🌱 Taft-born Army veteran Gerald Barnes remembered by family and friends
Taft, California Patch AM: a 3 min readHello again Taft! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Taft-born Army veteran Gerald Barnes remembered by family and friends
Also on today's calendar: Lightning In A Bottle Festival - 3 Day Pass.
Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Sunshine and not as hot, with a high of 86 and low of 61 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 84, low: 61.
- Friday: Warm with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 90 and low of 63 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Gerald Burton Barnes (mantecabulletin.com) — Taft readers may remember Gerald Barnes, who was born here and later worked locally for Continental Phone Company before settling in Manteca. The 81-year-old Army veteran, coach, and avid woodworker died May 3, with services and memorial donations arranged through St. Anthony’s Catholic community in Manteca this week. 
📸 Around Taft
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
Taft
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Lightning In A Bottle →
Lake Evans, Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area, 13601 Ironbark Rd, Taft
11:00 am
Wednesday May 20
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Lightning In A Bottle Festival - 3 Day Pass →
Lake Evans, Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area, 13601 Ironbark Rd, Taft
9:00 am -
Bitter Creek Roadside Condor Viewing Booth →
Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, California 166 & Cerro Noroeste Rd, Maricopa
10:00 am
Friday May 22
Saturday June 6
📣 Taft 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
-
Board Meeting
Taft City Taft, CA 93268
6:00 pm -
2026 Button Turrible - Saturday →
Tesla Supercharger, W Lerdo Hwy #24551, Buttonwillow
11:59 pm
Wednesday May 13
Saturday September 26
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Someone’s baby is out and running towards Taft college on Pierce St.
It has a collar and a tag from what I could see. (Nextdoor Ford City) - ⚠️ Magnitude 2.88 earthquake reported
May 11 at 4:20 PM PDT: 2.88 magnitude earthquake occurred near Johannesburg, CA. 1 neighbor felt it. (Nextdoor )
- Tractor Supply Company posted a job opening for Team Member - No Experience Required in Taft. Apply here.
- Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for (8209) Taft: Assistant Manager and Shift Runners in Taft. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Taft here.
🗞 Nearby News
Bakersfield
- Officer David J. Nelson memorial scholarship transitions to Bakersfield Police Officers Foundation (turnto23.com)
- Kern County Board of Supervisors approves street lights service fee increase in south Bakersfield (kget.com)
- CSUB to hold spring commencement at Dignity Health Arena for first time Saturday (bakersfieldnow.com)
Ok Taft! 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: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
👉 Help make Patch AM better
- Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
- Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
- List items for sale or services offered
We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.