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Articles from the February 9, 2023 edition


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  • Suspect arrested in downtown shooting

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    Police arrested a man into custody after he allegedly shot another man in the head outside the Shafter Starbucks Thursday morning. At approximately 9:37 a.m., Shafter police officers responded to a call reporting a shooting in the 100 block of West Lerdo Highway. Officers already in the area heard the shots, saw a man running from the scene and detained him. Officers then found an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds to his head. Hall Ambulance responded and transported the victim to Kern...

  • Shafter man charged with molesting Wasco girl, 14

    Veronica Jacuinde and Jamie Stewart, Wasco Tribune and The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    No date has been announced for the arraignment of a Wasco middle school counselor arrested last week on charges of sexually molesting a 14-year-old student at the school. The employee was arrested on Jan. 30 after the girl charged he had touched her “inappropriately,” according a release from Kern County Sheriff’s Office. The incident allegedly occurred in May of last year. The employee, Jose Solis, 37, of Shafter, is a counselor at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and has been with the district for five years. Solis was booked into the count...

  • Hitchcock's Auto Parts celebrating centennial

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    Hitchcock's Auto Parts has been serving the community for 100 years, becoming one of the longest-running businesses in Kern County. Founded by Charles Hitchcock in 1923, the business has kept customer service at the forefront of its mission. According to owner Jesse Escobedo, this is one of the main components of the success of the business. "We treat our customers with respect and consider them family. Chuck Hitchcock always said, which was on the letterhead for a long time, that, 'Every time...

  • Obituary: Robert Sanchez

    Feb 9, 2023

    Robert Sanchez, 54, passed away on Jan. 19, 2023, in Shafter. He was born on June 23,1968, in Bakersfield, to Balbina Sanchez. Robert grew up in Wasco. He graduated from Wasco High School in 1986. While in high school, he began working for the Wasco Union High School District as a student custodian. After graduation he began working for the school district as a substitute custodian. He was hired as a night custodian by the district in 1987. Robert eventually moved into the maintenance...

  • Woman's generosity keeping community warm

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    A local woman, who has spent over 35 years crocheting blankets and beanies, has used this talent to help keep locals in need warm, as well as loved. Joy Duke, or "Grandma Joy," has been donating blankets and beanies that she crochets to local organizations. This year, she donated 36 blankets to the Carrington House in Shafter, with help from the Shafter Womans Club, who delivered them. She regularly donates blankets as a part of the Shafter Woman's Club Christmas for Seniors. Duke said that she...

  • Tuskegee Airmen helped so many in struggle; spent time at Minter Field

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    Minter Field has been giving residents a peek into the rich military history of the United States, as well as the history of the role that Minter Field has played in that history. With the observance of Black History Month, Museum Director Ronald Pierce pointed out the little-known role that Minter Field played in the history of a group of black airmen that were stationed at Minter Field. Another Minter Field Air Museum member has a personal history when it comes to the role of these men. Major...

  • A closet more than just storage

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    Romero's Closets is celebrating four years of serving the communities of Wasco, Shafter and Bakersfield. The company brings expertise and pride in its original and custom designs. Horacio and Rebeca Romero own the mobile business. They specialize in one-of-a-kind organizers, sliding mirror doors, crown and base molding, and paint and flooring to create unique closets that are adjustable to impress anyone looking for the perfect space to fit your needs and more. Before they started the business,...

  • City makes progress with Wasco Police Department

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|Feb 9, 2023

    Up to 12 vehicles are set to be the first fleet for the new Wasco Police Department. At the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, a resolution was passed to authorize the city manager to approve a purchase order for six new police vehicles and up to six used vehicles, a move toward establishing a Wasco police department. "With this, we have a variety of fleets we can phase in over time. It's a step forward with the essential logistics to make the Police department come together. It's...

  • Arrest Report - Feb. 9, 2023

    Feb 9, 2023

    Jan. 30 Marcelino Zirangua Dominguez, 46, was arrested on a bench/warrant and failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Monica Nolasco Fernandez, 32, of Shafter, was arrested in the 300 block of James Street for disorderly conduct: alcohol. Manuel Alejandro Figueroa, 31, of Shafter, was arrested for driving with a suspended license and DUI. Arthur Joseph Martinez, 39, of Shafter, was arrested in the 600 block of Central Valley Highway on a bench warrant/failure to appear on misdemeanor charge. John Raymond Harvey, 66, of Shafter, was in the 10...

  • Community Calendar - Feb. 9, 2023

    The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    As activities restart and businesses reopen, we will try to update readers on the status of events and activities throughout the area. Please contact Erica Soriano with additions and changes at [email protected] or call 661-292-5100 by Monday at 4 p.m. for that week’s paper. ONGOING Helping families – Shafter High School and the PRIDE Pantry allows the opportunity to donate directly back to the Shafter community to reach hurting families. Ways to help contribute to the PRIDE Pantry include dropping off at the SHS front office, 526...

