns, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office. The woman's name is Pamela Kay Boring, 67, and her death is being investigated as an accident, according to a coroner's report.

The heatwave is going to continue throughout Kern County. Both Bakersfield and Ridgecrest will be in triple digits all week, and here in the Kern River Valley, we expect to be in the upper 90's through Friday.

They looked like construction workers digging ditches along the side of a highway. But some drivers quickly learned those in the yellow vests were not doing road work. They were cops in disguise. Police in Cobb County, Georgia, went undercover to nab texting drivers or those who won't put down their phones in violation of the hands-free law. I'm sure that tactic will spread.

The Army Corps of Engineers has announced another blasting window for today between noon and 3:30. No road closures will be necessary.

A planned power outage for Kernville was announced. It is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30th. The outage is said to begin at 8 am and not back on until 4 pm.

Another food distribution is happening today at the Veterans and Senior Center, Canyon Hills Church in Wofford Heights, and Grace Chapel Community Church in Mtn. Mesa. The food will be given out between 10am and noon, or as long as the supply lasts.

Search and Rescue and Firefighters were busy again this weekend. There were reports of a couple of people swept away by the river but made it out. Several brush fires in Kern County were taken care of as well. Our appreciation again goes out to all those first responders.

Friday, July 19th, 2019

This coming Monday, the crews on the Dam project will be doing some more blasting between noon and 3:30. No road closures or traffic issues are expected.

The Environmental Protection Agency rejected a ban Thursday that would stop using a pesticide linked to brain damage in children. California uses the pesticide more than any other state, with farmers in Kern County using it the most. Communities in Kern County has been pushing to ban the chemical for years, while cutting down its use. The EPA said there is not sufficient evidence of the chemical's dangers.

You might have already spotted it: the Facebook group called “Storm Area 51, They Can’t Stop Us” has been viewed over 9 million times since its creation in June. Matty Roberts, the creator of the viral Facebook group says he has a message to everyone who may be taking storming the military base, too, seriously. “Please don't, I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” said the 20-year-old. “This came up as a pure struck of imagination it was meant to be funny.” Mr. Roberts is from Bakersfield.

Another earthquake with a magnitude above 4.0 happened Wednesday night not far from Ridgecrest, according to the United States Geological Survey. The 4.6-magnitude temblor occurred about 9 p.m. approximately 40 miles north of the desert town.

A state agency has ordered Chevron to stop the flow from surface oil seeps at Cymric Oil Field and provide data covering the past 24 months after a total of 798,000 gallons of oil and water were released on three incidents since May 10 as a result of a steam injection operation. There are no reported injuries or threats to drinking water, according to the Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources.

Kern County has proposed an agreement lasting 20 years and worth nearly $220 million with the Tejon Indian Tribe to provide services for the planned casino, concert and hotel complex south of Bakersfield. The proposed agreement, which goes before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, would provide more than $13 million for a joint sheriff’s and fire substation, fund a new sheriff’s academy and add other resources for the planned Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, county documents say.

Thursday, July 18th, 2019

BLASTING OPERATIONS for the Lake Isabella Dam Safety Modification Project on Thursday, July 18th, with an anticipated blast time between 12:00 and 3:00 PM. There will be NO ROAD CLOSURE NECESSARY for tomorrow’s blast.

The body KCSO located on July 10 has been identified as Jesus Alberto Perez Bautista of Sylmar. Sylmar went missing in the Kern River near Lake Ming on July 4th. The Kern County Sheriff's Office has searched for five people who went missing in the Kern River this year. The bodies of four of the five missing people have been recovered and identified so far. An 11-year-old girl from Bakersfield who fell into the river in the Keysville area on June 22 remains missing, and the search for her continues.

The U.S. Air Force has warned people against participating in an internet joke suggesting a large crowd of people "storm Area 51," the top-secret Cold War test site in the Nevada desert. A prank event on Facebook that's attracted more than 1 million interested people suggests that a mass of people attempt to run into the mysterious site at 3 a.m. on Sept. 20.

With the temperatures forecast to be in the mid-90s over the next few days animal shelters and rescue groups are reminding pet owners just how dangerous the heat can be for animals. Never leave pets in the car. Make sure pets do not overexert themselves. Before taking a dog on a walk, pet owners should test the pavement temperature with their hand. If it's too hot for a hand, it's too hot for a dog's paws. Water, water everywhere.

A state-of-the-art sports facility will soon be attracting thousands in Kern County, according to Dignity Health, the sponsors behind the project. Gameday Sports Academy, the facility's founders, says the project will cost about $1.5 million and will be the first indoor multi-sport complex in Kern County. The 55,000 square foot development will officially be called "Dignity Health Sports Complex, Event and Educational Center."

A Lake Isabella man who beat to death a man who molested his daughter will continue serving 17 years in prison following a contentious hearing in Superior Court Wednesday. 35 year old Raymond Tenorio was back in Kern County asking the trial judge, John R. Brownlee, to dismiss a felony enhancement that would shave five years off his prison term. Assistant Public Defender Peter Kang argued Tenorio experienced a father’s worst nightmare upon learning his 4-year-old daughter had been molested by 48 year old Kirk Haag. A jury in 2016 acquitted Tenorio of murder and instead convicted him of voluntary manslaughter. Kang argued Tenorio should never have been charged with murder in the first place.

Wednesday, July 17th, 2019

The driver of a truck was killed Wednesday morning in a crash on Interstate 5 near Highway 46. The California Highway Patrol said three of the semi trucks were stopped for roadwork happening at the Highway 46 overpass. A fourth truck driver failed to see the others stopped and hit a truck in front, according to the CHP. The driver of the semi truck that was hit was ejected due to not wearing a seat belt and was pronounced dead at the scene. All other drivers involved in the crash were unharmed.

Another earthquake with a magnitude above 4.0 has rumbled near Ridgecrest, according to the United States Geological Survey. A 4.4-magnitude quake occurred about 7:30 p.m. approximately 40 miles north of Ridgecrest.

A body found in the Kern River on July 3 was one of two teens who went missing near Keyesville on June 16, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office. Hugo Esquivel, 19, of San Bernardino was found at Black Gulch south of Keyesville, where he and his 16-year-old cousin went missing. The exact time of death is unknown, according to the Sheriff's Office. Also, the Kern County Sheriff's Office has identified a body that was found in the Kern River on July 11. Allan Aurelio Ramirez, 22, of Placentia was found near Sandy Flat in the Keyesville area, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Office. Ramirez had been missing since the afternoon of July 4.

Fans of the limited edition Disney pins will no longer be able to purchase them from the Downtown Disney story located outside the park. You will now have to get them inside Disneyland or Disney California Adventure park, which means you have to buy a ticket, which is around $100. For many years, guests without park tickets have been able to get new release limited edition pins at the Disney’s Pin Traders shop in Downtown Disney Anaheim.

