Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The Shafter High Generals football team is undefeated in SSL play, dominating their opponents for the most part. It hasn't always been pretty, but the Generals have found ways to win every SSL contest. The Generals' offense has been under the leadership of Darren Sundgren since Week 3, when Tyson Dozhier went down with a broken collarbone. Sundgren has given the Generals a good mix of quick feet and a steady hand, helping lead the Generals to victories. Sundgren has gained som...
Residents hauled their bulky waste to the Shafter Aquatic Center last Saturday, ready to dispose of it. The City of Shafter, Kern County Public Works, and American Refuse teamed up to hold the event. Residents brought their appliances, E-waste, mattresses, and much more that would otherwise be taken to the landfills. "This event helps residents as well as the city and county workers, making sure this waste gets disposed of properly," said Lynnda Martin, of American Refuse....
David Payne will be presenting his production of "A Christmas with CS Lewis" Nov. 26-28 at the Ford Theater in Shafter. Payne has performed at the Ford Theater three previous times, portraying the author Lewis. Payne began his relationship with the author years ago when he saw a flyer asking for actors to audition for the role of CS Lewis in a play in the United States. "British accents a help," the advertisement read. A bit bored, a bit intrigued, and with no hope of getting...
There will be no more parking along the corridor between Lerdo Highway and Central Avenue. The City Council recently voted to prohibit on-street parking there because of the car wash being built in the area. The developer said this resolution would have to be enacted to prevent any problems along that stretch of highway. This would prevent people from parking on the street on Highway 43, especially in front of the pharmacy located off Highway 43 and also in front of the...
Over 40 vendors gathered at the Tin Cup Saturday to offer a variety of goods including clothing, accessories, baked goods and homemade creations. One of the vendors was Kristen Page. Page and her husband, Dusten, have been operating B&P Honey for about a year. According to Kristen, a local beekeeper was retiring and selling his operation. Kristen's husband, who has a full-time job, decided to do the bee business in addition to his regular job. The business makes honey,...
The Shafter High Generals celebrated their Homecoming night with a big win against the Arvin Bears 47-7, keeping their SSL record unblemished at 4-0. Shafter's stadium is in the middle of a major renovation, so the Generals played their Homecoming game at North High on Friday night. This didn't affect the crowd much, as a large number of Shafter fans were on hand to witness the festivities. Led by quarterback Devon Sundgren, the Generals' offense played a strong game, rolling...
Residents must now adhere to the fall/winter water restriction schedule, city officials said. The schedule is to encourage water conservation efforts. For those residents that live north of Lerdo Highway, watering on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays is allowed. Residents living south of Lerdo Highway may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Residents cannot spray off patios, driveways or sidewalks. Violators can be fined up to $500. City officials also reminded...
The Shafter High Generals were perfect in SSL play on Friday night, playing arguably the most complete game of their season to date, beating the Taft Wildcats by a score of 34-13. The Generals have already had some impressive games this season, but there is usually a phase of the game that dominates the contest. On Friday night, in every phase of the game offense and defense each stepped up and did their part in the victory. Shafter started strong in the first quarter, scoring...
A routine traffic stop turned into a car chase through the outskirts of Shafter that ended in front of the suspect’s residence in the city. On Friday night, at approximately 8 p.m., an officer from the Shafter Police Department attempted to stop a vehicle that had run a stop sign at the intersection of Fresno and Poplar avenues, officers said. The driver, later identified as Christopher Sergio Acosta, 42, failed to stop, and led officers on a lengthy pursuit through the o...
The Shafter Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for their 2022 Annual Awards Banquet. The event honors individuals, service groups, clubs, and businesses who have made significant contributions to the community. There are several award categories, including business, education, health, and youth. Those interested in nominating a business, group, or individual can go to the Shafter Chamber of Commerce website and download the nomination form. Forms are also available...
Two local veterans joined about 170 other veterans on a recent Honor Flight to the nation's capitol, where they took in all of the memorials and monuments, and likely garnered memories that will last a lifetime. John Enns and Bob Reeves spent Sept. 14-16 in Washington, D.C., visiting landmarks that they had thought they might never see. "This was an amazing trip, one that I will never forget," said Reeves, who served in the United States Navy in the 50s and the 60s. Reeves...
The Richland School District has been working to enrich their students' lives and educational experiences by teaching them new techniques, as well as keeping the tried and true ways that students learn. Recently, in Mrs. Buenostro's classroom at Redwood Elementary, the students were part of a technique that differentiates the instruction, according to the students' needs. She tailored the lesson so that the class would be able to learn the math, giving them the chance to...
The Shafter High Generals dropped their matchup with the Highland Scots on Friday night, 20-13. For the second straight week, the Generals failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the first half, coming away with only one score, trailing at halftime 12-6. The challenge was made even harder in the second half, when quarterback Tyson Dozhier was injured as he was playing on defense, suffering a broken collarbone. Shafter started quickly on their first drive of the game,...
