Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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With the absence of Chief Kevin Zimmermann, who has been on an extended leave, the Shafter Police Department is working as "business as usual," according to Acting Chief Randy Milligan. The department has refused to give details about the leave, citing it as a "personnel matter." The only reason given for the leave that has lasted nearly six weeks is that it is related to a workers compensation claim. City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez said that Zimmermann would not elaborate any further. In a...
The Shafter/Wasco Landfill took one more step to being a completely self-maintaining facility when it announced the completion of a system that will bag compost for local residents. The landfill has made compost available for Kern County residents for a little over a year, allowing them to pick it up for their gardens, compost piles and many other uses. "More and more people are getting involved in operating their own compost piles, letting them fertilize their own gardens," says Lynnda Martin,...
In the absence of any votable items on their Tuesday night agenda, the Shafter City Council presented proclamations to outstanding individuals, both two and four-legged, for their representation of the city. Mayor Chad Givens presented an award to David Espinoza, an 11-year-old student at Maple School, who recently represented Shafter in the All American Bowl in Florida. Espinoza is a 4.9 GPA student who plans on making football his career, looking to be the future quarterback for the Shafter...
Anyone wanting to know what is going on at Shafter High School only needs to tune in daily for an update, presented by the students at SHS, over their HQTV broadcast, which is available on their YouTube channel. The broadcast journalism class, taught by Jerald Pierucci is getting ready to upgrade so the class will be able to broadcast across even more mediums, allowing them to cover volleyball and , basketball games live for the entire community. When Pierucci started at Shafter High, he talked...
David Espinoza, an 11-year-old Maple School student, recently represented Shafter at the All American Bowl in Florida. Espinoza was only one of two players in the state selected to participate in the game. Espinoza, who now plays on a travel team that competes all over the state, played for two years with the Shafter Commanders of the Golden Empire Youth Football League. Espinoza represented Shafter, Kern County and California. In June, Espinoza traveled to the Army/Navy Academy in Carlsbad for...
Mike Martin is a story of inspiration from humble beginnings, from a family of hardworking farm laborers to owning multiple companies, including a spreading, composting and pistachio company. He is an example of the values of perseverance and the importance of dreaming big. He was born in Visalia in 1965 to parents who worked in the fields. From an early age, he started working alongside them. This experience taught him the lessons of a strong work ethic that would serve him well in life. "I...
Brad Maberry, a dedicated educator and community leader, has been an integral part of the Wasco Union Elementary School District since 1996. Starting as a teacher, he has gradually climbed the ranks and, in 2023, assumed the role of superintendent. He is a native of Bakersfield but has worked in Wasco since 1996. "It's a magnificent small town with caring parents and community members; the small-town culture is really what has kept me here." Maberry has stayed involved in the community as a...
The Shafter Press and Wasco Tribune encourage local organizations to let the public know about coming events and activities through this column. Drop off or mail items at the office, 455 Kern St., Suite E, in Shafter, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, call 661-292-5100 or email [email protected]. Deadline is 4 p.m. Thursday prior to publication. Updates will be on TheShafterPress.com and WascoTrib.com. ANNOUNCEMENTS Self-serve sandbag station – Sand to combat flooding is available for Shafter residents and businesses. The station is l...
LAST WEEK: Carola Rupert Enriquez and Stan Wilson in 1994....
Jan. 29 Jaime Marcelino Mendez Jr., 45, of Shafter, was arrested in the 400 block of Rodriguez Avenue for violating a court order for domestic violence. Kristen Herta Roberts, 34, of Shafter, was arrested in the 200 block of Faber Avenue on a bench warrant/failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Orlando Lopez Flores, 33, of Shafter, was arrestedion the 100 block of West Orange Avenue for false personation, on a bench warrant/failure to appear on felony/misdemeanor charge and for an unregistered vehicle. Jan. 31 Erik Richard Torres, 34, of...
Pastor Brian Klassen is the new chaplain of the Wasco Police Department, being a bridge between the police force and the community. He comes with almost three decades of experience in ministry and said it is an exciting opportunity. "I believe coming to Wasco means that I'm called not only to pastor a church but also to serve the community. It's working with Chief [Charles] Fivecoat; he is an amazing man. I've had the pleasure to meet several police officers, and I think they are tremendous...
Esmeralda Díaz is the proud owner of Esmeralda’s Flower Shop & More, a quaint flower shop and secondhand store that offers a variety of new and gently used items. She bought the establishment from a previous owner who had the business for over 40 years, and she wants to continue with the legacy. “I opened two years ago and have been blessed so far. The community has supported me, and for that, I am grateful. After being around for so long, the business has great potential, and I’m lookin...
At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, the Wasco City Council recognized the newly formed Wasco Police Officers Association. Employees of the department formed the WPOA to represent officers and other staff when negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the city. In Wasco, as is common in most cities, the MOU document acts as a labor contract to establish hours, wages, working conditions and policies for its members in collective bargaining. "We are happy to see our Police Department emplo...