The Planning Commission in Arvin gave the green light to the first cannabis cultivation facilities in the city. Bakersfield resident Mario Delis co-owns JCM Farms, the company that will use the new space. Their operation will be built on what is now a fenced-off dirt lot on Potato Road, an area in Arvin known for agricultural production.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office said deputies made an arrest in connection to a weekend car show shooting in Wasco and also found illegal drugs at the suspect’s home. The sheriff’s office said deputies arrested 27-year-old Jesus Barrios of Wasco on Monday. He was arrested following a traffic stop in the 1200 block of 7th Street and was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and participating in a criminal street gang.

Tuesday, July 16th, 2019

The immigration debate has made it's way up to Delano. On Monday night the Delano city council discussed a possible future as a Sanctuary City. The idea, originally made by council member Bryan Osorio believes it would be a large step in protecting the immigrant community in the city. Council members voted 3-1, but since one member was absent the vote will now be postponed until August 5th.

There may be some blasting in and around the Dam project today. The Army Corps of Engineers said the window is from noon to around 3:30. No traffic delays or road closures are anticipated.

The latest oil regulator shakeup and Chevron’s latest oil spill are revealing tensions between California’s fiercest environmental groups and one of Kern’s leading industries. Friday, Chevron confirmed a steam injection pump leaked more than 18,000 barrels of an oily-water mixture into a dry stream bed on the Cymric oilfield. Chevron claims the fluid is 70% water. The Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources estimates more than 500,000 gallons of oil have leaked into the stream bed.

More than three quarters of Kern County is either overweight or obese. That's according to the Kern County Department of Public Health. Diabetes and heart disease are two of the biggest concerns the department of public health has with obesity in Kern County. Kern County Department of Public Health is pushing a program called Know Your Numbers. For more information about Know Your Numbers or where you can get checked, visit the Public Health Department's website at kernpublichealth.com

It's been nearly a year since the deadly Camp Fire in Northern California. And Tuesday morning a couple in Paradise is celebrating as they move into a new home, and move forward with a new chapter in their lives. Their new home is in mint condition and is the first completed rebuild for the town of Paradise. Hopefully, many more to come.

Monday, July 15th, 2019

It would seem it's roll of the dice to decide whether or not Southern California Edison is going to cut power to portions of the valley. Some said last Thursday, then it was Friday, now it's today or on the 20th. It is call a Public Safety Public Shutdown or PSPS. Anyway, we will try our best to keep on top of the subject and give as much advanced warning should they decide to do so.

Chevron reported that 794,000 gallons of oil and water have leaked out of the ground where it uses steam injection to extract oil in the large Cymric Oil Field about 35 miles west of Bakersfield. The steam softens the thick crude so it can flow more readily and is a different process from fracking, which breaks up underground layers of rock. The state has issued Chevron a notice of violation ordering it to stop steam injections around the spill.

One of many examples of how many towns in California feel about the ICE raids that began yesterday is the city of Delano. Police Department Chief Robert Nevarez released a statement Saturday saying his department will not be working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The statement read that the department will also not be using its resources on behalf of federal immigration officials.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on Friday that shores up the state's biggest electric utilities in the face of catastrophic wildfires and claims for damage from past blazes caused by their equipment. It requires major utilities to spend at least $5 billion combined on safety improvements and meet new safety standards, and it creates a fund of up to $21 billion that could help pay out claims as climate change makes wildfires across the U.S. West more frequent and more destructive.

Paul McCartney reunited with Ringo Starr to perform two Beatles classics during McCartney’s concert at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium on Saturday. According to reports, McCartney was about to begin The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band when he brought his former bandmate to the stage. Starr played drums on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Helter Skelter before he tossed his drumsticks into the crowd and joked about throwing McCartney’s bass guitar into the crowd too.

If you are an Angels fan, or just a fan of sentiment, the Los Angeles Angels all put on Tyler Skaggs’ No. 45 jerseys and stood solemnly on the field while his mother, Debbie, delivered a heartbreakingly perfect strike on the first pitch. The Angels then proceeded to play their heavy hearts out in their first home game since their beloved pitcher’s death. Two Angels pitchers combined to throw the 11th no-hitter in franchise history, and Mike Trout drove in six runs in a stunning 13-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday night.

The bullets found in the body of a Caliente man shot dead in December and the bullets located in the garage of Michael Pinon were determined to be fired from the same firearm, investigators said in court documents that became available Friday. Pinon, 37, was also in frequent phone contact with the shooting victim, Marcos Munoz, 38, until Dec. 9, the documents say.

A massive tree die-off in both the Sierra and Sequoia national forests have caused officials to revise a plan meant to save the parks as climate conditions have worsened. Across the state, about 147 million trees lie standing dead, according to a report by the U.S. Forest Service, with about 1.4 million acres of the destruction concentrated in both national forests. The Forest Service is in the process of devising two plans meant to restore the parks to healthy ecosystems. Its current management plan was last updated in 1990, and park officials consider it to be out of date.

FRIDAY, JULY 12TH, 2019

Southern California Edison has notified around 3,000 of its customers of a potential power outage this afternoon and possibly Friday. According to a message sent out by the utility company, a forecast of strong winds with potential fire activity in parts of Kern County officials said they are "exploring options for a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff." According to, SCE the communities that will be potentially impacted by the power shutoff will be Bakersfield, Bodfish, Lake Isabella and Wofford Heights.

Sheriff’s officials say a body was recovered from the Kern River Thursday afternoon. The body of a male was found at about 12:45 p.m. above Sandy Flat Campground, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The release of the person’s name is pending notification by the coroner’s office.

Kern County residents are getting post cards in the mail asking for their help. The sender of these card is the Tejon Tribe on behalf of the Hard Rock Tejon project. To some it may come as a surprise because the hotel and casino seemed like a done deal when the tribe and Hard Rock came out guns blazing; announcing their partnership last month. The fact is building a casino on tribal land is a long process with many checks along the way. Those checks include federal approval, county agreements, and state approval.

Thursday, July 11th, 2019

According to the United State Geological Survey a 3.7 magnitude earthquake hit Barstow this morning. It reportedly happened around 4 a.m. At this time no injuries or damages have been reported. The location is about 80 miles from where thousands of tremors have been felt near Ridgecest over the last week.

More blasting around Isabella Dam is scheduled for tomorrow between noon and 5pm. Loud booms, but no road closures are expected.

According to the Kern County Sheriff's Office, the body that was pulled from the Kern River a half mile of Hart Park was a male of unknown age. The identity of the victim is pending identification and notification by the Corner's Office.

The people of Trona finally have some good news as water service is once again available. Officials made the announcement during a town hall meeting yesterday afternoon. Officials took questions from residents about the latest status for the town.

