Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Tony Mestaz, of Shafter, has qualified for the Spartan Trifecta World Championships to held in Sparta, Greece, Nov. 3-6. Mestaz has been competing in the Sparta events for years, with a number of medals collected in different events.He worked his way up to the Trifecta level, which allows him to compete in three different phases of the race. Mestaz was recently interviewed by KBAK to discuss his accomplishments. The Trifecta award is given to participants who finish three different levels of...
In a continuing series of difference-makers in Shafter, we turn the spotlight on local woman Brandi Root, who has kept Shafter moving for over a decade. Brandi Root has been serving the community of Shafter for over a decade, helping them keep moving and healthy. Root is a licensed Zumba instructor who teaches classes at several locations throughout Kern County, including classes at the Walker Senior Center in Shafter. Root has taught at local schools, as well as for the Shafter Recreation...
The Minter Field Air Museum will have original copies of World War II surrender documents on display on the anniversary of the event. At 11 a.m. on Sept. 3, an exhibit highlighting the surrender of the Japanese in 1945 will open at the museum in Shafter. On Sept. 2, 1945, the Japanese officially surrendered, marking the end not just to World War II, but to 15 years of Japan's military rampage across Asia. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, along with Admiral Chester Nimitz and Admiral William F. "Bull"...
The Shafter Commanders youth football program is preparing for its first games of the season, which will be played on Saturday, Sept. 10. The opponents have not been named yet. "The Bakersfield teams got their equipment late, so they hadn't prepared the schedule yet. We should know our schedule in the next day or two, " said Freshmen Coach Louis Torres. The Commanders are a part of the Golden Empire Youth Football program. They compete against other county schools. "Just about every high school...
The Shafter High Generals stayed undefeated on the season with a 20-19 victory over the Arvin Bears on Friday night. This year's team is a very young one, and they showed some growing pains on Friday night, with several miscues on offense and a couple of lapses in the defense in the first half. Arvin opened the scoring with a running touchdown. The drive began with a Shafter turnover, one of three in the first half for the Generals. Koa Rhodes, who had such a dominant performance in the win...
The Wasco High Tigers football team, after a bye week, will be playing their home opener on Friday night against the Monache Marauders. Wasco is 1-0 this season after a road win against the South High Rebels. The Tigers, who went 10-1 last year, with their only loss to Frontier who just beat the Bakersfield High Drillers last week, has plenty of talent back from last year, with a chance to have another outstanding season. The Tigers are currently ranked #6 in the Central Section’s Division IV s...
The San Joaquin Valley Air District has approved a $2.5 million grant for improvements in Shafter, focused on a cleaner air environment, as well as improvements in the safety of the residents. Included in the plans for the grant money are projects that will create bike lanes and improve the safety of the shoulders along Highway 43 in the North Shafter area, as well as the area known as the La Colonia in Shafter, resulting in a safer environment for residents and its children. Although we are...
This is the first of a series highlighting local residents who are making a difference in the community. Katie Wiebe is the librarian at the GROW Academy during the school year, but one of many hats she wears throughout the year. Wiebe, along with Melissa Bergen, created the Listen to Shafter organization that has made a difference in many ways in the Shafter community. A few years ago, Wiebe and Bergen saw a need in the community and worked to fill that need. Shafter had no outlet for people...
The Kiwanis Club recently honored Shafter native Fabian Jimenez for his many years of service to the community, especially the youth of the city. Jimenez has been involved with several youth sports over the years, giving his time, expertise, and efforts to enriching the lives of Shafter's youth. The honor was given to Jimenez at a recent Kiwanis meeting that included clubs from all over Kern County. There was even a visit from Margo Dutton, the governor of the California, Nevada, and Hawaii...
The Shafter Tobacco Shop has been serving the community for a couple of years now and the business has stayed strong, despite the challenges of the pandemic and the governor's efforts to limit the scope of the businesses operating as smoke shops. Owner Yassin Shaw said that the business has stayed strong because of the great people in Shafter and a loyal customer base that keeps them going through good times and tough times. The shop has a variety of tobacco products, including cigarettes,...
Shafter High has its share of new staff and administrators this year. Jennifer Webb joins Principal Russell Shipley as assistant principal of administration. Valerie Labrentz returns as assistant principal of instruction. Shipley said that he is excited to be adding several new talented teachers to the staff, giving them a great core to enrich the students' lives in and out of the classroom. "We have a great staff here at Shafter High, with some students returning as teachers, as well as...
The Shafter High Generals opened their season with a big win over the West High Vikings, 46-6, on Friday night. With the task of replacing 80% of their offense with the loss of Devon Sundgren and Tyson Dozier from graduation, the Generals got a big boost from Koa Rhodes, who rushed for almost 200 yards and three touchdowns, giving the Generals a big spark on their offense. They also received a great game from Christopher Espinoza, who used his downhill running style to bulldoze the Vikings'...
