Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Public Works Director Biridiana Bishop will be leaving Wasco and relocating to Webster City, Iowa to be assistant city manager. Bishop will be working under Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez, who is leaving Wasco as city manager to go to Webster City. Bishop said she has submitted her resignation letter and will continue with the city until Aug. 13. Bishop was promoted to Public Works director in 2019. The Public Works director position will not be filled until the next mid-year budgeting process, the...
It was an unusual year for high school seniors in Shafter and Wasco, but the students made it, graduating from high school and moving onto the next chapter in their lives. Shafter High School will have their seniors walk across the stage at Shafter High for the last time, celebrating their careers with their commencement ceremony. The event will be held on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. An in-person graduation was approved after a year that restricted the events that were allowed because of the...
The ribbon is cut on the mural across from the Shafter Learning Center. SEE STORY ON PAGE 4....
A Baccalaureate service was held for the graduating seniors of Shafter High School on June 1 at the high school auditorium. The service was sponsored by the high school's Fellowship For Christian Athletes Club. The faculty advisor for the club, Jerald Perrucci, welcomed the graduates in attendance and their families and friends. Alex Gonzales, Class of 2009, led in the singing of several songs. The speaker was Ken Gross, retired music and band instructor, from Richland School. Gross's message wa...
A wall across from the Shafter Learning Center is blank no more after the ribbon was officially cut on the new mural, a project that began with a group of students dreaming about what it could be. In October 2019, while attending a Fall Break Literature Class at the Shafter Learning Center, Alondra Montalvo, Sierra Albiar, Khloe Verdugo, Seniya Schluter, and Brinlee Swann noticed a blank wall located diagonally across from the center. They thought, "this wall needs some art." They began to...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club announced their honorees for May's Terrific Kids, which recognize students from the Richland School District. The Kiwanis Club honored those students virtually to celebrate those students who have exhibited the character traits outlined in the program's mission statement. Each month there is a different trait that students are recognized for. Those traits that the Kiwanis and the school's teachers are looking for include thoughtful, enthusiastic, respectful,...
Editor of the Shafter Press Jamie Stewart recently spoke at the Kiwanis Club luncheon meeting. With the relaxation of some of the restraints regarding the pandemic, the meeting was held in person, with a portion of the club attending with others joining by Zoom. Kiwanis President Phillip Jimenez welcomed everyone and member Colleen Diltz introduced Stewart, who began his tenure with the Shafter Press in the fall of 2011. Stewart told the attendees the new office location has made it easier for...
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed a $15 million grand cash prize split between 10 vaccinated Californians. Newsom wants the economy to safely reopen on June 15. He is proposing a multi-faceted initiative about the value of vaccinations for all Californians, especially those in communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Newsom is also planning on $50,000 Friday cash prizes for 30 vaccinated Californians and $100 million in $50 cards for the next 2 million new fully vaccinated residents. Californians...
Ruth "Marlene" Nelson was born in Yuba, Okla., on Nov. 8, 1933, to Jewell and Elsie Whitworth. Marlene had a diversified career which included positions at Stewart Insurance, co-owner of Nelson's Apparel with her late husband Bob, Fine Jewelry sales at several department stores in Bakersfield and real estate sales. Her final job was at K-mart in Wasco. She and Bob enjoyed boating (both skiing and fishing), snow skiing and flying. Marlene is survived by brothers, Fred Whitworth (wife Joan),...
May 31 Robert Carlos Garza, 40, of Shafter, was arrested on N. Wall St. and Atlantic Ave. for possession of controlled substance and driving without a driver’s license, giving false ID to a public officer and stop required. June 1 Courtneigh Hernandez, 33, of Shafter, was arrested on the 200 block Atkinson Ave. for inflicting corporal injury on o spouse and vandalism of more than $400 more in damages. June 2 Daniel Robert Ornelas, 31, of Shafter, was arrested on the 900 block of State Ave. for disorderly conduct: under the influence of a drug....
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 Cooling center — There is a cooling center in Shafter at the Walker Senior Center at 505 Sunset Ave. The center is open from 1 to 8 p.m. For more information, call Kern County General Services at 661-868-1000. Summer food service program — Lost Hills...
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 hafterPress.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: The Potato and Cotton Festival in 1983....
Shirley Bell passed away peacefully on May 26, 2021 at Hoffman House in Bakersfield. She was born in Long Beach on Sept. 21, 1928, to Harvey Allen (Dutch) and Rosella (Rose) Thomas. She spent her childhood in various parts of California, including Wasco, and finally moved to Shafter. She was a 1946 graduate of Shafter High School. While in school, she worked at her parent's gas station, Thomas Chevron, in downtown Shafter. After school, she would ride her horse, Penny, to work at the station....
