BAKERSFIELD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 17, 2025--
Ripple Fiber, a leading 100-percent fiber-optic internet provider and network operator, announces a significant achievement with plans to enter California, its tenth state. Investing over $60 million in this initial project, Ripple Fiber will deliver high-speed fiber internet service to nearly 50,000 homes in Kern County. Starting in Bakersfield, construction is expected to begin in early 2026. Additional cities in nearby counties will soon be announced, with the provider eager to grow its Southern California network.
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“Announcing this project in California is exciting for our team, who has worked diligently to move these plans forward. We are grateful to the city and county officials for their collaboration, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to their community’s success,” said Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Ripple Fiber. “Empowered by California’s leadership in technology and innovation, our work in Bakersfield and beyond will provide residents with the infrastructure and connectivity they need for the future.”
With Ripple Fiber, residents in Kern County and Bakersfield will gain access to faster, reliable internet that is built to meet the demands of remote work, streaming, remote learning, gaming, and smart home management. Powered by the provider’s 100-percent fiber-optic infrastructure, communities can rely on strong, dependable connectivity that will support their households for decades to come. Ripple Fiber expects to launch service for customers within the first quarter of 2026.
"Reliable fiber infrastructure is foundational to the next chapter of our county’s development, and this initiative marks a pivotal milestone in preparing our communities for the future,” added Jason Wiebe, Deputy County Administrative Officer with Kern County. “The partnership behind this project demonstrates the power of public-private collaboration and its role in improving quality of life for our residents.”
Residents in Kern County who would like to learn more about Ripple Fiber’s offerings or show interest in having fiber internet access in their community can visit ripplefiber.com and follow along on social media (@ripple.fiber) for updates.
ABOUT RIPPLE FIBER
Founded in 2021, Ripple Fiber provides thousands of homes with the brightest and fastest fiber internet solutions, powered by a 10-gig, 100% fiber-optic network. With its patented technology driving rapid expansion, Ripple Fiber is redefining connectivity for its communities while remaining committed to promoting digital empowerment. Ripple Fiber believes the biggest wave starts as a ripple. For more information, visit ripplefiber.com.
Investing over $60 million in this initial project, Ripple Fiber will deliver high-speed fiber internet service to nearly 50,000 homes in Kern County.
NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge turned to the Bleacher Creatures during their first-inning Roll Call at the New York Yankees' home opener Friday, bent a knee and flexed with both arms in honor of Brett Gardner.
“Still hoping he gets a chance to come back here and share his knowledge with the boys a little bit,” Judge said after his go-ahead, two-run homer in the first inning started the Yankees to an 8-2 win over the Miami Marlins. “He was a big part of this team, his long tenure here as a Yankee, so I always like paying him a little credit. He's tuned into the game and watching.”
Gardner spent his entire big league career with the Yankees from 2008-21, and Judge made his major league debut with New York in 2016. Judge started flexing for Roll Call when playing center field, Gardner's old position. Judge roomed with Gardner in 2017.
“He was a leader. He was a professional. He was a prankster. He was everything that you look for in a guy to lead the team,” Judge said, speaking slowly and choosing his words carefully. “He took me in at a young age when I first got here and he treated me just like everybody else and showed me respect. He taught me a lot of things. It kind of teaches you how to lead a clubhouse. He had a big influence on me not only on the field but inside this clubhouse, just the way he played the game and the way he held everybody to a standard. Very few guys are made like Brett Gardner.”
Gardner has been in the Yankees' thoughts even more since March 2024, when his youngest son died at age 14 during a family vacation in Costa Rica. Authorities determined carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death.
Judge, the team captain, wanted the Yankees to arrive in style after opening 5-1 on their West Coast trip.
“That's Cap, again, setting the tone,” said Ben Rice, who homered and drove in three runs. “Sent us a text late last night saying: `Hey, suits tomorrow.' So everybody was fired up and we were happy to continue that momentum out on the field.”
Trent Grisham reached leading off with the first of 11 walks by Marlins pitchers and Judge drove a slider into the left-field seats against Eury Pérez for a 2-1 lead.
Judge, who had three RBIs, hit a record 20 first-inning home runs last year, when he finished with 53. Three of Judge’s five hits this season have been home runs.
Coming off his third AL MVP award and first batting title, Judge is off to a slow start with a .185 average.
He gave his teammates a scare in the second inning when he was hit below the right wrist by a 98.9 mph fastball from Pérez, one pitch after Grisham's bases-loaded walk.
“I’ve broken my wrist like that, so that’s always the main concern,” Judge said.
Judge missed 45 games after he was hit by a pitch from Kansas City’s Jakob Junis on July 26, 2018.
“Felt like he was probably OK but I tend to jump up a little quicker when it’s to him," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) hits a two-run home run during the first inning of the Yankees' home-opener baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, April 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) walks back to dugout during the fifth inning of a home-opener baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, April 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) successfully steals second base during the eighth inning of a home-opener baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, April 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Yankees outfielders Cody Bellinger (35), Trent Grisham (12) and Aaron Judge (99) embrace each other after wining a home-opener baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, April 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge (99) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of the Yankees' home-opener baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, April 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
