Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
Demolition began Monday on the building at the corner of Highway 43 and Central Avenue, on the site of the city's first retail business. The building featured a mural depicting various scenes of Shafter. During the city's centennial celebration in 2013, the city acquired funding to hire an artist to create the mural. "On that corner, Charles Shomate established the first retail business in Shafter in 1914. He replaced his original building with the brick building now being demolished in l919....
The City of Shafter has had a longstanding tradition of lighting their Christmas tree downtown with a celebration involving the entire community, complete with music, food, drinks and fun. This year they also had a few extra groups to celebrate as they recognized several local sports teams who have had extraordinary years in 2024. Of course, the event wouldn't be complete without a visit from the jolly man in red and white, who arrived and took pictures with the children. Mayor Chad Givens...
On a foggy Saturday morning, a high-speed crash between a pickup truck and a tractor on Kimberlina Road resulted in the death of the truck's driver, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision occurred about 7:30 a.m. in dense fog that severely reduced visibility. The CHP officials reported that a GMC Sierra pickup truck was traveling eastbound on Kimberlina Road at an unsafe speed, given the conditions. A John Deere tractor pulling an implement of husbandry in tandem was crossing the road southbound at the same time. The driver...
The Kiwanis Club of Shafter hosted a luncheon on Nov. 13 to celebrate local students recognized as Terrific Kids, nominated by their teachers for exemplifying respect in the classroom. The event, attended by their families and community members, showcased the pride and support for the students' achievements.Each student received a certificate, pencil, bumper sticker and t-shirt. "At Kiwanis, we love encouraging kids to develop good character traits that will help them succeed in life. In our...
The Shafter Christmas Parade and Festival at Mannel Park on Friday brought the community together to celebrate the season of cheer. Hosted by the Lions Club, this evening featured a parade with over 40 entries, including festive floats, decorated cars and trucks, and lively marching bands, all radiating holiday spirit. Kicking off the festivities were activities at the park, including food trucks, games, bouncy houses and lots of "snow." All of the schools in the Richland School District, as...
A pinning ceremony was held on Friday to celebrate the appointment of interim Shafter Chief of Police Randy Milligan as the new chief of police. The event honored a decorated peace officer who, over his 23 years in Shafter, has held nearly every position within the department, including traffic officer, field training officer, K-9 officer, senior patrol officer, sergeant, range master, lieutenant, captain, acting chief and now chief. With 26 years in law enforcement, his dedication and service...
The Wasco Woman's Club held its annual Christmas celebration for students on Friday at Grace Community Church. High school youth with disabilities enjoyed pizza, cookies, lots of dancing, and, of course, a highlight was a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, with whom they took pictures and received a Christmas gift. DJ Boomer provided the music, and all the students dressed in their best holiday attire. "It was the most joyous and rewarding Christmas party...
The "Intergalactic Space Invasion" recital, produced by Planet Dance Studio, conquered the stage on Saturday. The program took place in Delano at the RFK High School Auditorium. With nearly 500 in attendance, the energy was out of this world. Each class gave a phenomenal performance, and the music selection was just as entertaining to...
The Rose Festival Group and Orange Heart Foundation, in partnership with the City of Wasco, hosted the Wasco Christmas Festival on Saturday, with this year's theme, "Kindness Shines." The event featured a parade with over 50 entries, a vendor fair, a kids corner with games, crafts and a train ride and a lighting ceremony, where Miss Wasco Rose Queen Rihanna Sanchez lit the 20-foot tree. This year, the 2024 Wasco High School Valley Champion cheer and Tiger wrestling teams and the JV and...
Santa Claus, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, flew in from the North Pole to visit the Minter Field Air Museum on Saturday. "They arrived in an airplane, taxied right up to the museum's hangar, got out and greeted all the children and adults there," Minter Field Air Museum Chairman Ronald Pierce said. Hundreds of children from across Kern County had the chance to share their Christmas wishes with Santa. Each child also got to choose a free stuffed animal, donated by the Ming Avenue PetSmart. Members...
