Algal blooms seen at Isabella

Active algal blooms have been observed at Lake Isabella and the Kern County Public Health Services Department is urging boaters, dog owners and other individuals to exercise caution.

The Health Department recently sampled water from nine locations at Lake Isabella. Four of those locations — Camp Nine South, French Gulch, Campground E and Old Isabella Road — indicated the presence of potentially harmful blue-green algae, known as cyanotoxin.

Public Health has placed those areas at the cautionary level, the lowest of three advisory levels. Signage has been posted advising people to use caution and stay away from algae and scum.

One other area, Paradise Cove, has been placed at the second highest level, the warning level. People are advised to avoid swimming in the area.

According to Public Health, cyanobacteria are capable of producing toxins that have the potential to harm people, pets wildlife and livestock. The department says dogs and children are most likely to be impacted, due to their smaller body size and increased potential to ingest water and stay in the water for long periods.

Exposure to cyanobacteria and its toxins can cause eye irritation, skin rash, mouth ulcers, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold or flu-like symptoms.

The Health Department advises anyone who has come into contact with algae and is experiencing symptoms to seek medical treatment immediately.

For more information, visit, kernpublichealth.com/cyanobacteriablooms-blue-greenalgae/.

The city has scheduled nighttime road closures at the intersection of Stockdale Highway and North Stine Road from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday for falsework construction.

During the closure, neighborhood residents can detour around the work zone by using McDonald Way or Real Road. Other traffic will be routed around the area using Oak Street and California Avenue, the city said.

Sections of the Panorama Park pathway will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, as part of the Kern County Parks Improvement Project.

Guests are still welcome to enjoy the park during the improvement project. The path will entirely reopen before and after business hours.

For more information, visit www.kerncounty. com/government/parks.

Bakersfield College is in the final stages of developing curriculum to train interested students in the field of diagnoses and repairs for plug-in electric vehicles.

According to a news release from BC, the Electric Vehicle Maintenance Training Program is designed to prepare next generation auto technicians and help them secure jobs in an in-demand career field.

The program is being conducted in partnership with Valley Clean Air Now.

The first set of courses is on track to begin in the summer 2021 semester.