(KERO) — Bear Valley Springs looks to maintain its police department Community Services District Board of Directors declares support for police department Residents in Bear Valley Springs are fighting to keep its police department The community is facing hard times financially and is looking at options for providing police services Virgen: Why do you think it’s important to have police in this community Leana Mitchell: “I think I want to ask you a question back Would you move anywhere that didn’t have police I wouldn’t move anywhere that didn’t have law enforcement.” Leana Mitchell is among several Bear Valley Springs residents who support their police department the support has hardly shown when it comes to paying taxes Residents have paid the same $80 per parcel police special tax that started in 1996 "The only thing that has not gone up since 1996 is the Costco hot dog-soda combo for $1.50 Everything else in our life has gone up and so too should our parcel tax to offset the actual cost of our police department," Mitchell says Even though it's a small department with 4 full time officers and one part time residents like Carolyn Corporon believe the price of safety is well worth it for the community of just under 6,000 people “I think what’s unique about having local community police it’s unmatched and really can’t be replicated by larger agencies such as Kern County Sheriffs,” Corporon says That would be one of the other options if the police department went away the Kern County Sheriff's Office could take over Jay Rivera with Bear Valley Springs Police It's the support of the community that makes his job enjoyable “This is very much a community oriented policing style where we have very strong community support As a police officer it makes you want to come out and do the work when you have strong support from the community.” The board of directors recently approved the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee for a Police Tax Study Deertrail is more difficult and is not recommended for heavier trailers The Main Gate will always be the best option for trailers BVCSD will be adding “Evacuation Route” signs to each of the roads to help guide residents if they need to be used Skyline and Deertrail have been inspected and they are confirmed to be safe and effective roads in an emergency Tehachapi, CA – On the early morning of Wednesday, February 5, 2025, a fatal single-vehicle collision occurred in the Bear Valley Springs area of Tehachapi, according to CHPFatal The California Highway Patrol (CHP) reports that the accident took place around 2:39 AM near the intersection of eastbound State Route 58 and Gen Beale Road Authorities initially responded to a report of a disabled vehicle Emergency responders confirmed the death of an individual The area was temporarily closed to traffic as officials worked to clear the scene The coroner was contacted and arrived shortly after The identity of the victim has not yet been released as authorities are still notifying next of kin The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the cause of the crash investigations may reveal that even in a single-vehicle accident nearby drivers or unsafe road features share some responsibility California’s Comparative Negligence rule means that even if those injured in accidents are found partially at fault they may still be eligible to receive partial compensation for damages A personal injury attorney can play a critical role in sorting through these details to help victims and their families get the compensation they deserve If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident like the one described here, feel free to contact Maison Law for any questions or to receive a no-cost Martin Gasparian is the founder of Maison Law Martin is a graduate of Georgetown University Law School and has been practicing law in California 2004 His practice focuses on helping injury victims know their rights and recover just compensation By clicking Send you agree that the submission of this information does not create an attorney client relationship No attorney client relationship is created until a written agreement is signed This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply (KERO) — Amanda Hanson started Tehachapi Valley Horse Rescue five years ago and the ranch continues to help those in need in Bear Valley Springs and other parts of Kern County a perfect setting for horses who have been rescued owner of Tehachapi Valley Horse Rescue: “I feel that there’s a hole and it needs to be filled We do have some wonderful rescues in this area None are specifically senior-horse focused.” Amanda Hanson and her team of volunteers have been caring for horses in need They have unique medical needs or medical history," Amanda says And when it comes time to clean up around the ranch the Tehachapi High School boys soccer team came to work There are some hungry horses on the ranch … Amanda helped horses in the Kern River Valley gain more hay after the Borel Fires via a grant from Kern Community Foundation “Knowing that we used our profit and our rescue to do something for someone that weren’t able to do for themselves because of the Borel Fire was really great.” The rescue has a store to help sustain the ranch Jennifer Montano is among those who volunteer to watch over it when it is opened it’s most definitely a store needed in this community We still have a strong equine presence here This is the only store in Tehachapi that offers a tack store and a saddlery," says Jennifer Montano PG&E and SCE customers affected by the power outage can visit two resource centers: Stallion Springs Community Center (Indoors)27800 Stallion Springs Dr.Tehachapi while less than 60 PG&E customers are without power according to their websites.