Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The Shafter Young Adults Theater will be performing their production of the Broadway hit "Singin' in the Rain" at the Shafter Ford Theater Friday and Saturday, March 31-April 1. The group has been rehearsing for several weeks, learning a variety of dances and singing numbers, bringing the Broadway hit to life. Led by Mayor Chad Givens, the theater troupe has been performing for the past three years, a welcome addition to the Shafter Children's Summer Theater, which has been...
The Shafter City Council voted Tuesday night to nominate Wasco councilmember and former mayor and Gilberto Reyna to serve on the San Joaquin Valley Air District Board. Reyna was selected to be the small city representative on the board. The person must be from either Arvin, Delano, Taft, Shafter, Maricopa or Wasco to be eligible for the position. The only other applicant was Cory Morse of Maricopa. The council also held a public hearing to approve Tract #7402, which is...
The California-Nevada-Hawaii Kiwanis District 33 held a meeting and awards luncheon at Hodel's Country Dining recently, covering over 400 clubs in the western region of the United States. The district's governor, Valarie Brown-Klingelhoefer, was in attendance and presented two awards to Shafter community members for their years of service to their community. Lt. Governor Ricardo "Chief" Ibarra also helped honor the pair of recipients. They gave a Community Service Award to...
Miguel Ayon and the Shafter Boxing Club have joined an elite group of individuals and groups that have been honored with the title of Grand Marshal of the Shafter Cinco de Mayo Festival. Ayon was surprised at the announcement, saying that he was very honored and thankful for the nomination. Ayon got involved in the Shafter Police Department's PAL program in 2009, helping out with the kids as they trained. Ayon left the program a short time later, deciding to start his own...
The Shafter Chamber of Commerce held their annual Chamber Awards Banquet last Thursday night, recognizing some of Shafter's best and brightest. Chamber's Debbie Haley welcomed the packed house and invited them to participate in the silent auction and enjoy a dinner served by Hodel's Country Dining. The Shafter Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors and Pastor Steve Seymour did the invocation. After the completion of the dinner portion of the evening, Mayor Chad...
Schools in the Richland School District celebrated the Reading Across America event last week, with classrooms filled with special guest readers of numerous Dr. Seuss books. The event encourages reading in and out of the classroom and shows that reading is an enjoyable event, not just an educational tool. Members of the Shafter community came to read to the students, including Mayor Chad Givens, Mayor Pro-Tem Cathy Prout, Shafter High Coach Jerald Pierucci, Pastor Mark...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Elijah Sanchez, 21, will appear in court again on Monday, March 13, to get a trial date after pleading not guilty to an attempted murder charge.. Sanchez was arrested on Feb. 9, after the Shafter Police Department responded to a call of shots fired near the Starbucks in Shafter. Sanchez allegedly shot Javier Munoz of Shafter in the head. Both Sanchez and Munoz have gang tattoos, although Munoz told authorities that he had left the gang life years ago. According to court documents, Sanchez yelled a gang affiliation at Munoz be...
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. M...
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 g...
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...
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 Offic...
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,...
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 C...
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...
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...
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 co...
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...
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 Surren...
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....
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,...
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 booke...
