Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Sports practices have begun in the Wasco Union High School District although the district will be continuing distance learning throughout the third quarter and likely through the rest of the year, Superintendent Rob Cobb said. “However, some students are returning to ‘in-person’ instructional support for distance learning beginning this week,” Cobb said. Cobb is currently working on a document that will be posted online on the district’s website explaining how activities will be reintrodu...
A 23-year-old Wasco resident was killed after being shot on Poplar Avenue the day after Christmas. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office reported that on Dec. 26, Vicente Hinojosa Regalado was shot in the 1500 block of Poplar Avenue. He died on the sidewalk at the scene. Regalado’s killing was ruled a homicide after cause of death was declared multiple gunshot wounds. If anyone has any information regarding this shooting, contact the sheriff’s office at 661-487-4553....
If you are one of the millions of people that have been exposed to the covid-19 virus, or you suspect you have, you should contact your physician and request a test. The virus has an incubation of 2 to 14 days, so you will need to personally quarantine for at least 14 days to protect those you live with and work with. It doesn’t matter if you feel sick or not during that timeframe. Exposure is when a person has symptoms or who have been in close contact within six feet for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period with someone with a...
A Wasco resident was charged with multiple firearm offenses after a shooting days before. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 1700 block of Poplar Avenue on Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. for an unlawful discharged of a firearm. They found Daniel Malanche, 19, of Wasco, was a loaded firearm. “Malanche was arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail for various felony weapons charges, participation in a criminal street gang, an active felony warrant, and additional misdemeanor drug charge,” said Sgt. Peter Marti...
In Gov. Gavin Newsom’s last covid-19 briefing held in December, he stated that he envisioned school reopening by February. School districts are differing in their opinions. Superintendent of the Wasco Union Elementary School District Kelly Richers has advised parents and staff that school will remain closed for the third quarter and nothing will be decided about reopening until closer to the fourth quarter. The high school remains the same as the elementary school district. The amount of c...
The City Council introduced the Flock Safety Program during its meeting to help deputies read license plates. This program gives the deputies automated license plate reading technology to utilize in responding to crimes committed in the city by reading license plate numbers and notifying the deputies if a vehicle is stolen. Sgt. Peter Martinez stated that the Flock system updates the list of stolen vehicles every two hours. "Thirty-seven jurisdictions use the Flock Safety Program," said City...
Frank Sanchez is a busy man, running a business along with being a pastor at New Generation Church. His business, Frank Sanchez Ag LLC, has been grinding trees and prepping orchards for 17 years. "We do vine and orchard removal and grinding trees," said owner Frank Sanchez. "We prepare land for new plantations, ripping the land three to six feet deep. We do removal of grapevine orchards and tree removals." Thirty-one employees work for the company and that includes Sanchez's children and other...
Fiesta Latina has risen to the challenge of operating during the pandemic, delivering to residents for free. "We deliver to our customers free of charge as a service to our community," said owner Saeed Saleh. "Butcher Antonio Vadillo has been with us for 16 years." Fiesta Latina Market, at 1220 7th St., carries everything a shopper may need, Saleh said. Saleh arrived in the United States from Yemen in 1991 several years after his brother, Gna Saleh, arrived in 1987. His brother started Fiesta...
Covid-19 isn't something to take lightly. From personal experience, it can be terrifying when you continue having new and different symptoms on a daily basis. I am one of the lucky ones who did not experience a high fever to give me an idea I had it. The fever is what let me know I still had the virus; however, what I got was a horrible headache before I knew I had been exposed and infected. Regular Tylenol wasn't doing the job. One can go through the list of covid-19 symptoms and checkmark...
Mayor Alex Garcia receives his first covid-19 vaccination on Wednesday, Jan. 6, through his employer at Universal Urgent Care in Bakersfield. He is scheduled for his second dose on Wednesday, Feb. 3....
Deputies recently confiscated a gun on Griffith Avenue after a driver fled the scene. On Monday, Jan. 11, Kern County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the 1300 block of Griffith Avenue to check in after recent thefts in the area. According to the report, deputies attempted to stop a vehicle leaving the area driven by Bernardo Montanez, 34, of Wasco. Montanez evaded deputies and was located a short time later and taken into custody, the report said. During the investigation, a loaded .22...
City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez said the city is in a good place regarding last summer's water issue. "Well 14 is nearly complete and right now we're not in the peak months that would increase concerns," Ortiz-Hernandez said. He continued by adding that the city was able to get through the summer peak months without any additional issues and water restrictions return to the previous stage before the water emergency....
The Wasco Union Elementary School District will not be returning to in-class learning during the third quarter, Superintendent Kelly Richers told school board members at a meeting Jan. 12. "Back when the county was in the 'red' level, we were told that if we applied for our schools to have students we could then keep them in school even if we went to the 'purple' level again," Richers said. "We have special education classes at all schools except Clemens, so we opened those other five schools to...
