Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The Shafter Distinguished Young Woman program is getting ready to name a new title holder to represent the city. The program will take place on Friday, March 24, at the Fred Starrh Performing Arts Center at Shafter High School, beginning at 7 p.m. There are nine participants this year, each sponsored by local businesses. Here are the participants: Alyssa Calvillo is the daughter of Candy Gonzalez and is being sponsored by the Shafter Lions Club. She will be performing a dance routine at the...
Lower than expected labor costs will give the city a surplus in its operating fund this year, the City Council was told Tuesday night. In reviewing the midyear budget report for 2022-23, it was noted that one reason for the savings came from labor costs in the Shafter Police Department due to vacancies. There was a request for an increase of $30,000 for costs regarding the closed former correctional facility, including electricity and utilities.. Overall, the city is well within the budget...
Charlotte White, who has works of art hanging all over Shafter and Kern County, has two new pieces on display at the Shafter Library and Learning Center. Director David Frantz assisted White in hanging her new pieces, which illustrate different landscapes and an orchard. White has been painting for over 50 years and is an award-winning artist and educator. She taught at Oaks Valley Charter School for almost 10 years, with stints at Liberty High School and other institutions on her resume. White...
Mannel Park hosted the Ventura Circus last weekend, giving several performances of their new showcase. This circus had a host of different acts that amazed and entertained the crowds on hand. It was standing-room-only on opening night, with this year's themed "The Dream" show. Ventura Circus is a family-owned and-operated circus that relies on acrobatics, clowns, balancing acts, and high-flying tricks to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. "The Dream" follows a girl who is drifting...
Police arrested Elijah Sanchez, 21, of Bakersfield,.after he allegedly shot another man in the head outside the Shafter Starbucks last Thursday morning At approximately 9:37 a.m., Shafter police officers responded to a call reporting a shooting in the 100 block of West Lerdo Highway. Officers already in the area heard the shots, saw a man running from the scene and detained him – it was Sanchez. Officers then found an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds to his head. McDonald's employees s...
The Shafter Boxing Club has spent the past two decades building a reputation of world-class boxers. At this year's National Silver Gloves Championships in Independence, Mo., they provided more evidence – five National Champions, giving the team the most titles of any club in the competition. Led by Coach Mike Ayon and a team of volunteers, the club competed in the State Championships to qualify for the Regional Championships. The Region 8 is comprised of boxers from California, Nevada, A...
Shafter's Distinguished Young Woman organization will be holding its annual scholarship program in March, giving a Shafter High School junior the chance to represent Shafter in the state program set for June in Bakersfield. Last year's winner, Faith Bazaldua,will be handing her title to a new participant, ending a year filled of community events and civic duties. The contestants for this year are Britney Hill, Melissa Valenzuela, Mia Ruiz, Emily McGuire, Ariana Escalera, Desiree Arreola, Alyssa...
Former Shafter Code Enforcement Officer Matthew Maldonado saw his trial date set back to May 8, on charges on five counts of felony child molestion/annoyance. A readiness hearing was set for April 24 in the Shafter Court at 9 a.m. At this hearing, counsels discuss discovery of information and attempt to resolve the case before it goes to a jury trial. Jared Thomas, Maldonado’s counsel, said that they were were discussing discovery in the case witht he District Attorney’s Office. Maldonado was ar...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club held their monthly Terrific Kids luncheon, recognizing a group of outstanding students who were nominated by their teachers or staff. They were recognized for best exemplifying the particular trait for that month. This month, the trait was Friendly. The Terrific Kids program has been honoring students for decades, giving them positive reinforcement for their exhibition of positive character traits at their respective schools. Those traits that the Kiwanis and the...
It has been a few years since the city of Shafter has been the site of the Colours Festival, which had been an annual event for a few years before that. The event, which started out very small, had grown to draw attendees and artists throughout the county and beyond, drawing nationally renowned artists to some of the events. Well, I just loved attending the events at the festival, from the art gallery, the coffee house music, the Shafter Symphony – all of the events were great. I don’t thi...
Police arrested a man into custody after he allegedly shot another man in the head outside the Shafter Starbucks Thursday morning. At approximately 9:37 a.m., Shafter police officers responded to a call reporting a shooting in the 100 block of West Lerdo Highway. Officers already in the area heard the shots, saw a man running from the scene and detained him. Officers then found an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds to his head. Hall Ambulance responded and transported the victim to Kern...
No date has been announced for the arraignment of a Wasco middle school counselor arrested last week on charges of sexually molesting a 14-year-old student at the school. The employee was arrested on Jan. 30 after the girl charged he had touched her “inappropriately,” according a release from Kern County Sheriff’s Office. The incident allegedly occurred in May of last year. The employee, Jose Solis, 37, of Shafter, is a counselor at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and has been with the district for five years. Solis was booked into the count...