A 52-year-old woman suffered multiple life-threatening stab wounds and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment after an carjacking attack Monday. The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. in the 400 block of Peppermint Court in Wasco. During an investigation, deputies from the Wasco and North Area substations identified Randy Flores-Lopez, 21, from Wasco, as the suspect. Flores-Lopez also took the victim’s silver 2005 Chrysler minivan, California license plate 6LQE901, according to the...
Do you remember the Amelia Bedelia books, by Peggy Parish? Amelia Bedelia works as a housekeeper, but is constantly causing disasters because she inevitably misunderstands what she is told. At one point she’s roped into a neighborhood baseball game. When she’s encouraged to steal the bases and run home, she picks up the object used to mark third base and sprints back to her house. Another time when she was told to give the chickens scraps, she took small pieces of cloth to the hencoop. Ame...
Raul Lopez, 67, passed away on Jan. 30, 2024, in Bakersfield. He was born on March 2, 1956, in Mercedes, Texas, to Juan and Flavia Lopez. Raul migrated to California at the age of 9 to Huron, Calif., later moving to Shafter, where he made Shafter his permanent residence. Raul attended all the local Shafter schools. At a young age of 18 he went searching for jobs in various locations. Without any luck, Raul went to Buttonwillow Warehouse in Buttonwillow and asked for a job. Again, he was turned...
Long time Shafter resident Bernelle Wells Carlton was called home by her Lord and Savior on Jan. 27, 2024. She was 97 years old. Bernelle was born on Dec. 16, 1926 in Alexander, Ark., to James and Ethel Thompson. She was the sixth of 11 children. Bernelle is survived by her four children, Betty (Gene) White, Larry Wells, Russell (Mary) Wells and Andrea (Martin) Affentranger, 11 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren. Ted Thompson is her one surviving sibling. She was preceded in death by two husbands, JC Wells...
Rusty Carrasco, 69, of Shafter, passed away Jan. 27, in Lancaster. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Ramona Monique Melendrez, 43, of Shafter passed away Jan. 29, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Sue Hernandez, 83, of Bakersfield passed away Jan. 31, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Raul P. Lopez, 67, of Shafter, passed way Jan. 30, in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Italy Gonzalez, 10, of Shafter, passed away Jan. 26, in Los Angeles. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Longino E. Gonzalez, 92, of...
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The Wasco High School wrestling team, under the guidance of Head Coach Juan Gallardo, has emerged victorious from the South Sequoia League Championship. The team's achievements and the dedication of both players and coaches have led to a memorable season. About the win, Coach Gallardo said, "It's wonderful. Overall, with varsity boys, varsity girls and the JV boys, we had 20 champions." As the head coach, Gallardo oversees 48 wrestlers with the help of eight other coaches. "I've got a great...
Longino (Kino) Gonzales, age 92, passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by loved ones. He was married to the love of his life, Margie, on Sept. 20, 1958. They had five children, Longino Gonzales Jr. married to Sandra, Christina Smart married to Wesley, Pedro Gonzales, Andrea Hernandez married to Chon, and Marina Dunn. He was preceded in death by his son, Longino Gonzales Jr., and his great granddaughter, Hope Gonzales. He was blessed with 10 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren and two...
Zoe Ann Smith, age 85, of Shafter, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 3, 2024. She was born in Shafter on July 18, 1938 to Willard and Helen (Ratzlaff) Janzen. Her parents were farmers, and later owned and operated a car wash in Fresno. Zoe Ann graduated from Wasco High School in 1955 and studied music at the Pacific Bible Institute (now Fresno Pacific University). She was a talented pianist and singer, and also performed in community musical productions. She married Jack Groves in 1958....
Magdalena "Maggie" Dabalos, age 74, of Shafter, passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 7, 2024. She was born in Sundown, Texas, on March 28, 1949, to Hilario Dabalos and Luisa Garza. Maggie moved to California in 1987. She worked as a cafeteria aide for 31 years. She loved her job at Grow Academy. Maggie is survived by her partner, Johnnie Martinez: daughters JoAnn Munoz and Sofia Sanders: stepson Johnny Martinez; grandchildren Joe Munoz, Joel Munoz, Joseph Munoz, Maggie McCullar, Armando Macias...
Martha Peters went to be with her Lord and Savior on Feb. 7, 2024, in Shafter. Martha was born June 22, 1933, in Hillsboro, Kan., to Frank and Sarah (Zielke) Penner, the 11th of 13 children. The family moved to Dinuba in 1943, and Martha attended Immanuel High School and met her future husband, Clarence W. Peters. They married Aug. 17, 1951, and in November moved to Ukiah to begin Clarence's alternative service, both working at Mendocino State Hospital. Career changes took them from farming to...
Kenneth Edward "Eddie" Waldron was born in Wasco on Nov. 14, 1957. He passed peacefully on the early morning of Feb. 4, 2024, in Lenexa, Kan. Eddie grew up in the Central Valley of California and spent most of his life in Bakersfield before moving to Kansas in 2020. He worked for Kern Oil Refinery for most of his career before his health caused him to retire early. He loved his family and enjoyed picking up the food tab for whoever was with him. He worked hard all his life and enjoyed spoiling...
