🌱 Why a deadly Bakersfield police chase is raising tough questions about pursuits.
Bakersfield, California Patch AM: a 5 min readGreetings Bakersfield! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a deadly Bakersfield police chase is raising tough questions about pursuits.
- Are Bakersfield’s streets actually getting safer despite a tragic school shooting?
- See what 160 years of Bakersfield history looks like downtown.
Also on today's calendar: HART PARK AFTER WORK 5K and MTB SERIES RACE #2 and 8 more events.
Today's riddle: What happened to the pregnant cat that ate yarn? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Warm with clouds and sun, with a high of 97 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Hot with clouds and sun, temps: high: 101, low: 77.
- Thursday: Hot with sunshine, with a high of 102 and low of 76 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Controversy brews after pedestrian killed during Bakersfield police chase (kget.com) — A Bakersfield police chase ended in tragedy when a fleeing car hit spike strips on Airport Drive, lost control, and slammed into a bus stop bench, killing a pedestrian. The suspects were arrested and face murder and gang charges, while residents debate online whether officers followed policy on using tire deflation devices during high-speed pursuits amid several other recent local roadway deaths. 
2. Bakersfield says gun-related homicides are down despite recent high school shooting (bakersfieldnow.com) — City officials say gun-related homicides in Bakersfield have dropped sharply in recent years, even after the deadly Independence High School shooting that left a 17-year-old student dead. Residents share mixed feelings, with some still anxious about school safety and others noting that Bakersfield feels safer than its reputation, depending on the neighborhood.
3. Celebrating 160 Years of The Bakersfield Californian With 'Clippings' (therunneronline.com) — An art exhibit downtown is celebrating 160 years of The Bakersfield Californian, showcasing historic front pages, photos, and artifacts that trace Bakersfield’s own story. Hosted by the Arts Council of Kern at 1020 18th Street, the free show runs weekdays through Oct. 10 and features everything from Buck Owens coverage to the paper’s vintage Model-T delivery truck.
4. ‘We will stand together': Power of unions grows in Central Valley's political world (kget.com) — In Bakersfield, union leaders and local candidates gathered over Labor Day to highlight how organized labor is shaping Central Valley elections and workplace protections. Speakers from nurses, electrical, and utility unions described how endorsements, door-knocking, and statewide propositions can influence laws on worker safety, wages, and conditions, underscoring how union power increasingly affects everyday life and politics in and around Bakersfield.
5. CHP urges safe driving as Labor Day holiday travel wraps up (bakersfieldnow.com) — CHP’s Bakersfield office is urging local drivers to stay alert, sober, and prepared as Labor Day travel winds down on area freeways and streets. Officers focused on impaired, speeding, and distracted driving during the holiday enforcement period, and they’re reminding residents that drugs, medications, fatigue, and poorly maintained vehicles can all turn a routine drive home into a serious crash risk.
📸 Around Bakersfield
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Bakersfield
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Intro To Epoxy Training - Bakersfield CA →
Epoxy Depot Bakersfield, 1113 West Columbus Street, Bakersfield
8:00 am
Wednesday September 9
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Theater Class
East Bakersfield High School Auditorium
8:30 am -
Paraprofessional Testing Date
Greenfield Union Bakersfield, CA 93307
9:00 am -
HART PARK AFTER WORK 5K and MTB SERIES RACE #2 →
Bakersfield CA -
SENIOR SUNRISE
Golden Valley High School GVHS FOOTBALL STADIUM
6:15 am -
@Harvey Tenor/Bass Choir Day
Harvey Auditorium 1241 G St, Bakersfield, CA 93304
7:00 am -
Theater Class
East Bakersfield High School Auditorium
8:30 am -
Blood Drive #1
Foothill High School Parent/Career Center
8:00 am -
Theater Class
East Bakersfield High School Auditorium
8:30 am -
JV Football @ West
East Bakersfield High School West High School, 1200 New Stine Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93309, US
5:00 pm -
Varsity Football @ West
East Bakersfield High School West High School, 1200 New Stine Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93309, US
7:30 pm
Wednesday September 9
Thursday September 10
Friday September 11
📣 Bakersfield Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Picture Day
Endeavour Elementary School Bakersfield, CA 93312
8:30 am
Wednesday September 9
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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- PINK Legal — (661) 748-1112
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- Living Trust Express — (661) 588-4660
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Update: He’s been Found
!!!!!!!
Help please Missing Child!!!! We are looking for my neighbor son he is 10 years old and is autistic non verbal he opened the door and ran off he is… (Nextdoor Southgate) - This kitten was found today in the Best Buy parking lot.
We brought him home, but can’t keep it. Please message me if this is your kitten. (Nextdoor Stockdale Ranch)
- Panama-Buena Vista Union School District posted a job opening for School Clerk (2026-27 School Year) in Bakersfield. Apply here.
- The Kern Community College District posted a job opening for Spanish Instructor, Part Time Adjunct Pool in Bakersfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bakersfield here.
Ok Bakersfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: She had mittens! (Thank you April M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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