Bakersfield
Today
Friday, December 5th, 2025
Good morning, Bakersfield. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 5th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Tunnel to Towers Foundation paid off the Bakersfield home mortgage for fallen fire captain Michael Bruce Wells (who died in January 2024 after battling occupational kidney cancer), easing financial concerns for his wife and three sons. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ Dustin's Diner will return from Dec. 18 to Dec. 22 in Haggin Oaks with hot chocolate, sweets and holiday light tours – a cherished event that supports the Open Door Network. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ Toys for Tots in Kern County needs toy and monetary donations as the holiday season approaches; coordinators say that without enough gifts, thousands of children may wake up without a Christmas surprise. 23ABC News
- ➤ Volunteers will take shelter dogs on day outings this Saturday through the 'Streets of Bakersfield' program run by Kern County Animal Services + the outings ease kennel stress and help match each dog with a new home. 23ABC News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Bakersfield celebrated its annual Christmas Parade as thousands cheered 44 floats (including 49 vehicles, 18 groups, and 17 bands) boosting the holiday spirit along the streets, with officials expecting up to 10,000 attendees to enjoy festive performances and special appearances. 23ABC News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Bakersfield City School District Education Foundation will host its 28th Annual Teddy Bear Picnic fundraiser on Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bakersfield Marriott Convention Center to raise funds for grants supporting robotics, music, and Camp Keep programs. 23ABC News
- ➤ KCCD has launched its mobile virtual reality classroom to offer students hands-on digital training. The program lets students pilot a virtual flying vehicle along the Amazon river to investigate an explosion, and they are enjoying the challenge. The Bakersfield Californian
- ➤ CSU Bakersfield is now accepting applications through Dec. 7 for the Phillip Campas Foundation scholarship, which will begin next year to support current and incoming public safety students while honoring the fallen deputy's legacy. Bakersfield Now
- ➤ A federal review found that nearly 3,000 truck driving programs may be removed from the registry if they do not meet new standards, and local schools such as On the Move Training School in Bakersfield are awaiting audits today (raising concerns over potential closures). Bakersfield Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ California will cancel about 17,000 CDLs from Bakersfield truck drivers due to a federal mandate that the licenses must meet current standards, leaving thousands at risk of losing their livelihood. Local trucking groups + civil advocates plan to challenge the decision before the 60-day deadline. Bakersfield Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Mercy Hospital Southwest unveiled the Thomas M. Hardt Tower to expand patient care (adding 24 ICU rooms, 18 NICU suites, six operating rooms, and improved parking) at 400 Old River Road. The expansion will officially open on Dec. 8. Bakersfield Now
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Sustainable Mushroom Growing Class
6-8 p.m. — 3601 Eton St, Bakersfield, CA — Cost to be determined — Learn to grow your own delicious mushrooms sustainably using the bucket technique.
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CSUB Holiday Concert
3-5 p.m. — Doré Theatre — $12 General Admission, $7 Seniors and Students, CSUB Students Free — Experience festive performances from local music groups in a theatric setting.
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Gryffindor House Celebration
5-11:30 p.m. — Bakersfield Elks Lodge #266 — Ticket entry — An enchanting evening filled with courage, trivia, and a themed feast honoring Gryffindor's legacy.
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Philip Labes and The Opener Screening
7-10 p.m. — Doré Theatre — Tickets available at the door — Catch the inspiring documentary followed by a live performance and autograph session with Philip Labes.
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Hanukkah 8 Krazy Kilometers Fun Run
8:30 AM – 6:00 PM — Panorama Vista Preserve — Registration required — Celebrate Hanukkah with a fun run for all ages through the beautiful landscape of Bakersfield.
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Nobel University Knights vs. CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners Men's Basketball
6:30-8:00 p.m. — Icardo Center — Ticket prices may apply — Cheer on the local Knights as they face off against the Roadrunners in an exciting basketball showdown.
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Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet
11 AM – 2 PM — The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater — $63 per ticket — Experience a magical ballet with international dancers and whimsical puppetry this holiday season.
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Women's Basketball Match: CSUB vs. Eastern Washington
2-5 p.m. — Icardo Center — Tickets from $11.20 — Catch an exciting women's basketball game as CSUB faces off against Eastern Washington.
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Bakersfield Condors vs San Diego Gulls
7:00-8:30 p.m. — Mechanics Bank Arena — Ticket prices vary — Watch as the Bakersfield Condors take on the San Diego Gulls in an exciting hockey matchup.
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NYE 90's Party
9:00 – 11:30 PM — The Padre Hotel — $20 presale — Dance the night away at a 90's themed NYE celebration with Social Vibe and special features.
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.
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