It's a problem that seems to get worse every year. According to a new evaluation released by the state, Kern County isn't building enough affordable housing. As a result, under Senate Bill 35, the state is now saying that it can override the local government in deciding what can and cannot be built here. According to the California Housing Partnership, Kern County needs more than 26,000 additional affordable housing units.

The California Coastal Commission is hosting a meeting Thursday morning where it will recommend a plan to put more limits on off-road vehicles at the Oceano Dunes. Many fear this could be the last step before the commission closes ATV access to the dunes all together.

Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake is getting back to normal operations. Officials announced that Air Test and Squadron Nine resumed normal flight operations on yesterday.

Yesterday, a Kern County jury found the Taft Union High School District negligent surrounding a 2013 school shooting. This was the first phase of the civil trial and the second phase will determine damages. Back in January of 2013 Bowe Cleveland, who was 16-year-old at the time of the shooting, was sitting in class when Bryan Oliver walked in and opened fire, striking Cleveland in the chest. Cleveland survived the attack and has since undergone at least 22 surgeries.

A moving company released a list of cities ranked based on affordability and Bakersfield takes a pretty good spot. Move.org ranks Bakersfield 21st out of the nation’s 75 largest cities. The website estimates living in Bakersfield costs just over $1,600 a month. El Paso, Texas took first place, with monthly costs of just over $1,100.

Kern County Public Health has found active algal blooms in parts of Isabella Lake and is warning visitors to stay away from algae and scum in those areas. Two water samples recently obtained from the lake indicated the presence of potentially harmful blue-green algae at the “cautionary” level, the lowest of three advisory levels, Public Health officials said. The agency is posting signs warning the public of algae in the areas of Kissack Cove and Hanning Flat. It says exposure can cause eye irritation, skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea and cold or flu-like symptoms.

The oldest cold case in kern county has officially come to an end. The case of Dawn Koons, the 18-year-old who was killed in a central Bakersfield apartment in 1979, has been put to rest. Wednesday Prentice Foreman, who was found guilty of the murder on June 5th, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for first degree murder.

A 75-year-old Palm Harbor, Florida, man says he fought off an alligator after it came out of a pond behind his home and grabbed his daughter's golden retriever, named Osi, on Tuesday morning. Buddy Ackerman says Osi was in the middle of doing his business when the 7 foot, 7 inch gator grabbed onto his backside. Ackerman says he kicked the alligator in the snout twice and Osi got loose. Trappers came out the following day and recovered the alligator.

Officials in Nevada are investigating a death possibly related to the California earthquake felt in parts of the state on July 4. On July 9, officers in Pahrump responded to a call around 1 p.m. of a man under a vehicle. The man was last seen alive at an area gas station on July 3. Officers believe the man was working underneath the vehicle when it fell on him during the July 4 earthquake. The vehicle looks to have fallen off a jack, police say.

You may or may not have received an amber alert early yesterday afternoon to be on the lookout for a grey Jeep Grand Cherokee that could have been involved in a child abduction. The good news is that the amber alert was deactivated. The child has been located and suspects are in custody.

PETA is calling for a criminal investigation of the California Living Museum for allegedly allowing animals to die from severe flea infestations and starvation. Two fisher cats, two foxes and a skunk have died at the facility in the past few years, PETA said Wednesday, citing U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection reports that noted "an uncharacteristically high mortality rate at the facility."

Richmond Elementary School aboard Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake was in shambles Tuesday morning. Cracks were visible in the floors and ceilings. Books were strewn across the floor. With the school year slated to start Aug. 13, Ostash said the district hasn’t yet decided whether it will need to relocate students to other elementary schools.

Wednesday, July 10th, 2019

A Nevada sheriff's office is investigating a man's death that could be related to one of last week's powerful earthquakes. Deputies from the Nye County Sheriff's Office were dispatched around 1 p.m. yesterday to an area in Pahrump, Nevada. When deputies arrived, they discovered a deceased 56-year-old male pinned under a vehicle, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies determined the man had been working under the vehicle, which had been jacked up safely.

The Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake was the epicenter of the Ridgecrest Earthquakes. The chapel, commissary, and elementary school were hit the hardest.

An investigation into methamphetamine sales has led to the arrest of two people in Wasco, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. After conducting a traffic stop, deputies searched the vehicle and found approximately 1.3 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. At the home, deputies found approximately 4 grams of methamphetamine, 10 pounds of marijuana, 74 prescription pills, butane honey oil, and “evidence of narcotics sales.” In addition to drugs, deputies also located 17 firearms and a “large quantity” of ammunition.

Officials are reported a head-on collision involving a vehicle and a motorcycle in the Canyon. The incident reportedly happened near the Lower Richbar Campground around 7:05 p.m. yesterday. It is unknown at this time, how many people were involved but at least one person is reportedly injured.

The safety of the Isabella Dam has been a major concern for many, but so far, engineers have not reported anything wrong. The Sacramento district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tweeted photos of inspections yesterday. The corps inspected Isabella Dam along with the Terminus, Pine Flat and Success dams. Engineers say there are no signs of distress and the quake has not taken any dam offline.

Tuesday, July 9th, 2019

UPDATE:

According to Ridgecrest Police Chief Jed McLaughlin the Ridgecrest Cinemas’ roof collapsed following Friday’s 7.1 magnitude earthquake. Officials say the collapsed roof is among 45 other properties inspectors have red tagged, which are no longer safe to occupy.

Tonight, officials are hosting a free movie night at Freedom Park for Ridgecrest residents to begin the earthquake recovery process. According to Ridgecrest PD's Facebook post, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, State Senator Shannon Grove, Assemblyman Vince Fong and Toyota of Ridgecrest will sponsor the free public event. Guests will be able to enjoy a free showing of Disney's Dumbo, complimentary hot dogs, drinks and snacks. The Splash Pad will be open and the Shaved Ice Shack will be available. The movie starts at 8:30 p.m.

Caltrans continues to repair damage to Highway 178 near Ridgecrest. The roadway broke apart just a few miles out from the city after the two quakes last week. Caltrans released video of workers removing damaged pavement. More than $3 million was authorized for repairs and Caltrans crews have been working all week to replace the road. No problems in the Kern River Canyon.

The powerful Mojave Desert earthquakes has raised new interest in an early warning system being developed for the West Coast. The ShakeAlert system is substantially built in California and overall is about 55% complete, with much of the remaining installation of seismic sensor stations to be done in the Pacific Northwest, said Robert de Groot of the U.S. Geological Survey. Areas that have the appropriate number of sensors include Southern California, San Francisco Bay Area and the Seattle-Tacoma region, de Groot said.

