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Articles from the January 16, 2020 edition


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  • Richland students improving

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    Richland students are improving overall, but still are testing below state averages in every category, according to the latest scores. At the recent Richland School District board meeting, a presentation was given on the most recent Dashboard numbers for the district when it comes to classroom performance. These reports break down the results for students in third to fifth grades, as well as by student groups, such as English Learners, students with disabilities and students without...

  • Council to hold special meeting on search for city manager

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    A special City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, at 7:30 a.m. focusing on the city’s search for a new city manager. There will be a time of public comment before the council members meet in a closed session. During that time, seven candidates will be interviewed. No candidate names have been released. The council is set then reconvene in open session, with time to report on what happened behind closed doors – or not. The regular City Council meeting still is sch...

  • Ex-principal returns to front office

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    With the recent opening of the assistant superintendent's position, there were several teachers and administrators who put their name in the hat for the job. Ultimately, the Richland School District welcomed back Annette Blacklock, former principal at Golden Oak Elementary. When Rocio Munoz left that job to take a position in a Bakersfield School District, the former principal of Redwood Elementary School was selected for the position. But, after approximately a week at the job, Luis Rodriguez...

  • Shaved heds, caring hearts from wrestlers

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    In the competitive sport of wrestling, there are fierce rivalries amid the different leagues and divisions, making the season full of hotly contested matches, be it in duals or tournaments. But those competitive wrestlers came together recently when one of their own found out that he was facing a daunting challenge off the mat. Nickolas Garza, a junior at Shafter High, was diagnosed with leukemia and is fighting the disease with several rounds of chemotherapy. When the local wrestling community...

  • Community Calendar - Jan. 16, 2019

    The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    ANNOUNCEMENTS NEW: BC enrollment -- Bakersfield College spring 2020 Express Enrollments will be taken Thursday, Jan. 16, 4-7 p.m., at the Shafter Learning Center, 236 James St.. NEW: Libraries closed — All Libraries will be closed Monday, Jan. 20, for the Martin Luther King birthday holiday. Seeking all veterans -- A meeting will be held Monday, Jan. 27, at 6 p.m. hour at the Veterans Hall, 309 California Ave., Shafter. Call Mike Miller for more details, 661-477-9261. MOFA -- Mexican American Opportunity Foundation of Bakersfield is a v...

  • Arrest Report - Jan. 16, 2020

    The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    Jan. 6 Santos Gutierrez III, 29, of Shafter, was arrested on a misdemeanor bench warrant. Jose Reyes Soto, 37, of Shafter, was arrested for loitering on private property, possession of stolen tools and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. Isaiah Gregory Smith, 19, of Shafter, was arrested in the 100 block of Beth Eden Avenue for trespassing on private property. Robert Ortiz Jr., 33, of Shafter, was arrested in the 9500 block of Mountain Peak Lan, for contempt and disobeying court order. Jan. 7 Joshua Oros, 26, of Shafter, was...

  • Mystery History - Jan. 16, 2020

    The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    Here's this week's challenge, courtesy of the Shafter Historical Society. If you know the location, circumstances, exact or rough date and/or people in the photo, send your educated (or semieducated) guess to [BEGIN ITAL]The Press,[END ITAL] 406 Central Ave., Shafter 93263, or e-mail it to mysteryphoto@The ShafterPress.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Lupe Sabedra and Dora Valarde at La Colonia circa 1948....

  • Pastor's Corner - Jan. 16, 2020

    Pastor Jim Neal, First Southern Baptist Church, Shafter|Jan 16, 2020

    Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a Roman statesman who lived from 5 BC-65 AD, made a statement that should be written and remembered in 2020. He said, "We become wiser by adversity; prosperity destroys our appreciation of the (what is) right." A very profound statement, isn't it? Especially when we consider it was written by a man who died in 65 AD. This thought kinda runs counterculture to the prevalent thought of today, doesn’t it? In a day when prosperity, ease and opulence seem to be the norm for m...

  • Death Notices - Jan. 16, 2020

    The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    Charlynn McCarthy, 70, of Shafter, passed away Jan. 7, 2020, in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Sandra Fike, 78, of Bakersfield, passed away Jan. 7, 2020, in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Laura Green Blount, 66, of Bakersfield, passed away Jan. 9, 2020, in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care Shafter....

