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Prev Next Posted 3 minutes ago Karla Sosa Arvin and Lamont Neighborhood Reporter BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — More than 1,500 participants took part in the Kern County Cancer Foundation's annual Kern Cancer Run/Walk on Saturday at the Park at Riverwalk in Bakersfield, with over 200 cancer survivors among those in attendance. Melody Saberon Ibarra, a cancer survivor who was helping out at one of the event's booths, shared her experience with the disease. "I was first diagnosed in '96 with the liver sarcoma, then again, three years later with the epithelioid sarcoma. That was in the early 2000s. I've been cancer free now for 22, 23 years," Saberon Ibarra said. She said the foundation also provided critical support during her treatment. "Raised in Delano and it was like more of just a farming agricultural community, and my parents were farm workers and worked at a grocery store. So, I was a young college student with no income, so they were just, it was like a perfect blessing at the right time," Saberon Ibarra said. According to Michelle Avila, executive director of the Kern County Cancer Foundation, the annual event alone has raised over $2 million. "Patients bring their bills to us, sometimes for $10,000 and we pay all of it on their behalf so that they can focus on their treatment and getting better. We also provide transportation, too, so that kind of helps when they're in a bind and need a way to get to their treatment," Avila said. Trella Linley, also a cancer survivor, said the foundation that once helped her is now helping her son. "My son is going through cancer treatments now and they have been able to help him with his medical expenses," Linley said. "My son is 39 and he was diagnosed with colon cancer stage four," Linley said. Avila said turnout was strong this year. "Close to 2,000 supporters, family members, caregivers, loved ones, who are here, who stand behind them," Avila said. Jhoana Gonzalez participated in the run as a show of support for those affected by cancer. "Be able to show support and show them that they're not alone, that we're here to support them, that the community is with them," Gonzalez said. All funds raised will go back to the Kern County Cancer Foundation. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 4 minutes ago Karla Sosa Arvin and Lamont Neighborhood Reporter Two staff members from Arvin High School are recipients of the 2026 Yale Educator Award — a first for the school. Math teacher Matthew Regpala and counselor Gerardo Guzman were both nominated by Yaquelin Acosta, a freshman at Yale University majoring in theater. Both say the award means a lot to them, especially since it comes from a student they worked with throughout her years at Arvin High. Regpala said he was surprised when he received an email from Yale. "I had no idea I was nominated and I found out about the award just a couple of days ago." His family was excited for him, knowing how much he puts into his work. "Pretty excited, you know, because they know that I put a lot into working here at Arvan High, and I do my best to help students as much as I can." Guzman said the recognition caught him off guard. "I was surprised. It was shocking. But, you know, it's just something that kind of really caught me off guard." As a counselor, Guzman said his goal is to help students reach their full potential. "As a department, we really try to challenge our students as much as we can to not get any type of feel like they're restricted by anything because of where they're comfortable from or what they have to their advantages. So as a counselor, you know, it's amazing to see a student succeed in that sense." Guzman also reflected on watching Acosta grow during her time at Arvin High. "It was really amazing to see the growth in her coming in as a freshman, and she was trying everything here on campus, and then it was really rewarding to kind of see her get her, you know, She found her place. Theater was her passion." Regpala said the nomination speaks to the impact the school has had on its students. "Be nominated like that from a student who's gone on to Yale, it says a lot about our school. You know, it says that people at our school inspired her." The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who have supported and inspired their students to achieve at high levels. This year, there were 307 nominees. 50 teachers and 17 counselors were selected to receive the 2026 Yale Educator Award. Of the 67 total recipients, 18 are from California. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 7 minutes ago Ruby Rivera Delano and McFarland Neighborhood Reporter BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Kern County is expected to take a short break of seeing temperatures over 100º this week. Bakersfield is expected to see a high of 86º on Monday, and 80's will be the case for most parts of the county. Light winds will be prevalent across the county but nothing to be concerned over. As we head into the rest of the week, we'll be sticking in the low 90's with temperatures increasing more by the time we hit the weekend. