Bakersfield
Today
Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
Good morning, Bakersfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 19th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Amy Travis has been named the new president and CEO of Kern Community Foundation, which manages more than $50 million in assets and brings years of local nonprofit experience; she will officially assume her role on June 8 in Bakersfield. 23ABC News
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A brush fire reported shortly before 8:30 a.m. Monday spread to over 2,000 acres and closed Highway 178 through Kern River Canyon. The Bakersfield Californian
- ➤ A second fire burned north of Highway 58 near the Bena Landfill on Monday morning and had burned about 40 acres by 9:30 a.m. while smoke filled the area and traffic remained clear. 23ABC News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Kern County Library selected 'The Housmaid' by Freida McFadden as its Book of the Week. This psychological thriller, first published in 2022, is available for borrowing at local branches. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ Lightning in a Bottle returns this Memorial Day weekend, May 20-24, to the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area with five days of music, art and camping that will attract thousands of visitors. The festival, produced by Do LaB, will feature headliners such as Empire of the Sun and Mau P. Bakersfield Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Bakersfield businesswoman Raji Brar, a CSUB alum, was elected vice chair of the CSU Board of Trustees, making her the first Kern County native to hold the post. She will hold listening sessions on campus to bring the Central Valley's voice to statewide education decisions (CSUB). 23ABC News
- ➤ Heidi Olsen — a national expert on child exploitation and online safety — will lead a free virtual seminar in Bakersfield today at 10 a.m. hosted by Seek Truth Not Illusion to help parents, caregivers and professionals learn about online risks. 23ABC News
- ➤ Kern County Library will launch a summer reading challenge (June 1 to July 31) to help readers win prizes by reading ten books or spending ten hours reading; all ages can join to boost their reading goals. Bakersfield Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ County neglect has led to trash build-up, crumbling walkways, and safety hazards at Hart Park Lake, causing watercraft rentals to close. Business owner Jacob Clagg hopes county repairs will resume kayak access soon (repair funds pending) for community families. 23ABC News
- ➤ Highway 178 is closed Tuesday morning as crews fight the River Fire in Kern River Canyon — which burned about 2300 acres and is now 10% contained — while a secondary blaze near Tehachapi burned 300 acres and is 20% contained. KUZZ
- ➤ A new study finds that California data centers use water in ways that lack transparency — raising local concerns about shortages and grid stress, while some Inyokern residents worry that proposed drilling and 500,000 gallons in water use may be unsustainable. Bakersfield Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Kern County veterans face challenges when returning to civilian life, so the Veterans Chamber of Commerce is hosting a town hall meeting + connecting veterans with local lawmakers on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in Woolworth’s basement on 19th Street. KUZZ
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Kern County mosquito control officials warned residents today that ankle-biting mosquitoes can breed in even small amounts of standing water (in potted plants and kids' toys) as summer nears. Officials urged homeowners to clear water and use bug spray to lower West Nile virus risk. 23ABC News
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ 18-year-old little league umpire Sawyer Sparks has gone viral for his fast moves plus his energy and care for kids during games in Bakersfield. He began umpiring two years ago and hopes to expand his role in baseball even further soon. 23ABC News
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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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The Lovers Rock - Sade Tribute
8-11 p.m. — BottleShock Wine and Brew — Fundraising event — Enjoy a night of Sade's legendary sounds while supporting Kern County students in music and STEM education.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The beauty of a living thing is not the atoms that go into it, but the way those atoms are put together.
~ Carl Sagan
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