Q: Are any T.V. stations in Bakersfield considering going H.D.?

- Rob Linares

A: We were able to talk to general managers at two local television stations and here's what they said:

KBAK Channel 29: Most of its network programming is offered in high definition but local programming like news is not - yet - because buying and converting to needed equipment is very expensive - more than $1 million, said General Manager Teresa Burgess.

But the station is working toward those upgrades, she said.

If your television set is digital, she pointed out, you likely can access the station's high definition offerings via an antennae.

KERO Channel 23: At least 95 percent of programming through the ABC network is in high definition, with one of the exceptions being some reality shows, said General Manager Steve McEvoy.

The station recently updated its servers so programs such as Live! with Regis and Kelly, Ellen, Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are also broadcast in high definition, he said.

KERO is getting ready to take its news in high definition, McEvoy said, and it's pegged to happen sometime in 2010.

The HD programs are on BrightHouse channel 1008 and anyone watching over the air will see HD programming, too, he said.

Q: Is there any plan to extend Mountain Vista Drive down to Panama Lane? Currently those living in the neighborhood between Harris and Panama must wind through the neighborhood to get to Harris or turn right on Panama and flip a U at Buena Vista to go east.

- Kim Rofkahr

A: This would typically be an improvement constructed with new development, said Arnold Ramming, a city civil engineer IV. He said he's not aware of any proposal to have the city construct this road as part of its capital improvement program.

Q: In the last month or so we have started to hear a loud horn-like sound in the early morning hours. It almost sounds like a fog or air horn. We're located in The Oaks right off the corner of Gosford Road and White Lane.

This horn is very loud and I'm sure other people are hearing it as well. It seems to go off at weird times, too - there is no consistency to it. One night it'll go off at 11:33 p.m. whereas on other nights it goes off between 2 and 3 a.m. Each time it sounds three times in a row and then oftentimes, a couple of minutes will pass and then we'll hear it three more times.

We're curious to know what this is. With the Coca Cola, Nestle and other factories in this area, we're wondering if it isn't coming from one of those locations. We were also wondering if it might be an overnight construction team building the new Wal-Mart.

- Jenae Bingham

A: We asked several city officials and their guess was it's a train. But if any other Ask TBC readers have a different possible answer, send us an e-mail at the address below or call 395-7417.

Ask The Californian appears on Mondays and Thursdays. Submit questions to asktbc@bakersfield.com or to The Bakersfield Californian, c/o Christine Bedell, P.O. Bin 440, Bakersfield, CA 93302.