Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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In a landmark event for the city, the new Wasco Police Department launched on Thursday, April 18, with a ceremonial ribbon cutting and handing off of the police services building key, marking the end of the Kern County Sheriff's public safety responsibilities to Wasco. It was a monumental event long anticipated by the community, bringing much excitement and hope for the future. It milestone was at 11 a.m. "That was when we started transferring the 911 responsibilities from the sheriff's...
It was an afternoon made for animal lovers at the "Don't Shop, Adopt" Free Adoption Friday event hosted by the City of Wasco Animal Control department last week. Lucky four-legged friends found a new home, while new owners found a new member of the family. Osvaldo Alfaro came early. "I wanted to get a little one. His name is Rocky. Mariana [Montes] from the shelter said he loves kisses and is affectionate. My kids are going to love him. I'm excited for them to see him. They don't even know I...
The 15th Street Park re-opened on Saturday with a celebratory ceremony. With the new upgrades and the partnership with the news Police Department and community partners, it has become a welcoming and inviting magnet for neighborhood families. "The park has a new play structure, sitting area, picnic tables, trash receptacles, and, of course, new art throughout the entire park," said Wasco Recreation and Parks District Manager Chris Serna. She said residents can now engage in fun activities in the...
Jovita Valentina Sanchez was a remarkable woman who graced this world for 101 years. She had a profound impact on the lives of those who loved her and was a pillar of strength for her family and friends. She was born on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 1923, in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico, and peacefully passed on March 29, 2024. She came to the United States at age 5, first to Famoso and then to McFarland, where she was raised. At 14, she married Ray R. Sanchez and moved to Wasco. She was married to Ray...
The city plans to make the Veteran Salute Banner Program more accessible after Councilmember Vincent Martinez brought to the City Council's attention that the current cost of the banners might be prohibitive to some veterans in the community. "The city supports our veterans, and we want to honor them in the best way possible," Councilmember Martinez told his colleagues Tuesday night at their regular meeting. The banner program celebrates honorably discharged veterans and presently serving...
Last week, Director of Programs Sunni Dobbs briefed the Wasco Union High School District board on the Arts and Music in Schools Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. California voters approved Proposition 28 in 2022, The measure required the state to establish a new ongoing program supporting arts instruction in schools beginning in 2023-24, with three years to spend the first annual apportionment (2025-2026 school year). Public schools (K-12) receive funding every July, equal to...
J. Perez Transport, Inc. has operated since 1998 and, in 2018, experienced a big boost in business after winning a contract with California High-Speed Rail . Now in business doing a little bit of everything, according to owner Juan Perez, Jr., the company continues to thrive with hopes of garnering even more opportunities for growth. Perez was awarded 17 miles from Wasco to the Garces Highway to construct the HSR. He accomplished this feat through confidence and a determined mindset. "I walked...
Wasco High School hosted a Community Fair and Pop-Up on Friday. Representatives from various universities, junior colleges, law enforcement, military branches, small businesses, trade schools and other industries were on hand to provide information and inspire individuals to explore career and educational possibilities or just shop, eat and enjoy the live music of the WHS High Groove Steelers. Valerie Sheldon is an outreach admissions coordinator for California Aeronautical University, based in...
Wasco Animal Control will host its "Don't Shop, Adopt" Free Adoption Friday event on April 19. It will be an opportunity to take home a furry friend that will make a special addition to your family. Animal Control Officer Rigoberto Figueroa said the criteria for potential adopters is simple. "As of now, we only require identification, such as a driver's license." He added that it will be first-come-first-serve. "Once the decision to adopt is made, we will make a copy of the adopter's ID and...
As the Wasco High School Spring sports season comes to an end, the teams have shown successful performances in baseball, softball, swim, track, boys golf and boys tennis. With a blend of determination, skill and unwavering team spirit, several stand a chance to take home the coveted South Sequoia League Championship title. In an interview, Ddirector of Athletics and Activities Joshua Huddleston shared an update on the spring sports program. He said baseball is in first place in the South...
After much anticipation and excitement, the Wasco Police Department will launch on April 18 and assume law enforcement responsibilities for the City of Wasco. At about 11 a.m., 911 circuits will begin to roll over from Bakersfield to Wasco. "We'll start to transition service calls from the Kern County Sheriff's Office to the WPD," Chief of Police Charles Fivecoat said Tuesday. "We'll be handling all police responses for the city. We will start operating on the morning of the 18." Some overlap...
Joe Appleton has 26 years of experience with the Kern County Fire Department, having been promoted through the ranks from firefighter to engineer to captain to battalion chief and finally as fire division chief, where he has served for 2 1/2 years. He enjoys being in the community, helping people and loving the challenge of emergency services. "As fire division chief, I oversee operations for C shift for the entire Kern County Fire Department, including responding to incidents, fires and...
