Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
Sorted by date Results 401 - 425 of 787
The city plans to spend over $34,000 to build Dial-A-Ride shelters in town, using Kern County Low Carbon Transit Operations Project funds to pay for them. "The idea is that we have locations where we routinely pick up and drop off Dial-A-Ride riders," City Manager Scott Hurlbert commented on the Transit Bus Shelters project, "We are looking for the funding to establish bus stop-style shelters, a place for people to wait under the shade." "They are more expensive than you think. This is a good...
Johnny Martinez has been a pastor with Westside Family Fellowship for 17 years. Over this time, he has touched many lives through the word of Christ. He said the church's mission is to proclaim Christ, which is salvation to the human soul. "We want to project love. That is why we do the programs that we do." The church provides a vital role in helping to feed the community. Every fourth Thursday, there is a farmers market for people that not only come from Wasco, but from as far as Delano and...
Iola Moore-Smiley was born in 1935 and moved to California with her family in 1938, first making their way to Pond and later moving to Wasco in 1941, where she lived for almost 20 years. She wrote a book, "The Moore Kids," about her experience growing up in Wasco. Originally from Oklahoma, the family moved west because her father couldn't find work. Iola attended elementary, junior high and high school in Wasco. Some of her most cherished memories are of these times, she said. "I loved school....
The Wasco FFA chapter and Wasco AG Boosters will host its 4th annual Charles Craig Classic for Wasco, Shafter, Delano, Taft and McFarland students. The competition will be held at the WHS farm laboratory on Saturday, Sept. 9, and Sunday, Sept. 10. The event honors the late Dr. Charles Craig, who served as an ag instructor for many years in the Wasco Union High School District. While serving the district, he overcame many obstacles that would have otherwise prevented students from experiencing...
Alvie Snow Farms was established in 1952 and named for the owner, Alvie, who moved from Oklahoma to Wasco in 1951. Alvie died in a farm accident on his property in 1979 at age 62. The farm then passed to his wife, Betty, daughter Beverly and his two sons, Ronnie and Ricky. Ronnie's son Casye is also farming now, so it's third generation operation. They grow almonds and alfalfa, but before farmed mainly cotton, alfalfa, sugar beets and grains. "Cotton got to the point where you just couldn't...
Deterring crime in the city has been an elusive goal for years for the Kern County Sheriff's Office and Wasco city leadership. Now, the chief of the new Wasco Police Department, Charlie Fivecoat says he will do what it takes to address public safety. "We are still in the process of establishing the Police Department, and crime prevention strategies are still being developed. Ultimately, we will have a visible presence in the community, and all our enforcement strategies will be in part based on...
The City Council approved several resolutions in support of the development of the Wasco Police Department at their meeting Tuesday night. A highlight was the approval to purchase five new Ford Utility Interceptor AWD police vehicles, including emergency lighting and upfitting equipment for slightly over $401,000. The council additionally approved an agreement with American Business Machines to design, install and support an upgrade of the city security project for $367,386. The current city...
The city has been awarded $5 million for the development of a new Wasco Police Department station, which will be built at the current Kern County Sheriff’s Office substation site. Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains led the effort to secure the funding in the state budget for direct investments to improve public safety and the quality of life for residents of Kern County. State Sen. Melissa Hurtado also strongly advocated for the funds. The funding also included $5 million each for the c...
The Miss Wasco Rose Queen Pageant will take place on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Wasco High School Auditorium. This year 15 young women are competing for the coveted title, and the theme is Barbie. They are Abigail Martinez, Alyse Biggs, Natalia Crane, Amaia Marquez, Aleena Lopez, Ruby Macias, Addison Vasquez, Yesenia Hernandez, Devanie Caban, Xitlalic Trujillo, Monique Martinez, Madison Martinez, Esmeralda Rodriguez, Jasmine Barbosa and Silvia Inzunza. There are four pageant directors: Nicole San...
Councilmember Gilberto Reyna has a long history as a community activist dating even before June 2015, when he was appointed to serve on the City Council and later as mayor pro tem. In December of 2017, he was selected by the council to hold the position of mayor for 2018, five months in 2021 and a year term in 2022. He said seeing a need to improve the health and safety of residents motivated him to embark on a career in politics. "That was my initial motivation to become a public servant, and...
Strata Credit Union will open its doors in October/November of this year. It will be a resource to residents by providing a local option to traditional banks. Founded in 1949, Strata Credit Union is a federally insured, not-for-profit financial cooperative that serves Bakersfield and Kern County. The bank offers a wide range of financial products and services, including checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards and investment products. "Strata Credit Union is extremely excited to open...
The Wasco High School varsity football team is gearing up for another great season. Practice is underway, with their first game in early August. Chad Martinez has been the head coach since 2017. He is also a teacher at WHS. He said he hopes the boys have a good experience. "We're going to be a young team, but they are extremely talented, with a ton of building blocks, and it is the perfect recipe to create great memories." There are 38 members on the team, made up mostly of sophomores and...
Cultural Homestay International is looking for host families for foreign exchange students. The program is an opportunity to positively impact a youth's life while making memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. CHI Academic Program Administrator Dorothy Whitefield said the organization has been placing students from all over the world for over 40 years. They have placed students in Wasco for the last 30 years. Foreign exchange students come from Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, Fran...
