Friday, July 18th, 2025

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Good morning, Bakersfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 18th of July.
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ On July 16, a man was rescued from a canal in central Bakersfield after a K9 officer used his dog's leash—providing him something to hold as firefighters pulled him to safety near Oak and 24th Streets. Bakersfield Now
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Paul Magallanes is set to stand trial for fatally shooting his sister-in-law, Margarita Maggie Lopez, on April 19 in the 1200 block of Pearl Street — his bail is set at $200,000 and he is due in court on August 22 with a trial scheduled for September 9. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ On Monday morning, a Taft homeowner shot an alleged burglar when the suspect charged at his home holding an unknown object—investigators identified the suspect as Felix Cortez Villasenor, who was airlifted to Kern Medical and faces first-degree burglary charges and an outstanding misdemeanor warrant. KGET
- ➤ Police arrested 43-year-old Hung Chun Fong on July 17th after a search warrant at a southwest Bakersfield home allegedly found over 70 terabytes of child pornography on 13 devices (authorities say he faces charges for possession and distribution). Bakersfield Now
- ➤ Jose Valencia—a convicted murderer and gang member from Arvin—was denied parole on July 16 because the Board of Parole Hearings said he still poses a risk to public safety; his 2014 gang-related shooting during a power outage injured a victim at a car wash. Bakersfield Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Councilmember Andrae Gonzales announced his candidacy for State Assembly District 35—which covers Bakersfield, Delano, Shafter, Wasco, Arvin, McFarland, and parts of unincorporated Kern County—and is the first to do so. He ran a campaign in 2023 before focusing on his council duties and will stress healthcare as a top issue ahead of the June 2 primary. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ Bakersfield Ward 2 Councilman Andrae Gonzales announced yesterday that he intends to run for the soon-to-be-vacant 35th Assembly District seat. The Bakersfield Californian
SHOP NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR We never have to worry about dead batteries and missed calls thanks to this portable power bank that can charge up to five devices at once. The Buy
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Bakersfield Today.
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Tribute to Café Tacvba by La Chilanga Band
7 PM — Rock & Wings — Tickets available — Experience a vibrant fusion of Latino and pop music with La Chilanga Band.
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Bakersfield Train Robbers vs. Monterey Amberjacks
6:30-8 p.m. — Sam Lynn Ballpark — Ticket prices vary — Watch the excitement as the local Train Robbers take on the Amberjacks in a thrilling baseball showdown.
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Bakersfield Train Robbers vs. Monterey Amberjacks
6:30-8 p.m. — Sam Lynn Ballpark — Ticket prices vary — Catch the excitement of a live baseball game featuring the local Train Robbers and the Amberjacks.
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Millionaires Concert
9:00 – 10:30 p.m. — Temblor Brewing Company — Tickets starting at $24.12 — Dance the night away with Millionaires and Blade Trip rocking the stage!
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Back To Black - Amy Winehouse Tribute
8:00-9:30 p.m. — Temblor Brewing Company — Tickets from $21.03 — Celebrate the music of Amy Winehouse with live performances and a vibrant atmosphere.
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Nurse-Family Partnership Graduation Ceremony
3:00-5:30 p.m. — Richard Prado Center — Free entry — Celebrate the achievements of graduating Nurse-Family Partnership students and their families in a special ceremony.
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Jake Gill Live Performance
11 PM - 4 AM — Krush Bar and Restaurant — Tickets available — Experience a night of country music with the talented Jake Gill, a finalist from NBC’s “The Voice.”
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Sensory Friendly Family Swim Day for Autism Families
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — McMurtrey Aquatic Center — Registration required — Enjoy a sensory-friendly swim experience for families with autistic children.
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Concert Featuring LIL KAYLA & LOU DEEZI
7:30-9:30 p.m. — The Nile Theater — Tickets from $36.01 — Enjoy an evening of Hip-Hop/Rap with emerging artists Lil Kayla and Lou Deezi.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
One is not born, but rather becomes, oneself.
~ Simone de Beauvoir
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