  • Classified Ads - Feb. 9, 2023

    The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    To see this week's Classified Ads, click on the e-edition icon at the top of the page....

  • Death Notices - Feb. 29, 2023

    The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    Irene Gonzales, 85, of Bakersfield, passed away Jan. 28, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Cheryl Wheeler, 67, of Bakersfield, passed away Jan. 28, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Mary Ann Gonzalez, 76, of Wasco, passed away Jan. 31, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Jose Manuel Figueroa “Meño”, 62, of Wasco, passed away Feb. 2, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Antonio “Tony” Garza, 66, of Shafter, passed away Feb. 1, in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter....

  • Council approves $1.4M bid for shoulder project

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    The Shafter City Council approved the low bid of $1.4 million to start work on the Santa Fe Way Shoulder Project. This project spans from Santa Fe Way to Los Angeles Avenue to Galpin Avenue. Bids ranged from $1,4 million to $2.5 million, with the low bid presented by Birch Construction. Work is expected to begin on this project in the next two months. The council presented a proclamation for the observance of February as Safe Surrender Month in the city of Shafter. Safe Surrender was founded in...

  • Grant funds monthly free spay and neuter clinics

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|Feb 9, 2023

    The City of Wasco received a $288,000 SNIP spay/neuter grant from UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program in connection with the California of All Animal Statewide Animal Shelter Assistance Program. The purpose of the grant is to partner with the SNIP Bus to expand the city's spay/neuter capacity. SNIP Bus will hold no-cost spay/neuter clinics monthly for three years, completing an estimated 1,800 surgeries. Public Works Director Luis Villa said receiving the grant is amazing. "This grant will...

  • Expanded learning opportunities program benefits youth

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|Feb 9, 2023

    Wasco Union Elementary School District offers its students a safe place to learn and keep active through its after-school programs, serving 200 to 300 youth at each elementary school site and over a hundred students at each middle school site. Jennifer Fendrick is the coordinator for the extended day programs. She explained that there are several components. "The first is the ASES program which stands for after-school education and safety. This is for students from TK to 8th grade. It takes...

  • Scholarship opportunities open to WHS seniors and graduates

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|Feb 9, 2023

    The Wasco Community Scholarship Association is now taking applications for its annual scholarship awards and invites seniors and alumni of Wasco High School who are pursuing post-secondary education to apply. It is expected that four-year university and college scholarship winners will receive $1,500, and two-year college and trade or technical school scholarship winners will receive $700. The number of scholarships granted and the dollar amount per award will depend on the number of qualified...

  • Lady Generals shining big with a small bulb

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    The Shafter High Generals girls wrestling team may be small in numbers, but they make up for it in determination and talent. The Lady Generals have not had enough girls to field a full team, so they haven't been on top of the scoreboard in dual matches, but the quality of their wrestlers have the rest of the Central Valley taking notice. Such was the case in their dual meet with rival Wasco Lady Tigers. Shafter may have lost the dual match, but in the four matches that were contested, the Lady G...

  • Pastor's Corner: Why are religions different?

    Pastor Ruben Zartman, Ebenezer Reformed Church, Shafter|Feb 9, 2023

    Churches have a lot of things in common. But they are not all the same. There are differences as well as similarities, as anyone who has visited other churches while on vacation can verify. And if there are differences between one congregation and another, or one denomination and another, that’s even more obvious between one religion and another. If you’ve ever thought about it, it’s kind of a strange thing. We’re all human beings, after all, and we share a lot of the same interests, concerns an...

  • Pet of the Week: Roscoe is looking for love

    Shafter Animal Shelter|Feb 9, 2023

    This handsome boy is named Roscoe, and he is looking for a perfect forever home. Roscoe is a black and tan German shepherd mix who is guessed to be about 2 years old and weighs almost 100 pounds. This sweet boy is full of energy and loves to run around. Roscoe would love to have fur siblings to romp and play with. While at the shelter, Rosco has shown that he gets along with other dogs. He could use some obedience training, and the staff would recommend a strong handler as Roscoe is a large...

  • Mystery History - Feb. 9, 2023

    The Shafter Press|Feb 9, 2023

    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 The Press, 455 Kern St., Suite E, Shafter, CA 93263, or e-mail it to mysteryphoto@The ShafterPress.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Elma Wilson at Richland School in 1927....

  • Jerry Leon McCaslin

    Feb 9, 2023

    Jerry Leon McCaslin passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 11, 2023. Jerry was born on Dec. 7th, 1959, to Billy and Juanita McCaslin in Bakersfield; he was the middle sibling to brothers Larry and Gary. Jerry was blessed with three children: Jerry Daniel, Jerret Wayne and Jessica Marie. Jerry was a third generation trucker. He went on to take over McCaslin Trucking and McCaslin Harvesting in 1989. Jerry was also part owner and board member of Golden Empire Shelling; some of his proudest...