Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Schools in the Richland School District closed on March 18, but they still continue to serve the children of Shafter, be it with free meals or packets of learning. New learning packets were made available online May 5, updating the learning materials to be completed for credit. Included in the packets are English and math assignments, activity sheets and exercise models. There also is assistance available for students and parents online. Links are available on the district’s homepage leading to each school’s website and learning tools, wit...
Gov. Gavin Newsom approved Kern County's request to enter Phase II of his masterplan to integrate the openings of local businesses with specific guidelines in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. In Phase II of his plan, Newsom said that local restaurants and nonessential shops can open while still practicing social distancing. This applies also to restaurants who have been limited to take-out only service since the Stay at Home order had been in place. The announcement resulted in several...
It is the second week of Shafter Strong month. Last week, residents decorated their homes in a patriotic theme. This week, they are encouraged to take to their sidewalks and driveways with chalk, thanking those first responders who are working to keep Shafter safe and healthy. A number of residents have already created masterpieces and posted them online. The month-long event was dreamt up by Colleen Diltz, Diana Barnett, Debbie Haley and a host of other citizens who were determined to find a...
The current coronavirus pandemic had an immediate effect on businesses, schools, churches and just about every facet of our lives. But when it comes to the industry responsible for producing our food, the impact may not be fully realized for a while. Local farmers say there has not yet been a huge impact on day-to-day operations, but the long-term effects will be felt in the next year. Stan Wilson, a local farmer and historian, said it is business as usual on the farm, but it is unclear how...
The Shafter City Council held a special meeting that served as a strategic budgetary workshop in which they were shown a presentation on how the city performed this fiscal year compared to the budget estimates. They also discussed the revisions in the estimate with the current pandemic affecting the city’s services and public accessibility. For the past two meetings of the council, the public was able to view the meeting activities on YouTube, but are were not able to join the meeting and participate unless they pre-registered to get the l...
The City of Wasco announced is introducing a new service award program. Here is the official announcement: We all know that person who is always willing to pitch in, rises to the occasion when help is needed or residents who perform acts of kindness for the less fortunate. They are our neighbors, former classmates, church members, coworkers or family members; simply put, they are members of our community who contribute to the vitality of our city and enrich the lives of other Wasconians. The idea for the program began as a vision from a...
Eight-graders in the city's two middle schools will graduate virtually due to the coronavirus restrictions, The online ceremony is still being planned, but it is expected to take place on Wednesday, May 27, Palm Avenue Principal Oscar Luna said this week. Thomas Jefferson School is also planning for a virtual ceremony. Meanwhile, graduating students and their parents got a chance to a have a live experience when they came to Palm Avenue on Monday to pick up their black caps and gowns and have...
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: Peter and Debbie Reimer with their daughter, and Dale and Nadine Sperling dressed up with their car decked out for the Shafter parade...
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...
April 19 Gerardo De Jesus Mas, 21, was arrested for obstruction of a public officer and disorderly conduct: drug with alcohol. April 18 Dirk Barton Underwood, 50, of Shafter, was arrested for obstruction of a public officer, disorderly conduct: alcohol, pedestrian walking outside of crosswalk and open container of alcohol in public. April 16 Elizabeth Ann Gomez, 50, of Shafter, was arrested for DUI alcohol. Johnny Lee Young, 42, of Shafer, was arrested for possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, burglary in the second degree,...
Due to the rapidly changing environment, be aware that scheduled activities may change on a moment’s notice. Check out TheShafterPress.com or WascoTrib.com for updates, and contact event organizers for current status. Event organizers: E-mail [email protected] or call The Press at 661-292-5100 with changes to your activities. NEW: Blood drive – Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Truth Church, 101 Beech Road, Shafter....
#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. Needs work. 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...
Johnny Reyes "Son Son" Ortega, 65, of Wasco, passed away unexpectedly April 23, 2020, in Texas. He was a beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was born to Domingo and Rafaela Ortega, along with his twin sister, Jolene, on March 18, 1955, in California. He grew up in Wasco, where he graduated with the class of 1973 from Wasco High School (Go Tigers)! His joy came from his creative hands and mind. He was always fixing, building and creating projects. He also enjoyed...
