Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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This is part of an ongoing series featuring Wasco High graduates. Growing up in the 1950s, segregation was a part of everyday life for John Miller. "I attended segregated schools beginning with Dunbar School in Vado, New Mexico," Miller, who currently resides in Bakersfield, said. "I then went to Booker T. Washington School in Las Cruces and finally to George Washington Carver School in Eloy, Arizona. When we finally moved to Wasco, I went to Thomas Jefferson Middle School and...
The Recreation and Parks District is applying for a $8.2 million grant for two new pools. The board unanimously voted to put in the pools, board member Sharon Sharp said. Sharp said that the grant has a Dec. 14 deadline and is part of Proposition 68. The board had a special meeting the week of Oct. 5 when it decided to move forward with the architect’s plans for two pools. Sharp said one pool would be a swimming and teaching pool and the other would be for adult/senior swim and other aquatic events and will be solar h...
Small groups of students will return to school Oct. 26, Wasco High School Principal Kevin Tallon announced. Tallon said because the county is now in the red tier, which allows schools to bring students back for in-person instruction, small groups of less than six students can return. Schools have been closed since March 17. “The first phase focuses on ‘small cohorts’ allowing for prioritizing Special Education and other “at-risk” populations including English learners, homeless, foster youth and the few that have internet...
Frosty King has been in the same family for over 35 years, and Mohamed Pazou is currently running the Wasco restaurant. The family is originally from Hanford where they owned a liquor store until they moved to Wasco. "The liquor store was sold to an uncle in Hanford," Pazou said. Pazou added that that the restaurant is closed during most legal holidays; however, they open for Christmas Day, which is one of the busiest days of the year for them. They only employ family and...
A man was seriously injured Saturday after a shooting in Wasco. On Oct. 10, deputies were dispatched at 9 p.m. to the 1000 block of 16th St. where a man was found with multiple gunshot wounds. The man was alert and conscious and airlifted to Kern Medical Center because his injuries were serious. The identity of the victim is unknown. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 861-3110 or Secret Witness at 322-4040....
Special education, English learners, homeless and at-risk students could return to in-person instruction as soon as Oct. 27, reported Assistant Superintendent Rob Cobb at the Oct. 8 board meeting. Cobb said since the county moved into the red tier on Tuesday, schools must wait an additional 14 days prior to reopening for in-person instruction. "At the present time, Wasco Independent High School, Special Education, English Language, homeless and at-risk students could start sch...
Adventist Health owned by Dr. Isaac Sanchez opened up a year ago at 1040 7th St. Inside the office, the waiting room chairs are now safely distanced and each patient is greeted by a receptionist behind a protected counter. After stepping through the door, each patient is also screened for a fever. Sanchez is originally from McFarland and his wife, Vanessa, is from Soledad. The two decided to move to Bakersfield, which was a compromise from rural McFarland and the much-larger...
The Wasco Library will be opening up and providing limited service. Kern County is attempting to keep as many libraries open as possible during this pandemic. As the county moves from the purple tier to the red tier, it allows for more indoor activities. Since the county recently moved to the red tier, libraries are beginning to open their doors with some rules set in place. There is a time limit of 30 minutes per visit. All visitors to the library need to have a purpose-drive...
On Monday evening, Oct. 19, the Wasco Union High School District board candidates will have a forum beginning at 6 p.m. The forum will be available for attendees on Wasco Is on Facebook at that time. Even though Kern County is now in the red tier, many are playing it safe by continuing with virtual meetings. Candidates running include incumbents Joel Ackerknecht and Sharon Nicol as well as new candidate John Steward....
Many think the number 13 is an unlucky number, but for Kern County and Wasco residents, Tuesday, Oct. 13 was a lucky day. The county officially moved from the purple tier to the red tier, which means movie theaters, hair salons, restaurants, places of worship and gyms may resume limited indoor operations; however, the city is taking it slow this time instead of fully opening up to the public. "We are still in the process of purchasing basic protective barriers for office...
The six City Council candidates - four from District 2 and two from District 4 - gathered Oct. 7 for a forum at Life House Church. Wasco Woman's Club member and forum moderator Jill Drescher, President Cheryl Woody and timekeeper Marlene Swan insured the event ran smoothly. Video and audio recording was provided by Richard Peters of Peters Funeral Home. There were two different sections to the forum. First District 2 candidates John Kim, Vince Martinez, Florirene Olvera and...
The owners of Wasco Realty, at 116 Annin Avenue, put their clients' needs first. Owners Eric and Mary Flores conduct their real estate business in a different way than most Realtors. "If I don't think someone should buy a house, I will tell them," Mary Flores said. "I'm always looking out for my customer first." Mary Flores is the broker for the small office tucked away on Annin. If you drive too quickly, you could drive right by it. It is located right on the corner of Annin...
