Bakersfield
Today
Friday, October 17th, 2025
Good morning, Bakersfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 17th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Marine veteran Johnny Contreras built three barbershops on Niles Street and has given free haircuts to veterans at an annual event—he also mentors young apprentices and plans to open a barber school to train future barbers. 23ABC News
- ➤ Magnolia Place Senior Assisted Living hosted a hamburger barbecue fundraiser Wednesday to raise money for Honor Flight Kern County—each burger sold helped fund a free trip for a veteran to visit memorials in Washington, D.C. 23ABC News
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Teen drivers make up 5% of local drivers — yet cause 12.5% of collisions, so law enforcement and a student leader urge teens and parents to stay off phones and follow speed limits during National Teen Driver Safety Week. 23ABC News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Bakersfield Women's Business Conference announced Sophia Amoruso as the keynote speaker for its 2026 event at Dignity Health Arena on Thursday, April 23. Chairwoman Lizette Gomez Patterson said Amoruso's journey from building a multimillion-dollar business to starting over inspires women to find their inner strength. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ At Sweet Mae’s Sweet Tooth, prices were raised 10% two months ago due to soaring utility bills, higher taxes, and increased insurance costs while global cocoa issues pushed Halloween candy prices up 78% since 2020—forcing many shoppers to adjust their buying habits. Local stores now offer smaller portions per package as they try to manage rising costs. 23ABC News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Riverdance 30 — The New Generation will tour 67 cities and will perform at the Dignity Health Theater in downtown Bakersfield on May 6, 2026 as it renews the classic show with new choreography, costumes, and state-of-the-art lighting; tickets will be available on Oct. 22 with pre-sale options now open. Bakersfield Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ California Resources Corp. broke ground on its Carbon TerraVault project in Kern County to capture CO2 from power plants by injecting it into old oil reservoirs, and the project is California’s first major carbon capture and storage initiative — it will support local jobs and lead to more similar projects in the Central Valley. 23ABC News
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Golden Empire Transit will offer free rides for veterans and active-duty military in November in honor of Veterans Day+ eligible riders must show a valid military ID when boarding fixed-route buses and paratransit vehicles. CEO Chris James said the service runs from November 1 to 30+. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ Rock Zierman, CEO of CIPA, said California lawmakers are shifting their oil policy as Senate Bill 237 will fast-track oil permits in Kern County—he added that a local summit was held this week to discuss the law's implementation, which starts in January—while local producers still await support for keeping refineries open. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ Honor Flight 52 returned to Meadows Field last night after a 59-hour trip from Washington, D.C., where veterans met with Congressmen and visited Capitol Hill. Hundreds of family members and supporters welcomed them with American flags (including 100-year-old veterans leading the group) and plans for Honor Flight 53 are underway for spring. 23ABC News
- ➤ Kern County distributed $200,000 in facade improvement grants to 23 businesses countywide—helping them improve their storefronts. The Bakersfield Californian
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Houchin Community Blood Bank will hold a donor promotion from Oct 19 to 25 that offers a $15 digital gift card for O blood donors and a limited-edition Halloween enamel pin for all successful donors — donors can also enter a raffle for Bakersfield College Rodeo tickets on Nov 8-9 by scheduling appointments online or visiting any donor center. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ Governor Gavin Newsom announced that starting Jan. 1, California will sell CalRx insulin glargine pens at a capped price of $55 per five-pack in a ten-year deal with Civica and Biocon to lower prescription drug costs. The pens will be available without a new prescription and are expected to offer patients with diabetes a more affordable option—providing significant savings compared with other brands. Bakersfield Now
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Trick or Trot 5K
8-10 a.m. — Cherry Acres — $25 Early Registration — A spirited 5K with costume contests and a kid-friendly run at the pumpkin patch.
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Halloween Pub Crawl in Bakersfield
4:30-9 p.m. — Jerry's Pizza & Pub — Tickets required — Embrace the spooky season with contests, prizes, and a night of haunted fun.
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Black Jacket Symphony Fundraiser
4:00 – 5:30 PM — The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater — Benefitting the St. Paul Civic Symphony — Enjoy an evening of music supporting a great cause.
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Whittier Poets vs. Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners Basketball Game
7:00 PM — Icardo Center — Check ESPN+ for broadcasting — Don’t miss the showdown as the Whittier Poets take on the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners in an exciting basketball matchup.
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Women's Basketball Game vs. Fresno State
12 AM – 9 PM — Icardo Center — Ticket prices vary — Cheer for the home team in an exciting matchup against Fresno State.
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Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra - An American Salute
4:30-6 p.m. — Dignity Health Arena, Theater and Convention Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience a patriotic musical tribute with festive marches and stirring classics honoring those who serve.
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Hyde Sundayz: Week 2
9:00 PM – 1:30 AM — Ay Mi Pa Mexican Grill & Cantina — $10 — House music enthusiasts will enjoy a night of continuous beats.
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Bakersfield Career Fair
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Hilton Garden Inn Bakersfield — Free entry — Connect with local and Fortune 500 employers to explore job opportunities in various fields.
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2025 CARS Tour West at Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway
6:00 PM – 8:59 PM — Kevin Harvick's Kern Raceway — Cost information not specified — Witness thrilling racing as the CARS Tour West ends its 2025 season with exciting late model action.
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Los Admirables De La Sierra Concert
8 PM — La Movida Night Club — Ticket prices available — Experience the vibrant rhythms and heartfelt melodies of traditional Mexican music.
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