LATEST NEWS
Man found guilty of manslaughter for Ridgecrest killing; co-defendant acquitted
In the case of a brutal Ridgecrest killing where a man was found beaten and shot in the head, one defendant was found guilty Tuesday of involuntary manslaughter while the other was not guilty of all charges. Brian Matthew Coykendall, 31, and Erwin Moore, 30, were originally charged with first-degree...
Verdicts reached in Ridgecrest murder trial
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Kern County jury on Tuesday acquitted one man and found another guilty of involuntary manslaughter instead of murder in the death of a Ridgecrest man in 2022. Both men had faced life terms in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. Brian Coykendall, 34, was convicted of the lesser charge of […]
AltaOne's Casino Night full of high-rolling glamour
AltaOne Federal Credit Union brought all the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to Ridgecrest last Friday evening with Casino Night at the Kerr McGee Center. AltaOne's recently formed foundation pulled out all the stops by offering attendees all the ambiance of a luxury casino in what it hopes to be the first of an annual fundraiser to assist two local, graduating seniors pursue a higher education by giving them $2,500 in scholarship money.
Pierce, Vieweg to become magnet schools
Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, Pierce and Vieweg elementary schools will become magnet schools. The Sierra Sands Unified School District Board of Education, at its April 18 meeting, voted to authorize Pierce as a transitional kindergarten – sixth-grade visual and performing arts magnet school and Vieweg as a TK – eighth-grade science, technology engineering and math magnet school.
Fate of Ridgecrest men charged with murder in jury's hands
Trial proceedings of two Ridgecrest men charged with first degree murder concluded with closing arguments Friday in Bakersfield placing the fate of the men in the hands of the jury. Brian Matthew Coykendall, 31, and Erwin Moore, 30, are charged with first-degree murder in the March 4, 2022 death of...
Desert Artists' League to present Suminigashi demonstration
The next general meeting of the Desert Artists' League will be Monday, May 6, at the Church of the Nazarene, 571 N. Norma St., at 6:30 p.m. During the meeting, Penelope LePome will demonstrate the art of Suminigashi, a marbling technique using ink floating on water. This will be the last general meeting until Sept. 9, at the same location and the same time.
AltaOne assists Murray Robotics team as they head for World Championships
With a $1,000 donation from AltaOne Federal Credit Union, the Murray Middle School robotics teams are within striking distance of the $15,000 goal to raise travel costs for VEX Robotics World Championships! The three robotics teams will be leaving this week to compete in the tournament. Email john.paul@ndti.net if you’d like to make a donation to Robotics for STEM.
Jury to begin deliberating next week in Ridgecrest murder trial
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Jurors next week will begin deciding the fate of two men charged with murder in what a prosecutor called the “incredibly brutal” killing of a Ridgecrest man in 2022. Closing arguments wrapped Friday in the trial of Brian Coykendall, 34, and Erwin Moore Jr., 30, and the jury will return Monday […]
Ridgecrest celebrates another successful Night on Balsam
Couples and families came out in droves for Friday evening’s Night on Balsam event. Starting at six in the afternoon, the place was packed with people walking up and down the street, going into the local shops and visiting the numerous vendors stalls and tents. Guests walked dogs while children rode scooters, bicycles, and big-wheels around the event, while the Ridgecrest Police, volunteers, and the Police Explorers kept a watchful eye.
Man accused of hitting girlfriend, stabbing her adult son
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Ridgecrest man is facing charges including attempted murder after he allegedly hit his girlfriend then stabbed her 19-year-old son. Marquette Spencer, 41, has pleaded not guilty to all charges in Tuesday’s attack and is being held without bail, according to Superior Court records. He’s due back in court next week. […]
Idea for nuclear waste storage in Randsburg faces long, hard road to approval
Rudy Salazar figured last year when he bought 58 acres 2 miles west of U.S. 395 in Randsburg that he'd mine it for gold, as previous owners did, or maybe develop homes, if not commercial storage. Then came another idea: Build a spent nuclear fuel depot.
Burros girls crowned league champions in track and field
The Burroughs track and field boy’s and girl’s teams finished the Mojave River League meets with a road trip to Serrano. Both teams went into the final league meet with two different goals: the boys needed a win to have consecutive 4-1 seasons, and the girls needed a win to finish league unbeaten at 5-0 and crowned the new MRL champions. At the end of the meet, the Burroughs girls were crowned MRL champions with a very close 69-67 win but the boys lost 79-56 and fell to 3-2 on the season. Head Coach Tony Martin spoke on the girls winning the league championship and the boy’s season.
Local man survives attempted murder
At approximately 4:40 PM, Ridgecrest Police Department (RPD) was dispatched to Ridgecrest Regional Hospital (RRH) regarding a stabbing victim in the Emergency Room. Upon arrival, RPD officers learned the stabbing occurred at a residence in the 400 block of S. Valley Street. Because of the man’s critical condition, hospital emergency...
‘Denim and Diamonds’ raises estimated $20k for Cerro Coso Foundation
The Denim and Diamonds Gala April 6 at the campus Learning Resource Center raised an estimated $20k for the Cerro Coso Foundation. (The exact number is yet to be determined and includes a pledge from Ridgecrest Mayor Eric Bruen, who spoke about his journey as a CCCC alum.) The iconic...
Ridge Writers to present Mystery and Behind-the-Scenes Hollywood on Thursday, May 2
Mystery writer, actor, and film historian Tony Piazza will present two events on Thursday, May 2, first for “Read the Book, Meet the Author” at 2 p.m. in the party room of Pizza Factory, and then for the Ridge Writers general meeting, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room of Ridgecrest Presbyterian Church, 633 W. Las Flores. The public is welcome to attend. No admission charge for the general meeting.
Burroughs swim honors Seniors at final Cluster Meet
Burroughs girls and boys varsity swim teams finished third and second, respectively, in the Desert Sky League (DSL) Cluster No. 5 at Silverado High School on April 17th against Adelanto High School, Apple Valley High School, Cobalt Institute, Granite Hills High School, Silverado High School, University Prep, and Victor Valley High School. Both teams continue progressing on stroke techniques, earning personal records (PR), and qualifying to compete at the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section (CIF-SS).
Letter to the editor: Praise for Ridgecrest Cinema showing live operas
Thanks to our Ridgecrest Cinema for offering something for everyone. I'm especially grateful for the luxury and delight of being able to watch Romeo et Juliette LIVE from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City - it was sublime! Loved the "extras" - backstage with the singers and cast and crew and seeing how they set things up.
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