Bakersfield Daily Brief: Monday, September 7, 2026

Good morning, Kern County — it’s Monday, September 7, 2026, and the long Labor Day weekend is winding down under a warm, clear sky. The news leading the day is an Amber Alert that now reaches into Kern County, with CHP asking drivers to watch for a white Nissan Altima without plates, while KGET 17 is also reporting a fatal shooting in McFarland. Expect a high near 93, air quality in the good range at 48, and no active weather alerts or fire advisories on the board.

The Kern Overnight

The last night of the holiday weekend was a mostly quiet one for dispatchers, though firework complaints kept crews checking neighborhoods into the early hours. The most dramatic call came shortly before 10 p.m., when residents near La Cresta Avenue reported a loud blast strong enough to shake doors open. Multiple neighbors phoned in the same boom, and responders treated it as a firework report rather than something more serious.

Two calls drew the biggest responses of the night. In the early hours, deputies were sent to a rural property near 230th Street and Gaskell Avenue after three people in dark clothing were reported cutting through a chain-link fence toward heavy equipment and storage sheds. The group was described as having arrived in a pickup and an SUV pulling flatbed trailers. In northwest Bakersfield, a property owner reported that a white 2018 Freightliner semi truck had been stolen, telling officers a firearm was inside the cab when it was taken.

Just before midnight, a two-vehicle collision left both cars off the roadway; no injuries were reported, and one driver was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence. The rest of the overnight log was routine: a vehicle struck a horse along Wheeler Ridge Road and left the scene, a man in dark clothing was reported in the median on Union Avenue yelling threats while holding a piece of sheet metal, a masked person was caught on surveillance near North Chester Avenue, and officers checked on a woman near Jefferson Park after a friend reported hearing impact sounds during a call.

Today's weather

Forecasters expect a high near 93 today and a low around 69 tonight. The current reading at Meadows Field is 70 degrees, so it will warm up quickly but stay comfortable by September standards. No active weather alerts are posted for Kern County.

Air quality is good, with the index at 48. No active fire information was listed in this morning's briefing, leaving the valley with a clear, calm start to the week.

Top stories

KGET 17 reports that one person is dead after a shooting in McFarland. Police are investigating the shooting, and the morning report offered no word on a suspect or arrest. It is a somber start to the week for the small Kern County community.

According to 23ABC, an Amber Alert issued Sunday extends into Kern County and 10 other California counties. The CHP believes a 14-year-old girl reported missing in Salinas is with a 38-year-old man, and that the pair is traveling in a white Nissan Altima without license plates. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said arrest warrants were issued last month in connection with the death of an infant.

A Bakersfield man was held to answer on charges alleging sexual abuse of an 8-year-old girl, KGET 17 reported. Being held to answer means a judge found enough evidence for the case to move forward. The report did not name the man or give a next court date.

23ABC reported that Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services will host its second annual 988 Day Resource Fair and Blood Drive on Tuesday at Beale Memorial Library. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes suicide prevention resources, safety plan training, coping workbooks and a blood drive with Houchin Community Blood Bank. The local 988 team has answered more than 40,000 calls, chats and texts over the past year, more than 7,000 of them involving current or past suicidal thoughts.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help as it investigates a May shooting on Eucalyptus Drive, KGET 17 said. Beyond the request for information, the morning report included no additional detail. Investigators are hoping someone with knowledge of the case will come forward.

Something good

One bright spot this morning comes from the boxing gym. 23ABC has the story of Jayd Soto, an 8-year-old Bakersfield boxer who is already 6-0 with three titles, including the Junior Olympics and Junior Golden Gloves. He trains five days a week at Warmup Athletics under professional boxer Joel Iriarte, who says Jayd picks up technique quickly — especially the "step back two" that sets up a standing eight count.

And for anyone looking ahead to the next community gathering, volunteers are already preparing for the Greek Food Festival, which will feature new dishes and a chance to win a trip to Greece. It's a joyful reason for the valley to come together, and more details should be coming soon.

Coming up this week

The week's calendar is light on public meetings but rich with things to do. On Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the 988 Day Resource Fair and Blood Drive will be at Beale Memorial Library, offering suicide prevention resources, safety plan training and a chance to donate blood with Houchin Community Blood Bank. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and the fair pairs with a month-long library partnership that includes mental health resources and a curated book list.

At the Fox Theater, the season continues with the Cults & Classics Season Pass for 2026-2027 already on sale. This Thursday, Justin Willman brings his One for the Ages Tour to town, followed by Max Amini live in Bakersfield on Saturday and Clay Walker's Doin' What I Love Tour on Sunday. Next Monday, the Cults & Classics series screens Fargo, and the following Friday closes the week with an It's A 2000s Party. If the holiday left room on the calendar, there are plenty of ways to fill it.