The 7.1-magnitude earthquake and a series of nerve-wracking aftershocks have Kern County residents asking a frightening question: What would happen if the Isabella Dam collapsed during a powerful quake? Engineers and emergency officials are hoping that question never gets answered. Workers were on site inspecting the dam for possible defects “immediately” after the earthquake struck Friday evening, said everything is looking good.

Rattled residents cleaned up and officials assessed damage Monday from two of the biggest earthquakes to shake California in decades as scientists warned that both should serve as a wake-up call to be ready when the long-dreaded "Big One" strikes. It could be several more days before water service is restored to the desert town of Trona, where officials trucked in portable toilets and showers.

In a recent press conference , Kern County Fire Department Public Information Office Andrew Freeborn emphasized that now is the time to put together a disaster plan, rather than waiting for one to hit. He recommended that people reach out to their local fire departments to find out what they should consider when putting together a plan.

Religious publishers say President Donald Trump's most recent proposed tariffs on Chinese imports could result in a Bible shortage. That's because millions of Bibles are printed in China each year. Stan Jantz is president and CEO of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. He says more than half of worldwide Bible production takes place in China.

City officials in Ridgecrest say that they are in need of current or retired civil engineers and general contractors following last week's earthquakes. The city says they need individuals to help screen and evaluate phone calls of residential and commercial properties to prioritize inspections. If interested the city says to call 530-457-7232.

After the recent earthquakes, officials say we are not in the clear for another one. Therefore, people are heading to the grocery stores to stock up on water and non perishable food items. Costco on Rosedale ran out of water three times over the weekend due to people stocking up. They recommend everyone comes early in case they run low again. They are limiting people to five cases

Ridgecrest Regional Hospital has reopened after it was forced to close due to last week’s earthquakes. The emergency department is back to full operations and accepting ambulances, according to a hospital news release. Labor and deliver have resumed normal operations, and all other departments are returning to usual business hours. The facility’s new patient tower requires repairs after Friday’s magnitude 7.1 quake, the release said.

Kern County residents are being warned by District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer about illegal price gouging or charitable solicitation fraud following last week's earthquakes just outside of Ridgecrest. In a press release on Monday, Zimmer reiterated that businesses and individuals are prohibited under California law from raising prices for 30 days after an emergency declaration.

Monday, July 8th, 2019

Caltrans crews have started on repairs to Highway 178 in the Canyon following Friday nights 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck near Ridgecrest. The highway experienced cracking in three separate areas within a four-mile stretch due to seismic activity. One-way traffic control with assistance from a pilot car is in effect while permanent repairs are made. Construction is anticipated to last through the end of the week.

Officials representing both the city of Ridgecrest and Kern County held a press conference Sunday to discuss the latest on the Ridgecrest earthquake. During the conference, Ridgecrest Police Chief Jed McLaughlin said all roads were in good working condition and could be traveled on. He also said all water systems are fully operational. Kern County fire crews said emergency services are now on active ready reserve and are on standby for any situations that could happen within the Ridgecrest area. So far the damage to the area has been minimal, according to officials and no deaths have been reported.

There is about a 1-in-10 chance that another 7.0 quake could hit within the next week, said Lucy Jones, a seismologist at the California Institute of Technology and a former science adviser at the U.S. Geological Survey. The chance of a 5.0-magnitude quake "is approaching certainty," she added. California is partnering with the federal government to build the statewide earthquake warning system, with the goal of turning it on by June 2021. The state has already spent at least $25 million building it, including installing hundreds of seismic stations throughout the state.

Coco Gauff's Wimbledon run is over. The 15-year-old American lost to former No. 1 Simona Halep 6-3, 6-3 in the fourth round. Gauff was playing in her first Grand Slam tournament after becoming the youngest player to qualify for Wimbledon's main draw in the professional era and knocked out five-time champion Venus Williams in the first round.

Congratulations to the US Women's National Soccer Team. They beat the Netherlands by a final of 2-0 to again claim the world cup in Women's soccer. The US team has won several championships over the years, yet continue to be paid let than a third of what the Men's team is payed. They have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation over gender discrimination.

Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake has released a statement on their Facebook saying they will not be mission capable until further notice. The station was hit by a magnitude 7.1 Friday night. they said all non-essential active duty, drilling reservists, civilian employees, and dependents were evacuated from the area.

A big thank you to the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce as well as everyone who came by the Stars and Stripes Celebration at Tank Park Saturday. Due to the quake situation, some decided not to make it, but everyone there had a great time.

Friday, July 5th, 2019

UPDATE:

Aftershocks kept rolling across Southern California on Friday morning, with one measuring at 5.4 that was reported just northeast of Ridgecrest, the US Geological Survey said. That temblor, recorded at 4:07 a.m. (7:07 a.m. ET) Friday, was the strongest of more than 170 aftershocks that followed Thursday's powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake, the USGS said. The US Geological Survey said there's a 20% chance of an earthquake of magnitude 6 or higher occurring in the next week and an 80% chance of a magnitude 5 or higher quake hitting the state.

According to Kern County Fire Department, evacuations got underway at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital following 6.4 earthquake. CEO Timothy McGlew from the Kern Valley Healthcare District was in contact with the Hospital and Liberty Ambulance to let them know we will are more than willing to help by furnishing beds and care at our Kern Valley Hospital.

Kern County sheriff's deputies arrested a man Tuesday after they found suspected methamphetamine at his home. Deputies said they stopped 35-year-old Michael Camit near Webb and Clark Streets in Lake Isabella. Camit briefly tried to get away from officers , but parked the motorcycle at his home. While running to get inside the home, Camit threw his helmet down and deputies found about 3 ounces of suspected methamphetamine inside the helmet. During a search of his home, deputies located two handguns, several rounds of ammunition, over $600 in currency, a stolen moped, items for methamphetamine sales and evidence he was operating a drug house.

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut ate 71 wieners and buns to secure his 12th title at Nathan's Famous annual July Fourth hot dog eating contest on Thursday, just a few hot dogs shy of breaking the record he set last year. Miki Sudo had already won the women's competition by chomping down 31 hot dogs. She said she felt "wonderful" as she walked off the stage. (she obviously has stock in Charmin)

Mad Magazine, the long-running satirical magazine that influenced everyone from "Weird Al" Yankovic to the writers of "The Simpsons," will be leaving newsstands after its August issue. Really. The illustrated humor magazine — instantly recognizable by the gap-toothed smiling face of mascot Alfred E. Neuman — will still be available in comic shops and through mail to subscribers. But after its fall issue it will just reprint previously published material.

Thanks to an anonymous tip, officials were able to arrest two suspects for possession of 752 lbs of illegal fireworks in Tulare. According to Tulare County Fire Department, investigators received a tip that illegal fireworks were brought into the county over the last week.