The state ruled Dec. 10 that excluding churches from holding indoor services goes against Freedom of Religion. California Superior Court Judge Gregory Pulskamp issued an injunction against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s planned covid-19 restrictions, following a similar injunction was placed in New York, in favor of a Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn on behalf of Father Trevor Burfitt. The ruling stated that the governor’s restrictions failed to treat houses of worship in a manner equal to the favored class of entities which would include big-box ret...
In early December Gov. Gavin Newsom stated that Kern County was back to the most restrictive purple tier and the pandemic is becoming a fact of daily life for residents. Because it’s an ever-changing picture, what was reported Friday could very well be completely different by Monday of the following week. Due to the uncertainty, the Downtown Business Association canceled all holiday events. “Due to COVID Guidelines and concern for our community, we are not having any events this year,” Tanya...
Wasco Union Elementary School Board President Richard Reding was struggling to mow his lawn one day after a knee surgery when a tap on his shoulder by a neighbor changed everything. Reding and his wife, Sarah, have been living in their house over 50 years and have never experienced such kindness as what was recently shown to him during his recuperation from his surgery, "I had complete knee replacement surgery about a year ago, and was struggling and limping along trying to mow the lawn,"...
Another in a series of articles highlighting Wasco High School graduates. Graduating from high school at 18 years old can sometimes be a stressful time when deciding on the next move. Rayanna Plazola, a 2020 Wasco High graduate, almost took a two-week vacation before she embarked on an employment journey. Plazola is employed by Cutco Corporation, formerly known as Alcas Corporation, a U.S.-based company that primarily sells knives through direct sales. It is the parent company of Cutco Cutlery Corp, Vector Marketing, Ka-Bar Knives and Schilling...
A man died last Tuesday after a head-on collision on Highway 46 and North Leonard Avenue. Donald Frank Steinhaus, 43, was pronounced dead Dec. 15 after being struck by a vehicle driven by Margaret Fladhammer, 61, of Oceano. The vehicle traveling eastbound on Highway 46 veered into the path of an oncoming vehicle driven by Steinhaus. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office deputies were sent to the scene. Deputies said Fladhammer was driving under the influence. Steinhaus’s passenger was taken to a loc...
Palm Avenue announced through Facebook their October Students of the Month and Principals’ List of students from sixth through eighth grade. “During these unprecedented times, it is important for our school community to celebrate our students’ success,” Principal Oscar Luna, of Palm Avenue Middle School, said. “This group of students has demonstrated character, leadership and resilience.” Sixth-Grade Principal’s List (4.0) Jaquelin Archuleta Michelle Arechiga Armando Barboza Benjamin Burt...
The number of positive covid-19 tests continues to rise in Wasco and Shafter. Schools remain the same as they were prior to the most-recent closure with only those students already in school — special education, ED, students at risk and special needs students — continue to receive a limited time of their education in person. On Dec. 2, Gov. Gavin Newsom placed 41 of the 58 counties back in the most restrictive purple tier and considered placing a curfew on businesses’ hours of operation. Salon...
Intelligent, mature and engaging are words often used to describe third-grader Jacquelyn Isabelle Silva from Maple School. Only 9 years old, Jackie displays a maturity beyond her young years. She began with a lemonade stand and with that money, purchased toiletries for residents of Golden Living and Carrington House in Shafter. "Jackie made $456.11 and asked her dad to pay up since he said he would match what she earned. She ended up with $912.22." her mother Maria Silva said. "We were able to...
Families have their homes lit up bright as they entered the Recreation and Parks District competition. Most of the houses had blow-up decorations such as snowmen, candles, the nativity scene and reindeer with Santa on rooftops along with strings and strings of lights. A drive down Poso, Griffith, Broadway and 10th Place provided holiday enjoyment to bring out the anticipation of Christmas. Most decorators seem to be moving away from the use of small clear lights and are using large colored...
The City Council is ready to begin work on the former farmer labor camp by creating an agreement with Anderson Integrated Services for the labor camp asbestos testing project. The council also authorized the city manager to sign and award an agreement with Rudnick Fence Co. in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for the labor camp fencing project. The city is also making plans to utilize a building at the camp for an expanded animal shelter. The council swore in new council member Vince Martinez....
Sundays are usually a lazy day for those who work five days a week; however Dec.13 several Wasco friends drove out to the Lavender Garden to browse the little gift shop and take a walk in the field. Celeste Valdivia works in the gift shop nestled in the lavender fields. "Lavender blooms from March to May," Valdivia said. "However, we are lucky because our lavender blooms twice a year, which is unusual and the shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop sits on property owned by Blackwell Farms....
The November election was a nail biter for many candidates and constituents. In the District 4 City Council race, current Mayor Tilo Cortez kept his seat by one vote with candidate Eddie Saldana catching up near the end of the race. On Nov. 30, the two candidates were tied; however, by Dec. 3 that changed on when Cortez led by one vote. Although District 2 council candidate David Ward led the race after the election, candidate Vince Martinez eventually took the final lead and was declared the...
