Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
Shafter lost another icon this week when Frank Russell, Inc. closed its doors on Tuesday. Opened in 1939, the shop has been serving the community, meeting fabricating and steel needs for almost 85 years. Owner and operator Andy Russell said that it was time to do it, and said that he will miss his loyal customers. "It was a family decision. I just decided that it was the right time. I am 73 years old and am ready to spend more time with family." Andy's father, Frank Russell,...
The Shafter Theater put on its production of "Matilda" last weekend and drew large crowds for every performance. The play was directed by Lauren Givens and Chad Givens, director of the Shafter Theater. This is the first production for the company, which is a nonprofit that, according to Givens, is faith-based and is working to entertain the city in a positive way. The cast was headed by 8-year-old Esttella Marie Loaiza, a veteran of three shows so far in her career. Loaiza...
The Shafter Animal Shelter has a unique situation when it comes to city animal shelters – they have a shortage of adoptable dogs at the site. In the past six months, the shelter has not put any pets available for adoption on their website. This is due to the rescue partners that the city deals with, accounting for all of their available dogs. There are some cats available, however, as they are not rescued. Recently, the shelter had a dozen dogs in the shelter, but all but...
The city has come to a labor agreement with the Wasco Police Officers Association for the next two years, including 4% wage increases this year and in 2025. The agreement also includes bilingual pay, POST certificate, education, and other pay incentives, along with details on holiday pay. In addition to the WPOA-covered employees, the same benefit provisions are extended to Police Department employees outside the bargaining unit who are not on an employment contract. The...
Shafter has a new economic development director, and he is ready to take Shafter into a bright future. Fernando Guerra comes to the city after more than two decades working in the economic development field in some of the largest markets in the world. Guerra has worked for the Los Angeles Economic Development Agency, as well as a city agency in New York City and a stint in Chicago. Guerra is a graduate of USC and received his masters in economics and international business...
Wasconian Shirley Huffman celebrated her 100th birthday on June 23, surrounded by friends and family. She has witnessed many significant milestones over the century of her life. "The things she has noticed the most is the mode of transportation changing and how it has evolved," Daughter Cynthia Huffman said. "The way cars and airplanes have changed, and the fact that we actually made it to the moon." Her family came from Ohio, and is one of eight children. Her grandfather...
On Saturday, the Wasco Recreation and Park District's Red, White and Boom Fireworks Festival, celebrating the Fourth of July, was a day of patriotic fun and community spirit. An engaging line-up of activities and a grand finale lit up the sky. The evening started with a flag ceremony led by Boy Scouts Troop 950, which set the tone for the event and reminded everyone of the holiday's significance. Next followed the bike parade, in which entrants adorned their bikes, trikes,...
With the launch of the new Wasco Police Department, the men and women in uniform leading the force are passionate and committed to protecting and serving the community. Police Officer Anthony Cook is one of them. "We are here to protect you, to serve you and we are here to provide the services that you asked us for," he said in an interview this week. Cook thinks that adaptability is the most important quality for a police officer to possess. "Laws are always changing,...
The Shafter Little League All-Stars won the District 61 championship in their first year in existence. According to Little League Director Daniel Burciega, Shafter has not had a Little League team before this year. Little League has been a mainstay in Wasco, Buttonwillow, Delano and other surrounding cities in Kern County, but this is Shafter's first year. Burciega has had plenty of experience with helping run the Buttonwillow Little League and has wanted to bring one to...
Dr. Francisco Padilla of Padilla Physical Therapy and Fitness is a doctor of physical therapy who runs his business with his wife, Diana. He established his practice last year, in 2023. He was inspired to enter his profession because he was a patient after an automobile accident that almost cost him his life. "I was in an accident driving home one day on Sept. 3, 2012. I hit a power pole, and the car caught fire. I burned 80% of my body, had 30 surgeries total and was at the...
Strata Credit Union has launched Stock Rewards Checking, which allows members to earn fractional stocks as rewards on debit card transactions. This new checking account removes barriers that keep underserved people from investing, the credit union says. With Stock Rewards Checking, members earn 1% of each debit card transaction, up to $15 per month, which can be redeemed for fractional shares of popular stocks. Kelly Fargo, the vice president of community relations explained...
Fourth of July is upon us once again, and my blood starts to boil. No, not because of the 100-plus degree heat wave we are in, but it is the reemergence of my nemesis, the fireworks stands. I hate to see those contraptions scattered throughout the city, selling those balls of fire in a can. I really enjoy the fireworks show that the city puts on, with the awesome displays of color, done by professionals. It is the cardboard boxes filled with explosives that injure and maim...
The founding fathers of the United States had strong beliefs about freedom. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” They believed that their human rights were given to them by the Christian God of the Bible, not to be violated or taken away by government (Genesis 1:27). Freedom is a human right on many different...
Susan Arney, beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, departed this life for her heavenly home on June 19, 2024. She was 68 years old. Born to a loving family on April 28, 1956, Susan was the daughter of Harvey and Barbara Mizell and sister to Sandi, Vickie, and Randy. She graduated early from Shafter High School in 1974. Soon after graduation, Susan married her childhood sweetheart and the love of her life, Jerry Lee Arney, on Feb. 23, 1974. She devoted herself...
Celina Quintana Guzman, 51, of Wasco, passed away June 30, in Wasco. Peters Funeral Home,...
Brenda Lucille Bakies was born Sept 5, 1957, and passed June 24, 2024. Her service will be July 12 at 11 a.m. at Truelight Missionary Baptist Church, 1401 14th St.,...
June 23 Jose Luis Ochoa, 21, of Shafter, was arrested at East Lerdo Highway and Zerker Road for driving without a license and DUI. June 24 Pedro Pulgarin Antuna, 52, of Shafter, was arrested in the 100 block of South Shafter Avenue for DUI, combination of DUI and drugs, and driving without a license. Erick Alcala Arrellano, 33, of Shafter, was arrested in the 200 block of Colvard Street for domestic violence, disobeying a court order and disorderly conduct: alcohol. June 25 Fernando Quevedo, 26, of Shafter, was arrested in...
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 [email protected]. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Dolly Hei had the correct answer. Marjorie Liles (Haworth) took the photo at the Shafter swimming pool on July 13,...
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