Do keep in mind that NO personal fireworks are allowed here in the Kern River Valley. Authorities will be listening and looking for violaters. Please consider what would be on the line if you were to accidentally begin a wildfire. Hardly worth it.

Kern County Search and Rescue crews say they are searching for two people in the Kern River following three separate rescues that resulted in one death.

The sheriff’s office said crews and a helicopter were called to an area of Rabbit Island in Kern Valley at around 4:36 p.m. for a woman who needed CPR. Officials said the woman was pronounced dead. About 20 minutes later, KCSO says search crews were called to a report of three people in the water near Granite Point. Officials say, one person got themselves out, one was hoisted to safety by Search and Rescue, but one person is still missing. At around 5:11 p.m., KCSO and park rangers were called to the Kern River near Lake Ming for a missing 20-year-old man. That man is still missing.

Thursday, July 4th, 2019

Kern County fire crews are investigating what caused a fire inside the Wonderful Company almond processing facility in Lost Hills last night. KCFD said the fire started just after 10:30 P.M. Crews located and contained the fire in a large commercial almond roaster. Officials say damages were estimated at $500,000. Company employees were safely evacuated, and no one was hurt.

The District Attorney's Office just received a hefty load of cases of people whose pot sentences may be reduced or thrown out altogether from the Department of Justice. Now the D.A.'s office has until July, 1st, 2021 to go through the list and let local courts know which of the people on the list are not qualified for relief. If the D.A.'s office does not contest a person's case then it will be automatically reduced or dropped.

Alex Morgan celebrated her go-ahead goal with a cheeky tea-sipping motion and Alyssa Naeher stopped a late penalty kick to send the United States into the final at the Women's World Cup with a 2-1 victory over England on last night. The top-ranked United States will face the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between the Netherlands and Sweden in the Americans' third straight appearance in the World Cup title match.

Bakersfield police announced that a $5,000 reward is now being offered in connection with the disappearance of McFarland City Manager John Wooner. BPD says the reward is being offered through the secret witness program. The announcement of the reward comes seven weeks to the day that Wooner was last seen. Bakersfield police say 57-year-old Wooner last seen on Tuesday, May 14.

The Bakersfield Fire chief says the fire that caused more than $2 million in damages at the Carmax dealership in South Bakersfield last month can be blamed on Caltrans for not maintaining the brush surrounding the car lot properly. In all, nearly 50 firefighters from the City and County battled the grass and vehicle fires.

The annual Independence Stars and Stripes BBQ is happening Saturday at Tank Park in Lake Isabella. Food, Vendors, and a lot of fun. It's free and organized by the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce. The fireworks show will top off the celebration at around 9:30 Saturday night from Engineers Point on the lake.

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019

Five earthquakes have been recorded in the Mettler area yesterday, according to the United States Geological Survey. The first quake was recorded as a magnitude 2.8 that happened around 3 p.m. near the Mettler area. The second was recorded as a magnitude 2.5 that happened around 3:15 p.m. near Mettler. The third was recorded as a magnitude 3.1 that happened around 3:20 p.m. The fourth was recorded as a magnitude 2.6 that happened around 3:22 p.m. The fifth was recorded as a magnitude 3.2 that happened around 3:40 p.m. No damage has been reported.

Alex Morgan celebrated her go-ahead goal with a cheeky tea-sipping motion and Alyssa Naeher stopped a late penalty kick to send the United States into the final at the Women's World Cup with a 2-1 victory over England yesterday. The top-ranked United States will face the winner of Wednesday's semifinal between the Netherlands and Sweden in the Americans' third straight appearance in the World Cup title match.

The Secret Witness Program is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to the location of John Wooner. Wooner was the McFarland City Manager and was last seen on May 14. Wooner was last seen driving a silver Dodge Durango at the Hill Crest Cemetery about 5:30 p.m. in Bakersfield. The vehicle's license plate number is 1390353.

The Bakersfield man convicted of making a fake active shooter report at Mercy Southwest Hospital last year has been ordered to pay $20,000 to agencies who responded to the false alarm as part of his sentence.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office released the name of the 16 year old teen who drowned in the Kern River back on June 16th. Ivan Esquivel jumped into the Kern River along with a 19 year old teen. The two teens were last seen in the river near the White-Water Trail Granite Launch area, near Lake Isabella.

The city council has passed a resolution urging Caltrans to better maintain landscaping and remove fire hazards along freeways within the city after a blaze last week caused $2.1 million in damage to a CarMax car lot. On June 24, a fire traveled from the right shoulder of southbound Highway 99 to the CarMax lot on Colony Street, damaging or destroying a total of 86 vehicles. Bakersfield Fire Chief Anthony Galagaza said the blaze could have been prevented if brush had been cleared before the summer heat arrived.

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019

A 41 year old woman went into the Kern River early this afternoon on a round inflatable raft. Search and Rescue was called and began the search at Keyesville North from the shore, the water, and from the air with helicopters. Thankfully, the woman was spotted on the side of the river a short while later and was safely taken to safety. A very fortunate ending. Stay out...Stay alive.

Three people were rescued from the Kern River near Lake Ming on Saturday. Just after 5 p.m. the Bakersfield Fire Department and the Kern County Fire Department responded to the area and found three people trapped on an island in the middle of the river. Firefighters were able to launch a boat and all three people were taken out of the water safely. Stay out...Stay alive.

Federal authorities are warning that political radicals may attack people celebrating on July 4th. The warning comes from a joint intelligence bulletin issued by the FBI, Department of Homeland Security and National Counterterrorism Center, telling law enforcement to remain vigilant for suspicious activity.

California's new ammunition background check law began Monday not with a bang but with a whimper from dealers who reported delays and glitches with the state's online system. But they said few customers were affected because most had stockpiled bullets or shotgun shells in the weeks before the new law took effect.

Talk about unexpected weather events. In Mexico, a storm dumped more than 4 feet of hail on parts of the Guadalajara area, damaging hundreds of homes and burying cars up to their windows in some places, Mexican officials said yesterday. The Jalisco state government brought in heavy machinery to clear streets and dig out businesses in the country's second largest city. Sunday's storm left streets looking like rivers of ice, while hail clogged drainage systems, causing flooding in some spots.

f you're hitting the road this holiday week, get ready for that bumper-to-bumper traffic. A record 3.5 million people are expected to hit the roads in Southern California for the 4th of July this week, according to the Auto Club. That's a 3.9% increase compared to last year. And heads up if you're looking to head out early, traffic is expected to be especially heavy this Wednesday afternoon.

Another casino bust in South Bakersfield. The Kern County Sheriff's Office seized several illegal gambling machines and weapons over the weekend. Four people were arrested in conjunction with the bust.

