Local News
Close up the honky-tonks: Legendary Trout's owner dies
It wasn’t brawlin’, broads or bottle-smashing on Vern Hoover’s final day, though he certainly saw it all as owner of Trout’s, the legendary Oildale honky-tonk.
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New store owners say Bakersfield embracing 'green' products
Fresh & Green, a new boutique in Northwest Bakersfield, carries an eclectic mix of everything from toys to clothes to cleaning products and body oil.-
Grieving parents talk about son's sudden death, BCHS support
Diane Allen has no regrets about how she raised her son Patrick because he always knew how much his family loved him.
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Deputies looking for two suspects in Rosamond armed robbery
Two suspects robbed a Rosamond gas station early Tuesday morning.
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Lois Henry: Energy policy blowin' in the wind
Once again, leadership has taken a backseat to politics in Washington, D.C.
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Unions accused of "environmental extortion" in refinery dispute
A construction industry association has accused local labor unions of using “environmental extortion” to secure a union-only contract to construct the proposed Big West of California refinery expansion.
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Officials reveal more about Bakersfield Christian player's death
More details emerged Monday about the death of a Bakersfield Christian High School football player who collapsed at home after practicing in 100-plus degree heat.
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Teacher convicted on one count of making meth
Kern County prosecutor Bud Starr wasn’t celebrating much, despite his victory in court Tuesday.
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City considering utility bill hike for roads
Utility bills may rise for Bakersfield residents.
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Jury finds man guilty of molesting foster sisters
Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.
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Police cite 20 in pedestrian safety crackdown
Nearly 20 motorists were cited between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday during a pedestrian safety effort conducted by Bakersfield police.
Lois HenryLois Henry: Twists of council race make it worth watching
Houston, we have a council race.
Marylee ShriderMarylee Shrider: Let's take a vote on energy bill
Some people just don’t know when to shut up.
Leonel MartinezLeonel Martinez: I told you Latinos would embrace Obama!
It doesn't take long as a columnist to discover that, as if being scolded about your real opinions isn't bad enough, a lot of readers are anxious to slap fight you over something you never said. Take the argument that relatively few of the nation's Latinos voted for Sen. Barack Obama in the presidential primary because they are racist.
Dianne HardistyDianne Hardistry: Dog of a candidate has real voter appeal
Kathy Eddy checked in with an e-mail from Fairhope, Ala., a few days ago. Kathy used to be Kern County's public affairs officer. Before that, she worked at the airport and before that she was on former 2nd District Supervisor Ben Austin's staff.
Robert PriceRobert Price: Ode to a dying friend — the telephone land-line
Pretty soon, if telecommunications companies' quarterly reports keep trending the way they've been trending, land-line phones will be relics. The number of wireless-only homes keeps going up and the number of wired residential customers keeps falling.
Special Reports
Animal hoarding: Why do they do it?
Some experts believe the condition is related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Others point to dementia, delusions, paranoia or even addiction. Read all about it and see one such scene for yourself.-
Kern's latest accused hoarder: 'I love the animals like they’re my children'
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'The worst case (Kern Animal Control) has had to deal with'
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There's a fine line between disgusting, criminal animal caretaking. Kimi Peck hasn't crossed it yet.
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Watch an audio slide show on Peck who shares home with nearly 200 dogs
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Add your thoughts on animal hoarding to reporter James Burger's blog
Special Sections
Election
Here, you can find the latest local and national headlines, opinions from Californian staff and local bloggers, local polls and much more.
Weighed Down
The Californian sought out local children -- and their families -- to look at obesity through their eyes. We followed four families over several months to get a better understanding of their lives and the difficulties in achieving a healthy lifestyle. Each family represents a different aspect of the obesity epidemic.
The Future of a Refinery
Read the ongoing coverage on Bakersfield's largest refinery. We've got stories, blogs and video.Advertisement