  • Robert Alan Parrott

    Jan 16, 2020

    Robert Alan Parrott, 61, passed on Dec. 18, 2019, in Bakersfield. Robert is survived by his wife Debbie, son Matt and his wife Sarah, daughter Amanda and her husband Ryan, and son Brad, as well as his mother Norma and sister Debbie. He is preceded in death by his father, Art Parrott. Robert was born March 11, 1958, in Bakersfield. He graduated with his BA from Fresno State and earned his teaching credential from Cal State Bakersfield. Robert taught second grade for 31 years at Karl F. Clemens...

  • Classified Ads - Jan. 16, 2020

    The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    #1 YARD SALE SHAFTER #1 YARD SALE WASCO #2 AUTO/MOTORCYCLES FOR SALE -- 2005 Chrysler 300, $2,000. Clean tags, non-op. NEW parts, custom rims, etc. Call 661-340-1544. Got an older car, boat or RV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 844-335-2616 (Cal-SCAN) DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 1-day vacation. Tax deductible, Free towing, All paperwork taken care of. Call 844-491-2884 (Cal- SCAN) #3 CAMPER/RV #4 MISC. FOR RENT #5 MISC. FOR SALE OXYGEN -- Anytime. Anywhere! No tanks to refill. No...

  • A new menu as Don Pepe's grows

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    In the two years Don Pepe's has been open, building a reputation as a family-oriented, friendly restaurant for Shafter. Owner Jose Martinez has been successful in his vision, with the restaurant having a loyal customer base that is growing all the time. In a move intended to expand their following, the restaurant is unveiling a new menu that includes its popular Mexican fare along with American food, including burgers, sandwiches and pizza. Martinez bought the restaurant in 2017 and said that...

  • Shafter PD nabs 1st in tree contest

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    A record-setting number of Christmas trees were on display for the month of December at the Shafter Depot Museum in their annual Christmas Tree decorating contest. There were 16 trees entered this year in the competition, with the theme "Lights, Camera, Christmas!" Each tree depicted a holiday movie or scene, with a variety of titles from the competitors. Residents were encouraged to come to the museum and vote for their favorite tree, with the top three entrants recognized at the end of the...

  • How to recycle trees and brush this season

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    Yes, it is that time of year again. For those of you who are wondering what to do with your Christmas tree, the City of Shafter has a drop-off location that is available. They are accepting trees at the City of Shafter Corporation Yard at 550 N. Shafter Ave., at the corner of East Tulare and North Shafter Avenues. They will be open five days a week, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. They are asking that you remove the tree stands, nails and decorations from the tree before bringing it to the...

  • Where 2- and 4-legged citizens are served

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    The Shafter Animal Control Department serves all of the residents of Shafter, those walking on two legs or four. Animal Control Officer Nick Riddick and his staff bring together residents of Shafter and those animals who are needing places to call home. Shafter Animal Control offers a variety of services to the residents, including picking up stray animals, enforcing animal laws in the city and investigating of animal cruelty or neglect, as well as educating the public on the laws and...

  • Editor's Note - Jan. 16, 2020

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 16, 2020

    Well, 2019 is in the rear view mirror, and the next decade is underway. This past year has been such a busy one for me. It has been full of some great times, like having a job that I just love, covering events, writing, taking photos and always learning. This job is really different every week, you never know what is going to happen. I am so thankful for this job, doing something that I love to do. It has also been a good one in our family, with everyone staying relatively healthy, safe, and...

  • Couch's Corner - Jan. 16, 2020

    David Couch, County Supervisor, 4th District|Jan 16, 2020

    Much thanks to the Valley Ag Voice for their article “Local Leaders React to Passage of USMCA,” in their January issue. For those of you who may not know, USMCA is an updated NAFTA, and stands for United States Mexico Canada Trade Agreement. It was passed by the House of Representatives on Dec. 19 in a very bipartisan vote (385-41). Its impacts on the Central Valley -- and especially Kern County -- are profound, and it seemed appropriate to share parts of their story here. According to Valley Ag, the seven key provisions that impact agr...