Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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At a time when college and quality employment are out of reach for many people, America's Job Center of Kern County provides an alternative for those looking for a career in a high-demand industry and helps employers find the best of the best employees. Aaron Ellis is the chief workforce development officer for the county and has been with the organization since 1992. "I get to help our community find employment and gain skills offering free training in a myriad of...
On Nov.12, Gloria Soto, a 41-year-old bicyclist, was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene, leaving the woman to succumb to her injuries. An investigation by deputies from the North Area Substation led to the arrest of 21-year-old Wasco resident Gabriela Garza for hit and run, causing death and other vehicle code offenses. The incident occurred at around 6 p.m. near the area of Poso Drive and Palm Avenue, when deputies located a downed bicyclist and attempted life-saving...
The Wasco High School girls golf team has once again proven their dominance on the green, securing their third consecutive South Sequoia League Championship title. Following this win, they took runner-up place at the Valley Championship. Under the guidance of Coach Ed Moreno, the Lady Tigers have continued to set the bar high for their competitors. Moreno has instilled in his players not just the skills to succeed on the course but the values of teamwork and resilience. This s...
On Saturday, the City of Wasco, in partnership with the Dolores Huerta Foundation, Bakersfield Pace and Kern Sol News, hosted a community resource fair. Councilmember Gilberto Reyna said, "This is a great opportunity for us to bring much-needed resources to our community with our collaborators. It was very well attended by families who were able to access essential information." "We do these events because we know there is a need in our community, and we aim to fill that...
For the third year, the Wasco Rose Festival and the Orange Heart Foundation will bring back a magical holiday tradition with a vendor fair, Christmas parade and tree lighting on Saturday, Dec. 2. It will be an evening of fun, festivities and fellowship for the community to enjoy. The vendor fair begins at 4 p.m. to allow for shopping and eating before and after the Christmas parade, starting at 6 p.m., with the tree lighting ceremony at approximately 7:15 p.m. The block party...
The Wasco Recreation and Parks District hosted its Trunk or Treat event at Barker Park on Tuesday. It was a fun-filled time for 2000 children, with lots of candy and music made possible by the sponsorship of many organizations. The heart of the event, held on Halloween night, was the creatively decorated vehicle trunks, each brimming with candy for eager trick-or-treaters. Children wearing costumes walked from car to car, filling their bags with goodies. There was also a...
It was an epic showdown between Shafter High School and Wasco High School after a week-long schedule of activities leading up to the rivalry game, a long tradition for decades. Though the WHS football players gave it their all, they fell short. The festivities began on Monday at WHS with the student Dress Up Days throughout the week. In line with the "Wasco is Out of This World" space theme, students showed their Tiger pride. On Thursday, there was a "Burn the General"...
A Kern County jury found Jorge Millan and Elizabeth Jara guilty of numerous counts of abuse that nearly caused the death of their 6-week-old son. On Oct. 19, Millan was found guilty of attempted murder, torture and child abuse under circumstances likely to produce great bodily injury or death. Jara also was found guilty of assault likely to cause great bodily injury and child abuse under circumstances likely to produce great bodily injury or death. For more than a month – f...
The Wasco Rotary Club has long been a pillar of the community. For years, they have dedicated their efforts to fostering goodwill, promoting peace and serving humanity. The annual Rotary Club Festival is one of the club's most anticipated fundraisers, and last Thursday's event was no different, as the club hosted a night of delicious food, camaraderie and philanthropy. Residents from all walks of life, city leadership, local business owners and Rotary Club members came...
Prisoners at the Wasco State Prison are charging that razor blades, laxatives – and even rat feces – are appearing in their food, and prison officials are denying the problem and not helping the inmates. Jakiya Abrams, who lives in northern California, said her husband, Sonny Granados, an inmate at the prison, called her to tell her of the incidents. "It was their turn to eat. He is in Pod C, and as he was eating, he found a razor in his hot dog. Also, it was unknown that the...
Last Friday, the Shafter Ford Theater came alive with a story of suspense and intrigue as the Young Adults Theater of Shafter staged a captivating murder mystery show. The talented young actors showcased their skills, leaving the audience in awe as they attempted to solve the crime. The play, "The Romanian Uranium," was centered around a uranium mine deal gone wrong and involved the unintentional death of a waitress. European detective Inspector Clueless investigates the...
In the heart of Kern County, Veronica Vasquez, a lifelong resident of Delano, is hoping to make history as the first Latina supervisor for District 4, including Wasco and Shafter.. Rooted deeply in the United Farm Workers movement, she comes from five generations of family advocates supporting farm work and labor rights. Professionally, she has been an employee of the Department of Human Services working in Child Protective Services. "I have been a social worker since 2007 in...