Coin-O-Matic is a self-service laundromat that recently launched a wash, dry and fold service, as well as pick-up and delivery options. It is a family-owned business that Jorge Pimentel, Armando and Vanessa Ramirez took over in 2022. Armando said in an interview, "Launching these new services will be convenient for customers on the go. We can pick up their dirty laundry and deliver it clean. We'll serve Wasco, Shafter, Delano, Bakersfield, McFarland and Lost Hills." "For example, If you go on...
Wasco High School will host its 5th Annual Community Fair and Pop-Up on Friday, April 12, with over 75 pop-up vendors, representatives from trade schools, junior colleges, universities, and military branches, available to students looking for career options. To add more fun to the mix, there will be an interactive obstacle course for the kids, making it an evening for the whole family. Whether considering higher education or seeking a dream career, the fair offers a one-stop destination to...
For 45 years, Pastor Houston Crenshaw has stood at the pulpit of the Apostolic Faith Temple, delivering sermons that resonate with wisdom, compassion and faith. His words have offered solace to the grieving, hope to the despairing and guidance to the lost. But perhaps his greatest gift lies in his ability to forge genuine connections with people from all walks of life, cultivating a sense of belonging and unity within the congregation. At 90 years old, he believes what keeps him young and...
In a tribute to the residents who have served in the United States armed forces, the City of Wasco is sponsoring a Veteran Salute Banner Program, symbolizing appreciation for their dedication to the nation and community. This initiative celebrates honorably discharged veterans and presently serving active-duty military personnel from any branch of the armed forces. Banners featuring the service member's photograph will adorn streetlight posts throughout downtown Wasco along 7th Street,...
It was an Evening with the Mustangs at Teresa Burke Elementary School for families to hear about the things happening in the Wasco Union Elementary School District. Assistant Superintendent Oscar Luna presented the Local Control Accountability Plan for them to provide feedback and input. The Local Control Accountability Plan is the district's three-year guide for how it will use state Local Control Funding Formula funding to service all students. The LCFF is California's formula for determining...
Wasco High School has an incentive program designed to inspire student achievement called STRIPES. Focused on positive reinforcement, students are taking away the message of showing respect, doing the right thing, focusing in class and being involved on campus, among other things. In its second year of the program, over 89% of the student body received at least one stripe of recognition from school leadership. In September 2022, WHS rolled out the program to highlight positive student...
St. John the Evangelist Parish presented a moving reenactment of the Passion of Christ, a dramatic performance depicting the trial, suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. There were elaborate costumes, music and set designs with dozens of actors that realistically portrayed the last hours of Jesus's life before his resurrection. In an interview right before the play on Friday, Eulogio Arreola, sound technician and set designer, said, "We have been preparing since Lent started about...
Express Collision Centers is a thriving business with a focus on quality work. Owner and operator Johnny Saffouri shows he has a passion for auto body repair and a commitment to customer satisfaction, going above and beyond to deliver top-notch service. Originally from Washington D.C.,Saffouri has been a Californian for over 30 years. His journey into the auto body repair industry began seven years ago, inspired by a lifelong dream. He pursued his education at the Universal Technical Institute...
At Tuesday night's Wasco City Council meeting, more progress was made toward developing the Wasco Police Department, including approval to execute all documents necessary to create a no-profit Police Activity League organization and authorization to finalize the purchase of additional police start-up vehicles. Currently, the Kern County Sheriff's Department has a nonprofit Sheriff's Activity League located in a city-owned building at 1445 12th St. However, with their departure, the city must...
North Kern Christian School will have two fundraising events in the next month and a half. A Vendor Faire is planned for Saturday, April 27, and a BBQ and Auction is set for Saturday, May 4. Both events promise family fun, delicious food and an opportunity to support the school's mission of providing exceptional education rooted in faith. Sandy Armstrong is the director of the Home Study Program. In an interview, she said, "Our Vendor Faire will have homemade goods, sweet treats, hand-crafted...
Richard Keith Reding, Sr., born on September 10, 1935, in Montgomery County, Tenn., lived an exemplary life of service above all. He was a man of faith and family, going over and beyond to serve his beloved community of Wasco, where he lived for 59 years. He passed away on March 17 at age 88. Reding taught physical education, health and typing at Thomas Jefferson Middle School for 35 years. The Richard K. Reding Gymnasium at Palm Ave Middle School was named after him. Reding also was on the...
A Wasco man was arrested for allegedly removing human remains from the scene of an accident. The accident occurred on March 22 at approximately 8:05 a.m., when a train fatally struck an individual at the Amtrak station in the city, according to the BNSF Railway and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Rosendo Tellez, 28, of Wasco, was taken into custody for taking evidence from the scene and for multiple outstanding warrants. He was booked into the Kern County Jail. The county Coroner’s Office had...
The annual Spring it On Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Wasco Recreation and Parks District brought families together for a day filled with excitement, laughter and plenty of Easter eggs. At Barker Park, parent Cristal Landeros appreciated the activity. "I came to bring my little one. He's been wanting to do activities for Easter, and I love that the city put this together for the kids and families." Gayle Coleman brought her three grandchildren. "It's an excellent time for families to bond, and...
