Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Wasco high school's SkillsUSA team heads to state finals. Students who qualified at regionals back in March will compete in different categories such as culinary, photography, baking and criminal justice just to name a few. The Wasco Team left April 13 to compete at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario. A total of 19 students participated in the competition. Competitor Jennifer Mendoza Ayon placed third in restaurant service. Photography competitor Daniel Rodriguez said hi...
The City of Wasco Code Compliance Departmenbt is hosting a Spring Community Clean-Up on Saturday, April 22, and they need your help. The Wasco Public Works Department, American Refuse, Alianza, local groups and businesses are partnering up to beautify Wasco. Sergio Gonzalez, code compliance officer, said they have hosted these events for over ten years. "It's a great way to keep bulky items from the alleys and deters illegal dumping. It gives the community an excellent way to...
On Wednesday, the Kern County Sheriff's Office in Wasco responded to a report of an adult female victim of a stabbing. At approximately 8:30 am, KCSO deputies were dispatched to the 800 block of 16th Street. The adult male suspect fled before their arrival. The suspect, Devon Crenshaw, 19, was subsequently located near F Street and Poso Drive and was taken into custody. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kern County Sheriff's Office at 661-861-3110 or the Secret...
On April 12, Kern County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Juan Romero, 19, on charges of first-degree murder for the killing of 16-year-old Adrian Garza. Public Information Officer Lori Meza said that Romero was arrested after obtaining probable cause through investigation. Romero was arraigned on April 14 and, according to KGET-TV, pled not guilty. He is expected to have a pre-preliminary hearing on April 26 and a preliminary hearing on April 27. The homicide occurred in J...
The Wasco Tigersharks Swim Club is enrolling swimmers for its 2023 season. The deadline to register is Friday, May 12. The club is open to youth ages 4 to 18. The club is a nonprofit organization that promotes a fun, family-oriented, competitive swimming environment that encourages young swimmers to reach their goals while building team camaraderie. Andrew McCuan is the club president. Hwe recently said he likes working behind the scenes to ensure his coaches and staff have...
The Wasco Woman’s Club is hosting its first annual Spring Tea event on Saturday, April 29. It will be an afternoon of fellowship and socializing with the club and community members. There will be elegant decor, with tables decorated with fine china and flowers. A variety of finger sandwiches and desserts will be served. Entertainment and an area for pictures also will be provided. Guest are encouraged to wear their Sunday best, and hats in the style of English high society, w...
The Dignity Health Community Wellness Program mammogram bus will make its way to Wasco on Sunday, April 30. It will be an opportunity for women to have a breast exam with the goal of detecting cancer early and saving lives. Angelica Montano is the supervisor for health education. She said the only criteria are that a woman must be over 40 years old, have been at least 12 months since the last mammogram, and have no health insurance or Medi-Cal. The exam is easy, and the only...
The Wasco Union Elementary School District is offering summer school, with classes from June Thursday, June 1, to Thursday, June 29. It will be a chance for students to keep learning during the vacation period while enjoying fun activities. "The goal of the summer program is to provide students with an extended learning opportunity and provide them with a well-rounded education." said Maria Maldonado, Title 1 support teacher. The program also helps students who are falling...
St. John the Evangelist Parish Catholic Church will host its annual Cinco de Mayo festival on Sunday, April 30. There will be a variety of food and live entertainment for the whole family Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army's May 5, 1862, victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Councilman Gilberto Reyna, a parish member, has spearheaded the event since 2016. Each year 500 to 600 people attend the...
On Tuesday, Steven Castillo, 21, of Wasco, was arrested for driving a stolen vehicle under the influence, colliding with a building and fleeing from the scene. At approximately 10:30 a.m., deputies from the Kern County Sheriff's Office, Wasco substation, responded to the 600 block of Central Avenue in Wasco. Based on the information they received, it was discovered that Castillo fled from the crime area. However, he was located a short distance away. During the investigation,...
A Wasco Housing Element Update Workshop was held on Monday. The city's consultant, Infrastructure Engineers, presented and was on hand to hear comments and answer questions from the public. Only one concern was raised from the public about the availability of moderately-priced and above housing. A housing element is a legally required component of the City of Wasco's general plan. It analyzes a community's housing needs for all income levels and reviews strategies to respond...
Foster Children Safe Haven is a nonprofit organization that aims to find temporary homes for youth in the foster care system. Their services extend into all of Kern County, including Wasco. Ana Vazquez has spent the last 10 years as an administrator and former social worker for the FCSH. "We get to help children in need and, most importantly, give back to the community. That is the best feeling," she said in a recent interview. She said FCSH is a refuge for children, and the...