Karl F. Clemens Elementary School announced its Super Students for the week of Dec. 9. Criteria for selection were based on significant math improvement, showing kindness to all friends, respect and hard work, following class procedures, helping other students understand new concepts and improving learning English. Pictured in the front row, from left, are Principal Anabel Garrison, Agustin Landeros (5th grade), Luis M. Flores Valdez (4th grade), Consuelo Ochoa (kindergarten), Yoselin Noriega...
Líderes Campesinas is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 by farmworker women in California's Coachella Valley. "Our mission is to strengthen the leadership of farmworker women and girls so they can serve as a bridge for economic, political, and social change and ensure their human rights," Yesenia Acosta of Líderes Campesinas Kern Norte explained. On Friday, Dec. 20, they will host CampesinXmas at the Wasco Woman's Club, featuring a traditional Mexican posada, a 2024 post-election...
In last week’s paper, new Wasco mayor Valentin Medina’s first name was wrong in a headline. We regret this editing...
We will face many troubles in our own lives. Maybe you have lost a loved one. Maybe your health is declining, you are in chronic pain, lost your job, relationships have broken, situations of suffering and trial. The most troubling time for the disciples was when Jesus told them that He was going away to where they could not follow before His crucifixion (John 13:33). Jesus gave the disciples and all Christians five reasons to not be troubled. The Way. The first reason we should not be troubled is because we know the way to heaven (John...
Neecoal Marie German-Walker went home to be with the Lord on Nov. 7, 2024, having succumbed to injuries suffered in the hit and run accident on Highway 43 several days prior. Neecoal was born the May 29, 1978, at Ojai Community Hospital, arriving before even the doctor could arrive. She attended local elementary schools in Ojai and Lincoln, Calif., and graduated from Phoenix High School in Lincoln. Neecoal was preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Dolly Watson and Walter Hagens; great...
Betty Jane Olive, 94, of Bakersfield, passed away Dec. 1, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Esperanza Cardona, 67, of Wasco, passed away Nov. 30, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Jesus Jr. Rodriguez ``Chuy,’’ 67, of McFarland, passed away Dec. 8 in Delano. Peters Funeral Home,...
Dec. 3 Arthur Joseph Martinez, 40, of Shafter, was arrested in the 100 block of West Lerdo Highway on a bench warrant/failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Francisco Javier Moreno Flores, 51 of Shafter, was arrested at South Schnaidt and Curtis for carrying a concealed dirk or dagger and possession of unlawful paraphernalia. Phillips Vernon Ray, 53, of Shafter, was arrested in the 800 block of Central Valley Highway on a bench warrant/failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Dec. 4 Jorge Guadalupe Merino Uriostegui, 48, of Shafter, was...
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: The 1994 SHS varsity cheerleaders – to name a few, Kibbe McDonald, Liz Diaz,...
30 years ago: Dec. 21, 1994 Construction of the new Richland School District Activity Center was in its first phase. The center is located behind the Shafter Aquatic Center. 40 years ago: Dec. 14, 1984 Pam and William McElroy opened their video store, FM Video, on James Street. They merged the business with their Clothesline Boutique business in the same building. --Compiled by Erica...
SLLC newsletter writer/photographer Bill Wolfe. Additional photos by Samantha Saldaña, Elsa Solorio and Rebecca Bernal. By Katie Wiebe President, Friends of the Shafter Library The Friends of the Shafter Library have been busy this year! Here are the goals that we set for ourselves in 2024 and how we fared: 1. Continue Shafter Library History project: Rick Penner updated the Friends on his progress in a May 10th report. Work on this is ongoing. 2. Paint mural on Book Drop at library entrance -...
This sweet and gentle soul is a 10-12-month-old male chihuahua lab mix with soft white and brown fur. Oli came to us as a stray. He's fantastic with staff and other dogs, making him an ideal companion for a home with furry friends. While we're unsure if Oli is house/crate trained, his kind nature will melt your heart. His behavior with children is currently unknown, but with patience and love, Oli is sure to become a cherished member of your family. Oil will be ready for...
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