Ballots for June primary to start going out Monday

Ballots for the June 7 primary will be mailed to all active registered voters between Monday and May 13, according to a news release from the Kern County Elections Office.

If voters have not received their ballot by May 17, they should contact the Elections Office at 661-868-3590 or email at elections@kerncounty.com.

Voters are reminded that if they are planning to vote in person at the polls on election day, they will need to surrender their mail-in ballot in order to vote regularly. This is to ensure that a voter does not vote twice. If a voter does not surrender their mail-in ballot, they will have to vote provisionally.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to be a poll worker on election day can complete an application at KernVote.com/PollWorkers.

Because there are so many candidates running in the statewide races, this is a two-card ballot, the release notes. In addition to mailing their ballots back to the election office, voters may return their ballots by using one of the official ballot drop boxes available throughout the county.

A list of ballot drop box locations is available at KernVote.com/ElectionInformation.

In honor of National Police Week that begins May 15, the annual Boots & Brew Country Music Festival is returning to an in-person event to take place from 5 to 10 p.m. May 21 at the 1933 Event Center.

The concert event produced by the family of fallen Bakersfield Police Officer David J. Nelson will feature live music from local country band The Rivals and a special national anthem performance by award winning actor, writer and director Delilah Andre. The event will also feature a silent auction, raffle prizes, and line dancing led by Kailey Hansen of Bakersfield Line Dancing.

The event is free and open to the public.

Nelson was killed in the line of duty on June 26, 2015, in a vehicle crash following a high speed pursuit in northeast Bakersfield.

All proceeds raised via the Boots & Brew event go directly to the Officer David J. Nelson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

A road construction project on Truxtun Avenue between Elm Street and Chester Avenue is planned for today and Sunday.

Construction is expected to take place between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day and is expected to be completed Sunday. Temporary lane reductions, road closures and detours may result as well.

During the construction, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Traffic delays are expected as a result and drivers are advised to use caution while driving in the area, plan for delays or to use alternate routes to avoid the area.

A state fish advisory issued Friday for Lake Isabella provides safe eating advice for black bass species Common Carp and Threadfin Shad.

Lake Isabella is located approximately 35 miles northeast of Bakersfield.

The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, or OEHHA, developed the recommendations based on the levels of mercury found in fish caught from the lake.

“Many fish have nutrients that may reduce the risk of heart disease and are excellent sources of protein,” said OEHHA Director Dr. Lauren Zeise. “By following our guidelines for fish caught in Lake Isabella, people can safely eat fish low in chemical contaminants and enjoy the well-known health benefits of fish consumption.”

When consuming fish from Lake Isabella, the following advice is issued: Women ages 18 to 49 and children ages 1 to 17 may safely eat a maximum of three total servings per week of Threadfin Shad; or one serving per week of black bass species or Common Carp; women ages 50 and older and men ages 18 and older may safely eat a maximum of seven total servings per week of Threadfin Shad; or two total servings per week of black bass species or Common Carp.

OEHHA’s fish advisory recommendations are based on the levels of contaminants, such as mercury, that persist in the environment and accumulate in fish. They are independent of any advisories to limit fish intake due to freshwater or estuarine harmful algal blooms (HABs). Before fishing, check the California HABs Portal to see if there are recommended HAB advisories and always practice healthy water habits.

One serving is an 8-ounce fish filet, measured prior to cooking, which is roughly the size and thickness of an adult’s hand. Children should eat smaller servings. For small fish species, several individual fish may make up a single serving.

Bakersfield Animal Control is inviting the community to a low-cost drive-thru pet vaccine clinic happening 9 a.m. to noon today in the Mesa Marin Sports Complex on Bedford Green Drive between Highway 178 and Kern Canyon Road.

Rabies vaccines can be given to puppies as young as 3 months old. A dog license must be purchased in conjunction with the rabies vaccine.

The DAPP vaccines are for puppies needing to begin their vaccination series or adult dogs needing an annual booster.

The Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine is usually required for admittance into boarding and grooming facilities and recommended for dog park usage.

Clinic stations will be set up in the parking lot, north of the dog park, according to a city news release. Attendees and their pets should remain in their vehicle; staff will make contact and distribute forms and provide directions on how to complete them.

Customers without vehicles will be given an appointment time to return for services.

Vaccines will not be provided for cats at the clinic.

All customers will be asked to wear masks when interacting with Animal Control staff, medical staff or volunteers.

For more information, contact the Animal Control office at 661-326-3436 or visit www.bakersfieldcity/520/Clinics.