YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER Kern County, CALIFORNIA
Ridgecrest News
Local reporting, events and community services in the Indian Wells Valley.
Coverage area: Ridgecrest and the Indian Wells Valley
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YOUR COUNTY · NOVEMBER 3, 2026 ELECTION
Kern County Election Guide
Read about governor candidates, statewide contests, all 14 statewide propositions, and where to find the official address-specific local ballot for Kern County.
Read the Kern County election guide →CALIFORNIA58 · STATEWIDE ELECTION COVERAGE
California Governor Election — November 3, 2026
Two candidates are certified for the statewide gubernatorial contest. Explore both independent profiles, including their careers, policy proposals and the unresolved questions. These statewide articles are not local reporting from Ridgecrest.
Steve Hilton for California Governor in 2026: Taxes, Housing, Energy and Plans Examined
Read the candidate profile →Read the California58 58-county election directory → · Official election information ↗
Independent, nonpartisan profiles. Candidate promises are not enacted laws.LOCAL REPORTING
Latest Ridgecrest News stories
Ridgecrest News: How to Apply for a Building Permit and Check Zoning Before Construction
The City of Ridgecrest accepts building permit applications by email, requires electronic plan submissions when plans are needed, and publishes zoning and planning resources. Here's how to prepare.
Ridgecrest and Trona: September Jobless Rates Differ Across Kern and San Bernardino Counties
New EDD county data show 7.9% unemployment in Kern County and 5.5% in San Bernardino County in September 2026, but these are county totals—not jobless rates measured separately…
Ridgecrest News: After the 2019 Earthquakes, How to Get Alerts and Prepare for the Next One
Ridgecrest's 2019 earthquakes remain a reason to prepare: what USGS documented, how MyShake and ReadyKern differ, and which steps residents can take today.
Ridgecrest Drivers: Searles Valley News Reports $5.69 Cash Gasoline in Trona
Searles Valley News reports regular at $5.69 cash and $5.79 card on October 17. Compare current prices and round-trip costs before traveling.
Ridgecrest Area Weekend: Red Rock Canyon State Park Announces October 24 Nature Walk
RIDGECREST AREA, Kern County — October 17, 2026. California State Parks lists a docent-led nature walk for Saturday, October 24, at 9 a.m. at Red Rock Canyon State…
Kern County DA: Ridgecrest City Never Lawfully Voted to Back Groundwater Bills AB 1413 and AB 1466
Kern County DA: Ridgecrest never lawfully voted to back AB 1413 or AB 1466. Officials misrepresented the city's position; no charges planned.
Ridgecrest News: November 3 Election — What Local Readers Need to Know
Local November 3 election information for Ridgecrest and the Indian Wells Valley: California statewide races and Kern County official ballot sources.
Ridgecrest News: Caltrans 2026 Planning Documents Identify Highway 178 Pavement, Drainage and Bike Lane Work
RIDGECREST NEWS | LOCAL REPORTING · 2026 Ridgecrest’s Highway 178 corridor appears in Caltrans’ 2026 State Highway Operation and Protection Program documents, with pavement, drainage and complete-streets improvements…