Kern River Valley

Communities Rider ejected and killed when motorcycle hits canyon wall

By BakersfieldNow.com Published: May 12, 2013 at 12:31 PM PDT Last Updated: May 13, 2013 at 10:19 AM PDT

A man who was killed while riding his motorcycle in the Kern River Canyon has been identified as 39-year-old Daniel Soto of Huntington Park in Los Angeles.

Communities High school students: Your artwork could get spot in U.S. Capitol

By BakersfieldNow.com staff Published: Feb 27, 2013 at 3:43 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:11 PM PDT

One Kern County high school student could get his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol. Congressman Kevin McCarthy's office will accept local entries for the annual Congressional Art Competition. Entries are due by April 19 at McCarthy's Bakersfield office.

Communities Mistakes and plenty of questions about EBT cards (Video)

By Carol Ferguson, Eyewitness News Published: Feb 25, 2013 at 10:32 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:11 PM PDT

Businesses and taxpayers have lots of questions about the so-called EBT cards now used for public assistance benefits. Eyewitness News discovered a local company made a mistake about what can be purchased with the card, and viewers have raised concerns of their own.

Communities Dozens brave cold for candlelight vigil for Lake Isabella baby (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By Jose Gaspar, Eyewitness News Published: Jan 16, 2013 at 12:54 AM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 12:38 PM PDT

The death of a 15-month-old baby unites neighbors in a candle light vigil in Lake Isabella.

Communities Sponsored: TXT L8R campaign launched to stop distracted driving (Photo Gallery) (Video)

By BakersfieldNow.com staff Published: Mar 15, 2013 at 12:36 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:11 PM PDT

Eyewitness News and BakersfieldNow.com have partnered with Three Way Chevrolet, Dignity Health and local first responders to launch a community-wide campaign called TXT L8R.

Communities Rash of crashes spur CHP crackdown (Video)

By Tom Murphy, Eyewitness News Published: Mar 19, 2013 at 6:28 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:11 PM PDT

A spike in deadly accidents has the California Highway Patrol cracking down on distracted drivers.

Communities Pilot injured when plane flips on runway at Kern Valley Airport

By BakersfieldNow.com staff Published: Mar 11, 2013 at 9:01 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 12:38 PM PDT

The pilot of a small plane suffered a minor head injury Monday afternoon when his plane flipped over after landing at the Kern Valley Airport.

Communities Live-in boyfriend accused of murdering Lake Isabella toddler (Photo Gallery)

By BakersfieldNow.com staff Published: Jan 14, 2013 at 12:16 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 12:38 PM PDT

Sophialynn Marie Taylor, 14 months old, was found unresponsive early Saturday morning at her home on Erskin Creek Road in Lake Isabella. The girl was taken to Kern Valley Hospital, where she died.

Communities Prison realignment has more fugitive sex offenders on the street (Video)

By DON THOMPSON, Associated Press Published: Mar 7, 2013 at 1:41 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:11 PM PDT

The increase amounts to 360 more sex offenders whose whereabouts were unknown and who were not reporting to their parole officers last year.

Communities Homeless census is sensitive, vital community exercise (Photo Gallery)

By David Andrew Price, BakersfieldNow.com staff Published: Jan 24, 2013 at 4:56 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:11 PM PDT

Volunteers roamed the streets and set up census centers Thursday, taking count of the homeless population around Kern County.

Communities Poor, homeless Californians can now get free cell phones

By Associated Press Published: Mar 5, 2013 at 2:19 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:11 PM PDT

Homeless people and Californians who make less than $14,702 a year will be able to get free cell phones and service, thanks to a new statewide program that began this week as part of the federally funded Lifeline effort.

Communities Crime spiked last year; local officials blame prison realignment (Video)

By Angela Chen, Eyewitness News Published: Jan 22, 2013 at 10:27 PM PDT Last Updated: Apr 26, 2013 at 1:11 PM PDT

Statistics released by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office show that reported crimes increased in 2012. What they found is reason enough to keep both personal vigilance and a neighborly eye out for anything suspicious.