‘Walk Like MADD’ virtual 5K aims to stop drunk driving
Kern County will be joining MADD California in holding its seventh annual Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash on Saturday, Oct. 10, but this time in a virtual format.
The annual fundraiser raises money for MADD Kern County, which fights drunken and drugged driving in the community. In a news release, the group said that there have been 4,000 DUI arrests in the county each year since 2009. The group said this year’s fundraiser is especially important because MADD California has lost more than 80 percent of annual revenue in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now more than ever, it’s important we come together to help victims and put an end to these tragic, 100 percent preventable crashes,” said MADD Kern County victim services specialist Carla Pearson, in a release. “People are still making the choice to get behind the wheel while under the influence, and putting everyone on our roadways in danger. Like putting on a mask to protect our friends, family, and neighbors, we need to make a habit out of always driving sober.”
Proceeds from Kern County’s event will fund local educational programs and prevention, raise awareness of the DUI problem and provide support to local survivors of DUI crashes.
The statewide virtual ceremony will stream on MADD California’s YouTube and Facebook pages, and it will feature local CHP officers, including Robert Rodriguez singing the national anthem.
Participants in this year’s event can pick up their packets on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon in the Chain | Cohn | Stiles alleyway at 1731 Chester Ave. They can run or walk the race anytime between Oct. 3 and Oct. 10.
For more information, visit https://www.walklikemadd.org/.
This year four of five seats are up for grabs on the Bakersfield City School District school board. On Wednesday, parents, staff and community members are invited to a virtual forum where they can meet many of these candidates and ask them questions.
The virtual forum will be hosted over Zoom, and the event is being put on by the Dolores Huerta Foundation and Bakersfield Elementary Teachers Association.
The candidates joining include: Lillian Tafoya from Area 1; the Rev. Ralph Anthony and Dr. Chris Cruz-Boone from Area 3; Ben Valdez, Laura Guerrero-Salgado and Miguel Juarez from Area 4; and Ian Journey, Bethany Bachman, Shannon Zimmerman and Brooke Malley-Ault from Area 5.
The forum kicks off at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Community members are asked to register in advance, so that they can have a link to log on to the forum. You can find more information about the event on Facebook https:// fb.me/e/2JOnazCOC.
Traffic lane closures are scheduled for a portion of White Lane starting on Sunday, the city of Bakersfield said in a news release.
The closures will be in place so the city can perform a maintenance grind and paving operations on the area of road, the news release stated.
The work will impact westbound and eastbound traffic on White Lane between the Highway 99 bridge and Hughes Lane from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night until Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Additionally, westbound lanes on White Lane will be closed from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, the city said.
Drivers are advised to use alternate routes during these times, the city said.
The city of Bakersfield announced a road reconstruction project taking place this week on White Lane between South H and Kenny streets.
The project is taking place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays until Nov. 23.
The city said traffic delays are expected. Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the area or simply use alternate routes getting to their destination.
Temporary road closures are expected at the intersections of White Lane and South H Street; White Lane and Fambrough Drive; and White Lane and Monitor Street.
Detours and alternate routes will be provided during these phases of construction.