Bakersfield
Today
Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
Good morning, Bakersfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 12th of May.
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Two GoFundMe campaigns were launched for the families of Temo and Ramzi, who died in a plane crash on BLM lands near Ridgecrest on May 7 — the crash sparked the Canyon Fire that burned 2,200 acres in Kern County, with rescue teams securing the area as containment hit 98%. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ On Monday night, a sinkhole around 6 feet deep forced officials to close a section of Martingale Way in the 24000 block of Bear Valley Springs. Bakersfield Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ High ticket prices and tight budgets are causing concert cancellations in Kern County, affecting local venues and performers. Local promoters are shifting to low-cost events as families choose essentials over live shows, industry experts said. 23ABC News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Bakersfield City School District Board is starting a process to rename Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School by inviting name suggestions from students, staff, families, and community members. Submissions (with a written rationale) must be received by 4 p.m. on May 22. Bakersfield Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Nearly two years after the Borel Fire burned nearly 60,000 acres in Havilah, drone company Hylio is using drones to drop nutrient pods on hard-to-reach mountainsides to reseed burn scars and aid long-term recovery. 23ABC News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A declassified Pentagon memo shows that in March 1948 a Bakersfield witness reported two objects falling from the sky between 4:10 and 4:55 p.m.—the sighting led to a U.S. Air Force investigation even though rescue teams did not recover the items. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ Kern County fire officials urge residents to clear defensible space around their properties by June 1 to prevent wildfires, noting a 75% increase in grass fires since last year as a wetter winter has left abundant dry grass across the county. 23ABC News
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Kern County health officials warned that a Santa Clara resident returning from a cruise, where three passengers reportedly died from the Andes virus, may have been exposed to Hantavirus — a rare infection spread through rodent droppings. They advise airing out enclosed spaces before cleaning to reduce risk of exposure. 23ABC News
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Aztec Image Car Show Featuring Lil Rob
12-3 p.m. — Kern County Fair And Event Center — Free entry — Experience the vibrant culture of custom cars and live performances at this beloved annual gathering.
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Goat Yoga Class at Cherry Acres
8:30-9:30 a.m. — Cherry Acres — Bring your yoga mat and enjoy a playful blend of yoga and adorable goats in a serene farm setting.
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Robert Jon and the Wreck Live
7-11 p.m. — World Records — Ticketed event — Enjoy an electrifying mix of Southern rock and West Coast soul with Robert Jon & The Wreck.
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Bakersfield Puerto Rican Salsa Festival
1-8 p.m. — Kern County Shrine Club — Donations accepted — Dance to salsa beats and enjoy Puerto Rican culture while raising funds for student scholarships.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Bakersfield Today
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