Community Corner
🌱 What the new Bakersfield Senior Center and housing will offer residents
Happening soon: Theater Class on the Bakersfield Patch calendar
Good day Bakersfield! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What the new Bakersfield Senior Center and housing will offer residents
- Meet the new assistant principal guiding Reagan Elementary's fresh school year
- Why Bakersfield leaders abruptly stopped work on a sanctuary city plan
Today's riddle: Where is the worst place to hide in a hospital ? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Partly sunny and seasonable, with a high of 96 and low of 66 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 92, low: 67.
- Saturday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 95 and low of 68 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Groundbreaking Ceremony Held For Bakersfield Senior Center Affordable Housing Facility (ognsc.com) — A long-vacant lot at 530 4th Street in Bakersfield is set to become a new senior center and 36-unit affordable housing complex after a well-attended groundbreaking. Backed by federal funding and local partnerships, the project promises amenities like fitness, tech and activity rooms, with completion expected in about 19 months. 
2. Reagan Elementary welcomes students back as new assistant principal starts in Bakersfield (bakersfieldnow.com) — Reagan Elementary in Bakersfield welcomed students back with hugs, photos and a smooth first day as families filled the campus. New assistant principal Susanna Letourneau says parents, staff and kids are energized, focusing on building strong relationships to support students throughout the year.
3. City of Bakersfield halts work on 'sanctuary city' policy following public backlash (kget.com) — Bakersfield city staff have halted work on a proposed sanctuary city policy after residents packed an Aug. 5 council meeting to oppose it. A referral from Councilman Zack Bashirtash, with no objections from colleagues, stopped further action on both the policy and a related TRUTH Act forum for now.
4. Back to School! First day of School for many across Kern County (kget.com) — Families across Bakersfield are sending kids back to class today as Franklin, Downtown, Harding and other elementary schools kick off the 2026–27 year with festive welcomes and themes. Principals and students shared their excitement, from ocean-inspired decorations to superhero second-grade gear, as campuses focused on making children feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
5. Bakersfield dad recalls moment his son was allegedly murdered by 3 teens: 'Something I will never forget' (kget.com) — A Bakersfield father is sharing the painful moment he saw his adult son fatally shot on Crane Street in east Bakersfield, in an attack that also wounded him. The killing, allegedly involving three juveniles, has renewed local concern about youth violence and prompted advocates to call for both accountability and stronger mentoring and guidance for kids across Kern County.
📸 Around Bakersfield
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Bakersfield
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Theater Class
East Bakersfield High School Auditorium
8:30 am - @Harvey-Grade Level Assemblies
Harvey Auditorium 1241 G St, Bakersfield, CA 93304
9:00 am - Staff Photos (Make-up day)
Harvey Auditorium 1241 G St, Bakersfield, CA 93304
11:30 am - Theater Class
East Bakersfield High School Auditorium
8:30 am - @Harvey Lobby-9th Picture Day
Harvey Auditorium 1241 G St, Bakersfield, CA 93304 - Theater Class
East Bakersfield High School Auditorium
8:30 am - Girls FS Volleyball vs Kennedy
East Bakersfield High School , 2200 Quincy St, Bakersfield, CA 9
4:00 pm - JV Girls Volleyball vs Kennedy
East Bakersfield High School , 2200 Quincy St, Bakersfield, CA 9
5:00 pm
Friday August 14
Monday August 17
Tuesday August 18
📣 Bakersfield Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- 2026 California's Best Hip Hop Music Festival - Saturday →
Mechanics Bank Arena,, 1001 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield
7:00 pm - Back to School Night
North High School Bakersfield, CA 93308
5:30 pm - WES Back to School Night
Standard Elementary School District Bakersfield, CA 93308
5:00 pm - HES Back to School Night
Highland Elementary Bakersfield, CA 93308
5:30 pm
Saturday August 15
Monday August 17
Wednesday August 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Bakersfield PatchAM possible:
- Maximum Fico Score — (661) 505-8085
- Living Trust Express — (661) 588-4660
- PINK Legal — (661) 748-1112
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Loving my new house very quiet in the community that I live yeah I guess I'm an older lady.
It's a 55 and older Community. Everyone waves when they drive by if I'm out gardening my neighbors all wave .. There's no homeless people that come… (Nextdoor Oleander/Sunset) - On March 24th I posted about this little 4 lb dog that had been dumped in an orchard off of General Beale Rd in a remote area.
I had previously met a man that worked for PG&E and he was trimming trees back across the street from the Castle. He told me that he works in a… (Nextdoor Quailwood)
- TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for Walmart Stocker in Bakersfield. Apply here.
- Premium Retail Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Walmart Merchandiser 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: In the ICU (Thank you Donna M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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