Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The City of Shafter plans to spend about $27 million for capital improvements in the next next year. The City Council discussed the Capital Improvement Program and fleet equipment requests for 2022-23 at their meeting Tuesday night. According to Public Works Director Michael James, the amount of monies projected to be used for capital improvement projects is about $27 million. Fifty-four percent of this total is projected to be used for streets and road projects, with about 29% flagged for...
Shafter High seniors were in the spotlight on Tuesday night as over 100 students were honored with awards and scholarships at the annual Senior Night awards event. With a large crowd gathered at the Fred Starrh Performing Arts Center on the campus of Shafter High, seniors from Shafter High were rewarded for their hard work and efforts during their high school careers. There were scholarships given out totaling over $250,000 to outgoing seniors, enabling them to start their college careers with...
A pickup truck was dragged nearly a half-mile to the Shafter Cemetery by an Amtrak train Friday evening, killing the driver and injuring three train passengers. Upon arrival, Shafter police officer officers discovered a pickup truck wedged underneath a southbound Amtrak train near the cemetery. It is believed that the collision took place near Cherry Avenue and Highway 43, and the vehicle was dragged nearly a half-mile to the cemetery site. Passengers were safely evacuated from the train and...
The Richland School District and its students had a busy week, with a visit from an acclaimed author, as well as an opportunity for some of their students to take a trip to the Shafter Learning Center. Author Greg Trine visited Redwood Elementary last week. He shared with students his inspiration for writing children's books. Trine shared tips for editing and revising with the students, who participated throughout a school assembly. Trine emphasized to students that being a good reader helps you...
Helen Gaede, the long-time director of the Shafter Kiddie Kollege, will be retiring at the end of the month, closing out a 49-year career. Gaede began at the school when the Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church decided to open a preschool at the church. Gaede started helping out a couple of days a week with the kids. This grew into an every day commitment, then was taken up a notch when she went back to school to get her early education degree. She began teaching at the school and did so for the...
The Shafter High Drama Department put on their production of the Broadway hit, "The Drowsy Chaperone," on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Fred Starrh Performing Arts Center on the campus of Shafter High. Directed by advisor Hal Friedman, the ensemble presented the parody of 1920s American musicals to crowds of over 100 each night. The play tells the story of a couple getting ready to get married, accompanied by his best man, the maid of honor, who is the title character of the...
Shafter has an artist in town that has been creating works of art and history for years, creating works that capture the rich history of the city. Charlotte White, who has been painting for over 50 years, is preparing a new exhibit for Shafter's Tin Cup, with paintings of local life, including a painting of the Green Hotel, Shafter's historic landmark. White has had a display of three paintings at Tin Cup with a picture of local almond groves, as well as a landscape. White said that it was time...
Now open for over a year and a half, the Red Wagon Café on 18800 Beach Avenue of south Shafter is expanding. Good word of mouth as well as excellent reviews on Yelp, the Bakersfield Californian and The Shafter Press have kept the restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, Tuesday through Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Using a "soft opening" approach, the Red Wagon is now open on Friday evenings from 4 to 8 p.m. Plans are to stay with these hours throughout the summer, featuring brisket,...
The Wasco City Council unanimously approved a list of projects for the fiscal year 2022-23 funded by the state's Road Repair and Accountability Act. After reviewing the city's current pavement condition index map and the current outlook for street projects funded by other sources, it chose Poplar Avenue to be the primary focus for spending under the act. They noted the high pedestrian and vehicle traffic present on Poplar Avenue, as well as quickly deteriorating segments of the roadway between H...
Wasco Independence High School took home all of the awards at this year's 2022 California Continuation Education Association conference. The school was named Model Continuation High School. Rob Cobb was awarded Superintendent of the Year. Selected as Administrator of the Year was Principal Rusvel Prado, and recognized as Counselor of the Year was Ms. Vianney Gonzalez. Their Orientation Program was given the title of Exemplary Program. At the three-day conference held in Long Beach, WIHS beat...
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 esoriano@TheShafterPress.com or call 661-292-5100 by Monday at 4 p.m. for that week’s paper. ONGOING Wasco Branch Library is in partnership with NO Kid Hungry and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office to offer free meals and space to do homework. Monday-Tuesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free Bookkeeping Training Program at MAOF, the Mexican American O...
May 7 Rogelio Barajas, 33, of Shafter, was arrested on Calloway Canal and Zachary Avenue Dirt Extension for inflicting corporal injury onto a spouse/cohabitant and child cruelty. Mariana Ortega, 21, of Shafter, was arrested on Calloway Canal and Zachary Avenue Dirt Extension inflicting corporal injury onto a spouse/cohabitant and child cruelty. May 9 Reginaldo Trujillo, 40, of Shafter, was arrested on East Euclid for obstruction of a public officer and controlled substance paraphernalia. May 12 John Paul Estacio, 42, of Shafter, was arrested on...
