Dec 30, 2025
Kern County Sheriff’s deputy Phillip Campas died heroically in 2021. PHOTO COURTESY CSUB
A new California State University, Bakersfield scholarship honoring Kern County Sheriff’s deputy Phillip Campas, who died heroically in 2021, will support students with a public service background. A new annual scholarship will be available this year to help the educational journeys of members of the military, law enforcement officers, first responders, and their children.
“It feels amazing to be able to do this,” says Phillip’s wife, Christina Campas. “I’m hoping we can help these students succeed. We want to be a light for them in any way that we can.”
Campas worked in the KC Sheriff’s Office for five years, serving as a SWAT operator, recruit training officer, and range master, in addition to his regular duties as a deputy. He was killed in the line of duty while trying to rescue a family in Wasco from a relative with a gun.
For more information, please visit www.news.csub.edu.
California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) awarded $260,000 to the Kern County Probation Department for an intensive probation supervision program for high-risk individuals with multiple DUI convictions. The grant program runs through September 2026 and supports probationer check-ins to ensure compliance with court-ordered probation terms. The grant will also pay for warrant operations targeting probation violations and/or DUI suspects who do not appear in court, alcohol testing, officer training in Standard Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), distribution of DUI “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) alerts, and collaborating with courts and prosecutors to establish probation orders.
“With the numerous ride options available, there is simply no excuse to drive while impaired. Kern County Probation is proud to continue our partnership with OTS through this grant,” says Chief Probation Officer Bill Dickinson. “This grant funding will allow us to address the complex issues surrounding individuals who have multiple DUIs through supervision and the provision of resources and guidance to break the cycle of alcohol related offenses. The goal remains to help ensure safer roads for all Kern County residents.”
Scholastic Launches First Branded Streaming App
The app is part of Scholastic’s broader 360-degree strategy to reach children everywhere. Scholastic’s strategic investment in 9 Story last year has enabled the media company to leverage new synergies, expanding access to its extensive catalog of iconic children’s series.
“Scholastic books and programs have been a cornerstone of childhood for generations, bringing characters and lessons that stay with us for life,” says David Di Lorenzo, SVP Kids & Family at Future Today. “With this new app, we’re ensuring families everywhere will have access to timeless stories that entertain and inspire – backed by a brand they know and trust.”
For more information, please visit www.scholastic.com or download the Scholastic app.
12 Leads. One Mission: Save Time
Kern County Public Health announces its “12 Leads Ahead” initiative, a countywide program that equips every Basic Life Support (BLS) response unit with modern, portable 12-lead enhanced cardiac diagnostic technology. This upgrade enables local emergency medical crews to perform hospital-level cardiac diagnosis on-site.
With earlier detection of heart attacks and other critical heart conditions, first responders can notify hospitals sooner, activate specialty care faster, and get patients the treatment they need without delay.
For more information, please visit https://www.kernpublichealth.com/emergency-medical-services/12-leads-one-mission-save-time.
Every year, millions of pets go missing across North America, and most that enter shelters are never reunited with their owners. Kern County Animal Services (KCAS) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with DocuPet, a leading provider of modern pet registration and lost-pet recovery services, to help reunite lost pets with their families faster than ever. This collaboration will bring DocuPet’s HomeSafe® 24/7 lost pet service and the National Pet Record Search (NPRS) to our community, helping prevent shelter overcrowding, reduce intake costs, and provide pet owners with a reliable way to bring their companions home.
“Lost pets shouldn’t have to rely on luck to make it back home,” says Nick Cullen, Director of KCAS. “With DocuPet’s technology, we can move from guesswork to certainty, and from days or weeks of searching (that may never end), to same-day reunifications. This partnership means fewer animals in our shelter, more families made whole, and more resources available for pets truly in need.”
For more information, please visit www.kernanimalservices.org.
PHOTO COURTESY CITY OF BAKERSFIELD
Kern County Public Works received a $200,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to enhance its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program. The funding will help promote safe habits among pedestrians and cyclists while reinforcing drivers' responsibility to watch for people sharing the roads and pathways.
“We are excited to receive this grant, which will allow us to significantly expand our bicycle and pedestrian safety program,” says Kern County Public Works Manager Yolanda Alcantar. “By focusing on education, awareness, and promoting safe practices, we aim to reduce crashes, prevent injuries. Ultimately, we’re working toward building more walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods where everyone can travel safely with confidence.”
U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, has named Bakersfield Memorial Hospital as a 2026 High-Performing hospital for Maternity Care. This is the highest award a hospital can earn as part of U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care annual study, now in its fifth edition.
Bakersfield Memorial and Mercy Southwest earned a High Performing designation for maternity care, as measured by factors including C-section rates in low-risk pregnancies, severe, unexpected newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, and birthing-friendly practices, among other measures.
For more information, please visit https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/hospital-ratings/maternity?src=usn_pr.
