Good morning, Bakersfield.

Kern County Animal Services will hold a community safety meeting to discuss responsible pet ownership and address concerns about loose or nuisance animals.

The meeting, organized in collaboration with the State, aims to help residents stay informed on local pet issues.

Spirit Halloween opened one of its three stores Friday morning at the former Rite Aid on the corner of Coffee Road and Olive Drive.

The chain will open two more locations later this month at 4340 Ming Avenue and 1503 White Lane next to FoodMaxx and dd’s Discount.

Teen Marques Urbano from Delano, who paused band for kidney disease treatment, received a new clarinet from Make-A-Wish.

He traveled by limo to Nick Rail Music in Bakersfield to pick up the gift (a hopeful sign for a return to music).

More than 1,800 families attended the Ready, Set, Back-2-School event on Friday, Aug.

7 at Kern County Museum grounds, receiving free backpacks, school supplies + shoes and wellness resources from over 94 booths organized by Kern County Child Support Services and local volunteers.

PG&E finished undergrounding 25 miles of power lines near Lebec along Interstate 5.

The new system is expected to go live next month (it will cut wildfire risk by 98% and reduce the need for power shutoffs during extreme fire weather).

Kern County Public Health confirmed the county's first West Nile virus case for 2026.

Officials advise residents to remove standing water + use insect repellent and limit time outside at dawn and dusk to reduce mosquito exposure.

Kern County Public Health confirmed the county’s first human West Nile virus case for 2026, warning residents to take precautions by eliminating standing water and using EPA-registered repellents (steps recommended to reduce mosquito breeding).

On Thursday morning, Bank of America donated $250,000 in front of Adventist Health’s $40 million Advanced Care Pavilion in downtown Bakersfield, where officials shared a progress update on the project.

Clinica Sierra Vista is celebrating 55 years with a community health fair and a ribbon-cutting of its new corporate office from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at 9525.

The M Street Navigation Center now offers therapy services to help individuals transition out of homelessness.

The program builds on years of work that has already helped hundreds build stability in the community.

15-year-old Oscar Liang and 17-year-old Kandice Chuang won the boys and girls titles at a three-day AJGA junior golf tournament held at Bakersfield Country Club on Friday; Liang finished 11-under-par with a 205 total while Chuang ended 13-under-par with 203 strokes.

California's Best Hip Hop Music Festival

7-9 p.m. — Mechanics Bank Arena — Ticket prices vary — Experience live performances from top West Coast hip hop artists.