Johnny Reyes “Son Son” Ortega, 65, of Wasco, passed away unexpectedly April 23, 2020, in Texas. He was a beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was born to Domingo and Rafaela Ortega, along with his twin sister, Jolene, on March 18, 1955, in California. He grew up in Wasco, where he graduated with the class of 1973 from Wasco High School (Go Tigers)! His joy came from his creative hands and mind. He was always fixing, building and creating projects. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and especially get...
Daniel Gomez, 21, of Shafter passed away in Wasco May 7. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Patrick Phelan, 72, of Bakersfield, passed away May 5 in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter....
Wow, how quickly life can change! Not that many weeks ago we heard about “COVID-19” on the news, and now we’re a part of that news. Like you, I’ve been observing a variety of reactions throughout our local area, nation and the world. In some ways it has brought out the best in many people but in other ways the worst. I also find it interesting that this is all happening around Easter, when believers in Christ celebrate the “living hope” that is found in Him due to his resurrection. Whether it’s a pandemic like the current one, weather-relat...
Bob and Barbara Reeves share a love for gardening, and their front and backyards are great testimony to their passion. Barbara was born in Porterville; however, Bob is Wasco born and raised. The two married 58 years ago. They built the house they live in. It was the same house they had constructed when they lived in Porterville, kept the same plans and rebuilt it in Wasco, where they have lived for 27 years. Barbara says that they were quite a party couple that liked to go big while decorating...
With this pandemic still in the headlines, and the Governor’s stay at home order still in place, people are getting antsy to get back outside, living their lives fully, without hinderances. Well, I think that we are a long way from that right now. Even when businesses start to open up, schools gear up to open back up in August, and our beloved sports teams are back in action, there will still be certain precautions and requirements in place for awhile. This really is just common sense. The w...
A last-minute use of a seat belt may have saved a man from serious injury in a recent auto accident.. Two men escaped with minor scrapes and bruises when the vehicle they were traveling in crashed into an orchard off of Lerdo Highway last week. On May 5 at approximately 2 p.m., Shafter Police Department officers were dispatched to Lerdo Highway, just east of Driver Road, responding to a report of a single-car accident. Upon arrival, officers found a grey sedan upside down, two rows deep in the o...
Jane Rodriguez [a pseudonym) has been making protective face masks and giving them away to anyone who contacts her. Rodriguez is a 20-year-old Shafter High graduate, born in Bakersfield but raised in Wasco. Halfway through her studies at Bakersfield College, she realized her heart was in cosmetology; however, due to COVID-19, she is currently unemployed but plans on attending cosmetology school to become a hairstylist (@hairbyjessicanv) as soon as she is able. "A little over a month ago, I saw...
This is not about who is “afraid” or “not afraid” -- this is about what kind of human being you are. -- First of all, I wear a mask in public, not for me, but for [begin ital]you[END ITAL]. --I want you to know that I am educated enough to know that I could be asymptomatic and still give you the virus. --No, I don’t live in fear” of the virus; I just want to be a part of the solution, not the problem. --I don’t feel like the “government is controlling me.” I feel like I’m being a contributin...
Ivan Torres Perea was born May 26, 1984, and passed away May 14, 2020. A viewing will be held Thursday, May 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Basham Funeral Care, 343 State St., Shafter. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, guests will be rotated 50 at a time, and masks will be required. Burial will take place Friday, May 22, at 1 p.m. at Shafter Cemetery, 18662 Santa Fe Way. Guests are asked to practice safe social distancing throughout the Celebration of Life, The family appreciates your understanding and...
The Wasco Union Elementary School District discussed what the 2021-2022 school year could look like. Superintendent Kelly Richer’s report discussed the problems with the incoming school year. “With reference to the COVID-19, nothing has changed since the Governor shut down the schools,” Richers said. “That makes opening the schools problematic using the current state-mandated guidelines. There is not room in a 960 square foot classroom for more than 12 students at one time.” He added that it c...
Ivan Perea Torres passed away peacefully in his home with his family by his side on May 14, 2020 in Shafter. He was born on May 26, 1984, in Bakersfield to Nicolas Hernandez Torres and Maria Perea Torres. Ivan married Stormie Michelle Gray in Bakersfield on Dec. 24, 2009. They have two children, Ethan Nicholas Torres and Karalyah Maria Torres. Ivan worked in construction. He was a terrific handyman and could fix anything. He was a very creative individual; his talents were endless. He had a...