Monday, July 1st, 2019

The scars of the Erskine Fire of three years ago are evident on almost every property in South Lake, a region of Lake Isabella hit hardest by the wildfire. But so are "for sale" signs, as newer, affordable homes come on the market. Construction is underway on 16 new duplex homes, built on land in South Lake where almost an entire neighborhood went up in flames. It's been a slow build to get to this point in Lake Isabella's recovering economy, but signs of a better future are finally here.

The dangers that come with the Kern River mean you should be very careful when you spend time on or near the river. Kern County Search and Rescue rescuers advise the safest way to enjoy the river, if you want to go in or on it, is with a local guide or guide company. If you are near the river:

Wear a life jacket.

Know the river.

Go with a guide team.

Today begins the sale of fireworks throughout Kern County but not here in the KRV. Times for purchase will vary between Bakersfield City limits and outlying communities around Kern County. The use of fireworks in Bakersfield will be allowed on tomorrow and Wednesday beginning at 9:00 a.m. until 12:01 a.m. the following day. For the 4th of July, use of fireworks will be allowed at 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. on Friday, July 5th. A reminder to residents and visitors, NO fireworks are allowed in the Kern River Valley.

This Saturday the 6th will be an all day picnic, bbq, fun and games for all at the annual Kern RIver Valley Fourth of July celebration at Tank Park in Lake Isabella. A watermelon eating contest and the like will keep this family oriented party light and fun for all. It is absolutely free thanks to the Kern River Valley Chamber of Commerce. The fireworks show from Engineers Point will start at around 9:30 Saturday night.

NASA's Mission Control from the Apollo days has been meticulously restored to the way it looked 50 years ago. The control room at Johnson Space Center in Houston was last used for space shuttle flights in the 1990's. Friday's grand opening culminates years of work and millions in donations. It opens to the public on Monday, just weeks before the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

If you think Southern California gas prices are high now, today, they get even worse. California's gas tax increases by nearly 6 cents per gallon to more than 60 cents per gallon, making it the highest in the nation. The increase is expected to generate nearly $54 billion in revenue over a decade. Last November, California voters rejected a statewide proposition to repeal the gas tax increase.

Congratulations to the Women's U.S. soccer team. They defeated the French team Friday by a score of 2 to 1. The USA will face England tomorrow for the chance to return to the finals and defend its 2015 title. Much attention is on Megan Rapinoe. She scored both goals for the U.S. team.

Friday, June 28th, 2019

To our delight, gas prices have been falling in recent weeks. Just about time to wake from that dream because starting Monday, that's all set to change. The gas tax increase that starts on July 1st will be 5.6 cents per gallon. That extra 5.6 cents per gallon equals about 78 cents extra per fill up for the average driver, according to AAA. Overall, the new tax is estimated to bring in over $5 billion every year.

A settlement has been agreed to in the case of a 14-year-old boy who choked to death on a hot dog at a Bakersfield movie theater. The victim's family and Reading Cinemas have agreed to a settlement, ending a civil lawsuit filed over the boy's 2014 death.

North of the River Recreation and Park District is reminding residents that fireworks of any kind are prohibited at all 24 of its parks and community centers. NOR says its mission is to provide recreation programs and facilities for the benefit of the North of the River community. They also encourage all families to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday safely and reminds the community to be mindful of all laws concerning use of fireworks, regardless of where they are celebrating.

Tomorrow is the Bike Rodeo at Tank Park in Lake Isabella. It's put on by the Kern County Sheriff's department and the Kern River Valley Family Resource Center. Learn bicycle safety and grab some snacks. The free Bike Rodeo is from 9 to 11am, again at Tank Park tomorrow.

A bit of positive news. Bakersfield’s West Rotary held the rotary’s annual cioppino feed and gave it all to the Kids Transportation Fund. The annual event translated into $10,000 of transportation funds for local families in need. The rotary presented the check to Valley Children’s Eagle Oaks Specialty Center in southwest Bakersfield.

A Kern County jury convicted a man of calling in a false report of an active shooter at Mercy Hospital Southwest, court records show. The jury found Mario Thompson guilty of a misdemeanor charge of false report of an emergency. He’s scheduled to be sentenced July 2.

Tomorrow night is a Star Party at the Fairview Helispot north of Kernville. Astronomy experts and enthusiasts are alway generous sharing knowledge, history, and more than likely, a look through telescopes to lay your eyes on pieces of our universe that will amaze you. If you can, bring a snack to share with folks attending.

Thursday, June 27th, 2019

UPDATES:

Breakdancing moved a step closer to the 2024 Olympics on Tuesday, and now organizers can look to book a street venue in Paris. Called breaking in Olympic circles, its medal debut was last October at the Buenos Aires Youth Summer Games. The street dance competitions will have 16 athletes in each of the men's and women's medal events in Paris. Paris wants to add four sports to its program, though the other three — skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing — will make Summer Games debuts in Tokyo next year.

The Astronomy Club has two events coming up: Their regular Star Party up at Fairview Helispot is Saturday, June 29th at dusk. The Helispot is about 12 miles north of Kernville on Mountain 99. Look for the orange cones on the right side of the road. Then on July 5th at 8:30 pm, we'll be at the Kern Valley Airport. Keepers of the Kern will serve refreshments.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office announced that they have recovered the body of a 16-year-old boy from Strathmore that went missing in the Tule River on May 12. He was last seen in an area commonly referred to as the Stairs. The victim's body was found about a half mile downstream from where he was last seen.

Ready to become a fur mom or dad? Ahead of the 4th of July, Kern County Animal Services will be offering fee-waived adoptions on dogs and cats! KCAS says on June 29 and July 1 through 3 they will waive adoption fees for those interested. They're hoping the complimentary waiver will help free up kennel space for the expected influx of lost and frightened animals during the fireworks season.

An American woman died after a shark attack in the Bahamas Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Jordan Lindsay, 21, of Torrance, California, had been on a snorkeling expedition with her family near Rose Island. Her family saw the oncoming sharks and tried to warn her, but Lindsay did not hear them in time.

On Wednesday, 69-year-old Vicente Benavides and his attorney filed a civil rights lawsuit against Kern County and many of it's law enforcement agencies after he was wrongfully convicted for murder and rape in 1993. After filing the lawsuit in U.S. Federal Court Wednesday, Benavides and his attorney's held a press conference in downtown Los Angeles. Benavides spoke briefly about the pain and suffering that he endured while he was spending 25 years on death row.

The Fairfax School District has confirmed that an 11-year-old girl who is a student with the district is one of the several that have gone missing in the Kern River this month. The girl was camping with her family over the weekend when she fell in and was swept away in the current. The coroner has not confirmed this is the same girl that crews are searching for, but they are looking for an 11-year-old girl who was lost in the river Saturday. Yesterday the Kern County Sherrif’s office recovered a body man about half a mile down from the Keyesville camping area, coroner’s have not release the identity of that man.

