Fifth annual Mayor's Ball provides hope to those who need it
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — It's the only black tie event where you walk a black carpet, pose and then take the escalator — the Mayor's Ball is back, and it's bigger than ever.
The event kicked off at CityServe in Downtown Bakersfield on Saturday, celebrating five years with the mission to provide hope to those without any. The goal is to raise money to help the broken.
'The people that are here are all about just creating a community where we're flourishing, and we know the only way to get there is if we work together,' said Crissy Cochran with CityServe.
This year, to honor CityServe's half decade milestone of changing lives, a generous donor is doubling every dollar donated to support CityServe's mission aimed at helping those who need it most. The Bakersfield College Drumline was there to help motivate the crowd.
'February is the best': It's not spring yet, but it really looked and felt like it in Bakersfield
'We're all about mobilizing the local church; bringing the local church to the table along with other non-profits and community leaders, to really just hone in on how can we help individuals go from dependency to sustainability,' said Cochran.
'I'm so proud of this organization, and everything that it does to help this community,' said State Senator Shannon Grove. 'I'm excited about Elevate Apartments and the wrap around services, and it's my honor to be here.'
Every year at the Mayor's Ball, CityServe shares powerful stories. This year, it's the story of a Bakersfield woman who was thrown into human sex trafficking at 12-years-old by her own mother.
'When you have individuals that get up there that were either trafficked, that were foster youth. All these stories that you will hear about these incredible individuals where their lives were changed, and that's my favorite part — the living testimonies,' Grove said.
Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage
Of course, it wouldn't be the Mayor's Ball without the mayor herself.
'It's such a joy to lend my name to the Mayor's Ball for CityServe benefitting the needy, the broken, bringing transformation to those that are hurting the most,' said Mayor Karen Goh of Bakersfield.
Hope is powerful, and it was on display at the Mayor's Ball in Bakersfield — a community full of helpers.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Yahoo
Interim Birmingham deputy chief of patrol operations appointed
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingham Police Department's new interim deputy chief of patrol operations was revealed Monday. Cpt. Raymond Cochran has worked for the BPD for 36 years, according to the city. He has been the commander of the narcotics division, crimes against property division, tactical operations division and south and west precincts. Brighton City Councilman Jerome McMullin charged with releasing video of double homicide during active investigation He recently served as the acting deputy chief of patrol operations. Cochran's appointment from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin comes after deputy chief Onree Pruitt retired. Cochran, a Miles College graduate, is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. The city also announced that Edmond Hanks, who was appointed interim assistant chief of police in November, retired Friday. The vacant post will not be filled immediately, according to the city. Michael Pickett has worked as chief of police since April 1 after assuming an interim title in November. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pair charged for kidnapping 2-year-old in south Charlotte, court documents show
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Two people are facing multiple charges after allegedly kidnapping a 2-year-old in south Charlotte. Around 5:33 p.m. on May 26, police responded to a call for service in the 7900 block of Shady Oak Trail near South Blvd. Police on the scene were told that two people had taken a child without the consent of the legal guardian. Details are sparse at this time, but according to court documents, 36-year-old Donnel Cochran and 50-year-old Tanika Barnes were arrested for taking the toddler for the 'purpose of holding them in involuntary servitude.' It is unclear if the suspects are related to the toddler. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area 🚨 >> Barnes was charged with first-degree kidnapping and felony conspiracy and given a $5,000 bond. Cochran was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon, first-degree kidnapping, felony conspiracy, felony possession of cocaine, two counts of assault by pointing a gun and carrying a concealed weapon. According to court documents, Cochran was issued a $250,000 secured bond. Reports show that Cochran had a SCCY CPX-2 9mm black handgun in his possession as well as cocaine. He had previously been convicted of robbery with a dangerous weapon. Cochran was convicted in 2011 for the robbery. Barnes and Cochran are due back in court on June 17. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
DeKalb County expands high-speed pursuit policy amid rising crime concerns
The Brief DeKalb County has expanded its police department's high-speed pursuit policy, including training officers in the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT maneuver) to address rising crime. CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson emphasizes the policy's focus on public safety, with stricter evaluation guidelines for pursuits, resulting in recent arrests related to illegal street racing. Critics, including Katrina Harris, express concerns over increased risks and deadly outcomes, citing a rise in innocent bystander fatalities during high-speed pursuits in Georgia. DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County officials have expanded the police department's high-speed pursuit policy. It is a controversial move intended to curb rising crime but one that has sparked concerns over public safety. What we know In a memo issued last month, Interim Police Chief Greg Phillips informed officers that the department will broaden the criteria for initiating vehicle pursuits and begin training officers in the Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT maneuver — a method used to forcibly stop fleeing vehicles. What they're saying DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, who has been in office less than 100 days, said the changes reflect her administration's focus on improving public safety. "Public safety from not only recruiting officers but keeping people safe — and across DeKalb we have seen quite a spike in street racing," Cochran-Johnson told FOX 5 Atlanta. She said the department's previous lack of training in PIT maneuvers limited its ability to safely apprehend suspects. "Previously, DeKalb County had not trained our officers in the PIT maneuver," she said. "PIT will only be used in times where there is a high risk of adversity to public safety." The updated policy gives officers more discretion in initiating high-speed chases and authorizes the use of PIT under stricter evaluation guidelines. According to Cochran-Johnson, training is already underway and has led to early results: last weekend, officers arrested 11 people for illegal street racing, impounded 10 vehicles, and recovered multiple firearms. Cochran-Johnson acknowledged the risks, but emphasized that every pursuit would be subject to a strict evaluation process. "We recognize the risk," she said, "but this is about balancing enforcement with the need to protect our communities." The other side However, critics argue that the changes could lead to more reckless chases and deadly outcomes. Katrina Harris lost her daughter Katie in October 2023 during a high-speed pursuit involving the Georgia State Patrol, DeKalb County police, and Stonecrest Mountain Police. Katie was struck head-on by a fleeing suspect on Memorial Drive. "October 14, 2023, it was a Saturday," Harris recalled. "He ended up going down Memorial Drive the wrong way and hit my daughter's car. From what I understand, he was going close to 100 miles per hour." Harris said her daughter was one of four innocent bystanders killed in Georgia high-speed pursuits in 2023. "I wish I could've seen her one more time," she said. "I don't see how it could make anyone safer." Dig deeper A Georgia Department of Public Safety review showed that while high-speed pursuits statewide rose only slightly — from 1,673 in 2022 to 1,680 in 2023 — the number of innocent bystanders killed during those chases quadrupled. DeKalb County ranked second in the state for total pursuits in 2022 and third in 2023. The Source FOX 5's Joi Dukes spoke with DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Katrina Harris lost her daughter Katie in October 2023 during a high-speed pursuit for this article.
