Oct 01, 2026
Justin Salters, project lead for the Griffiss Institute, speaks during a press conference celebrating Kern County's California Jobs First grant funding. Photo by EJ Medellin, courtesy of CSUB
California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) expands its role in supporting the growth of Kern County’s aerospace and defense industry after receiving a $2 million, two-year grant through the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative. The funding will establish the Mojave Institute Aerospace and Defense Innovation Hub, designed to provide centralized industry leadership and strengthen the aerospace and defense ecosystem in East Kern. CSUB is leading the project in partnership with the Griffiss Institute, a nonprofit STEM talent and technology accelerator. For more information, please visit https://news.csub.edu/csub-receives-2m-to-support-local-aerospace-and-defense-industry
After more than four decades of serving families across Kern County, the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Kern County (ADAKC) has announced it will wind down operations and pursue dissolution. The difficult decision comes after months of determined efforts to identify a sustainable path forward for the organization. While ADAKC will no longer operate, its impact on the Kern County community will continue through the many lives it has touched over the years. ADAKC expresses its deep appreciation to everyone who played a role in its more than 40 years of service.
Sabrina Cazares, Senior Safety Compliance Officer for BGCKC, accepted the award on behalf of her team. Photo courtesy of BGCKC
The Safety Department at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County (BGCKC) recently received the Excellence in Safety Award at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Pacific Leadership Conference in Huntington Beach. The Excellence in Safety Award is a regional and organizational recognition from the BGCA that honors individuals, staff members, or dedicated safety teams who show outstanding commitment to child safety, injury prevention, and building secure physical and emotional environments for youth. For more information, please visit www.bgckc.org.
Kern County Animal Services (KCAS) is calling on local businesses, organizations, and community partners to help make this year’s 8th Annual Mega Pet Adoption Event a success. The event will take place Saturday, November 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Park at River Walk, bringing together animal shelters, rescue organizations, pet-related businesses, and service providers for what is expected to be Kern County’s largest animal welfare event. Vendor and sponsorship applications are available at www.kerncountyanimalservices.org.
Mayor Karen Goh joined Kaiser Permanente representatives and Blue Zones Project (BZP) Bakersfield in celebrating 12 Kern County locations earning Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite status for fostering a culture where employees can thrive. Photo courtesy of BZP Bakersfield
Kaiser Permanente Kern County has earned the Blue Zones Project Approved™ worksite designation. All 12 of the health care company’s Bakersfield locations have reached this milestone, joining a growing network of local worksites that make healthy choices easier for employees.
During its approval journey, Kaiser Permanente introduced several initiatives to help create a workplace culture where employees feel supported, connected, and empowered to thrive. Its first cohort of a six-week Health, Wellness, and Resilience Workshop series provided employees with practical tools and strategies to support their overall well-being. Kaiser also hosted cooking demonstrations and mindfulness classes and organized volunteer opportunities for employees. For more information, please visit bakersfield.bluezonesproject.com.
Valley PBS is partnering with Community Media Access Collaborative (CMAC) to bring locally produced high school football broadcasts to viewers across its seven-county service area this fall. CMAC has produced high school football in partnership with Fresno Unified since 2014, giving students hands-on experience working on production crews while showcasing local schools and athletes. Through the new partnership, those broadcasts will reach viewers throughout Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, and Tulare counties, with games featured on Valley PBS Friday nights. For more information, please visit valleypbs.org.
