Missing Smiles

10/18/2026

💚 Thank you, NAMI Kern County

What a beautiful day at NAMIWalks! Missing Smiles Inc. is so grateful to have been part of this year’s walk, standing together for Mental Health for All. 🙏

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth today. Every hello, every conversation, and every smile meant so much to us. 🧡

And thank you to all the incredible organizations who showed up for our community. Seeing so many people come together to support mental health and hope was truly special.

We’re so excited to have been a part of this day, and we can’t wait to do it again. Together, we are stronger. 💛

10/18/2026

10/18/2026

Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported NAMIWalks Kern County. Your presence, financial support, social media posts/shares, volunteerism, and conversations with family and friends helped make this year's NAMIWalks a great success

We are forever grateful for your support.

10/17/2026

NAMI WALKS 2026

10/16/2026

Still missing please, 1 share could be the one.

🚨 BOLO: Missing Adult
📍 Bakersfield, CA

A Bakersfield family is asking for our community's help finding their grandfather, Donald Wenze. He has been missing since Monday, October 5, 2026. A report has been filed with the Kern County Sheriff's Office.
If you have seen Donald or have any information, no matter how small, please contact his family:
📞 Sandra: (661) 448-2585
📞 Candy: (661) 454-2218
📞 Angel: (661) 444-1841
If you see him and believe he is in danger or needs medical help, call 911.
Donald is someone's grandpa, and his family just wants him home safe. Please share this so it reaches as many eyes as possible. 💛

Missing Smiles Inc. — reporting with compassion.

10/16/2026

🚨 ARRESTS: Four Arrested in Lake Isabella
📍 Lake Isabella, CA

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office says deputies from the Kern Valley substation arrested four people after a series of contacts in Lake Isabella.

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, deputies contacted two men near the 2600 block of Claire Street. A records check showed both had multiple outstanding felony warrants. Searches during the arrests turned up narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and am******on.

Because one of the men is prohibited from having am******on, deputies got a search warrant for the home where he was staying in the 1900 block of Harrington Avenue. Inside, they found two more people, along with suspected narcotics, drug paraphernalia, a stolen license plate, and a .22-caliber pistol.

All four were booked into the Kern County Justice Facility on suspicion of felony warrants and weapons, am******on, and drug-related offenses. Arrests are not convictions, and everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have information, please call KCSO at (661) 861-3110 or Secret Witness at (661) 322-4040, and reference case #2026-00144640.

Thank you to our Kern Valley deputies for their work in the community. 💙

Missing Smiles Inc. — reporting with compassion.

10/16/2026

🚨 ARREST: Suspect in Shootings at Local News Station
📍 1901 Westwind Drive, Bakersfield, CA

The Bakersfield Police Department has arrested a suspect in two shootings at the KBAK/KBFX news station.

According to BPD, officers responded to reports of shots fired at the station on October 9 and October 13, 2026. After the October 13 shooting, officers found multiple bullet strikes on the building and recovered eleven shell casings. Three employees were inside, and no one was hurt. 💙

Detectives from the Robbery/Homicide Unit worked with the Real-Time Information Center, using city cameras, license plate reader technology, and footage from nearby businesses, to identify a vehicle tied to both shootings. That led them to Thomashana Renee Zeigler, 46, of Bakersfield.

On Thursday, October 15, around 11:35 p.m., officers stopped Zeigler as she was driving toward the station. BPD says they found a loaded handgun and an extra loaded magazine in her vehicle, and she was arrested without incident. Search warrants later turned up more fi****ms and evidence. BPD says detectives also identified additional threats against the station, and the arrest prevented a possible additional shooting.

Zeigler was booked into Kern County Jail on suspicion of shooting at an occupied building and carrying a loaded fi***rm, among other charges. Arrests are not convictions, and everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have information, please call BPD at (661) 327-7111.

Thank you to the officers and detectives who worked to keep these employees and our community safe. 🙏

Missing Smiles Inc. — reporting with compassion.

10/16/2026

🚨 UPDATE: Officer-Involved Shooting on Pacheco Road

The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died in Wednesday night’s officer-involved shooting in the 1000 block of Pacheco Road as Daniel James Ruiz, 23, of Bakersfield. His next of kin has been notified.

The Bakersfield Police Department is investigating. BPD says the officers involved were wearing body cameras and have been placed on administrative leave under department policy. More information will be released as it’s available.

A second man who ran from officers is still outstanding. If you have information, please call BPD at (661) 327-7111 and reference case #26-204770.

We’re grateful no officers or other community members were hurt, and we’re thankful for the officers who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community. We also recognize that a family is grieving, and we hope they find peace. 🙏

Missing Smiles Inc. — reporting with compassion.