Good morning, Bakersfield.

On Sept. 8, CHP Bakersfield will host Coffee with a Cop at Hageman and Coffee Starbucks from 10 a.m. to noon, inviting residents and officers to meet and build trust over coffee.

The Industrial Automation program at Bakersfield College celebrated its tenth anniversary last week—over 150 bachelor’s degrees have been awarded since 2016—and it helped launch local graduates into careers at companies like NASA and Amazon.

Sen. Shannon Grove of Bakersfield introduced Senate Bill 931 to designate Sept.

25 as Dolly Parton Day. The measure will honor the singer's literacy work and support her Imagination Library, which provides monthly books to young children statewide.

CalFresh work rules that began June 1 ended Sept.

1 for Kern County recipients, with new poverty-level requirements set to start on Oct. 1. Local officials report the immediate impact is limited (with about 210,000 people at risk) and advise recipients to check eligibility soon.

An $1.8 million project is planned to improve crosswalk safety in Oildale and East Bakersfield by adding flashing beacons and ADA ramps at uncontrolled intersections.

Kern County Public Works (the lead agency) secured federal and state funds to ensure safe pedestrian access for families and students.

Hageman Road construction began Monday at 7 a.m. and will run daily until 7 p.m. through the end of September.

Businesses and residents worry about traffic and safety disruptions and ask city officials for clearer updates (weather conditions may cause delays).

After Victory Mutual Water Company resigned, East Niles Community Services District is set to improve water service in East Bakersfield by planning a new well near Avenida Vicente and Via Cecilia that could be drilled as early as September.

Caltrans District 9 reported that both westbound lanes and one eastbound lane on Highway 58 west of North Edwards were closed due to a wildfire yesterday (no estimated reopening has been given).

Baby boomers are keeping their large 4,000 sqft homes—experts say this limits supply and pushes prices higher for younger buyers; local Realtor Paris Davis noted that a major influx of new listings is not expected soon.