Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The Wasco Union Elementary School District will have all students studying in-person for the next school year, Superintendent Kelly Richers reported during Tuesday's board meeting. Richers said under the current guidance and rules in place, all students are expected to report to school and attend in person beginning Aug. 2. "It has been 14 months since some students have been in school, and returning will be a transition that may take some effort," Richers stated. He was referring to the March...
Graduating Wasco High seniors celebrated during the annual Winners' Circle presentation held outside this year because of pandemic restrictions. Principal Sunni Dobbs expressed her pride in the achievements of the class of 2021 during the difficulties presented this past year. Tigers of the Year The 2021 Tigers of the Year are Crystal Raya and Kevin Chavez. The decision was based on GPA, leadership, recommendations by coaches and counselors, sports activities and clubs. Tiger of the Year...
A 24-year-old Wasco man was stabbed to death May 3. Two men have been charged in the murder. Kern County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the 800 block of Broadway. When they arrived, deputies found a man suffering from stab wounds. The victim was later identified as 24-year-old Jose Aleman. Aleman was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. On May 8, homicide detectives arrested Aaron Garcia, 22, on a felony murder warrant. Garcia was booked into the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Central Receiving Facility j...
City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez presented his resignation to the City Council Tuesday night. He is expected to begin duties as city manager of Webster City, Iowa -- a city of about 8,500 where is he held the same post from 2016 to 2018 -- at the end of July, according to a press release posted by that city. Wasco city officials would not comment on the resignation, but aside from an email from Mayor Alex Garcia, it was obvious they were surprised coming out of the executive session where it...
Vendors filled the parking lot at El Pueblo Market last Sunday as shoppers milled around, browsing the various goods for sale. Jazmine Lucero was one of the vendors. Lucero was selling small bags that included a variety of necessities such as hand sanitizer, bottle openers, lip balm holders and a Kubaton. A Kubaton is a small metal instrument that can break a vehicle window in case of emergency. Also included in the bag was pepper spray. "I've been doing this for about a year," Lucero said of...
The community enjoyed a day in the park last Saturday as they gathered for the Recreation and Parks District's Primavera at the Park. The first vendor at the event was Lupita Castro of Obsession Jewelry, who was selling shoes, hats and T-shirts from Letty's Boutique. Enjoying the day with his young children was Tim Holtermann, who was accompanied by his 6-year-old son Henry and 3-year-old daughter Hazel. Holtermann is part of H&H Family Farms with his wife, Jenny, a 2004 Wasco High School gradua...
The City Council unanimously approved the hiring of retiree Roger Mobley as extra help in the planning department at a salary of $41 per hour for 960 hours during its May 4 meeting. “There is a vacancy that hasn’t been filled yet after Keri Cobb was promoted,” City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez said. “The city requires someone with a higher level of the department’s knowledge than what the city’s counterperson has. This person can assist Keri Cobb when needed.” The meeting was dedicated by the council to Donuts to Go owner Lon Mam. Mam was...
AT&T employees at the new Highway 46 store celebrated the store's opening on April 30 with an official ribbon cutting. Market Director Erica Leppke, who leads the Central California Area Market, directed the ribbon cutting that morning. The company raffled off items such as air pods, discounts to newly signed customers and discounts on phones. Even though the Wasco store has been open since the end of the year, there were several items that needed to be completed before the ribbon cutting such...
The Kern County Public Health Department said Kern County could see a move to the least-restrictive yellow tier by May 12. An article published by the Center for Disease Control stated that those who have been fully vaccinated may now go outside without masks if meeting with family members, unless gathering in unknown groups where not everyone is vaccinated. “California still has a mask mandate in effect that Californians are to follow,” Public Health Department’s Michelle Corson said. “The governor put a message on Twitter that alluded...
The community came together last weekend to host a taco fundraiser in honor of two young men who died in a crash April 20. Ricardo Antonio Trujillo Acosta, Jr., 19, and Javier Mora, Jr., 19, died from the impact during the crash at the intersection of Highway 42 and Fresno Avenue. Suzette Lean Dobbs, 79, of Shafter, was the driver in the second vehicle and also died from the impact. On Saturday and Sunday, the Olvera, Tapia, Comparan and Reyes families held a fundraiser for both boys. Participan...
Amala came in as a stray and is approximately a 2-year-old female pit bull terrier. Amala has a short gray/blue/silver and white coat and is a medium size. She is great with staff and it is unknown if she is house/crate trained. Dogs are not tested with cats and children. She will be available for adoption/rescue on May 4. Additional information is not available on her; however her Petfinder bio is up to date. If this is your dog, contact the shelter right away. Everyone is welcome to adopt...
A former stylist at Beliz Image Salon & Spa is starting out on her own with DM Hair Salon. Located at 905 7th St., Diana Martinez is ready to start doing hair. Owner of Beliz Salon Aida Moita moved to the Central Coast one year ago and opened a shop. Recently she closed her Wasco location. Martinez took the opportunity to find a new space and get her salon going. "When the pandemic closed down hair salons, Beliz lost most of its customers," Martinez said. "With Aida moving to the Central Coast...
