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Prev Next Posted 4 minutes ago Eric J. Dockery Bakersfield Neighborhood Reporter BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Fathers sometimes get overlooked and forgotten about for their services. The brother of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated want to highlight those dads who go above and beyond for their families. This is the first year the fraternity is bringing this event back to the community post-covid. The event will be held February 8th at CSUB in their Stockdale Room located inside their Runners Cafe at 9:00. You can still register for the brunch, but submissions for fatherhood awards are closed. BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT: The brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, are hosting their annual fatherhood awards brunch on February 8th. I'm Eric J. Dockery your Bakersfield neighborhood reporter. During the event, they take the time to recognize those fathers who took the extra step to be there for their families and careers. This is their first year bringing this event back since COVID. The brothers of the want to highlight fathers who are making a difference in their households and society. This event will be held at CSUB in their Stockdale room located inside their Runners Café. Arthur Smith Chapter President said "We think it's important where society might say it's an expatiation for you to be a father. To be active and in the lives of your family and children. We also know that that is not always the case. So, when somebody is making a difference when someone is serving as that role model. We want them to know that they are appreciated and not taken for granted." During the event they will serve brunch items for the families. While the brothers invite the family members who wrote the essays for their fathers. "We have a number of fathers that I've put in the category of unsung heroes. What they do, and what they provide for their families it's amazing. Many times, these individuals go unrecognized, and this is our way of recognizing the many contributions they make to their families." said Thomas Wallace Vice President of Student Affairs Families submitted the essay a few weeks before the event, and the brothers reviewed it through their committee. Arthur tells me " If you submitted an essay and perhaps your father isn't honored this weekend, it's not because he doesn't deserve to be." The brothers want to keep this tradition going and recognized more fathers each year. When you see the look on the fathers faces when they say "hey you know what I thought I was just doing my job. I thought I was just being a father." Until you hear the impact, they are having on those who are reading that essay." said Smith You can still register to attend the event, but the submissions for the Fatherhood essays are unfortunately closed. For 23ABC I'm Eric J. Dockery your Bakersfield neighborhood reporter. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube Copyright 2025 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign up for the Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information. CURATION BY

We're tracking two separate storm systems this week. One is set to bring scattered rain Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and the second will likely arrive Thursday night.

The Special Election for the 32nd Assembly District race is just weeks away. Candidate Stan Ellis is running as a conservative Republican, a businessman, rancher, and oilman.

The recent water release in Tulare County could significantly affect irrigation practices for farmers in Kern and the Central Valley.

Prev Next Posted 4 minutes ago Ruby Rivera Delano and McFarland Neighborhood Reporter DELANO, Calif. (KERO) — City of Delano participates in "A Day without Immigrants". With local businesses closing shop for the day as well as schools feeling the effects with parents not taking their kids to school. “A day without immigrants” was a concept that originated on social media, and this isn't the first time it's taken place. It occurred once before in 2017, during President Trump's first term. And now shortly into his second term, it's happening across the country once more. The purpose is to show solidarity with immigrant communities, protesting peacefully against Trump's policies by staying home and not making any purchases. At La Preciosa Market, on any given day the owner says they can see up to 1,000 customers daily. But on February 3rd, the doors stayed closed in solidarity of their community. “We have to stick as a community for immigration because my parents are immigrants too you know they came from a different country, you know we came here for a better life so we have to stick with each other because what builds America is immigrants you know,” said Tony Muthana. Muthana is the owner of La Preciosa Market, owning three different locations. However, each one was closed on February 3rd. The purpose of “A day without Immigrants” is to show solidarity with immigrant communities, protesting peacefully against Trump's policies by staying home and not making any purchases. “My store is all Hispanic so I know the language too I speak it so they're all Hispanic like they're my raza you know like my people. I'm here to support that's why I closed mainly today to just boycott,” said Muthana. Across the city, parents have also joined in the stand with Muthana, keeping their kids home from school. The Delano Elementary School District telling 23ABC that did notice a decline in student attendance, giving us this statement; “We would like to remind you that Board Policy 5125 - Student Records states that student records shall not be disclosed to a person, agency, or organization for immigration enforcement purposes without parental consent, a court order, or judicial subpoena.” At the Delano Joint Union High School District, Assistant Superintendent Rene Ayon says they, too, have felt the impacts. “When you look at the district as a whole, we're about, you know we average about 95% [in attendance] and right now our preliminary figures indicate we're about high 60's to 70's,” said Ayon. With it being 2 weeks since President trump has taken office, both immigrants and advocates across the country and here in Kern County say they are prepared for a long battle. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube Copyright 2025 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign up for the Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information. CURATION BY

English teacher, head coach, and alumnus Mat Prasser prepares for the Highland swim team to dive into the 2025 season.

Prev Next Posted 3 minutes ago BKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — The Kern County Sheriff Sergeant accused of rape, burglary, and other charges was set for his first court appearance February 3rd. Wells was arrested on January 10th for allegedly assaulting a colleague after breaking into her home. He made his first court appearance and pleaded not guilty to all charges. Wells remains employed by the Sheriff's office but is currently on leave. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 29th. BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT: 45 year old Stephen Wells is a sergeant with the Kern County Sheriffs Office, made his first court appearance on Monday and was represented by attorney Jared Thompson. According to court documents, Wells was arrested January 10th on felony charges of rape by force or fear, attempted rape, and burglary of a colleague he had an alleged prior short, casual, relationship with. Investigators alleged Wells was drinking with friends one night, showed up drunk at the alleged victim's home, broke in after midnight on March 27th, and assaulted her. The offense report continues to say that Wells fled from the victim's home after she threatened to call the police. At his arraignment, Wells pleaded not guilty to all charges. He remains employed by the Sheriff's office and is on leave. Stephen Wells is out on bail and, expected to be back in the courtroom for his preliminary hearing on April 29th at 9:00am. Stay in Touch with Us Anytime Anywhere Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube Copyright 2025 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign up for the Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information. CURATION BY

On February 3rd, people all over the country highlighted the role immigrants play in the country. And in Arvin, people supported ‘A Day Without Immigrants’ by saying no to school, work, and shopping.

Cal City police chief Justin Vincent says a residence is no place for an animal rescue; rules will need to be enforced.

Most of Tuesday will be nice and mild across Kern, but we're tracking rain chances tonight. Scattered rain is likely on and off late Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning.