Bakersfield Daily Brief: Sunday, September 27, 2026

Good morning, Kern County. Today, we remember the lives of Vanessa, Kylie, and Kloie Wetmore as their family and friends gathered for a memorial service yesterday. It's a mild start to the day at 64 degrees, with moderate air quality and no weather alerts to worry about.

The Kern Overnight

The overnight hours brought a flurry of activity across Bakersfield and Kern County, with law enforcement and fire crews responding to incidents ranging from a shooting to a missing child. Just after 1:30 a.m., units were dispatched to a shooting southeast of Bakersfield where a victim suffered a gunshot wound to the arm; dispatchers had no suspect description, and crews on scene also reported a gas leak inside the structure, prompting additional units to stage nearby. Earlier in the evening, fire crews responded to a senior living complex in the Brookside Drive area after reports of a burnt smell from vents and smoke inside one of the buildings — about 50 to 60 vehicles remained in the lot as crews investigated and asked for the main breaker to the condenser unit to be shut down. Downtown, officers were sent to 21st Street and Chester Avenue for a strong-arm robbery where a woman reported her phone taken; the suspect briefly left in a black SUV before returning, and the argument continued as officers arrived. In the county, deputies responded to a park for a disturbance involving roughly 20 juveniles with unknown weapons, though a fire engine initially dispatched was canceled. A kidnapping report came in from the 10500 block of Meacham Road, where the caller said juveniles had gone missing again after entering through a side entrance and the suspect remained outstanding. At a carnival area in Bakersfield, units took a report of a missing 6-year-old girl last seen near the kids' carnival wearing a pink cowboy T-shirt, and deputies were told the subject was part of a missing juvenile case from the agency. A priority welfare check in the 4500 block of Columbus Street escalated into a report of someone on the hood of a car while the driver moved backward trying to throw her off. Deputies also responded to a domestic violence report in the Park Drive area, where a caller said a 52-year-old man had kicked her in the ribs and punched her.

Today's weather

Expect a high near 90 degrees today and a low around 60 degrees tonight. It's currently 64 degrees at Meadows Field, with no active weather alerts for Kern County. Air quality is moderate, with an AQI reading of 52, so it's a good day to get outside but sensitive individuals may want to limit prolonged exertion. No active fires are reported in the area.

Top stories

23ABC reports that friends and family gathered Saturday at the Legends Event Center in Northwest Bakersfield to celebrate the lives of Vanessa, Kylie, and Kloie Wetmore, the mother and two daughters killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 99 in August. Family members described the three as loving, free-spirited, and always there for the people around them. Garrett Wilkinson, a cousin of Kylie and Kloie and nephew of Vanessa, said he grew up close to his cousins, especially Kylie, and that he misses hearing their voices. The crash occurred on Aug. 16 when the Wetmores were heading home from a concert in Fresno and their car was struck by a wrong-way driver near Seventh Standard Road; the vehicle caught fire, killing all three. The California Highway Patrol identified the wrong-way driver as Jamie Rodriguez, a 44-year-old Tulare man who was hospitalized with major injuries, and the crash remains under investigation with no arrests or charges filed.

According to Bakersfield Now, Hurricane Odalys is not expected to make landfall, but its moisture may boost rain chances in California. The system is tracking well off the coast, but forecasters say residual moisture could drift inland and increase precipitation odds for parts of the state, including Kern County, later in the week. Residents should keep an eye on updated forecasts as the week progresses.

KGET 17 reports that Week 6 of the high school football season wrapped up across Bakersfield and Kern County with a full slate of scores. Teams battled it out Friday night under the lights, and the results are now available for fans to review. The season continues to heat up as local squads jockey for playoff positioning.

Bakersfield Now also covered an incident at Valley Plaza mall where an argument ended with a woman spraying a substance, with video showing the chaotic scene. The altercation drew attention from shoppers and prompted a response from security. Details on the substance and any injuries or arrests were not immediately available.

KGET 17 tells us about a magician and ventriloquist performing in the area who delivers what he calls the worst pirate puns you'll hear anywhere on the seven seas. The show promises a mix of comedy, magic, and ventriloquism for audiences looking for family-friendly entertainment. It's a lighthearted addition to the local arts scene this week.

23ABC reports that Bakersfield Ward 1 Councilman Eric Arias is making his case for re-election amid a public safety push. Arias, who has served six years in office, points to major upgrades across Ward 1 including revitalized recreation centers, expanded city departments for crisis response, and improvements to housing units. He noted that about 1,600 units of affordable housing are coming online, though it took years to reach that point. Arias also highlighted a 2.3% decrease in homelessness in Bakersfield over the last year, acknowledging the city needs to do better. With one challenger in the race, Arias says he remains committed to delivering on promises made to the community.

23ABC also reports that Maya Cinemas in Delano is staying open despite nearly $150,000 in unpaid property taxes. Rumors of a possible closure circulated on social media after the Maya Cinemas in Fresno shut down, but Delano Mayor Salvador Solorio Ruiz posted a Facebook statement saying he spoke with CEO Francisco Schlotterbeck, who assured him the theater would remain open. However, newly uncovered records from the Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector's website show the theater owes $148,494.08 in unpaid property taxes from 2021 to 2026. County records list Oct. 16 as a potential seizure date and auction if the taxes are not paid. Schlotterbeck responded with a brief email statement, though its full content was not provided.

Something good

California has officially designated September 25 as Dolly Parton Day, with a Bakersfield senator leading the effort. The recognition honors the singer's contributions to literacy and the arts, bringing a positive spotlight to the community. It's a fitting tribute to a beloved figure whose work has inspired generations.

Coming up this week

The Bakersfield Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss land use and development matters. The Fox Theater has a busy lineup ahead: "Cults & Classics: Young Frankenstein" plays on Oct. 5, followed by the NB RIDAZ "Ride Till the Wheels Fall Off Tour" on Oct. 9, "FANTASIAS" on Oct. 10, "United We Dance: Festival Energy. All Night." on Oct. 16, and the Boobay & Tekla Comedy Tour on Oct. 17. For those looking to plan ahead, the "Cults & Classics: Season Pass 2026-2027" series kicked off Aug. 24 and runs through the season. Mark your calendars and enjoy the week ahead, Kern County.