Public Safety · Kern County
The National Weather Service office in Hanford, CA issued a flood watch at 1:16 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, valid from Wednesday at 8 a.m. through Thursday at 8 p.m. The watch covers the West Side Mountains south of Highway 198, Bakersfield, South End San Joaquin Valley, Kern River Valley, Piute Walker Basin, Tehachapi, Grapevine, Frazier Mountain Communities, Indian Wells Valley, Mojave Desert Slopes and Mojave Desert, as well as Kern and Buena Vista counties. The NWS warns of flash flooding from excessive rainfall with storms training over the same area, noting risks to rivers, creeks, low-lying areas, poor drainage zones, and urban areas. Residents in flood-prone or low-lying camping areas are urged to move to higher ground, avoid driving through floodwaters, and monitor later forecasts for potential Flash Flood Warnings.
Local Politics · Kern County
Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood is preparing to retire in early January, using a final interview to defend his department's record and address ongoing controversies. He discussed the ongoing review of an officer-involved shooting involving Logan Reyes, noting that body camera footage will be released after investigations conclude. Youngblood highlighted a decline in homicides, citing 14 year-to-date compared to 20 last year, while expressing frustration with compliance requirements from the U.S. Department of Justice. He also defended the use of Flock license plate-reading cameras as essential tools for locating suspects and recovering stolen vehicles.
Local Politics · Bakersfield, CA
Republican Congressman David Valadao faces a competitive reelection race in California's 27th district, which includes Bakersfield and has the highest Medicaid enrollment of any GOP-held seat. Critics attribute longer wait times for healthcare services to recent federal spending cuts, with an estimated 60,000 residents in his district losing coverage. Valadao voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year, a measure projected to reduce federal health spending by hundreds of billions. The district is considered a toss-up, with both parties investing heavily in advertising as voters weigh healthcare impacts against local issues like water and agriculture.
Public Safety
A CalMatters investigation reveals that the California Department of Motor Vehicles frequently fails to suspend commercial driver's licenses after fatal crashes or serious violations. The report highlights cases where drivers with histories of dangerous behavior, including vehicular manslaughter charges, retained valid licenses for years due to bureaucratic delays and reliance on court notifications. In one instance, a driver killed two people in separate incidents because the DMV did not act on the first crash before the second occurred. The agency stated it has recently updated its processes and took action against several drivers after being contacted by reporters.
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Crime · Bakersfield, CA
Bakersfield Police arrested a 16-year-old male juvenile on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at approximately 2:40 p.m., following a deadly police shooting the previous week. The incident occurred near the 1000 block of Pacheco Road in southeast Bakersfield on Wednesday, Oct. 14, where officers attempted to contact two men who fled and shots were fired. One man, identified as 23-year-old Daniel James Ruiz, was killed during the encounter. The juvenile suspect surrendered and was booked into Kern County Juvenile Hall on a warrant for weapons charges.
Crime · Kern County
A Kern County jury awarded a $9.25 million judgment against former OB-GYN Arthur Park in a wrongful death civil trial. The verdict follows the 2019 deaths of Demi Dominguez and her newborn son, Malakhi, who died after Dominguez was discharged from Mercy Southwest Hospital despite alleged signs of severe preeclampsia. Jurors found Park negligent, determining his care contributed substantially to the deaths. While the family may receive less due to California damage caps, the verdict marks a significant legal conclusion for the local community.
Local Business · Kern County
Hard Rock Casino Tejon broke ground Wednesday on a major expansion adding a 400-room hotel with 119 suites, a resort-style pool, spa, steakhouse, expanded gaming, and event space. The ceremony drew more than 100 attendees, including leaders from the Tejon Indian Tribe and Kern County, nearly a year after the casino opened. The project is expected to create hundreds of additional jobs beyond the casino's current workforce of about 1,400 employees. Completion is projected for summer 2028.
Community News · Wasco, CA
Residents in Wasco gathered at Barker Park to protest reported Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement activities and detentions. The demonstration followed social media reports of federal agents operating in the community, including video footage allegedly showing an officer detaining a man near 16th and Griffith streets. Wasco Police Chief Alecio Mora confirmed awareness of the federal operations but stated that local law enforcement does not participate due to Senate Bill 54. The Wasco Union Elementary School District also issued a statement clarifying that it does not share student information with ICE.
Crime · Bakersfield, CA
A restraining order was granted to KBAK morning weather anchor Aaron Joel Perlman against 46-year-old Thomashana Renee Zeigler, who is accused of shooting at the KBAK TV station in Bakersfield on Oct. 9 and again on Oct. 13. Bakersfield Police responded to both incidents; during the second, investigators found multiple bullet strikes on the building and recovered 11 shell casings from a handgun. Zeigler was arrested Oct. 15 and arraigned Tuesday afternoon facing four felony charges, including shooting at an inhabited dwelling and vandalism of $400 or more. A public defender entered a not guilty plea, and a judge ordered her held without bail. She is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 30.
Community brief · Kern County
Kern County nonprofit Links for Life is hosting its Hot Pink Celebration on Friday at Luigi's, with doors opening at 6 p.m., bringing together breast cancer patients, survivors, families and healthcare professionals. The organization provides wigs, grocery assistance and support groups to patients and survivors. Executive director Jennifer Henry said approximately 450 women in Kern County will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Adventist…
Community brief · Bakersfield, CA
23ABC is hosting a drive-thru donation event for its Community Baby Shower on November 19 from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 23ABC Studios in Downtown Bakersfield. The collected items will benefit families assisted by the Bakersfield Pregnancy Center and The Mission at Kern County. Donations can also be dropped off at various locations across Bakersfield, including churches, schools, and businesses.
Community brief · Kern County
Lucky's Crew Animal Rescue is hosting a Mahjong Night fundraiser on Monday, October 26, at Hoagie's to support its dog food fund. The rescue currently spends approximately $2,000 monthly feeding its dogs, including Mishka, a one-year-old husky and cattle dog mix featured in this week's adoption spotlight. Mishka is described as shy at first but playful and trainable, having been with the rescue since she was two months old.
