[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6474558,"mediaKeyId","5783870-775fa155ae57b7a83b623e832849520f","parentId",5783870,"title","Groundwater Authority reports audit completion, social-media outreach and progress on Rose Valley monitoring well","audioSeconds",460,"startMs",4680520,"endMs",5140590,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783870-775fa155ae57b7a83b623e832849520f&start=4680&end=5140","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783870-775fa155ae57b7a83b623e832849520f/thumbnail_4680520.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6474558/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Groundwater-Authority-reports-audit-completion-social-media-outreach-and-progress-on-Rose-Valley-monitoring-well","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474558-895520d652228e828807e9514e755b72/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742125&Signature=Wly1yOmVZkY4HoXoExsYohkVADwMER364-MPCMOnkPs4DU0Nm6Jl4NdMDgPLf-jP-e7JtW~5PaZwGR84PHSMRErv6CjZiSuJpvgOPK-rtZrwOYFNVhSDcR6FzYqUI684m-OrLSQX1NRG2Pyz2xNJ1AmyC678Xzph4Q6~E-PTlMOztxPYkEQmBfz0gXRn0yQHxL-9Rm4OpVAKVzw-Hqzy0-EGIiq2J8ShWF4pMwK~v0JOJnCJdbHt5gFvTbBqJutfkzVkWxfzNdfyRZfUoqvwJv0CgAAXM2qcIdQL95mWAFxkAuBu2hvlS90y5A1HBuUf07qpfILI63f2c1sWFYJUlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Ridgecrest","date","2025-09-18T14:47:16Z","article","Ridgecrest — Councilmember Heyman reported on the Sept. 10 meeting of the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority (GA), summarizing an audit milestone, outreach decisions and progress on a proposed monitoring well in the Rose Valley area.

Heyman told the council the GA received and filed the 2023 audit with no major negative findings after delays caused in part by personnel and procurement changes. The GA expects its 2024 audit to be available soon. Heyman said the GA also approved creating a Facebook page for outreach but decided to post without comments enabled; the board concluded it was better to start the account and revisit moderation if needed.

On technical work, Heyman reported continued coordination with the Bureau of Land Management over cultural-resource surveys and permitting for a proposed second monitoring well in the Rose Valley area (north of town toward Little Lake). He said the Navy’s contract with Coastal for well work was extended through Aug. 31, 2026, to accommodate permitting and survey delays. The monitoring well is intended to help the GA assess flows from Rose Valley into the Indian Wells Valley groundwater basin.

Heyman also summarized legislative activity: AB 1466 remained on the governor’s desk and AB 1413 was parked until January 2026 for further consideration. Public participants on the GA call described recent court activity related to earlier adjudication phases and urged continued cooperative mediation on science and water-management planning.

No action was required of the Ridgecrest City Council; the report was informational.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 09/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmember Heyman reported the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority received the 2023 audit, approved a Facebook page (comments turned off), and continues work with BLM on cultural surveys and permitting for a proposed Rose Valley monitoring well; Navy reimbursement contract was extended through Aug. 31, 2026.","taxTitle","Ridgecrest, Kern County, California","taxId",52022,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474562,"Ridgecrest council accepts San Joaquin Valley air-district grant to buy 10 police electric bicycles",348,4327320,4675640,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783870-775fa155ae57b7a83b623e832849520f&start=4327&end=4675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783870-775fa155ae57b7a83b623e832849520f/thumbnail_4327320.jpg","/articles/6474562/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Ridgecrest-council-accepts-San-Joaquin-Valley-air-district-grant-to-buy-10-police-electric-bicycles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474562-cc5f8fea31741ce9ae4000c50d7fb987/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742125&Signature=QZrQXH1nT6qfGqU8sMUxydcAizmHuTUq8WdCEQG678P7~9-lM8Ns1MfVsrgeenDMuWKF~EQDXFAEJ25n7Ru-5B1eoLAzQKrxHLj4pAwhsVpoo7FnuPxF0ORBnVNE-MCY-XRlFylKrqSIhdllVSZ6rjewUUTT5CIm9M4lxOnNl0cqiCAXh55RLBSaAbIvnbYenXmRnrSMqMfzDxDv3WIbMqkymHh6KhdSAMyf-UFfvmZoxAPz2GEQhculSpK7Ok8eXvhFAd7Eito4zpZpUFmf8cPAS3ML-GDJrW940DW20A7tgZFNWqku6yYFp4zIatZYGwybu6~j1ekk~3MLSslYeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ridgecrest — The City Council voted to accept a $99,999 grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to acquire 10 electric bicycles for police use, plus five years of maintenance and training for officers.

