Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The Wasco Recreation and Parks District is currently accepting registrations for its Co-Ed Youth Flag Football League, with the registration period running through Friday, Jan. 26. This league offers kids a fun and engaging opportunity to stay active and fosters qualities like confidence, teamwork and sportsmanship, organizers say. Youth also learn life skills, setting them up for success on and off the field. Chris Serna, WRPD manager, said, "The game inspires character, leadership, resilience...
The Wasco Elks Lodge is preparing for its annual Valentine's Day dinner, promising good food, great company and a chance to give back to the Wasco community. The highlight of the evening is the steak dinner, a 18-ounce ribeye accompanied by a baked potato, salad, beans and dessert – all for $30. The event is scheduled for Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. A portion of the proceeds will go toward generating grants that the Wasco Elks Lodge will distribute among various community groups, focusing on supporting y...
Born and raised in Wasco, Alex Garcia is taking on the role of mayor for the third time. It is his continued love of public service that has kept him in local politics for almost a decade. Garcia is a small business owner of a real estate company and director of the Kern Economic Development Corporation as a representative for Wasco. He said that Wasco is a growing community with small-town values and is a great place to raise a family, start a business, buy a home and thrive. As his third time...
The Wasco Downtown Rehabilitation Project is underway. On Monday, there was a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of the project to revitalize the downtown area and enhance local culture through green spaces and public art installations. The project will include low water use landscaping, ADA-compliant pedestrian facilities, shade trees, street furniture, seating areas, waste bins, improved lighting, murals, upgrades to parking lots and rehabilitating the 7th Street Park to include a...
After three years of serving as pastor for St. John the Evangelist Parish, Rev. Guillermo Preciado is stepping down. "I want to take a moment to thank God for a year filled with blessings and for allowing me to be with you in this wonderful St. John the Evangelist Parish for three Christmas seasons," Preciado said in a note to his congregation. "With sadness and regret, I announce that effective Wednesday, January 3, I will leave the parish to focus on my health and spiritual growth" He...
The Bakersfield Condors will host a charity hockey game on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Mechanics Bank Arena to benefit the Wasco High School football team. Chad Martinez is the varsity head coach. "This season, we competed for a State Championship, and although we fell short, we were still State Regional Champions for the first time in Wasco High history. We will commemorate our Regional Championship with rings, which a portion of the proceeds from the event will help buy." Martinez said...
For many, few hobbies are as rewarding as volunteering. For Stephanie Mixco, it isn't just a pastime - it's an essential part of her life's fabric. "Volunteering keeps me up and going. It's where I meet new people, extend a helping hand and find comfort in being part of a family." Stephanie started volunteering in her teens and first became involved with the Wasco Community Volunteer Coalition with leader Camilo Vasquez. She said of the experience, "It was incredible. I loved organizing the...
This continues last week's recap of 2024 Wasco events. The first half can be viewed online at WascoTrib.com. JULY. It was a festive celebration of our nation's independence in July at the Wasco Recreation and Parks District's Red, White & Boom Fireworks Festival. The event started with a flag ceremony hosted by the Boys and Girls Scouts Troop 950. A watermelon eating contest and the Toys for Tiger's sponsored ride around Barker Park, where participants decorated their bikes in a 4th of July...
Petra Rueda is a member of the Wasco community who is committed to the values of service. Her journey into activism was deeply influenced by her late husband, Danny, who is also a respected Wasconian leader. Petra was born in Wasco when there was a hospital and attended all local schools. She comes from a family of eight and was raised in the Catholic Church, having been baptized and completed all her sacraments. After graduating from Wasco High School, she went to Job Corps in San Bernardino...
7 was eventful for the City of Wasco, and here are the highlights: JANUARY welcomed new leadership with the appointment of Vincent Martinez as mayor. He came equipped with experience, enthusiasm and a willingness to work as a team. He said he was excited to take on the role and added that the city was in an excellent position to make many positive changes. He said his two years on the City Council prepared him to put his best foot forward to demonstrate a commitment to honesty, integrity,...
The Knights of Columbus is a worldwide fraternal organization rooted in the Catholic faith. Founded in 1882 by Father Michael. J. McGivney, it has grown to encompass millions of members. Locally, the Wasco council is spearheaded by Grand Knight Joe Blanchard, who carries the vision of charity, unity,and brotherhood while championing charitable initiatives. Blanchard is a physics/chemistry teacher at Wasco High School and has been with the Knights organization for 10 years. He said he enjoys not...
Beginning Jan. 1, a new law in California will provide adults ages 26 to 49 access to full-scope Medi-Cal services, and immigration status will not matter. Ethnic Media Services held a news briefing to discuss Medi-Cal's expansion, who benefits, and how, particularly in rural communities such as Wasco. Juan Avila, chief operating officer of the nonprofit Garden Pathways, was one of the panelists. "Medi-Cal will seek to make health care more accessible to the hard-to-reach populations, including...
