Ridgecrest residents can drive-up and drop off hazardous waste, free of charge as always, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3301 Bowman Road, on the second and fourth Saturday of each month.The Kern County Public Works Department hosts a hazardous waste collection event each month."[C]ollection events are for residential hazardous waste only. Commercial or business waste will not be accepted," a press release from KCPWD reads ..read more

The Ridgecrest Chamber Music Society contracted a German ensemble in order to provide students a live program in February.Ensemble 4.1, located in Berlin, will be performing for students in both homes and classrooms at 10 a.m. on Feb. 1."This season the RCMS planned for and contracted with five chamber music groups to present live concerts and in-school programs here in Ridgecrest. Because of COVID those plans have gone ..read more

'It's just one of those things that I love to be a part of ..read more

Look for softball field improvements at Leroy Jackson Park if the city receives some $107,000 in Community Development Block Grant Funds, according to a decision by the Ridgecrest City Council Jan. 20.The allotment for fiscal year 2021-2022 is not a done deal, according to City Clerk Ricca Charlon. Rather it is an anticipated amount the city hopes to receive.It's "not set in stone," Charlon said. "This is what we hope to get."If received the $107,000 will be ..read more

Should public comment be moved near the end of city council meetings? That is one topic the Ridgecrest City Council will be tackling when they get together Feb. 3.A meeting policy amendment suggested by Mayor Eric Bruen would move the public comment portion of the meeting from near the beginning of the meeting to near the end, prior to the city manager’s report.Bruen is suggesting the change based on instruction he received during a League of California Cities New ..read more

After nine months of coronavirus-induced shutdowns that have impacted nearly every trade, many in the entertainment industry can hope for better days thanks to the Save Our Stages Act, which was included within the $900 billion COVID-19 relief package passed in December.Perhaps most important locally, the Save our Stages Act will help keep Ridgecrest entertained. The Ridgecrest Cinemas has taken its share of hits over the last couple of years, including the 2019 Ridgecrest ..read more

Earthquake repairs 'almost impossible' for Trona schools after BLM announces royalty rate decrease ..read more

Ridgecrest was hit by a 3.2 magnitude earthquake on Thursday at around 6:25 p.m.The U.S. Geological Service (USGS) reported that the earthquake was 13km east-northeast of Ridgecrest and that it was 8.1km in depth.  ..read more

A second preliminary hearing has been set for a Ridgecrest man accused of first-degree murder and arson.George Richard Smith Jr. has a second preliminary hearing on Tuesday morning at the Kern County Superior Court of California.Smith, 59, is charged with first-degree murder, arson and reckless evasion of a peace officer, events that allegedly occurred on June 30, 2020, according to court documents ..read more

Ridgecrest Regional Hospital has no more COVID-19 vaccinations and no estimation of when it will receive its next shipment.Without a vaccine, or even a potential shipment date, the hospital cannot schedule future vaccinations, it can only keep a list of those interested while the wait for more vaccines continues. Once RRH receives its next batch of vaccines, those who previously called to set up an appointment will ..read more