Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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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...
In a display of community unity and holiday cheer, Wasco came alive with the vibrant colors and festive spirit of its annual Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony. The event saluted honored guests, including the new Wasco Police Department and the triumphant Wasco High School and Wasco Bengals football champions. The streets were lined with eager families and enthusiastic spectators who eagerly awaited the procession of dazzling floats adorned with shimmering lights and intricate...
As has been done since 2014, the Wasco Woman's Club helped ring in the holiday season for the special education students of Wasco High School with treats, music, dancing and, of course, Santa. Brian Cortez is an administrator for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, which runs the special education program. "This is something we always look forward to. It's giving our students an opportunity to have a fun social event and celebrate the spirit of Christmas." "It's also fun to watch them...
Strata Credit Union opened its doors to the public with a jubilant grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting. "Today marks the beginning of a lasting relationship. We are your financial advocate and your neighbor," CEO Brandon Ivie said. "Opening a bank in Wasco is significant because it aligns with our mission of serving the underserved and the underbanked. "Wasco is a community of nearly 30,000 residents, and yet only has one bank to serve that entire population. So with us opening our bran...
It was a fun and festive Toys for Tigers Christmas Extravaganza on Monday night for the children and families of Wasco. "We organize this to bring people together and give kids in Wasco a chance to meet Santa, write him a letter and enjoy Christmas activities," Madeline Nicole said. The event put on by Toys for Tigers provided games, crafts, face painting, hot cocoa, cookie decorating, raffles and pictures with Santa. Toys for Tigers is a charitable organization that purchases Christmas...
At a special meeting on Tuesday, the City Council made moved toward the next phase in the demolition of the old Wasco Farm Labor Camp with the selection of a contractor, Resource Environmental, to do the job. The decision was made after the original bid was rejected. 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. The process of...
The Wasco High School varsity girls cross country team has had an impressive season, most recently qualifying for the third straight year for the California State Championships. Omar Garcia is the head coach. "This set of girls have been working hard since their freshman year, with many of them staying active during the COVID years." "We competed during their first year, but it wasn't a whole season. Once we were allowed to compete fully, we had an opportunity to showcase their talent." They...
The holiday spirit is set to come alive on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 16 and 17, at the Shafter Ford Theater as the Young Adults Theater of Shafter presents "A Christmas Chaos." It promises to be an evening of delightful enchantment and holiday cheer. Joshua Cooley is the director and one of the actors. He has been with the theater group for 13 years. What he enjoys most is the fun he gets to have, and the freedom he has to build his own characters. This holiday, the play he is directing is a...
Santa Claus has made his travel plans to be in Wasco for the Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting and Vendor Faire on Saturday, December 2. For the third year, the Wasco Rose Festival and Orange Heart Foundation will bring our community an evening of fun, fellowship and festivities on the first Saturday in December. The Vendor Faire begins at 4 pm at Wasco High School at the cafeteria parking lot to allow shopping and eating before and after the parade and tree lighting. It will feature a variety of...
It's that time of year when the Wasco Toys for Tigers share the spirit of giving. Since 2002, this dedicated group has been making a difference in the lives of children in need by spreading joy through their annual Christmas initiatives. At the core of their mission is the distribution of toys to over 1,000 children in Wasco who are facing economic hardship. "Our goal is to spread holiday cheer for as many kids as possible.," said Board Treasurer Pat Ketcherside. "Every family deserves a special...
Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Westside Family Fellowship Church hosted its monthly Food Giveaway with a record-breaking attendance of 1,400 individuals and over 350 cars participating. "We distributed fresh fruit and vegetables, canned and dried goods, and meat products," Pastor Sukie Martinez said. The food banks occur every fourth Thursday of the month from 8 to 10 a.m. This month was special because they had the support of the Grocery Outlet. "We received a donation from the...
At the heart of community and social justice, the Dolores Huerta Foundation serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Established by the labor leader and activist Dolores Huerta, the organization embodies a commitment to equality and the pursuit of a better future for all. Dolores Huerta has worked for civil rights for over 50 years. In 1962, Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez founded the United Farm Workers union. She served as vice president and was critical in many of the union's...
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 industries, including...