California has among the most stringent gun laws in the country and on Monday a far-reaching new initiative to curb violence will require background checks for every ammunition purchase. Gov. Gavin Newsom and other proponents said it will save lives but opponents are suing in hopes of eventually undoing a law they said will mostly harm millions of law-abiding gun owners. Voters approved the checks in 2016 and set an effective date of July 1. Ammunition dealers are seeing a surge in sales as customers stock up before the requirement takes effect.

Search and rescue teams continue their search for three young people missing in the Kern River. The Kern County Sheriff Department said since 2000, 96 people have died on the Kern River; 52 of those deaths are from Kern County, while 39 are from out of town. The Kern River Conservancy launched its "Just Wear It" campaign. It's a video PSA posted on social media to warn visitors of the risks in the river. The campaign runs through Labor Day, and let's people know the importance of wearing life jackets.

Connie Monsees says she was trying to get to Denver International Airport to pick up her husband at 7 p.m. local time and got stuck in traffic. That's when her Google Maps application offered a detour route. She saw other cars in front of her and followed thinking this was a good decision. She was wrong. Soon dozens of cars got stuck on a muddy dirt road that was a single lane. A couple of cars got stuck in the mud and nobody could turn around to get out. Some drivers tried driving around the cars in a field but hit the ditch hard and sent their cars flying. Let's not throw away the maps just yet.

The Oregon Capitol was at a standstill Wednesday with only four days left in the legislative session, and it remains unclear when — or if— the Senate’s 11 Republicans will return to the statehouse and end a walkout over a climate bill. Democrats have an 18 to 12 majority in the chamber, but they need 20 members present for a quorum.

There is going to be a public press conference this morning at the mouth of the Kern River Canyon. The Kern County Sheriff's office wishes to put a push on to educate people of the danger of the Kern River this year. There have already been multiple deaths due to people underestimating the danger that is there. The conference will begin at 11am this morning.

Wednesday, June 26th, 2019

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday they will hold a press conference to warn the public about the dangers of getting in the Kern River. Four people lost their lives in the month of June and crews are currently searching for two teenage boys from San Bernardino who were last seen on June 16 and an 11-year-old girl from the Bakersfield area who went missing on June 22. Here are the press conference details: Tomorrow, June 27 at 11 a.m. near the mouth of the Kern River Canyon on Hwy 178.

KCSO says that crews have recovered an unidentified male body from the Kern River, about half a mile downriver from Keysville. Officials say the body was initially discovered by someone around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday. The identity of the body is currently pending confirmation and notification of next of kin by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Coroner.

A Wasco State Prison correctional officer is one of the suspects recently arrested after allegedly conspiring to posses with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, according to court documents. Officials say on Monday 38-year-old Joseph Andrade and his accomplice 50-year-old Leonard Velazquez-Martinez conspired to purchase around 40 pounds of methamphetamine and two kilograms of cocaine from an officer posed as a drug dealer.

The House of Representatives voted by 230-195 on Tuesday to approve $4.5 billion in aid for the growing crisis at the US southern border -- a vote that followed Democratic infighting over the package and a White House veto threat.

This Saturday, the Kern County Sheriff's Office, the Kern River Valley Family Resource Center, and the CHP will be conducting a free "Bike Rodeo" at Tank Park in Lake Isabella. It's a great opportunity learn more about bicycling safety, and they will have a challenging course to run so bring a helmet. Again, Saturday at Tank Park from 9 to 11 am.

Fourth of July is around the corner, but a recent survey found California as one of the least patriotic states in the country. The survey conducted by WalletHub measured states' patriotism based on military engagement, including the number of veterans and active-duty service members per capita of civilians, and civic engagement, voting and volunteerism. California ranked in the bottom five at No. 48. Also at the bottom of the list were Texas, New York and, at No. 50, New Jersey.

Tuesday, June 25th, 2019

Search and rescue teams continue their search for three young people missing in the Kern River. The Kern County Sheriff Department said since 2000, 96 people have died on the Kern River; 52 of those deaths are from Kern County, while 39 are from out of town. Multiple agencies are working together to let visitors from out of town understand the dangers of Kern River. The Kern River Conservancy launched its "Just Wear It" campaign regarding life vests. County officials said they also added additional warning signs. They said they will continue to pursue other locations to educate visitors.

The impact of Medi-Cal's new reimbursement structure could impact more than just your local mom-and-pop pharmacy, according Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Director Bill Walker. He said “We are already in California bearing the brunt of one of the worst homelessness crises in the United States and certainly in California's history. Making it harder for people who are getting medication to get their medications will only exacerbate the problem". This can all go away with one swipe of a pen from Governor Newsome.

The County of Kern announced that American Airlines is set to add a second Dallas flight out of Meadows Field. In March 2019, Meadows Field Airport inaugurated new daily non-stop service to Dallas-Ft. Worth Airport. The second flight is expected to start in January of 2020.

City Fire officials said the fire at the CarMax in Bakersfield caused more than $2 million in damages. In total, 26 vehicles were completely destroyed, with another 60 at least partially damaged. The total loss is expected to be around $2.1 million. Fire officials say before the fire, there was around $8.5 million worth of vehicles on the lot.

SoCal is known for attractions like Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and of course, Disneyland. Now, you can soon add to that list of destinations the Museum of Weed. The museum is slated to be open from Aug. 3 through Sept. 29 in L.A. Dedicated to showcasing the drug's history, milestones and pop culture influences, the museum will take visitors through different time periods and locations pertinent to cannabis.

A senior Facebook executive says the social media site is in favor of regulation to address some of the dark problems of the internet. Lawmakers have been pushing tech companies to take down offensive content more quickly and to do more in general to halt internet harm.

Dam workers will carry out BLASTING OPERATIONS for the Lake Isabella Dam Safety Modification Project today, with an anticipated blast time between 12:00 and 6:00 PM. There will be NO ROAD CLOSURE necessary for today's blast. For any concerns or questions, please call 760 549 0005.

You are 57% more likely to be killed in a car accident involving a drunken driver during the Fourth of July holiday compared to an equivalent summer day. On a comparable Summer day, 26.1 DUI fatalities is the average. On the 4th of July, that number jumps to 40.9. Be safe.

Megan Rapinoe converted a pair of penalty kicks and the United States set up a much-anticipated quarterfinal meeting with host France at the Women's World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Spain yesterday. The defending champions head to Paris to face France on Friday night.

Officials say that a fire destroyed around 85 cars at the CarMax parking lot on Colony Street in South Bakersfield. According to fire crews, the blaze happened around 2 p.m. on Monday and may have been caused by a Semi-truck traveling north of Taft Hwy. Witnesses say something that the truck was carrying reportedly sparked fire and spread at least 20 acres before reaching the CarMax parking lot. Officials estimate that the fire caused around $500,000 in damages.