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 2 minutes ago Mike Hart Senior Reporter Covering Bakersfield BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Mothers Against Drunk Driving will host its 13th annual Move with MADD event Saturday at The Park at Riverwalk, with a ceremony beginning at 7:30 a.m. The event draws hundreds of people each fall to remember those impacted by impaired driving and raise awareness about a problem that continues to affect Kern County. Chris Hagan, a partner at Chain, Cohn, Clark, said the firm represents victims of DUI crashes and that the problem has only grown worse in recent years. "Things have changed with respect to impaired driving, they've just gotten worse," Hagan said. Nearly three years ago, a drunk driver hit several people waiting to watch the Bakersfield Christmas Parade. Two years ago, an impaired driver drove into a CHP checkpoint that was being set up, injuring one officer and two juvenile explorers. "I'm talking about impaired driving related accidents... unfortunately when I talk about it getting worse, it's not the arrests, it's the DUI related accidents," Hagan said. In August 2025, I witnessed the impact firsthand during a ride-along with BPD Lt. Mitch Galland, as we located a hit-and-run suspect who was arrested for DUI. Last year alone, the Bakersfield Police Department recorded nearly 800 DUI arrests, 443 crashes and 14 DUI fatalities. The CHP Bakersfield Division added more than 2,200 arrests and 27 fatalities. The District Attorney's Office is prosecuting more than 1,600 misdemeanor DUIs and over 70 DUI felonies. "I would love the opportunity to come talk to those people and explain to them what these families go through," Hagan said. Hagan said preventing crashes does not require new technology or a complicated solution. "We all have phones in our pocket. We all have Uber, we have Lyft. It's just so easy to push the button and have somebody come pick you up," Hagan said. He said the community needs to continue talking about the consequences of impaired driving, while his firm continues petitioning for increased penalties for DUI-related accidents. Organizers are encouraging people to come out Saturday, remember those affected by DUI crashes and help spread the message that impaired driving is preventable. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Local nonprofits in Bakersfield are helping immigrants released from ICE custody who are left without money or a way home.

Prev Next Mike Hart Senior Reporter Covering Bakersfield BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The "Gold Bar" Scam: How a Fake Pop-Up Can Wipe Out Your Life Savings

A reward is being offered for information on a man who was allegedly involved in a deadly workplace shooting in 2025.

Prev Next Posted 3 minutes ago Angela Nguyen Downtown and Central Bakersfield Neighborhood Reporter BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Four of the seven seats on the Bakersfield City Council are on the ballot this November, and the race for Ward 4 is shaping up to be one to watch. Incumbent Bob Smith faces challenger Ryan Crowl in the contest for the Ward 4 council seat. Smith has represented the ward since 2012 and says his campaign is centered on: street improvements, strengthening public safety, keeping water affordable for residents. Skip Ad Continue watching after the ad "I'm rerunning because I believe I've had great success. We finished the Centineal Corridor with no debt...gonna finish the Kern Bike Path next year. We hired 100 more police. We have more code enforcement," Smith said. Safety remains a top priority for Smith heading into the election. "It's all about safety for me. Bakersfield always ranks very high on dangerous cities for pedestrians and bicyclists and also for automobile accidents," Smith said. Crowl, a newcomer to local politics, says a proposed utility rate increase motivated him to enter the race. "I got into this race because I got the same letter everyone else in the city got this year - that the city wanted to triple the sewer rates - for maintenance concern about our wastewater treatment plants," Crowl said. After facing the reality of increases in his own bills, Crowl says he wants to create the change he wants to see in local government. "It's a combination of lack of responsibility on city staff for not doing their job and the city council for not holding them accountable," Crowl said. Crowl has earned the endorsement of Congressman Vince Fong, who points to Crowl's business background and focus on budgeting and strategic planning as key strengths. County officials are urging voters to cast their ballots before polls close on Election Day, November 3rd, to ensure every vote is counted on time. