Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Amazon is opening a distribution center in Shafter, making it the second Amazon facility to open in Kern County. The new center will be in the Wonderful Industrial Park and is expected to open later this year, bringing 1,000 jobs to the area. Amazon opened a facility in Bakersfield last year. "Amazon is excited to make this investment in Kern County that will support local economic development and help us deliver to our growing number of customers in the region. As we continue to grow in Califor...
Negotiations about pesticide notifications between the Kern Ag commissioner and the state Department of Pesticide Regulation have broken down. Kern Ag Commissioner Glen Fankhauser recently wrote a letter to the state that he would not comply with Director Val Docini's request to give the community advanced notification of when and where farmers plan to spray pesticides deemed particularly dangerous. When AB617 passed in 2017, a steering committee was formed in Shafter to develop a plan to...
The region has seen a decrease in the amount of new coronavirus cases this past week, giving Kern County hope for a cautious return to the red tier in the near future. As of Tuesday, Feb. 23, Kern County Public Health Director Brynn Carrigan told the Board of Supervisors at its morning meeting that “the state will announce today that the county has an unadjusted covid-19 case rate of 16.8 per 100,000 people with a state-adjusted rate, closer to 18.5 and the county is inching closer to the red tier. The red tier is a less restricted tier, which...
In January, two brothers from Shafter with a close friend opened their first restaurant at 18800 Beach Ave., the corner of Beech Avenue (State 143) and Burbank. Due to the times we live in and covid-19, this has been what the industry calls a soft opening. Word of mouth is spreading and the iconic red train carriage with an indoor seating of 25 is open again from Tuesday through Saturday from 5 a.m. till 1 p.m. for takeout as well as breakfast and lunch dining. You might wish to call ahead for seating on Friday or Saturday. The Red Wagon Caf...
There will be two bulky waste events held in March for the residents of Shafter and Wasco who need to dispose of items that don't normally fit in regular trash containers. The event in Wasco will be held on Saturday, March 6, at Barker Park on Poso Avenue. It will be from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Shafter event will be on Saturday, March 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Richland School District. During the pandemic, bulky waste drop-off events were not held and more items were dumped illegally, said...
Mayor Alex Garcia has been appointed to serve a second term. When Garcia was interviewed about two years ago, he stated that he felt the position of mayor should be more than just a one-year term. He often commented that "It would be nice if the mayor could serve two years instead of one because it takes almost a year to get your feet wet in the leadership position." Garcia said that he feels like he has had a two-year term being selected mayor once again so close to his last term. "Alex cares...
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 Bengals Tryouts- Bengals Football Tryouts will be Week 1: March 10, 11 and 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. and Week 2: March 17, 18 and 19 at Westside Park (across from the skate park). Athletes must live in the Wasco School District and turn 7 years old/cannot t...
Feb. 14 Pedro Moreno Garza, 53, of Shafter, was arrested on the 200 block of Rodriguez for obstruction public officer and possession of controlled substance. Feb. 13 Luis Enrique Ortiz, 36, of Shafter, was arrested on the 28900 block of Riverside St. for evading a public officer, disregarding safety and possession of controlled substance. Feb. 16 Dirk Barton Underwood, 50, of Shafter, was arrested on the 600 block of James St. on an outside felony warrant. Feb. 17 Carlos Deleon, 42, of Shafter, was arrested on the 100 block of E. Lerdo for will...
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, 406 Central Ave., Shafter 93263, or e-mail it to mysteryphoto@The ShafterPress.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: The photo showed a rare snow day in Shafter in 1962....
Father Raul A. Sanchez-Flores has been relocated to St. Joseph's Church in Selma. Sanchez-Flores joined St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church six years ago as parish priest. When asking Sanchez-Flores whether or not he had a choice in accepting a new assignment, he said when a parish priest is asked to change locations, the priest usually agrees to the move. "On Tuesday Feb. 19, I received a phone call from Father Sal Gonzalez, Vicar General, who was calling on behalf of our bishop, Most...
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Wasco residents are like everyone else, they love their pizza and wings and an occasional ice cold beer or soft drink. That's exactly what owner of Pizza Factory Russ Adkins was hoping for when he made a career move from teaching to owning a franchise. Due to family illness, Adkins was forced to close Pizza Factory; however, CEO Mary Jane Riva and her husband, Bob, from Oakhurst decided to rescue the Wasco Pizza Factory. The restaurant reopened its doors Feb. 11. "Russ did such an outstanding...