Each year families pack up their belongings and move to a new home, sometimes out of state. Tracking where they go—and where they’re leaving from—paints an interesting picture of U.S. migration. Where are they leaving? Surprisingly, California doesn't even make the top 10. New York is #3, New Jersey #2, and Illinois comes in at #1.

The prices at the pump are about to get more expensive. Starting next month, the California state gas tax is going to be increasing by a nickle and a half. You might recall in November Prop 6 failed to pass and repeal the increase in taxes at the pump. The money is supposed to be used to fix the states crumbling road infrastructure. Currently, the tax is 55 cents per gallon and will jump to more than 60 cents in taxes.

Still no recovery of the eleven year old girl who went into the Kern River Saturday. Kern County Search and Rescue is also continuing to search for two teenagers lost in the river more than a week ago.

Monday, June 24th, 2019

(UPDATE) Crews now calling their search for an 11-year-old girl "a body recovery" after she was swept away in the Kern River near the Keyesville area Saturday morning. According to KCSO, around 10:40 a.m. on June 22, deputies were called out ot the Keyesville area of the Kern River for a report of two subjects, a teenage boy and a young girl, in the water. KCSO says the teenage boy made it out of the river safely, but the 11-year-old girl was swept downstream. KCSO says the two teenagers who went into the Kern River more than a week ago are still missing .

There was a service outage of Verizon customers in the Kern River Valley this morning, but service has been restored. During the outage, Verizon customers were unable to even call 9-1-1.

Highway 178 was closed on Saturday afternoon while CHP investigated a deadly crash. Just before 3:45 p.m., officers say that a motorcyclist was traveling eastbound on Highway 178. That’s when the motorcyclist crossed over double yellow lines, drove into oncoming traffic and crashed into a SUV. He died at the scene. The motorcyclist has since been identified as 21-year-old Henry Ross Dobbs of Bakersfield. The driver of the SUV was not injured.

Search and rescue crews have been called out to the Keyesville area for river rescue, according to the Kern County Fire Department. The call was reported around 10:40 a.m. for two people who went into the river. Fire crews said a male teenager went into the river to attempt to rescue an 11-year-old girl but failed to do so. Fire crews were able to pull the male teenager out of the river safely. The 11-year-old girl was swept downstream by the currents. Crews are also searching for the two male teens who went missing in the river last Sunday in the same area.

Saturday afternoon, CHP responded to a roll over crash in the Canyon. 178 was closed at the mouth of the canyon for a period of time during the investigation and removal of the vehicle. CHP reported that one person died in the crash.

A Paramount man who went missing on the Kern River earlier this week has not been found and is presumed dead, according to Tulare County Sheriff's Office. Officials say 38-year-old Gerald Gonzales was last seen by friends in the Upper Kern River on a pool-toy inner tube at Calkins Flat around 6 p.m. on Wednesday. Witnesses say that Gonzales was not wearing a helmet or a life vest.

Police say they arrested a man on suspicion of impersonating a police officer after he tried to pull over a real police detective in Southern California. Friday, a Jeep Wrangler with red and blue flashing lights tried to stop a Rancho Cucamonga detective who was driving an unmarked car in Upland. Police say the detective turned on his lights and siren to stop the Jeep after realizing the driver wasn't an officer. Police say the lights purchased online were installed on the Jeep's front grill and made to resemble an undercover police vehicle.

We are at a little over a week before the Fourth of July hits us. Keep in mind that the festivities in the Kern River Valley always take place the Saturday nearest to the 4th. That means the BBQ, vendors, music, and fun will be happen all day on Saturday the 6th at Tank Park in Lake Isabella. The fireworks show will begin around 9:30 that night for all to enjoy. Keep in mind that ALL fireworks are illegal in the KRV and authorities will be on the lookout.

Friday, June 21st, 2019

Even though most kids have been on summer break for weeks and the temperatures have already started heating up in most areas of the country, summer didn’t officially start until today. The Summer Solstice, otherwise known as the official moment when the summer season begins, occured at 11:54 a.m., making Friday the longest day of the year, according to the Farmer’s Almanac. During that minute, the sun will have reached its highest and northernmost point in the sky, meaning Earth will receive more sunlight than on any other day.

California Highway Patrol is trying to determine what lead up to a deadly crash involving a big rig and another driver on the southbound lanes of highway 99 around midnight Friday. Officers say a man stopped his silver Kia on the freeway for an unknown reason. The driver of the semi didn’t see the car until it was too late. The big rig crashed into the back of the vehicle killing the man inside. CHP said they don’t believe the driver of the big rig was under the influence at the time of the crash.

The defending champion U.S. national team faced its toughest test of the Women's World Cup and remained dominant Thursday night, beating Sweden 2-0 to serve up a measure of revenge against the team that stunned the confident Americans in the last Olympics. Already assured a spot in the round of 16 before the game, the United States finished atop its group and will face Spain on Monday. Sweden will play Canada.

"We are at historic levels, here the Kern River is dangerous at this time," said Angela Monroe with the Kern County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriffs Department has made 11 rescue attempts on the river, canals and on the lake since May alone. Search and rescue crews continue to look for two teens who are missing in a river just south of Keysville. Now more than ever officials are urging people to stay out and stay alive.

With the fireworks coming up, do what you can to keep your pets calm. Kern County Animal Services are offering fee waived microchips at our shelters and clinics through July 3rd for unincorporated county residents. You can stop by our Lake Isabella shelters today for a FREE microchip!

The state auditor says California State University kept $1.5 billion in discretionary reserves while raising tuition at its 23 campuses and lobbying the Legislature for more funds. California State Auditor Elaine Howle reported Thursday that CSU put the money, which came primarily from student tuition, in outside accounts rather than in the state treasury. CSU Chancellor Timothy White called the report misleading and irresponsible.

The Democratic-controlled House has voted to block the Justice Department from interfering with states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. The bipartisan 267-165 vote represents a breakthrough for advocates of legalizing pot, who have unsuccessfully pressed the idea in the past under GOP control of the House.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown deployed the state police Thursday to try to round up Republican lawmakers who fled the Capitol to block a vote on a landmark economy-wide climate plan that would be the second of its kind in the nation. Minority Republicans want the cap-and-trade proposal, which is aimed at dramatically lowering the state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, to be sent to voters instead of being instituted by lawmakers — but negotiations with Democrats collapsed, leading to the walkout, Kate Gillem, a spokeswoman for Senate Republicans said Thursday.

Blasting Operations for the Lake Isabella Dam Safety Modification Project will are on the schedule for today with an anticipated blast time between 12:00 and 6:00 PM. Expect delays on 155 between Lake Isabella and Wofford Heights.

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