Police staff told the council the package covers the bicycles, a five-year service contract and officer training at no upfront cost to the city. The chief described the bicycles as purpose-built for police work and said they expand patrol options in hilly and pedestrian areas: “When you add the additional help of an electric motor, it gives us the ability to patrol all of the communities on a bicycle rather than just the ones in the flat area,” the chief said. The department said the bikes are ruggedized with wide tires and a durable frame designed for law-enforcement use.

Councilmembers supported the grant as a supplemental tool rather than a replacement for patrol vehicles. Councilmember Hammond asked about tires and off-road capability; the chief said the bikes have very wide tires (about 3.5–4 inches) and the department has secured training that will occur locally to ensure officers learn to ride the bikes on Ridgecrest terrain.

No city match or expenditure was required: staff said the grant covers equipment, training and a five-year warranty/service contract. Following discussion, Councilmember Blades moved and the council approved the resolution unanimously among those present: “4 ayes. Motion carries,” the clerk recorded. The bikes are expected to be used for neighborhood patrols, community events and areas where a car would be less effective.

","Council approved a resolution to accept a $99,999 grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to buy 10 purpose-built electric bicycles with five years of maintenance and training for officers; no city funds required.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474566,"Measure V oversight committee reports funds used as promised; public works and police cited as main beneficiaries",334,2032230,2366350,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783870-775fa155ae57b7a83b623e832849520f&start=2032&end=2366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783870-775fa155ae57b7a83b623e832849520f/thumbnail_2032230.jpg","/articles/6474566/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Measure-V-oversight-committee-reports-funds-used-as-promised-public-works-and-police-cited-as-main-beneficiaries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474566-56d8b4c3d2b2b8c3c8157aa176bebc9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742125&Signature=kTKO1V0YF7UeZccuMgUQDjJ9I9CGGFyVqtKdaXNGWsTt7FTMDyJtos4MD6p4xvbYlgatWq7Lu6InDZadB5Nlei0uMquE7KpGHI8YxW9rauauWiONnTBDJIEqtLbyRNlOKLc1c98jEWPxaSOknjI3vRptmAFKYqujGkC3Uq3F7C9RGu4GqsSED9j5jzQC61XuoJZ2uYhebu2yAN5ZsTa9zTiezqMuPCiPCIZGnZbEKWG8feMKDGhp~Frnea41F2d5F-Fhyn5jDxFy71V1V0lS76-J5wUnQTSGkJ1~UtrL941auIqf97U~U1jLEEoLey6HGF7zC0IX1uOH22UoEHZ2hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ridgecrest — The Measure V Citizens Oversight Committee presented its annual report to the City Council, reporting that Measure V funds were used as promised and outlining how fiscal year 2024 revenues and expenditures were allocated.

Chris Hill, representing the committee, said the committee’s findings were drawn from city staff records and that the oversight group found transparency in the data provided. “The Measure V funds are being used as promised,” Hill told the council as he opened the presentation.

Hill and committee members described fiscal-year figures: Measure V revenue for fiscal year 2024 together with some remaining Measure L receipts totaled about $6.1 million; there was roughly $3.2 million carried over from fiscal year 2023; fiscal year 2024 expenditures were reported at about $7.3 million; and the committee reported a remaining carryover of roughly $1.9 million heading into the next year. Committee members said the higher expenditures were intentional as the city worked down prior carryover funds.

The committee told the council how funds were spent: about 61% of Measure V allocations were reported as supporting public works. The committee highlighted specific public-works accomplishments for the year, including completion of a downtown street repair, more than a mile of arterial roadway repair, 4.6 centerline miles of slurry sealing, acquisition of a striping machine and grinder, and completion of the city’s 2020–2025 five-year pavement rehabilitation plan. Committee members said the plan will have touched 99% of Ridgecrest street infrastructure by 2030.

Measure V also funded police operations: the committee reported that roughly 34% of the police department’s budget was supported by Measure V funds used for hiring, vehicles, interview-room upgrades and officer equipment. Committee members said officer-initiated incidents were up and calls for service were down — a trend the committee characterized as an indicator of more proactive policing made possible by the funding.

Committee chair Holly Staub and members Brandon Temple, Gupreet Badrain and Joe Shermer joined Hill in presenting details and answering questions. Councilmembers thanked the committee for their report; no action was required or taken on the presentation.

