Community Corner
🌱 Will Bakersfield turn a nuisance motel into new homeless housing?
Be sure to catch Vistelar (8Hrs) Bakersfield on the Bakersfield Patch calendar
Morning Bakersfield! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Will Bakersfield turn a nuisance motel into new homeless housing?
- Recognize this copper theft suspect from Chester Avenue?
- Frontier High star from Bakersfield flips college commitment to Iowa State
Also on today's calendar: Wine Bottle Paint & Sip: Sweet Holiday and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Bakersfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Bakersfield? Post it to Bakersfield photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Bakersfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Low clouds and cool, with a high of 51 and low of 41 degrees.
- Wednesday: Intervals of clouds and sun, temps: high: 56, low: 45.
- Thursday: Sun and areas of low clouds, with a high of 58 and low of 44 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. City of Bakersfield, CAPK seeking $35M to transform former Ramkabir Motel into housing for homeless (kget.com) — Bakersfield officials are seeking up to $35 million in state Homekey+ funds to turn the long-troubled, now-vacant Ramkabir Motel on Union Avenue into permanent supportive housing for homeless residents. City Council will vote Wednesday evening on an updated resolution so the application can move forward, potentially funding both construction and on-site services for years. 
2. Bakersfield police seek public's help to identify man in copper wire theft (bakersfieldnow.com) — Bakersfield police are asking residents to help identify a man suspected of stealing copper wire from an air conditioning unit at a business on the 2100 block of Chester Avenue. The suspect is a 20- to 30-year-old man with black hair, last seen in a black shirt, gray cargo shorts, and white shoes, and tipsters can call Detective Ko or BPD directly.
3. Iowa State football lands 3-star 2026 commit Malcolm Watkins (desmoinesregister.com subscription) — A standout Frontier High School senior from Bakersfield, Malcolm Watkins, has flipped his football commitment from Washington State to Iowa State, following coach Jimmy Rogers. The three-star 2026 recruit caught 46 passes for 768 yards and nine total touchdowns this season, drawing offers from several West Coast programs before choosing the Cyclones.
4. Bakersfield PD partners with Healthy Rooms Project to renovate homes (kget.com) — Newly sworn Bakersfield police officers are trading badges for paintbrushes as their first assignment, teaming up with the Healthy Rooms Project to renovate bedrooms and living spaces for local families impacted by crime. Officers are painting, assembling furniture, and surprising kids with fully refreshed rooms, while building early connections in the neighborhoods they’ll patrol.
5. A credit card collision damage waiver can help cover rental car repairs (turnto23.com) — From a Bakersfield consumer segment, residents are reminded that many credit cards offer collision damage waivers that can help cover rental car repairs if you use your own auto insurance and pay with the card. The piece explains what these waivers usually cover, what they don’t, and why you should confirm details and exclusions with your card issuer before renting.
📸 Around Bakersfield
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Bakersfield
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Vistelar (8Hrs) Bakersfield
5055 California Ave, Bakersfield
4:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- @Harvey ALT ED GRADUATION
Harvey Auditorium , 1241 G St , Bakersfield - Wine Bottle Paint & Sip: Sweet Holiday
Wine Me Up , 3900 Coffee Rd #2 , Bakersfield
6:00 pm - Vistelar Advanced (16Hrs) Bakersfield
5055 California Ave , Bakersfield
4:00 pm - @Harvey American Dance Christmas Recital
Harvey Auditorium , 1241 G St , Bakersfield
5:00 pm - @Little Harvey American Dance Christmas Recital
Little Harvey Auditorium , 1241 G St , Bakersfield
5:00 pm - @Harvey Steps KHSD Police Dept. Photo
Harvey Auditorium , 1241 G St , Bakersfield
2:00 pm - NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet - Bakersfield, CA
The Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater , 2001 H St , Bakersfield
7:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
📣 Bakersfield Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- CHP / Workout / Bakersfield
Yokuts Park , 4200 Empire Dr , Bakersfield
5:30 pm - Bubbles, Boards & BINGO!
Wine Me Up , 3900 Coffee Rd #2 , Bakersfield
6:00 pm - Ugly Christmas Sweater Wine Tasting
Wine Me Up , 3900 Coffee Rd #2 , Bakersfield
6:00 pm - Hot Cocoa Christmas Carols
The Ovation Theatre , 1622 19th St , Bakersfield
6:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Thursday December 18
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Bakersfield PatchAM possible:
- Living Trust Express — (661) 588-4660
Local, Experienced, Affordable Living Trust. Family-Owned - PINK Legal — (661) 748-1112
$50 Off Estate Planning for New Clients Now BBB Accredited
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My daughter came up with an idea last year to foster a dog around the holidays to help find it a home.
This year we are fostering Cooper from KACC. He is a 5 year old male lab mix. Kennel trained, potty trained, knows how to sit and shake. Very mellow… (Nextdoor Laurelglen) - Before this night is over I want to tell you something,
No matter what happens in your life from this moment on always remember: You are wonderful, you are strong, you are courageous, you are beautiful,… (Nextdoor Hampton Place)
- TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for Costco Forklift Operator in Bakersfield. Apply here.
- Superior Grocers posted a job opening for Scan Coordinator in Bakersfield. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bakersfield here.
Ok Bakersfield! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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