Janice McCormick loved having her family around her. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved Jesus with all her heart and shared His love with everyone she came into contact with. She loved going on "girl" trips to the beach and mountains. She loved to shop -- she could outshop anyone half her age. It was her hobby and sport. But most important was her love for God and the relationship she had with Him. She was the family matriarch, spiritual advisor and best friend....
Julia G. Escalante, 92, of Shafter, died Feb. 21, in Bakersfield. Viewing will be held at Peters Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. with Recitation of the Rosary beginning at 6 p.m. Graveside service to be held Wednesday, March 3, beginning at 10 a.m. at Shafter Memorial Park....
Linda Kay Foster, 76, of Shafter, passed away Feb. 9. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Gary Spear McDowell, 80, of Bakersfield, passed away Feb. 9 in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. James McNew, 72, of Bakersfield, passed away Feb. 9 in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Joe Luis Hinojosa, 70, of Wasco, passed away Feb. 13 in. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Michelle Hernandez Flores, 25, of Wasco, passed away Feb. 12 in Wasco. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Emilio Figueroa, 84, of Bakersfield, passed away Feb. 15 in Bakersfield. Peters...
Harold Dean Gibson, known by many as "Hoot" was born in Wasco on Oct. 3, 1947, to parents, J Harold and Marie Gibson. He attended local schools and graduated from Wasco High before attending college classes at B.C. Hoot then completed his bachelor's degree at UNLV, which he attended on a football scholarship. After college he married Dru Cantrell, and during their 30 plus years of marriage the couple were blessed with two daughters, Erica and Julie. In 2002 Hoot married Chris (Kuhn) Gibson, and...
Jesus "Moose" Torres, 51, passed away on Feb. 5, 2021 at his home in Wasco. Jesus was born on Jan. 19, 1970 in Nuevo Chupicuaro, Guanajuato, Mexico, to Nicolas and Maria Torres. Jesus grew up in Shafter, where he attended Shafter High School, Class of '88. More recently, Jesus was continuing his education by attending Bakersfield College where he was set to graduate with honors and receive his associates degree in industrial technology. Moose worked for the Housing Authority of Kern County, wher...
The Recreation and Parks District has voted to allow the state to open the veteran’s hall as a vaccination center. The board voted to approve the center at a special meeting on Feb. 19. Juan Bernal also provided a report at the regular meeting on Thursday, Feb. 18 on the district’s research into the costs of construction of a new salt water swimming pool. The district is close to finalizing the grant application for the pool. “The final reviews can be submitted over the next week or two,” said Vice Chair Kayla Castillo. “The authorizi...
A Wasco man was killed after being shot multiple times Dec. 23 and deputies are looking for information. Jamiel Ringold, of Wasco, was found suffering from several gunshot wounds near the intersection of 16th and D Street by Kern County Sheriff's Office deputies. Ringold was pronounced deceased. The suspects fled in a burgundy or brown-colored, older model, four door SUV or Crossover vehicle. If anyone has information regarding the suspects or the vehicle, they are asked to call the Kern County...
Spring is around the corner, and with it, spring cleanups. That’s why I’m pleased to announce that this month the Board of Supervisors approved the bylaws and the formation of the Keep Kern Beautiful Committee, of which you can be a part. With the official formation of this committee on Feb. 9, the county becomes an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, the national organization, in its effort to increase awareness of the problem of litter and the need for beautification, but it also connects us and all of the communities of Kern County int...
1 years ago: Feb. 16, 2011 Shafter High track and field star Lacie Rasley attended Boise State University on a scholarship. She was known for her skills in the shotput and discus. 20 years ago: Feb. 21, 2001 Shafter Scientist Dr. Michael R. McGuire received an award from the Agriculture Research Service for developing the formula that kills fruit flies and other insects. 30 years ago: Feb. 20, 1991 The Shafter High varsity soccer team won the 1991 South Sequoia League. A few of the team...
On Sept. 1, 1928, Katherine Nikkel was born to Henry H. and Agatha Williams Nikkel in Shafter. She had many enjoyable memories from her youth, growing up on her father’s farm across the street from Myrick’s Corner, just north of Shafter. She was part of the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church family and attended Richland School. At a young age, she accepted Jesus as her Savior and was baptized when she was in her teens. That peaceful childhood was interrupted on her 11th birthday when her mot...
For many people, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is the title of a popular movie. For John Araiza, it is a snapshot of the passions of his life. John passed away Sept. 27, 2020 – just two days short of his 89th birthday. He spent his life in service to his Lord, country, community, and large, extended family. He was born Sept. 29, 1931 in Allensworth, California (population 500), in a one-room house with no electricity and an ice box for a refrigerator. John shared the home with his parents a...
