Cooling Center in Question | Bakersfield News

Wasco’s cooling center, set up to combat triple-digit heat, is barely getting any visitors — a trend Public Works Director Luis Villa says has persisted since the city took over. City Manager Scott Hurlbert admits outreach efforts haven’t sparked much interest, but Mayor Pro Tem Gilberto Reyna insists it’s still a crucial safety net for extreme heat days. As summer winds down, the city council debates whether to shut it down permanently or keep it active seasonally — with Councilmember Valentin Medina pushing for long-term planning. For now, the center stays open during heat alerts, but the conversation isn’t over. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/061573581557d724