Elardio Garcia has always loved firefighters. He loves the fire trucks, the uniforms and the people that save others by their bravery. Garcia had a dream to meet his heroes and see where they do that important job. Garcia's great-grandmother, Bule Rea, contacted the Shafter substation of the Kern County Fire Department to see if they could make his dream come true. Rea said, "We made an appointment and they said that as long as there was not an emergency, they would be happy...
The Grow Academy, formerly known as Grimmway Academy, in Shafter, is working to keep children healthy as they learn. With a mission that includes a commitment to improving the health and wellness of the entire community, Grow Academy is a shining example of an institution that cares about its students. The educational mission at Grow Public Schools includes a commitment to improve the health and wellness of the entire community by teaching students and their families' ways to...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club welcomed the new teachers in Shafter schools with its annual New Teachers Luncheon Friday, August 13 at the Shafter Veterans Hall. Each year, the organization hosts the local schools and their new teachers, introducing them to the community. Several council members were on hand, as well as local business owners and community members. Kiwanis President Phillip Jimenez introduced the administrators of each school district, allowing them to speak on each of the new employees. Diane Barnett, principal at...
A man faces multiple life sentences after being found guilty in a 2019 rape and robbery in Shafter. William Jack Hopkins, 46, was convicted of kidnapping to commit rape, forcible rape, assault with the intent to commit sodomy, two counts of robbery, two counts of criminal threats, and felon in possession of a firearm. On June 14, 2019, as reported in the Shafter Press at the time, Hopkins assaulted and kidnapped a woman after finding her and a man asleep inside of a vehicle in...
The new Amazon fulfillment center in the Wonderful Industrial Park will bring about 1,000 jobs to Shafter. Public Relations Specialist Eileen Hards said the Amazon location will bring a mix of full- and part-time jobs, paying a minimum of $15 an hour and offering a variety of benefits packages from day one. "Amazon is proud to open a new Softline fulfillment center in Shafter," Hards said. "Associates of the more than 1 million-square-foot facility will pick, pack and ship...
The Kern County Sheriff's Office lost one of their own Sunday after a standoff left five people dead. Deputy Philip Campas, 35, was killed when a suspect opened fire during an incident on 1st Street in Wasco. The sheriff's office also reported the suspect, Jose Manuel Ramirez Jr., 41, and his family; Viviana Ruiz Ramirez, 42, son Jose Manuel Ramirez III, 24, and son Angel Manuel Ramirez, 17, died. Sheriff Donny Youngblood held a press conference at the Sheriff's Office...
The city is coming back alive as restrictions are lessened and residents celebrated the Fourth of July. Over 1,000 people gathered for the annual fireworks celebration for the Fourth of July, celebrating being in a large group for the first time in over 18 months. The Shafter Rotary Club decorated Lerdo Highway with a parade of American Flags waving on the median. Fireworks booths dotted the downtown and business areas, selling safe fireworks to celebrate the holiday, helping several clubs and organizations raise funds. The...
Over 1,000 people came out for the Fourth of July fireworks show this past weekend. The Shafter Chamber of Commerce helped the city celebrate the holiday with the return of its annual fireworks after a hiatus. As the sun set, Grace Givens sang a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, followed by a fireworks show that lasted well over 15 minutes, with a fantastic finale. "I have coming to this show for over five years now," said Paulette Osborne, who brought her three kids to...
Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia is being called to resign by some City Council members after his recent arrest for driving under the influence. At the City Council meeting, council members urged City Manager Scott Hurlbert to put the possibility of removing Garcia as mayor onto a future meeting agenda. Garcia was arrested in June by the California Highway Patrol for driving under the influence. He was arraigned on June 28 and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 19. Council members Tilo Cortez and Vincent Martinez said Garcia’s l...
Joslyn Pierucci, 13, of Shafter, has won third place at a national track and field competition. Pierucci, a thrower, competed in Rome, Georgia at the USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships last week. Joslyn threw a personal best of 35'9''. Daughter of Shafter High football coach Jerald Pierucci and Jodie Pierucci, Joslyn was competing at the bottom of the age group which means she was competing against mostly girls older than her. There were over 1,000 athletes competing...
Ken Hurlbert, of Shafter, is now ranked number one in the world in his age division in the shot put. Hurlbert, after a 15-month hiatus because of the covid-19 closures of track meet events, competed in a World Masters event in Santa Clara - the Striders Masters Meet - and launched a throw of 10.86 meters, which is the top throw in the world this year. Hurlbert was pleasantly surprised with the result, especially after the long time off. "After 15 months off, I wasn't expecting...
Mayor Alex Garcia was arrested for driving under the influence this week. Court records show an individual named Alexandro Cecelio Garcia, identified as being born in 1989, was arraigned in Shafter court on Monday on a charge of suspected driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08. The time and the place of the arrest could not be determined based on the information available.. Local officials who have personal knowledge of the situation -- but refused to...
