LOCAL AND REGIONAL NEWS

Friday, June 18th, 2021

The Veteran's and Senior Center in Lake Isabella is open as a cooling center to any that need it. Bring some water, something to eat, and perhaps a game or deck of cards to keep you busy. These triple digit temperatures will probably be with us through Sunday. 

Thousands of Central California farmers were warned Tuesday that they could face water cutoffs this summer as the state deals with a drought that already has curtailed federal and state irrigation supplies. The State Water Resources Control Board notified about 6,600 farmers in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed who have rights to use water from the Central Valley estuary of “impending water unavailability” that may continue until winter rains come.

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported 23 new COVID-19 cases yesterday. The county has 49 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant, two cases of the B.1.351 variant and one case of the B 1.617.2 delta variant from India.

The United States is commemorating the end of slavery with a new federal holiday. Juneteenth, or June 19th, is the 12th federal holiday. The House voted 415-14 on Wednesday to send the bill to the president.

Children and teens can get free lunches at the Kern County Library each Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 1 pm. This is for anyone from 2 to 18 years of age. The meals are scheduled to be given out through July. 

The U.S. has now surpassed 600,000 deaths from COVID-19. Data compiled by Johns Hopkins University shows the country reached the grim milestone on Tuesday. And the data shows more than 33.4 million Americans have tested positive for the coronavirus since it was first identified in the U.S. in early 2020.

 The United States is devoting more than $3 billion to advance the development of antiviral pills for COVID-19, according to an official briefed on the matter. The pills would be used to minimize symptoms after infection.

If you have a dislike of spiders, this will really creep you out. Millions of spiders have spun giant webs in parts of Australia’s state of Victoria as they try to escape flooding in the region. The webs stretched for several kilometers along wetlands bordering a highway in the Gippsland region.

This year, Oregon became the first and only state to decriminalize all drugs. Tuesday, lawmakers introduced a bill to make that happen at the federal level. It comes as we reach the 50th anniversary of the war on drugs, which was declared by former President Richard Nixon.

Thursday, June 17th, 2021

Tuesday, it was a scare for residents of Yankee Canyon. A vegetation fire broke out between 3 and 3:30 and evacuations were recommended. The fire was controlled from ground and air firefighters and the evacuation was cancelled. 

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported 14 new COVID-19 cases yesterday.

About 55 percent of Californians are considered fully vaccinated and now you're probably seeing a lot of people without masks on. So what percentage of Kern County is vaccinated?  Data shows that Kern County ranks 15th based on the number of vaccines rolled out. About 66 percent of the population here is vaccinated in some capacity.

If you're planning a trip to Disneyland there are now fewer pandemic-related restrictions but you'll likely have to wait longer in line for rides. Social distancing and masks may aren't needed for the most part. It remains a secret just how many visitors are allowed inside of the park but with Tuesday's reopening of California capacity limits have disappeared. However, Disneyland still has its reservation system in place which is keeping attendance down according to those inside.

As California ends its mask mandate, a lot of people are wondering what businesses can ask about your vaccine status. Experts say there are different legal considerations involving employees and customers, but in general, businesses can ask if you received the COVID-19 vaccine. 

The Armes family from Lake Isabella won $10,000 on the reality competition show, “Survivalists.”  “I’m really proud of everybody, we all worked together and pushed through it,” Anna Armes said on the show. Congratulations to Paul and Anna Armes, as well as Alex and Max. 

During a press conference yesterday morning at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Governor Newsom stopped in Bakersfield. He visited a fitness center, where he discussed the benefits of exercise for physical and mental health. 

San Jose officials have passed a new gun law that requires retailers to video-record all firearm purchases. That makes it the largest city in California with such a rule. The City Council unanimously approved the new law on Tuesday and less than a month after a disgruntled employee fatally shot nine of his co-workers and then himself at a San Jose rail yard.

Wednesday, June 16th, 2021

Bakersfield drivers rank as the third worst in the nation. In its “Best and Worst Drivers by City” report, Quote Wizard ranked Bakersfield just behind Omaha. Nebraska and Riverside, respectively. In addition, Bakersfield ranked 11th worst for accidents, third worst for DUI, 12th worst for citations and 18th worst for speeding. The report provides rankings for each of the nation’s 70 largest cities.

Kern County Public Health updated their variant of concern dashboard and reported the first Delta variant has been detected. The delta variant was first detected in India in December 2020 and has now spread to 60 nations, according to the CDC.

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported one new COVID-19 death and 56 cases yesterday.

Gov. Gavin Newsom drew 10 winners on Tuesday to receive $1.5 million each, for a total of $15 million, as part of the final cash prize drawing in the state’s $116.5 million “Vax for the Win” program. The drawing took place during a press conference at Universal Studios Hollywood. If you were drawn, they will call. Do not fall for any phone scams. 

 The University of California is reversing course and will require all students, staff and faculty to be vaccinated against the coronavirus this fall. The San Francisco Chronicle says the decision reverses a proposed policy UC announced in April of requiring vaccinations only after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved at least one of the three vaccines now being administered under emergency authorization.

