Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The coronavirus pandemic had taken its toll on the cities of Shafter and Wasco, along with other cities in Kern County, with closed schools, businesses and churches. Easter Sunday was a good example of the level of disruption the virus has caused. Mannel Park, usually filled with worshipers watching the sun rise as they celebrate the rising of the Son, was empty as residents were heeding the warnings of local officials about gathering in large groups for the holiday. This is on top of the...
The building that houses The Shafter Press and the former location of Brookside Deli suffered extensive smoke damage and a small fire on Monday morning. But due to the quick response of the Shafter Police Department and the Kern County Fire Department, the damage did not go any further than a portion of the former deli. Shafter police were dispatched to Central Avenue and Central Valley Highway a little after 8 a.m., when smoke was reported coming from the building. Upon arrival, officers found...
WUESD Superintendent Kelly Richers is looking at the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and the empty classrooms its created – and what he sees is not good. "It's doom and gloom for the next couple of years." Since schools are paid for each student's daily attendance, and schools are now closed for at least two months, a lot of income has been lost. "We are sure funding will be cut significantly, but the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) will probably stay similar to what we have f...
The Shafter Recreation Department gave the families of Shafter a chance to celebrate the holiday even from the safety of their own homes last Friday with a Quarantine Egg Quest. On Friday, families drove by the Recreation Office on East Tulare Avenue, and District Manager Phillip Jimenez and his staff handed out 6,000 eggs filled with toys and candy. The participants then took the eggs home to hold their own egg hunts. The only rules were to hold the egg hunt at their homes, post pictures and...
The city has seen an influx of sightings of its mascot in recent days, with striped felines spotted all over the city. They can be seen mostly in neighborhood windows, thanks to the industrious mind of Sharon Sharp and other community members. Sharp was inspired by events recently held in other communities, in which residents put teddy bears in the windows of their homes for passersby to take pictures of when spotted. Sharp thought this would be a great way to keep kids and families involved...
Peters Funeral Home will be providing warm meal “to those who really need it” on Friday, April 24, says owner Rick Woody. Any resident of Shafter or Wasco can drive by and pick up a plate of pulled pork, beans, rice and bread between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Seniors are invited to come by between 4 and 5 p.m. There is a limit of two meals per vehicle, with identification showing Shafter or Wasco residency required. The drive-through will be at Peters’ Shafter location, 844 E. Lerdo Highway....
A listing of area eateries that are open and ready to serve you with takeout. Call ahead to confirm hours and availability. SHAFTER Tin Cup Coffee 1101 E. Lerdo Hwy. 661-630-4061 Drive through Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.—3 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Sun. closed Rocy’s Mexican Food 749 S. Shafter Ave. 661-746-2619 Open every day 8 a.m.—9 p.m. Tony’s Firehouse Restaurant 300 E. Lerdo Hwy. 661-746-9244 Open every day 11 a.m.-7 p.m. El Michoacano 237 Central Ave. 661-746-4872 La Fonda Taqueria and Mariscos 358 Central Ave. 661-746-0034 Don Pepe’s Bar & Grill 3...
As reported by the Shafter Police Department April 11 Miguel Angel Ortega Franco, 36, of Shafter, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, threatening a crime with intent, vandalism more than $400, attempted burglary and obstruction of a public officer. Octavio Anthony Montoya, 29, of Shafter, was arrested for battery. April 10 Bridget Evalee Martinez, 41, of Shafter, was arrested on a felony bench warrant. Samuel Castillo Sepulveda, 46, of Shafter, was arrested on an outside agency warrant, under the influence and showing a false ID to a...
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: From a 1939 Shafter High Laurion advertising photo for the Shafter Variety Store – "We don't know what Elmer [Anderson] wants with the spool o...
John Nickelsen, devoted husband, principled father, and fair-minded businessman, passed away at his home in Carpinteria on April 11, 2020. He was 93. John was born in Albert Lea Minnesota on Sept. 9, 1926, and grew up in Dubuque, Iowa. Parents Emmett and Florence, who were both in the military, raised him to have a strong work ethic, which John passed on to his children. One of his first jobs was to deliver the local paper. Back then, the fee was collected on the route. His family moved to Calif...
Marjorie Ann Smith, 94, was born on Oct. 4, 1925 and was called home by Our Heavenly Father on April 2, 2020. She is survived by her sons Don of Las Vegas and Wayne (Kathie) of Shafter. grandchildren Brent (Debbie), Erik (Kate), Brandie (Damien), Christopher (Joy), and Johnathon; also nine great grandchildren and sister Joy Logan. Her family and friends were the joy of her life. They, in turn, felt blessed to have shared this love. Marge was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Nathan...
Roy Scroggins was born Sept. 30, 1939, in Casa, Ark. to Roy and Letha (McCourt) Scroggins. He passed away peacefuly on April 7, 2020, in Bakersfield. He is survived by his sister, Rachael Reynolds, of Wasco, and his cousin and caregiver, Ruby Hickman on Buttonwillow. Roy is also survived by many loving cousins. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lois. The family would like to thank The Rose Garden Care Center tor the loving and compassionate care they gave Roy, and a special thank you...