Hitchcock's Auto Parts has been serving the community for 100 years, becoming one of the longest-running businesses in Kern County. Founded by Charles Hitchcock in 1923, the business has kept customer service at the forefront of its mission. According to owner Jesse Escobedo, this is one of the main components of the success of the business. "We treat our customers with respect and consider them family. Chuck Hitchcock always said, which was on the letterhead for a long time, that, 'Every time...
A local woman, who has spent over 35 years crocheting blankets and beanies, has used this talent to help keep locals in need warm, as well as loved. Joy Duke, or "Grandma Joy," has been donating blankets and beanies that she crochets to local organizations. This year, she donated 36 blankets to the Carrington House in Shafter, with help from the Shafter Womans Club, who delivered them. She regularly donates blankets as a part of the Shafter Woman's Club Christmas for Seniors. Duke said that she...
Minter Field has been giving residents a peek into the rich military history of the United States, as well as the history of the role that Minter Field has played in that history. With the observance of Black History Month, Museum Director Ronald Pierce pointed out the little-known role that Minter Field played in the history of a group of black airmen that were stationed at Minter Field. Another Minter Field Air Museum member has a personal history when it comes to the role of these men. Major...
Romero's Closets is celebrating four years of serving the communities of Wasco, Shafter and Bakersfield. The company brings expertise and pride in its original and custom designs. Horacio and Rebeca Romero own the mobile business. They specialize in one-of-a-kind organizers, sliding mirror doors, crown and base molding, and paint and flooring to create unique closets that are adjustable to impress anyone looking for the perfect space to fit your needs and more. Before they started the business,...
The Shafter City Council approved the low bid of $1.4 million to start work on the Santa Fe Way Shoulder Project. This project spans from Santa Fe Way to Los Angeles Avenue to Galpin Avenue. Bids ranged from $1,4 million to $2.5 million, with the low bid presented by Birch Construction. Work is expected to begin on this project in the next two months. The council presented a proclamation for the observance of February as Safe Surrender Month in the city of Shafter. Safe Surrender was founded in...
The Shafter High Generals girls wrestling team may be small in numbers, but they make up for it in determination and talent. The Lady Generals have not had enough girls to field a full team, so they haven't been on top of the scoreboard in dual matches, but the quality of their wrestlers have the rest of the Central Valley taking notice. Such was the case in their dual meet with rival Wasco Lady Tigers. Shafter may have lost the dual match, but in the four matches that were contested, the Lady G...
Because the idea of a dog park within Mannel Park didn't sit well with nearby residents, the city will replace the state's contribution for the park's shade project and eliminate that component from the plan. Tuesday night, the City Council approved a budget amendment to move $75,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act to the Mannel Park Shade Structure project. The project, including a dog par, was previously going to be funded by a grant from the state. But because of concerns from residents...
James Garner and the Tennessee Three appeared at the Ford Theater on Saturday night, giving residents a glimpse of the artistry of the Man in Black, Johnny Cash. Garner channeled the country icon, with the look, mannerisms, and vocal style of the singer, giving the audience an amazing concert, according to several attendees. "It was outstanding. I saw Cash back in 1978 in Las Vegas, and he had Cash down completely. He even had his guitar playing style perfect," said Ralph Cordero, who was in...
One person is dead after their pickup truck collided with a train on its way to Oakland on Thursday afternoon. According to the California Highway Patrol, at approximately 4:45 p.m., an Amtrak train traveling from Bakersfield to Oakland collided with a pickup near the intersection of Madera Avenue and Poplar Avenue in Shafter. The driver of the truck was declared dead at the scene. The passengers of the train and crew were not injured. The area was closed for several hours for law enforcement...
Fourth and 5th grade students from Redwood Elementary School participated in their Science Fair last week, showcasing their science fair projects and sharing their research and conclusions. The event is a qualifier for the County Science Fair, which includes students who have won at the school and district level. According to Superintendent Rosa Romero, the students worked hard on their projects for weeks. "We are proud of our participants for their hard work and effort in completing their...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club held their monthly Terrific Kids luncheon on Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 18, recognizing outstanding students from the Richland School District. The students honored best displayed the trait that was selected as the theme for that month. This last month, the trait was "Inclusive." Students are nominated by a teacher or administrator, with that person recognizing that student for being a great example of that trait. This month, for Richland Junior High, the students...
Shafter celebrated its most historic football season in history with a downtown rally on Friday night, honoring the Shafter High Generals, who finished the season as the State Championship runner-up in Division 5. The Generals, led by Head Coach Jerald Pierucci, were honored by representatives of the city, as well as the offices of state Sen. Melissa Hurtado and Dr. Jasmeen Bains, who presented each team member with certificates. The Shafter High cheerleaders performed for the crowd before the...
Recently, a Shafter resident saw a need, asked for help and got it for the whole city. An employee of the Shafter Press, Erica Soriano, and her daughter, Chloe Hathcock, were concerned about the upcoming storms and how they could help their relatives who live in the Fresno Avenue area of Shafter prepare for the forecasted rains. Soriano called the cityys Public Works Department to inquire about the availability of sand bags for residents. She was told that the city did not supply sand bags and...