----A Public Safety Power Shutoff has left the Bear Valley area without electricity impacting daily life and forcing the cancellation of all schools in the Tehachapi Unified School District The Community Services District Main Office and Bear Valley Police Department remain operational Southern California Edison (SCE) announced the power shutoff due to a high risk of wind-driven wildfires with strong winds expected to persist through Wednesday morning "We are shutting off your power due to current high risk of wind-driven wildfire," SCE said The utility company plans to inspect power lines for damage once the weather improves a process that could take up to eight hours or longer if daylight is needed for safe inspections SCE advised residents to turn off or unplug appliances that may start automatically when power is restored. For the latest updates, including outage maps and restoration information, residents are encouraged to visit sce.com/psps SCE urges residents to call 9-1-1 first and then notify the company at 1-800-611-1911 "We understand this shutoff is inconvenient We appreciate your continued patience as we work to keep your community safe," SCE stated (KBAK/KBFX) — The Bear Valley Community Services District (BVCSD) is warning residents of a possible scam including fraudulent Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) purchases or renewals regarding gate access.On December 30 the district said several residents had received emails and/or text messages about purchasing or renewing RFID tags The messages' senders claim they must "click a link to avoid losing RFID gate access." The messages did not come from the BVCSD.The BVCSD said they do not use e-mail or text messages for RFID purchases or renewals They only send renewal letters by mail.Residents are asked to not click on any links to renew a Bear Valley RFID tag Any questions can be referred to the Bear Valley Community Services District at 661-821-4428 (KBAK/KBFX) — One person died after drowning at Four Island Lake in Bear Valley Springs Sunday evening The Bear Valley Police Department said on Sunday emergency services received a call about a swimmer in distress and CPR was being performed at Four Island Lake Police said despite efforts from off-duty medical personnel and first responders “The safety and well-being of all residents and visitors to recreational facilities is our top priority and we are working in conjunction with the BVSA to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic event Our thoughts are with the victim’s oved ones during this difficult time.” Police said to always swim in designated areas (KBAK/KBFX) — Three suspects accused of possession and distribution of child pornography were arrested in the Tehachapi area by Kern County deputies and other agencies on Thursday Investigators with the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) executed multiple search warrants in the Tehachapi area for three suspects accused of possession and distribution of child pornography Deputies arrested three suspects in the Tehachapi area: KCSO said the ICAC is comprised of 66 federal and local law enforcement agencies spread throughout nine counties in the Central Valley which protects children online and investigates crimes committed against children Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker (KBAK/KBFX) — Two people were arrested early Friday morning after being accused of stealing mail from Bear Valley Springs residents Police said the two are believed to be part of a larger mail theft ring affecting the Tehachapi Mountain Area The Bear Valley Police Department said on May 12 officers responded to the area of Jacaranda Drive and El Rancho Drive regarding a possible mail theft happening Police said the officers were alerted to the incident as a result of an ongoing investigative effort the department has undertaken due to continuing mail thefts that have been affecting the community for several months coupled with the use of investigative tools the responding officers were able to initiate a probable cause traffic stop of the suspected involved vehicle at the Bear Valley Springs gate as the vehicle was attempting to leave the community The vehicle was occupied by a man and woman who were eventually arrested and charged with crimes related to mail theft