Residents are asked to fill out two surveys on the city website regarding beautification plans and what residents would like to see improved in Wasco. Mayor Pro Tem Gilberto Reyna said the beautification survey is a multiple-choice survey and can easily be filled out through the city’s website. Also at the April 20 Task Force Meeting, the group received updates on a variety of projects including the High Speed Rail and the demolishment of the former labor camp housing, the July 4th fireworks, recreation and parks programming and summer s...
Assembly member Rudy Salas has been named Legislator of the Year by the California Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association. Salas was recognized with the award on April 22 by the association and over 8,000 dispatchers in the state. "It is a great honor to be awarded Legislator of the Year by our brave emergency dispatchers whose tireless work keeps our families safe," Salas said. Salas was presented this honor for outstanding service to the 9-1-1 dispatchers and telecommunicators...
Sean Jackson joined the Reserve team this year and is an outfielder and pitcher. Jackson was born and grew up in Vallejo and Rodeo in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. He attended John Swett High School and Contra Costa Community College as well as Simpson University in Redding. He started playing ball when he was 5 years old and this is his first time playing with the league. His favorite form of relaxation is meditation and he has three siblings. His 16-year-old brother also plays...
This year is pitcher Ryan Schroeder's first year on the Reserve team. He was born and raised in San Diego and played at University City High School and San Diego City College. Schroeder started playing baseball when he was 4 years old at North City Youth Baseball. He received several coaches and pitching awards while in high school and won a couple of games in collegiate summer leagues. "My main position is pitcher," he said. "I have always known I was going to be a pitcher when I was younger an...
City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez presented his resignation to the City Council Tuesday night. He is expected to begin duties as city manager of Webster City, Iowa -- a city of about 8,500 where is he held the same post from 2016 to 2018 -- at the end of July, according to a press release posted by that city. Wasco city officials would not comment on the resignation, but aside from an email from Mayor Alex Garcia, it was obvious they were surprised coming out of the executive session where it...
The city was recently awarded an Urban Greening Grant for $2.2 million for the Central Avenue Neighborhood Park, City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez told the City Council Tuesday night. Ortiz-Hernandez reported that the Natural Resources Agency announced $28 million was funded in the Urban Greening Program grants. The grant provides funding for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide multiple benefits including expanding access to parks and green spaces in underserved areas...
The spirit at Wasco High School was on full display for the drive-thru Freshman Launch on April 19. Freshman Launch was a display of school unity, ongoing spirit and a lot of orange. The buildings were filled with spirited signage welcoming everyone to the event. Offices were also marked by large signs on building doors. Vehicles entered the campus on Palm Avenue and drove through the campus. At the beginning of the route, each vehicle was given a freshman packet that included rules and regulati...
Phoenix came in as an owner-surrender. He was adopted not long ago and was brought back after new owners claimed to be allergic to him. He is approximately a 6-year-old, male Siberian husky. Phoenix is great toward staff and other dogs, but he has not been tested with small and large dogs. At the time it is unknown if Phoenix is house/crate trained. Dogs are not tested with children and cats. He is available for adoption/rescue. His Petfinder bio is up to date. Everyone is welcome to adopt from...
Taco Bell celebrated its recent renovation by giving away hundreds of free tacos for local residents. On Saturday, April 17, Wasco's Taco Bell gave away free crunchy tacos to the first 200 customers of the day at its drive-thru window. The lobby was closed to customers. Construction workers are finishing up the interior remodeling. The construction crew was painting the inside and working on the redesigned interior counter and seating area, which will off free WiFi to customers. The new...
Wasco Union Elementary School District Superintendent Kelly Richers provided an update for the upcoming summer school session and start of the fall semester. "The students will be taking the Renaissance Learning STAR test for English Language Arts and mathematics, and they will be taking the state science test in 5th and 8th grade – the CA Science Test," Richers said. He also stated that there will only be one summer school session in June and summer school for the month of July has been c...
The Miss Wasco/Rose Queen pageant will continue this year on Thursday, Sept. 9. Activities Coordinator Hailey Coyle said there are 12 pageant candidates preparing for their talent tryouts. She also said that a bonding trip this summer is in the forecast, but everyone is keeping their fingers crossed that it happens. The girls' names and sponsors will be published as soon as that information becomes available....
The county is beginning to reopen as it enters the orange tier. Retail no longer has capacity restrictions and museums, zoos and aquariums are now able to increase capacity to 50%. Places of worship are able to increase indoor capacity to 50%. Movie theaters can now increase indoor capacity 50% or 200 people, whichever is fewer. Hotels and lodging can open indoor pools and gyms and fitness centers will be able to increase indoor capacity to 25% or 100 people, whichever is fewer. Indoor pools can...
The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers an Individual Assistance Program for funeral expenses for covid-19-related deaths and officially began accepting applications on Monday, April 12. “For death to be considered for funeral assistance, it must have occurred after January 2020, and will be much like that offered after a natural disaster,” the press release stated. The statement also said that eligible applicants may apply by calling 844- 684-6833 or 800-462-7585 toll free Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All applicants mus...