On March 5, 2020, Maudie (Crabb) Handel passed away peacefully at the age of 84. She was surrounded by her children when she passed in her home in Cambria. Born June 16, 1935, in Hollis, Okla., to Clifford and Vi Crabb. Maudie and her family moved to California in 1940. They ultimately settled in Shafter, where she became an integral part of the community and raised her loving family. After raising her family, Maudie explored her interest in politics and began working for the Republican Party,...
Martin Roque Jr., 87, of Shafter, passed away April 11 in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Thomas Wayne Brown, 68, of Bakersfield, passed away April 11 in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Eliodora Espinoza, 85, of Shafter, passed away April 10 in Shafter. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Yoko Tonoike Martin, 78, of Shafter, passed away April 14, 2020. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter....
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The line of cars zig-zagged through the streets surrounding The Truth Church parking lot on last Thursday for the Community Action Partnership of Kern food giveaway to help the residents of Shafter cope during this COVID-19 crisis. Families drove into the parking lot and gave their information, then a box of food and produce was placed in the trunk of their vehicles. The boxes contained potatoes, milk, break, fruit and vegetables, along with other staples. The CAPK runs a regular food giveaway...
With the onset of the coronavirus quarantine, stores are completely running out of items that used to be available in large quantities. Wasco Superstore is one of the businesses that has been able to stay open during the lockdown of nonessential businesses. They are essential because the store usually has a large quantity of much-needed items to sell during a regular year. But this is not any regular year. The virus has affected this small business like so many others. Upon entering the store,...
It was confirmed last week that five officers at Lerdo Jail have tested positive for the coronavirus. Kern County Detentions Officers Union Representative Dustin Alkire said in a statement on April 7 that the officers had tested positive for COVID-19 and are resting at home. He went on to say that they are doing well. Earlier, Sheriff Donny Youngblood announced that there were 10 sheriff's office employees with the virus. Youngblood said, "All of the employees are being isolated and are receivin...
Don Pepe's Restaurant and owner Jose Martinez not only cooked up good food this past week, but also cooked up some good old community spirit. Martinez had decided to close its doors amid the coronavirus situation to redo the floors of the restaurant. Looking at what they had, Martinez decided that they would cook the food and give it away to the community. Residents started lining up at 10 a.m., and they served plates of food, including chile verde and enchiladas until 3 p.m. Martinez said that...
A sheriff’s aide at the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility was arrested following an investigation of suspected contraband distribution. Thirteen inmates also face charges, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office reported. Sheriff’s aide Erik Belmontes was arrested on suspicion of unauthorized communication with an inmate, bringing a controlled drug into a jail, bringing a cell phone into a jail, possession of a controlled drug for the purpose of sales, conspiracy to commit a felony and participation in a criminal street gang. Belmontes was booked into the KCSO...
The Knights of Columbus will be holding a blood donation drive in Wasco on Friday, April 17, in partnership with the Houchin Community Blood Bank. The goal is to help alleviate shortages that have been suffered due to the coronavirus. During this pandemic, pressure has been put on the local and national blood supply. Donors are especially needed during this time, so Houchin Blood Bank is encouraging healthy donors to please come forward to participate. They will be limiting the number of donors...
The City of Shafter put out a promotional video message Monday, urging the residents to abide by the state and local mandates to stay at home except to go out for essentials and observing social distancing recommendations. “We cannot underestimate the destruction that this virus can cause and the need to do whatever we can to stop this disease in its tracks,” Mayor Gilbert Alvarado says in the video. Councilmember Cathy Prout went on to say that the most important thing we can do as a city is...
The building that houses The Shafter Press and the former location of Brookside Deli suffered extensive smoke damage and a small fire on Monday morning. But due to the quick response of the Shafter Police Department and the Kern County Fire Department, the damage did not go any further than a portion of the former deli. Shafter police were dispatched to the location a little after 8 a.m. when smoke was reported coming from the building. Upon arrival, officers found a large amount of smoke...
Jacinto Ruiz Gomez was born Aug. 17, 1942, in Donna, Texas, to parents Siriaco and Maria Gomez. He married the love of his life, Concepcion (Maldonado) Gomez, in Edinburg, Texas, on March 23, 1961. The couple moved to California in 1962, and settled in Shafter in 1965. Jacinto worked as a truck driver and in farming during his career; he was employed over the years by American Transfer, Gerald Ford Harvesting and Wilson Ag. Jacinto was preceded in death by his son, Jacinto "Jay" Gomez Jr., and...
Yoko Tonoike Martin, born Dec. 10, 1944, came to Bakersfield in 1963 from Tokyo with her husband, Tommy Martin. She worked as a registered nurse for 26 years at San Joaquin Hospital in Bakersfield and Wasco State Prison. She loved being a nurse and helping people; that was truly her gift from God. She passed away at age 78 on April 14, 2020. Those who knew her loved her. Yoko was the greatest wife, mom and grandma in the whole world. She dedicated her whole life to her family and the Lord Jesus...