and possession of burglary tools As a result of this investigative traffic stop the officers were able to recover recently stolen mail and packages from the vehicle The mail and packages were all from the Bear Valley Springs community Also recovered from the vehicle we several items which officers suspect had been recently removed from packages BVPD said officers were able to confirm this by canvassing the area and finding discarded packaging along roadways It was also learned the suspects had gained entry into Bear Valley Springs by driving a vehicle that had recently been purchased from a Bear Valley Springs resident; the vehicle still had a sticker on it that was meant to allow residents entry into the Valley These stickers are currently being phased out and will soon no longer be able to be used for entry The accused suspects were identified as 39-year-old Derik Easttom and 38-year-old Luz Gudino Easttom and Gudino are being charged with mail theft and possession of burglary tools Both had misdemeanor warrants for their arrest related to past drug and/or drug paraphernalia possession The Bear Valley Police Department is in the process of notifying the rightful owners of the stolen items as the arrested individuals are believed to be part of a larger mail theft ring affecting the Tehachapi Mountain Area (KBAK/KBFX) — UPDATE (7:32 p.m.):The Kern County Fire Department said that the Trotter Fire was started by an electrical strike.Personnel remains on scene to work through areas of burning thick vegetation until 100% containment is achieved said KCFD.---UPDATE (3:12 P.M.): The evacuation order has been lifted UPDATE (2:17 P.M.):KCFD said the forward progress of the fire stopped UPDATE (12:36 P.M.): According to ReadyKern an evacuation center has been set up at the Munroe Continuation School located at 126 South Snyder Avenue in Tehachapi The message said Animal Services will assist with sheltering companion animals at the center UPDATE (12:18 P.M.): The Bear Valley Community Service District saidKern County Fire has ordered a mandatory evacuation for the 26000 block of Skyline Drive due to a wildfire The Kern County Fire Department has issued an evacuation order in the Bear Valley Springs area for the area of Skyline Drive between Saddleback Drive and Cumberland Road This is due to one of the two vegetation fires burning near Bear Valley Springs (KBAK/KBFX) - When John Bongiovanni learned that his friend and tenant Jacque Murillo had started a dating relationship he was happy for her."She was 55 years old and still single," said Bongiovanni "And I thought kind of neat this guy that she met on the Internet Bear Valley Springs police responded to a 911 call from a residence on the 26000 block of Bear Valley Road they found Murillo suffering from several stab wounds Murillo died from her wounds while being transported to Tehachapi Hospital.Dorsey was located in the hills behind the home and arrested.According to Bongiovanni Murillo met Dorsey on the Internet and began a dating relationship for about two months Dorsey moved in with Murillo and her 15-year-old son.But Bongiovanni said Dorsey had been lying about his prior job experience and background."He told me he was lying about those things," said Bongiovanni."He said he wanted to impress her and that he didn't want her to know about his past."The relationship ended in September with Murillo obtaining a restraining order against Dorsey He said Murillo as a caring mother for her boys and grandchildren."She always really did nice things on holidays She went out of her way to make Thanksgiving a family affair," said Bongiovanni Saint Jude has a limited number of tickets left Tickets are 100$1-800-543-5887 until 5 p.m We recognise you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore cannot grant you access at this time e-mail us at editorial@tehachapinews.com or call us at (661) 822-6828 LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio Imagine a force so brutal and unrelenting that it can kill 100 million giants.  Calif — The Bear Valley Police Department is warning people about mail theft targeting local residents thatthere have been several mail thefts in the area with multiple mail stations being targeted The Bear Valley Police Department is aware of the situation and is currently investigating Police also said that mail theft can be a serious inconvenience and can potentially lead to identity theft or other forms of financial fraud You can report any suspicious activity to theBear Valley Police Department at (661)-821-3239 or at the mail stations It's also important to retrieve your mail as soon as possible after it has been delivered to prevent it from being left vulnerable to theft The storm that hit Kern County over the weekend is gone but Bear Valley Springs is still a winter wonderland Tuesday MORE: Kern County weather ViewerBarbara Allen took photos of deer out and about on a very cold and snow-covered morning Allen said the temp at the time was a whopping 0 "How I love living here!" Allen wrote in an email.