On Thursday, June 3, 2021, Jewel (Armstrong) Lytle, wife of Gene Lytle for 61 years, passed away at the age of 78. Jewel was born in Steele, Missouri, on May 15, 1943 to Charlie and Lucy Armstrong. She moved with her family to California in 1957 and attended Shafter High School. She married Gene Lytle in 1959. Jewel was a full time homemaker and mother to Teresa Jewel and Garland Eugene. In 1972, Jewel surrendered her life to the love and grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. S...
Tony Sanchez, 64, of Bakersfield, passed away on May 13, 2021, in Shafter. He was preceeded in death by Alex Sanchez. Tony was born on Jan. 30, 1957, to Lupe and Toribio Sanchez. He attended grade school through high school in Wasco. As a teen, his favorite subject was wood shop, there he developed a love for building things. Even as an adult, he still enjoyed wood carving and wood joinery. Tony was a jack of all trades; he could build or fix anything, and he did so with enjoyment! His other...
Ruth Watson was born May 6, 1933, to Houston and Hattie Tiner in Lula, Okla., and passed away May 28, 2021, at home in Shafter. Ruth is survived by her husband of 27 years, Thomas Watson; her son, Roger (Debbie) Longcrier and daughter, Elaine Longcrier-Martin; stepsons Steve, Mark, Roy and David (Lisa) Watson; as well as a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ruth is also survived by brothers Perry (Loretta) Tiner and George (Phyllis) Tiner. Ruth was preceded in death by her husband...
The city of Wasco lost a pillar of the community on Thursday, June 3, 2021, when Gilbert Garland, age 80, also known as Dad, Pop, Gil, Junior, GG, Mr. G, Mr. Garland, Corn Pops and Coach, went to be with the Lord. Gilbert was born in Garland, Okla., on Sept. 17, 1940. In the fall of 1942, Gilbert moved to Wasco, where he lived the rest of his life. He attended Wasco Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Junior High and Wasco High School. During high school he participated in football, basketball and trac...
Carlos Zamora Silva, 89, passed away peacefully at Delano Regional Hospital on May 26, 2021. Born on Nov. 13, 1931, in Michoacán, Mexico, he was the son of the late Jesus Zamora and Librada Silva. He married at the age of 33 and welcomed five children with his wife, Maria Zamora. He was an agricultural farm worker who worked tirelessly for his family. At times his work took him to different states, such as Michigan and Arizona, picking celery and planting rose bushes. Carlos established...
Josephine Mendoza, 60, of Shafter passed away May 28, in Shafter. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Wasco. Edward William Welch Sr., 77, of Shafter passed away June 2, in Shafter. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Wasco. Sara “Sarita” Fermin Ramos., 82, of Wasco passed away June 3, in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco....
For this week's Classified Ads, click on the PDF....
Superintendent of the Wasco Union Elementary School District Kelly Richers said that the district looks good financially for the next two years; however, "It's 2022-23 that the district may run into problems." At the Tuesday, June 8 board meeting, Richers reported that the governor has not presented his budget yet, so the district is unsure of how much it will receive. Financial Officer Karen Evans presented a report on the proposed 2021-22 budget. "The next two years the district will be...
Two vendor popup events were held in Wasco over this past weekend, offering a variety of items for residents. With the temperature in the low 100s, masks disappeared quickly as attendees visited booths and declared their vaccination status. Saturday's event began promptly at 10 a.m. on F Street, across from Del Norte Bakery. Vendor booths were set up throughout the lot with a variety of items for sale such as clothing, hair bows, metal works, food and hats to ward off the hot sun. Owner Sarai...
Diva, an approximately 5-year-old female Great Dane mix, will be available for adoption on June 17. Diva is black, white and cream and came in as a stray. She is extra large and will need a big area to roam and play. Diva has a short coat which will not need much maintenance other than baths and brushing. She has been great with staff, but has not yet been tested with other dogs. She did come in microchipped and staff is trying to get in contact with her owners. It is unknown if she is house or...
Click on the PDF for the list of Shafter High and Wasco Independence graduates....
Shafter High School seniors were recently honored by the school with a video on their awards and scholarships for outstanding achievements. For the second consecutive year, Shafter High administration decided to put out a video instead of holding an in-person ceremony, due to the tier status of Kern County, remaining at orange. "We were not able to hold an indoor ceremony, so we decided to recognize the seniors with a video, giving them a special gift for their achievements," said Principal...