As is traditional at the end of the year, the Wasco City Council on Tuesday night selected a new mayor –Alex Garcia – and mayor pro tem, Valentin Medina. Garcia comes from serving as mayor pro tem, while Medina held the role of councilmember. For Garcia, it will be his second time as mayor. "I am humbled and honored to be re-appointed mayor for the great City of Wasco this upcoming year. The unanimous vote of confidence from my council colleagues is an awesome responsibility I don't take lightly...
The Wasco Recreation and Parks District hosted its second annual "Light up Wasco Community Cruise" and dazzled residents with a tour of over 23 homes decorated with Christmas holiday themes. Santa Claus came, the Gingerbread Men were there for photos, and cookies and hot cocoa were a part of the occasion. Some rode in the Dial-a-Ride bus, while others followed in a caravan of cars as they followed the route throughout town to the brightly and colorfully lit houses with twinkling lights,...
Líderes Campesinas North Kern Committee held a Mexican-themed Christmas event, "Posada," to honor local farmworker families. There were toys for the children, food boxes, gift cards, raffle items, clothing, desserts, tacos, music and drinks to enjoy. "We held this celebration to show our gratitude for their hard work this year," Paola Medina, the committee representative, said. "We were not only here to spread holiday cheer but also to raise awareness around the work we carry out to empower...
Leo Alvarez is a Chicano artist based in Wasco, who has been cultivating his gift since the age of seven. He was raised here but is originally from a small town called Llano Grande in Jalisco, Mexico. He came here at the age of 4. Recently, he completed a mural for the City of Wasco at the 15th Street Playground Park. "It was my first mural in Wasco, but I've done a lot of murals in McFarland and Bakersfield." He started as an artist by drawing cartoon characters, then artwork from "lowrider"...
At a special meeting on Tuesday, the City Council repealed its Dec. 5 acceptance of the Resource Environmental Inc. bid for the Wasco Farm Labor Camp demolition and cleanup project Currently, the labor camp is at the step of abatement, which is making sure that the materials that need to be removed are properly disposed of from the site, such as lead paint and materials containing asbestos. On Nov. 14, seven bids were received for the project. Following the Dec. 5 city council meeting, staff...
Bakersfield College offers diverse programs, from vocational courses to associate degrees in many fields, and is made more convenient for local residents through their Wasco site on the campus of Wasco Independence High School. With economical fees, readily available financial aid and accessible scholarships, BC is attainable for those facing barriers elsewhere due to financial constraints, academic preparedness, or life circumstances. "The Wasco site is part of BC's Rural Initiatives,...
Hailing originally from Memphis, Daniel Vaughn, who spent his formative years in Wasco, is a example of someone who overcame the challenges of social and economic adversity, rising from the bottom to accomplish his dreams, and who now is a role model to many youth who find themselves in similar circumstances. Vaughn credits much of his success to his Wasco High School coaches. "I played basketball and ran track. My coaches influenced me and taught me about being a team player and a leader. They...
The Wasco High School advanced drama class recently enchanted an audience of 1,100 elementary school students with a vibrant and entertaining performance. The play staged in the historic auditorium was alive with loud cheers, applause and excitement. "Goldilocks on Trial" was a spin on the classic "Goldilocks and the Three Bears," with a twist of being put into the courtroom and dishing it all out. For Jules Wimberly, who played Mamma Bear, it was her first time performing in a play of any...
The Wasco City Council approved the purchase of equipment from Asphalt Zipper Inc. to increase city roads rehabilitation and reduce the cost of that work. At present, the city undertakes numerous road and alley rehabilitation projects each year. Other than minor repairs, most is completed by contractors. Even though much of this work is paid for with grant funding, escalating material and labor costs and contractor workforce shortages limit the number of road projects completed each year....
Toys for Tigers brought joy to hundreds of children during its annual event, distributing gifts during this special time to ensure that every child in need experiences the magic of Christmas. The event on Saturday at Grace Community Church was a collective effort, with the organization raising funds throughout the year to purchase toys to serve over 300 families in 2023. "Yearly, we raise between $10,000 and $20,000, and all of that stays in Wasco," Madeline Nicol said. "This time, we partnered...
The Wasco Recreation and Parks District will hold its annual "Light up Wasco Community Cruise" event on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 18 and 19. Participants can drive in their vehicles or take the Dial-a-Ride bus to tour over 23 homes that are colorfully decorated and brightly lit with Christmas lights. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. at the Veterans Hall across from the WRPD office, 1202 Poplar Northside. Santa will be there, as well as the Gingerbread Man. There, you can pick up a cruise map, some...
The City of Wasco, in partnership with SNIP, will hold a free mobile spay and neuter clinic for residents on Friday, Dec. 22. Earlier this year, the city received a $288,000 grant to hold monthly no-cost spay/neuter clinics for three years, completing an estimated 1,800 surgeries. Recently, it was decided to host the clinics twice a month. "This will allow people a better time frame to make their appointment, every two weeks versus once a month. It gives everyone a better shot to fit it in...