A popular Big Sur trail flanked by redwood trees that leads down through a gorge to a 60-foot waterfall is set to open June 18 after a 13-year closure. A 2008 wildfire destroyed access to the Pfeiffer Falls Trail. Officials said Monday that the trail is ready for the public to enjoy after a $2 million renovation that fixed bridges, retaining walls, railings, steps and signage.

Free Covid 19 testing is happening today until noon in the Outpatient wing of the Kern Valley Hospital. No appointment is needed. You must wear a mask and they will take your temperature. 

Scientists, philosophers, and theologians have been having this conversation for centuries and often mused if something really is out there, how does it impact the world’s major religions, especially those that see themselves as a special creation from a higher being? Turns out, not all that much. There are some religions like Mormonism that believe in extraterrestrial life, so they wouldn't be surprised. There are some religions like Judaism that would simply say, 'OK, extraterrestrials can exist, that's God's business.

Tuesday, June 15th, 2021

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for portions of Kern County. The warning remains in effect from this morning to Saturday evening with the forecast calling for blistering temperatures that could reach as high as 115 degrees. Nighttime lows are expected to stay above 80 degrees in some locations. It's always good to drink lots of fluids, stay out of the sun and in an air-conditioned room if possible, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Temperatures inside a car, even on a mild, sunny day, can reach deadly levels in just 10 minutes. Children are particularly susceptible to heatstroke because their bodies can heat up five times faster than adults. Animals are equally impacted by summer heat. Dogs are not able to sweat like humans do, but instead cool themselves by panting and by sweating through their paws. If they have only overheated air to breathe, they can collapse, suffer brain damage and die of heatstroke.

The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported 11 new COVID-19 cases yesterday.

According to CalTrans, the Canyon will be closed each night from 11 pm to 4 am. The closure is said to be from the mouth of the Canyon to Highway 155. It will not be closed this Friday or Saturday. 

Today is the day Covid restrictions are lifted, but not all. According to the California Department of Public Health, residents will still need to mask up, regardless of vaccination status, on public transportation, indoors at k-12 schools childcare, and other “youth settings,” healthcare settings, state and local correctional facilities, and detention centers, homeless shelters, cooling centers and indoor events with more than 5000 people.

Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new bill extending the moratorium until June 30 of this year. It's also important to note, this is an "eviction" moratorium and not a "rent" moratorium, it protects you from eviction if you have fallen behind in rent, but you still have to eventually pay that rent. Also, prepare to prove your hardship. In order to qualify for the moratorium, you must provide in writing how the pandemic has impacted you financially.

One person in Kern County will be getting a $50,000 check after being drawn Friday at California's second "Vax for the Win" drawing. 15 winners across the state who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine were chosen. These winners will be contacted directly by phone.

Free Covid 19 testing will happen again Wednesday in the Kern Valley Hospital Outpatient Department. From 7 am to 12 noon, you enter and get testing at no cost to you. You must wear a mask and your temperature will be taken. 

The price for this flight is astronomical. One person paid $28 million to travel to space with the Bezos brothers. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is set to take his rocket company's first passenger flight to space. He invited his brother to join him, and a third seat was auctioned off. There's one spot left on the rocket, which is slated to launch July 20. No word who will take this last seat.

Monday, June 14th, 2021

The Sequoia National Forest will host a Castle Fire Ecological Restoration Project public field trip Thursday, June 17, to the Freeman Creek Grove, damaged during the 2020 Castle Fire. The field trip will also provide an opportunity to see the fire recovery activities that partners Cal Trans, Tulare County, and Southern California Edison are currently completing. The field trip is limited to 30 people so email Alicia Embry at allicia.embrey@usda.gov.

Although tomorrow marks the day that the state of California is going to relax restrictions associated with the pandemic, we are by no means out of it yet. The Kern County Public Health Services Department reported 11 new COVID-19 cases yesterday.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than 2 million passengers on Friday, and for the first time since March 2020. Friday’s 2 million travelers — 2,028,961 to be exact — indicate a slow climb toward pre-pandemic numbers, according to the TSA. Prior to the pandemic.

One person in Kern County will be getting a $50,000 check after being drawn Friday at California's second "Vax for the Win" drawing. 15 winners across the state who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine were chosen. Kern, along with Fresno County, were the first counties in the Central Valley to be chosen for the drawing.

A reminder that the drive through testing for Covid 19 is done. You can still get free testing in the Outpatient area of the Kern Valley Hospital each Wednesday from 7a to 12noon.

Taco Bell announced it will offer a free seasoned beef Nacho Cheese Doritos® Locos Tacos to customers who show their COVID-19 vaccination card at participating California Taco Bell locations on June 15 as part of the Vax for the Win incentive program. No information if our local TB is participating. 

Wedding planning is back on, and vendors are overwhelmed. Some planners are even reporting they've pushed bookings to 2023. Another factor contributing to the surge in bookings for next year, in addition to the pandemic, are the couples who had a small wedding early in the pandemic and now want a bigger one with family and friends.

Police say a 12-year-old boy was shot and wounded in Oakland after his father tried to stop thieves from stealing a catalytic converter from the family’s car. The seventh-grader, who has not been identified, told the East Bay Times his father tried to frighten the two men by throwing a rock and chair at them. One of the suspects fired several shots through the fence, striking the boy in the foot.