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: Pontiac dealership on Central Avenue in the 1940s....
Lannis Joseph Cates was born Nov. 20, 1927, in Quinton, Okla., to Lela Mae (McKee) and Curtbirth Cornelius (Slim) Cates. He passed away peacefully on May 7, 2022, into the arms of Jesus. He joined his beloved wife of 73 years, Judy Faye. Lannis spent his first 16 years in Oklahoma. Times were tough, and in the summer of 1943 the family moved to Shafter. He started at Shafter High School and graduated in January of 1946. Lannis and Judy met at Shafter High and married in September of 1947. They l...
Herbert E Schmidt, 93, passed away April 18. He was born Nov 9, 1928, in Lincoln, Neb., to John and Lydia (Rahrig) Schmidt. He graduated from Lemoore High School in Lemoore in 1946. He married Norma Jean Waite in December of 1953. He was proud to serve his country in the Air Force in Korea. After his service, he worked at Pacific Telephone, from which he retired. He was a good father. He was involved in his children's activities and loved all five of his children. He was a Boy Scout troop...
Elva Preston, 90, of Shafter passed away May 10, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Homes, Shafter. Rosetta Brown, 78, of Wasco passed away May 8, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Homes, Shafter. Guadalupe Pena, 75, of Wasco passed away May 16, in Wasco. Peters Funeral Homes, Wasco....
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The Bible is very blunt about the fact that life in this world is quite difficult. Genesis explains that Adam and Eve, by their rebellion against God brought death into the world and the necessity of hardship (Genesis 3:8–24). The book of Job illustrates that life is harsh through the story of a man, who lost everything. The reality that life is short and full of frustration is the background for everything Ecclesiastes says. And in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul takes the hardships of life...
It was a magical night for girls and their dads at the annual Daddy Daughter Dance hosted by the Orange Heart Foundation. Many special memories were made, and it was a good time for all. "I get emotional each time we have this event because you see how much these girls look up to the man who brought them," said organizer Traci Clendenen. "It is our intention for the men to realize what a crucial role they play in their lives." DJ Los Gorditos kept the energy going all evening, playing popular...
Community Health Initiative of Dignity Health and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church will present a free mental health workshop on Sunday, May 22. The goal will be to raise awareness and educate the public to combat stigma. Almost 100 people have attended, the two prior workshops in Wasco in the last year. "Many of those who have participated expressed their gratitude because they learned information about mental health issues, their symptoms, and why they or a family member may be...
Dallas came into the Wasco Animal Shelter as a stray. The female wirehaired terrier mix is about 3 years old. She is great with staff and other dogs, but has only been tested with large dogs. At the time, it is unknown if Dallas is house/crate trained. Dogs are not tested with children and cats; her behavior towards cats and children is unknown. Dallas will be available for adoption on May 19. Everyone is welcome to adopt from our facility, and we like to give everyone the same opportunity....
Karl F. Clemens Elementary School announced its Super Students last week. Criteria for selection were based upon significant improvement in math, showing kindness to all friends, respect, hard work, following class procedures, helping other students understand new concepts and improving learning English. Please join us in celebrating their efforts and commitment to their studies. These students are definitely going places. Front row: L-R: Ivan Romero (4th grade), Layla Rivas (kindergarden) and...
The varsity Lady Tigers continue to dominate the opposition this season as they enter the CIF playoffs with a 22-game win streak. Only dropping three games this season out of 25, they go undefeated in league play, going 12-0 as they prepared to go against Kerman (14-11) for the second time on Wednesday, May 17. This makes the Wasco Tigers first place in the Central Section South Sequoia League, placing them above schools such as Taft, Shafter, Chavez, Arvin, McFarland and Kennedy. Lady Tiger supremacy cannot be understated. So far, 11 out of...
Guera's Western Wear is ahead of the game when it comes to fashion. Offering a boutique shopping experience that delivers high-quality western-themed clothing, shoes and other items, their selection is vast and affordable. Owner Miriam Valenzuela said she grew up on a ranch and really enjoyed attending local rodeos. "I was raised wearing cowboy boots and hats. I just love the western fashions." She has lived her whole life in Wasco and opened her store because she wanted to provide something...
The Woman's Club installed their new incoming officers last week. The officers will serve a two-year term beginning this year through 2024 and will collectively work on executing many projects over this time. "An installation is for the purpose of ending one administration and the beginning of another. Such a change is a democratic procedure that brings a new group of officers, where fresh points of view are introduced to keep the clock ticking and progress in motion," said Diane Waterhouse....
