Bakersfield Daily Brief: Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Good morning, Kern County. As the Kern County Fair opens its gates this evening for the 2026 season, police are asking the public for help identifying two men suspected of breaking into an Oleander home – one reportedly wearing a black wig. The morning is mild at 70 degrees with moderate air quality, and no weather alerts are in effect, so it's a comfortable start before temperatures climb into the 90s.

The Kern Overnight

The most significant overnight incident came just before 11 p.m. when a city-wide officer safety broadcast was issued for a man armed with a knife at a hospital on Mount Vernon Avenue. He was escorted off the property and last seen heading toward East High School. Officers on both radio channels received his description, and the call was cleared once he was off the grounds.

Around the county, a caller stayed on the line with sheriff's dispatchers for nearly 20 minutes just before 10 p.m., reporting that people looking for him were armed and still in dark clothing in an east Bakersfield park. Deputies responded but were told to stand by while the call remained open. Early this morning at 1:45 a.m., two units responded to an assault with a bat in the 2700 block of White Lane. No one answered when dispatchers called back, and a description of the person who was hit went out to responding officers. Shortly after midnight, a caller reported a woman screaming for help in the 100 block of Hart Street near the river bed. The caller rang back a minute later to say the screaming could still be heard and asked officers to keep coming.

Fire crews handled two outside fires near Mount Vernon Avenue overnight – one along westbound Highway 58 just west of the avenue at 12:31 a.m., and a second at Mount Vernon Avenue and Kentucky Street at 1:41 a.m. The overnight log also included a disturbance at a Motel 6 on Oak Street, a welfare check on children with a mother reported to be in mental health crisis in the 4600 block of Columbus Street, and a disturbance at a Circle K in the 5600 block of Auburn Street where two people were swinging at the air with a 17-year-old present.

Today's weather

Expect a high near 94 degrees and a low around 64 tonight. It's currently 70 degrees at Meadows Field. There are no active weather alerts for Kern County, and air quality is rated moderate at 66 on the AQI scale. No active fires are reported in the county this morning.

Top stories

Bakersfield Now reports that Bakersfield police are searching for two men responsible for a residential burglary in the Oleander area, with one suspect described as wearing a black wig. The break-in occurred at a home in the neighborhood, and authorities believe the men may still be in the vicinity. Detectives are asking anyone with information about the suspects or a possible vehicle involved to come forward as the investigation continues.

According to KGET 17, the city of Bakersfield is seeing mixed results in its homelessness outreach efforts, even as an influx of people experiencing homelessness strains local resources. The report highlights that while some outreach teams are making contact and connecting individuals with services, the overall number of unsheltered residents appears to be rising. City officials are evaluating whether current strategies need adjustment to keep pace with demand.

In Taft, 23ABC says storefront vacancies on Center Street are slowly declining as the city and local businesses work to draw customers back downtown. Despite more than a dozen commercial properties still empty, the count has decreased slightly as properties have changed ownership and undergone improvements. Business owners like Michael Long of Black Gold Brewing Company are helping revitalize the area, but challenges remain – especially the high cost of bringing older buildings into compliance with current building, fire, and ADA codes.

The Kern County Coroner's office told Bakersfield Now that a 74-year-old woman from Oildale has died due to hyperthermia. The death underscores the dangers of extreme heat, even as temperatures taper off from the triple-digit highs earlier this month. Officials remind residents to check on elderly neighbors and those without air conditioning during warm weather.

23ABC also covered the formation of a new youth council in Delano, giving high school students a formal seat at the table in local government. The program, called NextGen Delano Leaders, was championed by Councilmember Sal Solorio Ruiz and launched after two years of planning. Students like Natalia Gutierrez and Ayari Pompa say the council will allow them to voice concerns that might otherwise go unheard, and Mayor Salvador Solorio-Ruiz called it a way to put young people first in city decision-making.

Something good

A Bakersfield student has been named a recipient of the 2026 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, an honor that recognizes exceptional academic and personal accomplishments. The award brings pride to the local community and highlights the talent and determination of Kern County's young people. Congratulations to this student for representing Bakersfield so well.

Coming up this week

The 2026 Kern County Fair opens tonight at the fairgrounds, with gates welcoming visitors for the first of 11 days of rides, exhibits, food, and entertainment. Vendors, FFA students, and game operators spent Tuesday putting finishing touches on their setups. The fair runs through early October. Tonight at the Fox Theater, the indie-pop band MEN I TRUST performs with special guest Evan Wright – doors open at 7 p.m. On Saturday, September 26, comedian Mike Sherm takes the Fox stage. The theater also announced its Cults & Classics season pass for 2026-2027, which includes screenings of "Young Frankenstein" on October 5 and shows by NB RIDAZ on October 9 and FANTASIAS on October 10. In local government, the city's Laws and Legislation Committee will meet Friday, September 25, at noon. That meeting is open to the public.