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 4 minutes ago Lindsey Belsky Southwest Bakersfield and Taft Neighborhood Reporter BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Cal State Bakersfield has cut the ribbon on a new, grocery-store-style food pantry, and unlike a real grocery store, nothing inside carries a price tag. The Nest, a 2,500-square-foot facility that replaces a much smaller pantry that opened in 2017, is the result of six years of planning and a student referendum that helped set the project in motion. Everything inside is free. The need it was built to meet is significant. About 4 in 10 CSUB students, roughly 4,000 people, experience some level of food insecurity, according to Dr. Jason Watkins, director of the Essential Needs Resource Center. That figure mirrors the rate seen across the California State University system. "Early projections were we would see 100 that first month; and the first week we had 100 students come in," Watkins said. "And so we knew early on that there was probably a greater need than we anticipated." What followed was years of steady growth. The pantry recorded more than 25,000 visits last year and now distributes about 3,000 pounds of food each week during the semester. Watkins said he expects those numbers to climb as the larger space reduces barriers and economic pressures on students continue to grow. The pantry's shelves are stocked through donations and a partnership with Community Action Partnership of Kern, known as CAPK. When gaps arise, staff work with retail partners to fill them. For students like Bianca Romo, a senior psychology major who also works in the president's office, the pantry has been a practical lifeline during some of the most demanding stretches of the school year. "There's been times where I've been staying up late all night for an exam, and I forgot to pack my lunch," Romo said. "And there's been so many times where the food pantry had tables out with snacks where you can just go by and grab them." Romo said the expanded space, with more options, refrigerated items and room to sit, represents a meaningful upgrade from the original pantry. She also pointed to the broader pressures students face when balancing tuition, housing and the rising cost of groceries. "Students cannot be at their full potential if they are not fulfilling those needs," Romo said. "Whether the safety needs, hunger needs, those things we cannot be 100% ourselves if we are struggling in those other areas." Beyond food, The Nest connects students with CalFresh enrollment assistance, housing resources and emergency support, all in one location. Watkins said the goal is for students to treat the pantry the way they would any other campus resource, like a tutoring center or recreation facility. CSUB President Vernon B. Harper Jr. framed the stakes plainly at the ribbon cutting. "The Nest, simply put, is the difference between remaining at CSUB or dropping out for so many of our students," Harper said. The Nest is now open to all CSUB students. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube

Prev Next Posted 3 minutes ago Sam Hoyle Northwest Kern Neighborhood Reporter BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — A 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection to last week's stabbing death of a 20-year-old man in a Bakersfield parking lot. The Kern County Coroner's Office identified the victim as Aden Alejandro Aguila, who was stabbed around 8 p.m. in the parking lot and died at Kern Medical approximately an hour later. Skip Ad Continue watching after the ad According to the Bakersfield Police Department, Brett O'Leary was arrested on allegations of first-degree murder on Saturday. Officers found a knife near the scene that investigators believe was used in the stabbing. BPD's investigation shows O'Leary and Aguilar got into an altercation in the parking lot that briefly moved inside the Target store. O'Leary is expected to be arraigned on the first-degree murder allegation Tuesday, according to KCSO jail records. A spokesperson for Target's corporate office said safety is the company's top priority and that their team acted quickly to provide assistance and contact law enforcement. Brandon Santiago, a resident we spoke to the night of the incident, said the stabbing reflects broader concerns about public safety. "You have families coming out of here, you have young people, you have adults and children walking in and out of Target, you have folks who work here. So, that creates a sense of a lack of safety, which is unfortunate, but also the reality is right now current circumstances, there are so many tensions that are so high," Santiago said. The stabbing is not the only violent incident reported near Valley Plaza Mall in the past year. Data from the Bakersfield Police Department shows that between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026, BPD investigated 56 violent crimes in the area, ranging from assault and robberies to assault with a deadly weapon producing great bodily injury. Records show Target saw 2 cases of assault with a deadly weapon during that time frame. BPD investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the stabbing, has information, or has video of the incident to contact them at 661-327-7111. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube