Padre Hotel officially opens for business; downtown Bakersfield gets a boost

 The historic Padre Hotel in downtown Bakersfield officially opened today (Thursday) to the public. Brett Miller, one of the co-owners, said the final permits were issued at 11 a.m., ready for a brisk lunch crowd and in time for the "First Friday" celebrations in downtown Bakersfield. The landmark hotel underwent an $18 million facelift.