Stories by Issue
Posts Tagged as "Kern County"
‘There is No Compassion’: City Council Approves Sewer Rate Increase
The Bakersfield City Council approved the proposed sewer rates on Wednesday night, with Vice Mayor Kaur and Councilmember Ken Weir voting no.
Candidates Speak on Central Valley Priorities
A candidate forum in Kern County was held on May 21, bringing together community members, youth, and local leaders to meet the candidates running for Congress, the State Assembly, and the State Senate.
New CalFresh Work Requirements May Disqualify 33,000 Current Recipients in Kern
As of June 1, new work requirements will take effect for the CalFresh program, making about 33,000 people in Kern County who receive CalFresh possibly ineligible, according to Jacquie Huang, the Assistant Program Manager assigned to CalFresh Policy from the Kern County Department of Human Services.
NAMI Panel Addresses Mental Health Stigma During Awareness Month
On May 20, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), along with several promotional partners, hosted a panel discussion addressing the stigma surrounding mental health in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month.
Quiet Opening of Central Valley Annex Raises Questions in McFarland
In the city of McFarland, a detention facility quietly began operations in April 2026. The facility, known as the Central Valley Annex, became the second immigration detention center in McFarland, bringing the total number of detention facilities to four in Kern County and eight across California.
Residents raise concerns over Inyokern data center, Ridgecrest Flock cameras
Concerns about a proposed artificial intelligence data center in Inyokern drew a packed crowd to Wednesday’s Ridgecrest City Council meeting, where residents warned that the project could strain local water supplies, increase energy demands, and reshape the future of the Indian Wells Valley.
Newsom Adds $30 Million One-Time Funding to CalFood Budget, Leaders State It Is Not Enough
Governor Gavin Newsom has added $30 million in one-time funding for the CalFood general fund for food banks in the 2026-2027 budget proposal.
Rising Tomato Prices Impact Rural Communities
Tomato prices have reportedly risen by 40% as of April 2026, driven by severe weather conditions, increased tariffs, and higher transportation costs.
All People Are Sacred: Addressing Health Issues in Kern County Detention Centers
Valley Watch Network with Faith in the Valley has launched a campaign called “All People are Sacred” to put pressure on the Kern County Board of Supervisors to address the public health violations at the California City Detention Center.
BCSD Opens Process to Rename Cesar Chavez Elementary
On May 11, the Bakersfield City School District (BCSD) announced that it would begin the process of renaming Cesar Chavez Elementary School and invited students, employees, and community members to recommend a new name for the school.