The elementary schools in the Richland School District had their first day of school on Wednesday, beginning the year with a minimum day for the first day of the school year. Each elementary school saw lines outside the school, with parents and students looking for their child's homeroom assignment. Some of the parents were just trying to hold on just a little longer before letting them go for the school session. "I told myself that I wasn't going to cry," said Darlene Mendez, who was taking...
Rosa Romero, superintendent of the Richland School District, was recently named an honoree of the Latinas Lead the Way of Kern County for 2022. Romero has been leading the Richland School District for years now, with her outstanding leadership qualities that make this honor one that is well deserved. The awards and dinner banquet is LLKC's annual fundraising event, honoring local outstanding Latina professionals in Kern County. The group also salutes and supports its Youth Leadership Program...
The Shafter City Council approved procedures that will be used to fill two open seats on the Planning Commission. The council will invite residents to submit a letter of interest, then will interview the candidates at a council meeting. The council will then cast ballots, with the two highest vote-getters filling the open seats. The council also heard a presentation from the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. Paola Ilescas and other members of the coalition talked about activities that...
The Shafter Depot Museum has a new exhibit on display as it had a 1942 Flying Caboose land on its train track at the Museum as part of a new display. The antique rail car came from Terra Bella, courtesy of the J.R. Francis estate. On Aug. 2, the caboose was flown in and dropped into its new home at the museum. The funding for the move came from the John and Jean Ohanneson Trust. The museum is open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. --Jamie Stewart...
The Richland School District is offering sessions in the fall, spring and summer in its pre-school programs. These sessions are intended to prepare incoming transitional kindergartners and incoming kindergartners, ages 4-5, offering preschool education, health and social services. The programs also include case management, baby items and referrals to other local agencies for family resources. This program is available to all Shafter residents. There are no income restrictions to obtain these...
GROW Academy is holding its Back to School Nights this week, welcoming back their teachers and staff, as well as introducing a new administration to students and parents. Lacie Harris is the new principal at GROW Academy, leading the school into another year of growth after graduating its first classes last year. Harris is a graduate of Point Loma University. She has focused on reading and literacy, state and federal program management, instructional design, curriculum development and teacher...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club held their annual New Teachers Luncheon recently, welcoming the newest additions to the Shafter schools' staffs with a lunch held at the Shafter Veterans Hall. Members of the Kiwanis, as well as members of the community were on hand to give the new teachers a big thank you for their dedication to our children. Golden Oak had just one new addition for this year, with James Zontek starting with the school as a third grade teacher. For the Sequoia Elementary School Bears,...
The Shafter High Generals football team will bereturning to their home field after spending a season on the road while their stadium was renovated. With a brand new state of the art scoreboard, track, press box and concessions, the Generals will open their season with a nonleague game against the West High Vikings on Friday, Aug. 19. According to Head Coach Jerald Pierucci, this year's squad should be a fun one to watch. On a roster of 27 players, the team will have 13 players who are...
The community of Shafter can be counted on to support the students in Shafter, be it buying candy to raise funds for trips to providing school supplies for the school year. On Aug. 6, a Stuff the Bus event collected backpacks, pencils, paper and other supplies that the kids will need. Assemblymember Rudy Salas, partnering with Shafter Healthy Start and several local clubs and organizations, were at the Dollar General Store in Shafter, filling a big yellow school bus. Isabel Gutierrez of the...
At least two new candidates will challenge incumbents for two City Council seats this November. Mayor Prout and Councilmember Cesar Lopez have turned in paperwork for another term, along with Gustavo Olvera, Jr. and Rafael Zamudio. Olvera, a local real estate agent, served for 12 years as a member of the Shafter Police Department. He retired as a sergeant. Olvera said that he had to have a backup plan after retirement, and real estate was the perfect fit. Zamudio ran unsuccessfully in the last...
The Freewill Baptist Church in Wasco will be providing a free hot meal to anyone in need on Friday evening Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. This is a Matthew 25:35 Ministry, which serves those in need. The scripture expresses the compassion and servitude of Jesus Christ. “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in.” According to Mike Miller, of the Wasco Freewill Baptist Church, the idea came about in a uni...
One person was killed Aug. 3 when a Toyota Camry was traveling in the area of Highway 99 and Lerdo Highway turned over and burst into flames. The tan Camry flipped over several times before it became engulfed, according to the account given by one of the passengers to the CHP. At around 8:30 p.m., officers from the California Highway Patrol were dispatched to the area of Southbound 99 and Lerdo Highway. Upon arrival, the officers found a vehicle engulfed in flames. According to one of the...
The Shafter Children's Summer Theater had a perfect medicine for you if you were in need of a dose of entertainment this past weekend with their production of "Seussical" at the Shafter Ford Theater. The play was put on with performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Headed up by Cris Starrh, the theater group is in its 27th year, and has developed a reputation for great shows with performances that showcase the kids' singing, dancing and acting skills. A new wrinkle in this year's production...