Kern County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Peter Martinez reported to the City Council that there has been an increase in domestic violence crimes since the pandemic began. He said he would have a complete report citing statistics at the next council meeting. He also said crime on the whole has increased since the covid-19 pandemic began and those numbers will also be ready at the next meeting. In other business, the City Council discussed the park on 7th Street, which is just a...
Two Bakersfield women were killed on Friday, Oct. 2, in an early morning crash at the intersection of Highway 43 and McCombs Avenue. Martha Martinez-Rojas and YulenyElizabeth Castrejon Diaz were pinned inside their Honda Civic. The two were removed from the wreckage and were pronounced dead at the scene. The Civic was heading westbound on McCombs when it was struck by a tractor-trailer hauling a set of bottom dump trailers traveling south on Highway 43. No one was injured in the truck. The California Highway Patrol reported...
The Wonderful Company has awarded 15 grants through its $1 million Covid-19 Relief Fund. Recipients include Central California Food Bank, Maple Elementary School, Kern County Library, Buttonwillow Family Resource Center, Avenal Community Health Center, Boys & Girls Club of Fresno County, California Farmworker Foundation, P.S. Arts, Community Action Partnership Kern, CSUB Foundation, Mendota Community Corp., Delano Community Alliance, Parent Institute for Quality Education,...
Small businesses, schools and sports are not the only activities that have been affected by the covid-19; local nonprofits have also generated less revenue due to the pandemic. Nonprofits and businesses have become more creative, however, when it comes to raising money as well as giving back to the community, such as last spring's "Sponsor a Senior," which might make a comeback next spring depending on where the county stands with respect to Governor Newsom's four-tier...
Even though Kern County remains in the purple tier, the fourth-highest risk group, of the governor’s four-tier program, many in the county are hoping that with the decline in positive tests during the current week Kern will be moved to the red tier, the third-highest, by Tuesday. Many were even hoping the county would be in the red tier this week. A report by the Kern County Public Health Department emphasized that the wearing of masks and social distancing are the m...
The Wasco Union Elementary School District will continue distance learning for its general education students for the second quarter, Superintendent Kelly Richers announced via letter to parents. Beginning in October and after plans are approved, on-site instruction will begin only for certain at-risk students, including selected special education, homeless and EL students. The students will be individually informed when and where to report to a campus and instructor as...
While local restaurants have been struggling since March when the state shut down due to the pandemic, a few have met the challenge of keeping their doors open with a limited staff and outdoor dining. Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent decision to allow restaurants to provide outdoor dining within the past week is also making it possible for local spots to remain open. Catrina's Mexican Grill and Cantina just opened its doors to outdoor dining Thursday, Sept. 24 as owner Marcela...
A conflict of interest was identified during a recent audit of the pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements and landscape improvements around multiple schools. Officials from the California Department of Transportation's Independent Office of Audits and Investigations reported the previous public works director's daughter-in-law was employed by Palmetto Engineering. The previous director had directly participated in the selection process of Palmetto and had neglected to...
The first time Lori Albrecht heard the sound of "Pomp and Circumstance" was when she walked along the sideline in the processional as superintendent at Wasco High School. "Turning to greet Mr. Tallon at the goalpost will be a forever memory," she said. "It was such a great feeling of accomplishment." Albrecht is retiring this December and made the announcement at the September district board meeting. Born and raised in Michigan, she describes herself as an underachiever when...
A 1955 Wasco High School graduate, Ned Permenter, was a three-sport athlete all four years while he attended high school, and sports have been a constant throughout his life. He even has a stadium named after him at Foothill High School where he taught and coached. Raised in Wasco and having attended all Wasco schools through his educational years, he maintains contact with many friends from that time including Harvel Pollard, Chuck Emerson, Dr. Jack Groves, Don Forth, Audra...
Four candidates from District 2 and two from District 4 will be vying for seats on the City Council this year. In District 2, there is small business owner Vincent Martinez, Claims Specialist Florirene Olvera, businessman Jang Han (John) Kim and business owner David Ward. In District 4, newcomer Edward Saldana will go against incumbent Tilo Cortez. District 2 Vincent Martinez Martinez is running for the council seat in District 2 left vacant by Mayor Pro Tem Danny Espitia....
Near the end of the City Council meeting, council member Gilberto Reyna commented on how concerned he is with the speeding of vehicles on Central Avenue. “It angers me,” Reyna said. “Drivers are speeding and doing donuts.” At the council’s Tuesday, Sept. 15 meeting, Reyna asked Sgt. Peter Martinez how many speeding tickets the sheriff’s office has given out. Martinez responded that at the time, he didn’t have his statistics with him, but will update the City Council at th...
Isabella Garcia was crowned the 2020 Rose Queen/Miss Wasco Thursday evening during a stunning and historic pageant. Tailored to meet the covid-19 restrictions placed on indoor gatherings, the pageant Sept. 10 still had its air of splendor as the contestants took to the stage. While the location was kept a secret, once the program began, it didn't matter where it took place because the stage was magically decorated to reflect this year's theme, Under the Sea. Muted shades of bl...
