Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
Police confiscated gambling machines and arrested the owner of the Shafter Tobacco Shop last week. Yassim Shaw, 50, was cited and released after the Tuesday raid, allegedly allowing illegal gambling in the back room of his business. The investigation involved officers from the Shafter Police Department and inspectors from the California Tax and Fee Administration, who searched the business and found that the business was in possession of illegal cannibas and tobacco...
The Shafter City Council decided not to help pay for the Chamber of Commerce 3rd of July Fireworks Show. City Manager Gabriel Gonzales said that the city had discussed the proposal and deemed it okay for the city to be a Patriot Sponsor for the annual event. Gonzales said that the show is attended by the public, allowing it to help fund the event. At the first-ever meeting at Gossamer Grover's Community Park Tuesday night, Councilmember Gilbert Alvarado asked Gonzales if the...
The Shafter Cinco de Mayo Festival was held on Saturday, complete with a parade downtown and a slew of activities at Mannel Park following the parade. The parade was led by this year's Grand Marshal, Diana Burnett, who retired this past year as the highest-ranking female officer in the department's history, retiring as the assistant chief of police. Burnett was followed by the Minter Field Air Museum's entry, which included their Follow-Me Yellow Jeep and their Vietnam-era...
In connection with the annual Shafter Cinco de Mayo Festival, the Shafter Learning Center and Library hosted Dia del Ninos last week, giving youths a chance to celebrate in a unique way. The event was a celebration of children in the community, giving families a place to have some safe fun in town. The traditional event is a celebration of children held with a variety of games, activities, food and music to celebrate the youth of the community. There was face painting, music,...
The St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish Cinco de Mayo Festival was a joyous occasion. With live entertainment, an array of mouth-watering authentic Mexican dishes, refreshing drinks and children's games, there was something for everyone. Councilmember Gilberto Reyna is president of the church council and spearheaded the event. "The festival was a success, and it was a good turnout. We had a large crowd. They enjoyed spending a festive afternoon with their friends and...
The Shafter Library and Learning Center hosted Viva El Arte, a fine arts show on Friday afternoon, featuring artists displaying their works, including paintings, sketches, sculpture and photographs. One of the featured artists was Nora Pineda. Pineda grew up in the area of Shafter known by many as the Mexican Colony, now La Colonia. Pineda said that she is proud of her heritage and she puts her culture and passion into her work. Pineda had several sculptures on display, each...
Wasco moved forward with the construction rehabilitation phase of the Police Activity League building, accepting a bid from Crosswhite Construction Inc. for $498,684 and up to an additional $150,000 for changes, with hopes to get outside funding to help pay for the project. On Dec. 28, 2022, the city received an executed agreement from the Housing and Community Development Department approving an amendment of funds totaling $511,964. Out of these funds, $184,869.44 was used...
Councilmembers Valentin Medina and Eddie Saldaña of the Wasco Task Force led a team of almost 30 excited volunteers on Saturday morning in a cleanup effort focused on the newly renovated South Gate Park and surrounding neighborhood. "It was a great turnout. We had councilmembers, city staff, members of the Orange Heart Foundation, students, residents and Walmart representatives that came who cared about making a difference," Medina said. "We collected about 20 large bags of...
College Community Services, Wasco Child, will celebrate May Mental Health Awareness Month with an event on Friday, May 17. The organization is an outpatient community-based mental health clinic that provides services to children, adolescents and families struggling with mental illness, substance use challenges and other life struggles. Patty Ortega is the lead clinician. "The purpose of the event is to allow the community to gain free access to education about mental health,...
Last week’s Press reported that the city was purchasing new Flock cameras for tracking vehicles at a cost of $90,000 each. The actual cost is $90,000 for all 25 cameras, not per camera, with an annual maintenance fee of $70,000 annually, according to Mayor Chad Givens. The Press regrets the...
The Wasco Woman's Club treated students with special needs from Wasco High School to a Cinco de Mayo-themed prom, where they enjoyed an afternoon of dancing, laughter and memories. Leo Chavez is a special education teacher at Wasco High School. "Our kids get super excited about the prom. It's a good way to end the school year. It's fun for the kids and staff because they get to enjoy listening to music, dancing and socializing. It's almost like all the hard work they put in...
A Lady General athlete became the first ever to qualify from Shafter High for the State Swimming Championships – male or female. With a first place in the 100 yard butterfly at the Valley Championships, Sara Jane Osborne punched her ticket for the State meet this weekend – by over a full second. According to Head Coach Larissa Davis, Osbourne has been dominant this year and she is proud of all of the girls. "We have worked so hard, especially with not having a home pool...
The Bible speaks of sincere faith in 2nd Timothy 1:5. Apostle Paul said to a young man named Timothy, "I see this faith in you and I first saw it in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice." Paul was telling Timothy to stir up the gift of God that was in him and to not forget what he had learned from his grandma and mother. Throughout the 36 years that I have been a pastor at our church, I have learned many things from moms and grandmas in the church. These moms and...
Barbara King, 85, of Bakersfield, passed away May 1, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Leonard Torres, 57, of Bakersfield, passed away April 26, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Rose Escobedo, 87, of Shafter, passed away May 5, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Inez Virgen Rubio, 79, of Wasco, passed away May 4, in Shafter. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Scott Eugene Barton, 61, of Wasco, passed away May 2, in Shafter. Basham & Lara Funeral Care,...
April 29 Javier Antonio Parada, 40, of Shafter, was arrested in the 30500 block of Merced Avenue on an outside bench warrant/failure to appear on misdemeanor charge. April 30 Ruy Rolando Leal, 25, of Shafter, was arrested in the 400 block of Rodriguez Avenue on a bench warrant/failure to appear on felony charge. May 3 Robert Carlos Garza, 52, of Shafter, was arrested at Poplar and West Lerdo Highway for driving with a suspended license, possession of unlawful paraphernalia and on a bench warrant/failure to appear on a...
Here's this week's challenge, courtesy of the Shafter Historical Society. If you know the location, circumstances, exact or rough date and/or people in the photo, send your educated (or semieducated) guess to The Press, 455 Kern St., Suite E, Shafter, CA 93263, or e-mail it to mysteryphoto@The ShafterPress.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Sugar beet pickers and Water tower in...
Leslie came into the Wasco Animal Shelter as a stray. She is approximately a 9-12-month-old female husky mix. She is great with staff and other dogs. It is unknown if Leslie is house/crate trained at the time. Dogs are not tested with children; her behavior toward children is unknown. Leslie will be available for adoption on Thursday, May 9. Everyone is welcome to adopt from our facility, and we like to give everyone the same opportunity to adopt. Adopters can be from out of...
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