🌱 How will Kern County’s takeover change Cal City fire protection?

Greetings California City! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How will Kern County’s takeover change Cal City fire protection?
• What do detainees’ medical claims reveal about California City’s ICE facility?

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

---

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 69 and low of 40 degrees.
• Friday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 76, low: 51.
• Saturday: Partly sunny, nice and warm, with a high of 72 and low of 47 degrees.

---

📰 News we're reading

• Kern County Fire Department to start fire services in Cal City in 2026 (kget.com) — Starting January 1, 2026, Kern County Fire Department will take over fire protection for California City, absorbing the city’s firefighters and buying its station, land, and equipment. Local leaders and union representatives say the deal secures long-term fire and paramedic coverage while integrating 20 Cal City firefighters into the county system.
   

• Immigrants Detained at California's Largest Immigration Detention Center File Motion Seeking Medical Care (aclu.org) — People held at the California City Detention Facility are asking a federal court to order immediate medical care for serious heart and possible cancer conditions, raising urgent concerns about treatment inside the city’s massive immigration lockup. The case, backed by civil rights groups, could shape how hundreds of detainees are cared for in California City going forward.
   

---

📸 Around California City

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

---

📣 California City 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

Thursday December 18

• Animal Care Mobile Services: Licensing, Vaccinations, and Microchipping!
  Hinkley Community Center , 35997 Mountain View Rd , Hinkley
  9:00 am
• Movie Day: Frozen (2013)
  Lancaster Library , 601 W Lancaster Blvd , Lancaster
  3:45 pm
• Dungeons and Dragons for High School
  Playa Vista Branch Library
  4:00 pm
• Calligraphy for Teens
  Quartz Hill Library , 5040 W Ave M 2 , Quartz Hill
  4:00 pm
• Boys Basketball vs Paraclete: 4:30pm, 6:00pm @ BHS
  Burroughs High School Ridgecrest, CA 93555
  4:30 pm
• SWAG - Strong Women and Guns at Apple Valley Gun Club
  Apple Valley Gun Club , 16699 Stoddard Wells Rd , Victorville
  6:30 pm
• Santa Sabbath
  Transplants Brewing Company , 40242 La Quinta Ln Unit 101 , Palmdale
  7:00 pm
• Karaoke Thursdays
  The Pizza Place , 3942 Sierra Hwy #3 , Acton
  7:00 pm

Friday December 19

• English Conversation With Ronnie
  Playa Vista Branch Library
  10:00 am
• Gingerbread Butts (15+)
  Painting with a Twist , 24201 Valencia Blvd Space #3422 , Valencia
  1:00 pm
• Snowflake's Christmas Star (6+)
  Painting with a Twist , 24201 Valencia Blvd Space #3422 , Valencia
  4:00 pm
• Tehachapi Warriors vs Mammoth Huskies
  Tehachapi High School , 801 Dennison Rd , Tehachapi
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

---

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

---

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for Crew Team Member in California City. Apply here.
• Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. posted a job opening for Specialist Assembly Technician in Mojave. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near California City here.

---

🗞 Nearby News

Mojave

• NASA Tests Drones in Death Valley to Prepare for Future Mars Rotorcraft (dronelife.com)
• Cadiz Inc. banks water underground for a thirsty southwest (ocregister.com)
• Alleged New Year's Eve bombing plot by "Turtle Island Liberation Front" stopped (kmph.com)

Rosamond

• Tax Evaders and Child Molesters (rosamondpress.com)

---

Ok California City! 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. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

---

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

---

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook