Kern County

California Assemblywoman Nicole Parra (D-Hanford) blasted her own party in a press conference Friday afternoon in Bakersfield, saying excessive partisanship was hurting its elected officials.

Parra said she was angry over letters sent to her by the Kern County Democratic Party this week that chastised her for supporting Danny Gilmore of Hanford, a Republican, to replace her in the State Assembly.

The letters, which are posted on kerncountydemocrats.com, suggest that Parra should be stripped of her committee assignments in Sacramento and her credentials as to attend the Democratic National Convention this summer as a consequence for her support of Gilmore.

Ann Barnett claims is isn't trying to make a "statement" by halting the civil wedding ceremonies in her office following state Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex nuptials

Bakersfield's homebuilders are feeling this year's housing punches. The Bakersfield Californian reports that the top staffer of the Home Builders Association of Kern County, executive vice president Cassie Daniel, has been laid off.

Trade group president Darryl Tucker said the layoff was strictly, "an economic decision. Ms. Cassie Daniel did a tremendous job getting us through this turbulent time in our industry..."