From Windstorms to the High-Speed Rail: Get the latest!

The Bakersfield Brief! Everything you need to know, Briefly!

January 08, 2025

Good morning! We’re on the first full week of January and it feels like we should be halfway through the month. It’s forecasted for a windstorm kind of Wednesday but let’s hope that blows over.

Today’s brief includes:

  • 💨Windstorm Alert

  • 🚫Hair Products - What’s banned?

  • 🚄High-Speed Rail Update

  • 💸Wealth Wednesday - Credit Scores

  • 🍴Dinner Ideas

  • ...and more

Enjoy!

Weather Forecast

Wednesday - 60°☀️ | Thursday - 63°☀️ | Friday- 68°☀️

Brief Update…

Windstorm Threatens Kern County

A life-threatening windstorm is forecast to hit Southern California, with Kern County's desert areas facing strong winds and blowing dust. Gusts up to 60 mph may cause reduced visibility, downed trees, power outages, and preventive power shutoffs. The Southern Valley may avoid severe winds, but the Kern River Valley and Tehachapi Mountains could experience blustery conditions. Fire danger is high. The storm's impacts could disrupt travel on major highways.

Southwest Library Reopens with Fresh Upgrades

Kern County’s Southwest Branch Library reopened after a year of renovations funded by a $12.8 million federal infrastructure grant. Upgrades include new flooring, a colorful mural, a redesigned layout separating children’s and adults’ areas, and improved facilities like a Lego activity room and study desks. The library system is undergoing renovations at 17 of 22 branches, with several set to reopen soon. Visitors praised the refreshed space as clean, open, and conducive to creativity, with a grand opening planned for January 15.

High-Speed Rail Project

Governor Gavin Newsom announced progress on California's High-Speed Rail Project, highlighting the completion of a 22-mile stretch in Kern County and plans to begin laying temporary track this spring. The project includes 171 miles of rail under development and aims to connect Northern, Central, and Southern California, with future extensions to Las Vegas. Despite past delays and challenges, Newsom emphasized ongoing coordination with regional rail systems to create an integrated network for efficient statewide travel.

Mayor Goh’s Third Term Ceremony

Mayor Karen Goh was sworn in for her third term as Bakersfield mayor during a packed ceremony at City Hall. Emphasizing faith as her leadership foundation, Goh pledged to focus on jobs, homelessness, and mental health. Vice-Mayor Manpreet Kaur praised her advocacy at the state level.

Wealth Wednesday

How to improve your credit score!

  1. Pay your bills on time

  2. Kepp your balances and overall credit card debt low

  3. Be cautious about new credit card applications

  4. Use a combination of credit types

  5. Aim for a longer credit history

  6. Check your credit report regularly

  7. Dispute any credit report errors

source: schwab.com

According to NerdWallet, good credit score is considered between the range of 690 to 719.

Medical Debt Dropped from Credit Reports, Scores Rise

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule removing $49 billion in medical debt from credit reports, impacting 15 million Americans. Medical debt can no longer affect lending decisions, potentially raising credit scores by 20 points. The rule, effective 60 days after publication, aims to improve access to loans and mortgages, addressing findings that medical bills are a poor predictor of loan repayment ability.

source: msn.com

Check Your Hair Products

California motorists are being warned about a rise in text-based toll charge scams, falsely claiming overdue payments and directing recipients to fake websites to steal financial information. Scammers often impersonate FasTrak or The Toll Roads, but these agencies never request payments via text. Drivers should avoid clicking suspicious links, verify account activity on legitimate websites, and report scams to authorities. Victims are advised to secure financial accounts and dispute unauthorized charges.

source: turnto23.com

Events

Live Music this Weekend

  • Vince Galindo - 1/10 - Temblor Brewing Co. (at 7pm)

  • John Paniccia - 1/10 - Wine Me Up

  • Ben Purdy - 1/11 - Temblor Brewing Co. (at 6:30pm)

Food Brief

Dinner Plan for the Week

New Year’s Resolution Poll

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Results will be revealed Friday!

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