Bakersfield Daily Brief: Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Good morning, Bakersfield. We're waking up to a mild 61 degrees and clear skies, with air quality in the "good" range, but the big story this Tuesday is a dramatic surge in local oil drilling permits tied to a new state law, alongside the disappointment of yesterday's canceled Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Let's get you caught up on what happened overnight, what's ahead today, and the stories shaping Kern County.

The Kern Overnight

The overnight hours brought a mix of serious calls and routine responses across Kern County, with deputies and fire crews staying busy from the east side of Bakersfield to the county line. Just after 11 p.m., a caller reported an assault with a baseball bat at the intersection of Flower Street and Lincoln Street, and officers were dispatched with a suspect description after the witness waited nearby for law enforcement. Earlier, late Sunday evening, a woman told dispatchers her husband had said he planned to kill himself, prompting deputies to track his location through a phone ping in the area east of Bakersfield, where units were checking the area. On southbound Interstate 5 south of Bakersfield, a reported rollover drew a rescue, engine, truck, and battalion assignment alongside CHP, but the first crew on scene found the vehicle had rolled over and then left, canceling the rest of the response. Fire crews also responded to a gray SUV burning on Mount Vernon Avenue. The busiest stretch of the evening came between 9 and 11 p.m., when crews ran a gas leak at a home where the homeowner could not turn off the stove, checked the southbound side of Interstate 5 near the Grapevine for a vegetation fire that showed nothing, and answered a mutual aid request from Los Angeles County for a grass fire where Highway 138 meets Highway 14, sending an engine and a water tender. Other calls included a disturbance on the 300 block of Chester Lane, a welfare check on the 2100 block of Coventry Drive, a traffic hazard on Highway 178 at Alfred Harrell Highway where three vehicles pulling jet skis were parked in westbound lanes, and a public assist on the 800 block of 8th Street. Deputies also cleared debris from Wilson Road after a roadway hazard report.

Today's weather

Expect a pleasant fall day with a high near 88 degrees and a low around 64 degrees tonight. It's currently 61 degrees at Meadows Field, with no active weather alerts for Kern County. Air quality is rated at 46, which falls in the "good" range, so it's a fine morning for a walk or to open the windows before the afternoon warmth sets in. No active fires are reported in the county.

Top stories

According to 23ABC, a new California law is fueling a dramatic surge in oil drilling permits in Kern County, with industry leaders saying the legislation has made the permitting process more predictable and opened the door for new jobs and investment. SB 237, which took effect Jan. 1, allows the state to rely on the county's environmental review process for many projects, and California Resources Corporation says that change has streamlined surface permitting requirements for new drill permits from CalGEM. An analysis of state data by Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker found 353 new-drill permits were approved statewide in the first half of 2026, compared with just 17 during all of last year, and CRC says it has received 193 of 194 permits it applied for to meet its 2026 drilling needs, with four of its five active drilling rigs currently operating in Kern County, supporting roughly 360 jobs.

KERO reports that Honor Flight Kern County's 54th trip to Washington, D.C., was canceled Monday at Meadows Field after a towing equipment issue grounded the charter flight. The flight, carrying 148 people including 80 veterans and 68 guardians and support staff, was scheduled to depart September 21 for Baltimore, but Allegiant Airlines said the cancellation followed a delay caused by incompatible airport towing equipment and crew availability. By the time the necessary equipment could be sourced, several crew members had reached their allowable duty time, and while Allegiant secured a replacement crew, the client ultimately elected to cancel the trip, marking the first cancellation in Honor Flight Kern County's history attributed to a mechanical or equipment-related issue. Veterans and guardians will receive priority for the April 2027 trip.

KGET 17 reports that Bakersfield police are seeking help identifying a suspect in a home break-in, though details on the specific incident remain limited. The department is asking the public for tips as the investigation continues.

23ABC reports that a man was struck by a vehicle on southbound Highway 99, leading to lane closures, though further details on the victim's condition and the circumstances of the crash were not immediately available. Drivers should expect delays in the area.

Something good

The AIS Cancer Center at Adventist Health hosted its 13th annual VIPink garden tea party event, a free community celebration honoring breast cancer survivors. The event, held at the cancer center on Chester Avenue, featured a survivor fashion show with patients as models, boutique shopping, hors d'oeuvres, and tea beverages from local vendors, bringing together survivors, family members, caregivers, and health professionals in a warm, supportive setting to mark a positive milestone for local cancer patients and survivors.

Coming up this week

The Bakersfield City Council's Homelessness Committee is scheduled to meet today, Tuesday, Sept. 22, at noon, with discussions likely focused on ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Kern County. On Friday, Sept. 25, the Laws and Legislation Committee will meet at noon to review proposed ordinances and state legislation affecting the city. For entertainment, the Fox Theater has a busy week ahead: MEN I TRUST with special guest Evan Wright performs Wednesday, Sept. 23, and MIKE SHERM takes the stage Saturday, Sept. 26. The Cults & Classics series continues with "Young Frankenstein" on Oct. 5, and the NB RIDAZ: RIDE TILL THE WHEELS FALL OFF TOUR rolls in on Oct. 9, followed by FANTASIAS on Oct. 10. Season passes for the Cults & Classics 2026-2027 series are still available.