","The Measure V Citizens Oversight Committee presented its annual report saying FY24 Measure V revenue and expenditures matched program promises: fiscal year receipts and carryover, spending priorities, and performance highlights for public works and the police department.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6474571,"Ridgecrest council directs staff to return ordinance making property owners responsible for illegal fireworks",1540,2731690,4272590,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783870-775fa155ae57b7a83b623e832849520f&start=2731&end=4272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783870-775fa155ae57b7a83b623e832849520f/thumbnail_2731690.jpg","/articles/6474571/Ridgecrest/Kern-County/California/Ridgecrest-council-directs-staff-to-return-ordinance-making-property-owners-responsible-for-illegal-fireworks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6474571-ff0628a4bcb9c1a9f7c66c978fbc9d4a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770742125&Signature=ORWbakfvI6RNEKm9fAVYGWLHZhAbDjUubPUzhrMBBuL0JFKqv7rM4VLnhAn0SsVjCE7zIu-hWlpulsw5Op3vEpjBGeh~HOjtcADm9Giso4VD0rbicwLCNmPGeR63~2PDhBk5I1nfY5sIPszGGkWe4eQ7Q31uOK8tpfixafwYP-LtRCRX8F085GREBQaW98sRknemsBT67bHmcWY42qlCknY69kEB967TU1aqk8cbIXJP0BBJ9GZ0Uo-5JcM7WyhKWIGh5fnVz9RbRN2onhSBYe87k80ONrYG3TjCOH4MpMHE-7BdEqy4Q8Q~-9y2q6okRoUS9lOIEeehPXo2NcCI2Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ridgecrest — The City Council reviewed a draft ordinance aimed at curbing dangerous, illegal fireworks by allowing citations to be issued to property owners, tenants or other persons in control of a property where such fireworks are launched.

City staff described the measure as a social-host-style ordinance intended to give law enforcement a tool when officers can identify the property from which dangerous aerial or explosive fireworks originate but cannot identify the individual who lit them. “This social host ordinance also assesses liability on property owners, which would allow citations to be issued to the owner of the house where the fireworks are being set off,” a city staff member identified in the meeting as Martin said during the presentation.

The ordinance would not cover fireworks that are permitted by the city or those defined as “safe and sane” under California law; staff said it targets fireworks described as “dangerous” in the Health and Safety Code. Police Chief (name not specified in the transcript) told the council an ordinance like this has worked elsewhere: “we saw a reduction in calls for service for fireworks calls of 45%,” he said, citing his experience with a similar law in a previous department. The draft under discussion would allow an administrative citation and carries a proposed fine of $1,000 per incident.

Councilmembers asked how enforcement would work and whether the city’s jurisdictional limits would constrain action. Kern County Fire Captain Brian Barrett explained the county already enforces its own ordinance in unincorporated areas and described the county penalty schedule used by his agency: “$1,500 is the first, 2,000 second, and 2,500 is the third, penalty for the violation,” he said. Councilmembers and staff noted the city’s authority ends at the city limits; the county ordinance covers areas outside city boundaries. The chief said citations would generally be issued only after officers on scene observed the launch or explosion: “We would want the officers to on view the launch or explosion of the illegal devices, and that would be the precursor to issuing a citation,” he said in response to a resident’s question.

Public callers and residents urged careful drafting and additional outreach. One caller, identified as Neil, suggested the council should allow committee review and more public input before adopting an ordinance and questioned whether staff had sufficiently studied enforcement outcomes. Resident Aaron Crutchfield asked specifically, “how is this going to be enforced? Like, if do you have to see them doing it, or, like, can a neighbor call in…and then maybe you could come and look?” The chief replied that officers generally must observe the prohibited activity or otherwise have on-view evidence before issuing a citation; the ordinance is intended as a deterrent and an additional enforcement tool rather than a guarantee that every single instance will be cited.

Councilmembers discussed public education and outreach in the lead-up to the first July 4 under the ordinance. One councilmember urged a broad public information campaign — pamphlets, large-type notices and clear examples of what is illegal — to reduce confusion about what the ordinance would cover. The chief and staff stressed the proposal was not intended as a revenue source; they said a significant portion of any fine is remitted to the state or the fire marshal rather than retained by the city.

After public comment and council discussion, the mayor asked if there was consensus to send the draft back to the council’s agenda for a formal first reading. Council members present agreed; staff said they would return the ordinance for first reading and formal consideration at a future meeting.

The council did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting; instead it provided direction to staff to bring the draft back for formal introduction and subsequent readings and hearings.

","Councilmembers discussed a draft “social host” ordinance that would allow citations to property owners where illegal, dangerous fireworks are launched; council reached consensus to return the draft for a first reading after questions about enforcement, jurisdiction and penalties.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Groundwater Authority reports audit completion, social-media outreach and progress on Rose Valley monitoring well

Ridgecrest council accepts San Joaquin Valley air-district grant to buy 10 police electric bicycles

Measure V oversight committee reports funds used as promised; public works and police cited as main beneficiaries

Ridgecrest council directs staff to return ordinance making property owners responsible for illegal fireworks