Wasco Sno-Shack has served the community for the last 33 years. It is a family-owned business founded by Elvia Garza in 1990 and passed down in 2010 to her daughter, Stella Guerra. Sno-Shack is known for its delicious shaved ice cones. There are over 40 flavors and mixtures. Some of their most popular are vanilla with cream, coco con leche, mango-chamoy, cherry and the all-infamous Tiger's blood. "The ice is exquisitely soft, allowing each bite to melt effortlessly on your tongue, creating a...
Chuck Wright, 86, a long-time resident of Wasco, passed away peacefully at home on June 28. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Chuck was born on Oct. 11, 1936, in Bakersfield. He attended elementary school in Shafter and graduated from high school in McFarland, where he excelled in football. He also attended Fresno State and Bakersfield College. Around this time, he was married to Linda Kirkpatrick for a few years. Chuck had four children, nine grandchildren and eight...
Out of 100,000 chiropractors in the world, Dr. Dennis Campbell of Campbell Chiropractic is one of only about 3,000 physicians that practice the unique specialty of upper cervical chiropractic. Within that specialty, he practices the Blair technique, where he is one of 20 in the world at the highest skill level. More than half of his practice is from people that come from Visalia, Fresno, Paso Robles and Bakersfield. "And a lot further because of the particular specialty I do. The next close...
The Wasco Recreation and Parks District Kids Summer Camp is back with a two-week session beginning July 24 to Aug. 3, Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., for ages 5 to 12. Kids will learn, play, create and imagine. Activities include art, music, theater and sports; each week, there are two themes. The themes for the first week will be debate and goal-getters. The second week's themes will be world festivals and astronauts and space. WRPD Manager Chris Serna said that summer camp...
In 2018, Melissa Hurtado, against all odds, became the youngest woman ever elected to the California State Senate. She is known as a thoughtful policymaker who works across party lines to improve residents' quality of life and ensure rural voices are heard at all levels of government. Hurtado is the daughter of hard-working immigrants, born and raised in the Central Valley. "This Valley is what I am. The struggles, my upbringing, all have played a role and continue to play a role in who I am and...
A grand celebration to honor the great nation's independence is set for Saturday, July 1, at Barker Park from 4 to 9:30 pm. Organized by the Wasco Recreation and Parks District, the Red, White & Boom Fireworks Festival will kick off with a flag ceremony, followed by a bicycle parade, music, food, vendors, a watermelon contest, Red, White & Pool Party and a finale fireworks show. All of the activities are free and open to all ages. "The fireworks show has been a long-standing tradition for...
Early Monday at 12:01 am, deputies responded to a deadly shooting and found a person pronounced deceased at the scene due to a violent assault. The incident occurred in the 1800 block of Bay Meadow Drive in Wasco. KCSO homicide detectives are investigating the crime. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Kern County Sheriff’s Office at 661-861-3110 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 661-322-4040....
Preparations for the annual Wasco Rose Festival are underway, with the selection of this year's "You've Got a Friend in Wasco" theme. A long-standing tradition, the event promises to be an-other exciting lineup of activities for the community to enjoy the weekend after Labor Day, Sept. 7-9, 2023. The Rose Festival begins with the Miss Wasco Rose Queen Pageant at the Wasco High School auditorium Thursday, Sept. 7. The Wasco Elk Ladies will bring an Evening of Wine and Roses on Friday, Sept. 8....
Barbara Lucas, a cherished friend to many, was a beloved mother, grandmother and aunt, playing an integral part in the community. After a lifetime of joy and happiness, she passed away peace-fully on June 10. She was born in Turlock, on Oct. 24, 1933, to Jeptha Ivan Stone and Rowena Matthews Stone. After living in Marysville for a short time, the family found their way to Shafter. In 1954 she married Edwin Lucas of Wasco and moved with him there, where she lived for the rest of her life. At 16,...
Pizza Factory has a new owner, Frank Almanza, who hopes to continue delivering the best dining experience fn the community. Almanza took over the restaurant last November and said he has been warmly welcomed. He is originally from Los Angeles, but moved to Kern County in 2006 when he got hired by the California Department of Corrections. He has lived in Kern County ever since. Almanza has had a fruitful career in law enforcement, first as a correctional officer and then as a fire captain, the...
Three men from Wasco were arrested on Tuesday morning for allegedly brandishing a firearm and other charges. Deputies from the Wasco substation responded to the 1800 block of F Street regarding a bran-dishing firearm call. They learned the suspects were occupying a white four-door Dodge Charger that had driven through the area multiple times. After the subjects showed the firearm, they fled the area in the vehicle. Deputies circulated the area and located a vehicle matching the description near...
After 9 1/2 years as the Wasco Union Elementary School District superintendent, Kelly Richers is retiring. A celebration was held in his honor last Friday, where many fellow educational professionals, friends and family attended. Richers started his career in education as a substitute teacher in 1975. He was a physical education and 8th grade science teacher. After that, he came to Wasco and served as an administrator here for 30 years. Although he had different intentions, life brought him to e...