Rene Fierro, 25, and Edtson Vasquez, 21, both said to be members of a Wasco street gang, were arrested on April 4 on felony charges related to illegal firearms and child cruelty. At approximately 4:50 p.m., deputies from the Kern County Sheriff's Office, Wasco substation, and with members of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, served a search warrant in the 1800 block of D Street in Wasco. During the search of the residence, they located a loaded black semiautomatic 9mm...
The SNIP spay and neuter bus was back in town on Thursday. Last year, the city received a $288,000 grant allowing monthly visits for the next three years. "It's great for our community and helps reduce the stray population," Public Works Director Luis Villa said. He encourages pet owners to get their animals fixed because it is free of charge and can potentially benefit the health of their pets. "These events make an impact by reducing the workload on our animal control...
The Wasco Recreation and Parks District held its first annual "Spring it on Easter Egg Hunt," a morning of activities, games, face painting, music, information booths, a cake walk and a meet and greet with the Easter bunny. Over 400 children participated. A free event, it brought the community together to celebrate spring and the upcoming Easter holiday. "Years ago, Candy Wilson of Toys for Tigers ran the event at the park, so I wanted to bring it back," WRPD manager Chris...
Thomas Jefferson Middle School hosted its annual "Runnin' for the House Color Run" fundraiser and broke a school record, with $7,000 collected to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Bakersfield. Students were sprayed with colorful powders at the event while running around the track field. There were awards for those students that completed the most laps. There were also awards for the top fundraisers. Crews Brendt is a 7th grade physical education and leadership teacher who...
A Housing Element Update Workshop is set for Monday, April 10, to get public feedback on the city's plans for residential development over the next decade. The Housing Element is one of the nine elements in the city's General Plan. The community development department is responsible for executing the Housing Element. The General Plan is the city's "blueprint" for how it will grow and develop over time. The Housing Element provides a plan for meeting the housing needs of...
The coronation of King Charles III and the Queen Consort of England will soon be commemorated worldwide. In recognition of the event, the local J.T. chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization celebrated with a High Tea at the recent reciprocity meeting. Six Delano, Bakersfield and Wasco chapters gathered at the Grace Community Church for the festivities. In conjunction with the theme, guests were greeted at the door with a full-sized replica of the King and Queen...
Canyon Hills Church of Wasco will hold a special Easter service at the Wasco High School auditorium on Sunday, April 9, at 10 a.m. It will be a morning of celebration and worship. Fern Segura is the pastor who will be leading the service. He has been a pastor of the church for eight years. He said what he loves most about being a pastor is his relationships with the community. The philosophy of the church is to inspire and equip people to become fully devoted followers of...
Violeta Okolonwamu is a Wasco Independence High School teacher who spearheads a personal finance course to ensure students start on the right path. Financial literacy is vital in helping young people manage money effectively to become financially stable, build assets and achieve personal goals. To this end, the class is offered to all seniors and is a year-long program. Okolonwamu teaches her students all aspects of financial literacy. "Everything from the basics of employment...
The California Health Collaborative's "Unidos Por Salud" (United for Health) focuses on empowering Wasco High School youth to be advocates in the community, raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco use. CHC is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life and health of the people of California, particularly the underserved and underrepresented. Celeste Ramos has been a project coordinator for the program since 2019. "With our youth program, we work...
Wasco High School held three cheer clinics earlier this week. Over 80 athletes showed up to learn the dances and routines they will need to perform at the tryouts on Saturday, March 25. Hailey Coyle is the head cheer advisor. She said the clinics helped the girls prepare for the judges. Almost 50 athletes will be selected for the junior and varsity cheer squads. Anyone was welcome to attend the clinics regardless of experience. However, an athlete must have attended at least...
At their regular meeting on Tuesday, the Wasco City Council voted to apply for state funding for a $44 million water system improvement project. The funding, from the State Water Resources Control Board, would be used for the planning, design and construction of the project. Since September 2020, the city has worked on identifying the best method to treat 1,2,3-TCP found in the five active groundwater wells used for the city's water supply. After a study and an analysis by Dee...
A new $3 million Wasco Animal Shelter is expected to be up and running within two years, according to city officials. Public Works Director Luis Villa said the design will take place this year. The cost is being covered by Measure X tax funds. Villa said that about three years ago, it was proposed to relocate the shelter to the old farm labor complex. "That didn't pan out too well. With the land the city purchased, we are hoping to build it there." The land purchased is locate...
Big Joe's Pool Service launched earlier this year and is off to a great start. Joseph Munoz and his wife, Allisyn, are the owners. Before opening his own business, Munoz worked servicing pools for another company, where he learned the ropes and accomplished expertise that would eventually serve him well in his new role. Munoz is a long-time resident who grew up in Shafter, and said he enjoys working there and in Wasco. So far, business is good. "It's exciting to see it start...