The Wasco City Council on Tuesday hosted a badge pinning ceremony to welcome four new hires to the soon-to-be-established Wasco Police Department. The significant gathering exemplified a commitment by leadership to enhance public safety and ensure the growth and security of the city. The honorees were Alecio Mora, lieutenant; Lionel Lopez Jr., sergeant; Maira Puente, sergeant; and Erika Morris, senior dispatcher. At the event, community members, city officials, friends and...
Melanie Yasenchak is an English and drama teacher at Wasco High School. She is a committed advocate for the arts and has played an integral part in promoting creativity on the stage for her students and the community. She began her career as a teacher in 2006 at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. In the 2012-13 school year, she joined Wasco High School. Since taking on her role, she has produced over 20 theatrical productions, including the first school musical last year based...
The Semitropic Harvest Festival later this month promises to be an afternoon of fun activities with food, games, a spooky haunted house, mazes and music for all ages to enjoy. There will be various contests, including for the best chile verde and best Halloween costumes, and a pumpkin decoration competition with two categories: carved and painted. Youth can work at home on their pumpkin entry and bring it to the event for a panel of community members to vote on. A cake walk...
Since 2002, Planet Dance Studio has been a jewel in the community, with thousands of youth participating in the program over the last 21 years. Their annual recital will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. at the Shafter High School Auditorium, and it promises to be a spectacular event. Jacob Hernandez is the studio director. "This year, the theme is 'Icons' and [the show] will be a tribute to some of the greatest performers of all times like Janet Jackson, Stevie...
Wasco Veterinary Clinic is a symbol of compassion, dedication and love for animals and people alike. A family and locally owned business by Dr. Thomas Edick and his nephew, Dr. Brian Edick, they bring warmth and passion to the community they serve. Since 1981, they have built a legacy of exceptional care and community engagement that has earned the clinic a reputation for bringing the highest quality of service, complete with a friendly and dynamic team of ten, including...
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and The Open Door Network recognized this with a "Light the Town Purple" event last week in Wasco. The organization is based in Bakersfield but serves smaller communities throughout Kern County, such as Wasco, Shafter, Delano, McFarland and Arvin. "We know domestic violence is happening in our rural communities," Director of Client Services Ilene Parra said, "One of the things that I've recognized in Wasco and other...
The Wasco Elks Lodge Blaine Willard Memorial Car Show is this Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The categories are open class, under construction and motorcycle. It will be a festive event in honor of Blaine Willard, a long-time devoted lodge member. "He was a member of good standing. If we needed something, he was always there to help us. He was always so supportive of our car show," Trustee Jerry Bozarth said. DJ Boom Dog will provide music. Guests can enjoy a beer...
Karl F. Clemens Elementary School announced its weekly Super Students. Criteria for selection were based on significant math improvement, showing kindness to friends, respect and hard work, following class procedures, helping other students understand new concepts and improving learning English. Left to right are Vice Principal Angela Devin, Whiskers,Kevin Torralba (5th grade) ,Gabriela M. Canseco (4th) , Angelynn Sharp (3rd) , Leonardo Delgado (2nd) , Ernesto Aragon...
Dylan Solorio, a 14-year-old athlete with the Wasco Tigers Taekwondo school, earned a spot to be on the USA national team in the weight category of 49 to 64 kilos to travel and compete at the Cadet World Championship in Sarajevo, Bosnia, in August. The championship is held every two years in a different country. Dylan fought long and hard to make it to the quarter finals. In his first match, he defeated Egypt and lost to Russia in a nail-biting fight. His father, Alexander...
On Friday, Sept. 29, during an ongoing investigation of a shooting, three men in Wasco, Adrian Oliva, 20, Angel Villa, 21, and Elija Gonzalez, 32, were arrested after search warrants were executed seizing firearms, ammunition, high-capacity magazines and approximately five ounces of suspected cocaine. According to the Kern County Sheriff's Office, deputies from the Wasco substation and the Kern County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Division executed search wrrants at...
Gilbert Garland was a pillar in the community, having been a part of the Wasco Recreation and Parks District Board for over 25 years and coaching for nearly 60 years. He passed away in June of 2021 but will be forever remembered for his dedication to the community of Wasco and the countless youth he served. At the Wasco Recreation and Parks District board meeting last week, Garland received a certificate of recognition from Congressman David Valadao. His wife, Janice,...
Herbert Stout is the new sergeant for the Kern County Sheriff's Wasco substation and is excited to take on the role. With 15 years of law enforcement experience, he looks forward to serving the community and helping transition from the Sheriff's Office to establishing the Wasco Police Department. Stout is a seasoned public safety servant, working as an internal affairs investigator for the Kern County Sheriff's Office. He held that position for two years. Before that, he was...
The Wasco Bengals Football and Cheer celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday. Over the years, the organization has served thousands of young people in Wasco, teaching them skills and instilling virtues to help them on and off the field. Gonzalo Cruz is the league representative and president. "We are a non-profit youth organization that works with football players and cheerleaders from ages six up to 14 years old. We practice the basic fundamentals, strategy,...
