Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The Shafter City Council approved a contract with Chandlerthinks LLC to "build a story" for the city, showcasing its assets and its vision. Business Development Director Bob Meadows told the council Tuesday night that the city needs to take steps to increase and broaden its economic development. This includes creating a brand, a competitive identity that shares with the world the story of Shafter. This is common practice in private business, even for smaller companies, and is becoming more...
Each school district in California received a portion of over $5 billion in emergency funding to help repair the state’s educational system and get the students back on track after the covid crisis that saw students suffer setbacks in learning. One of the highest allotments went to the Kern High School District, which received over $106 million. This funding is going to extended hours of learning, more extensive summer school programs, tutoring, and a host of other programs that are aimed at get...
The seniors who live in Shafter have a chance to stay healthy and active with participation in programs offered by the Shafter Recreation and Parks District, all free of charge. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, participants work out in the activity center at the Walker Senior Center, doing a chair fitness class that keeps their muscles moving as they do exercises to music, while sitting in a chair. The routines help the seniors with flexibility, endurance and coordination. According to Adult Services...
The Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church held its annual Summer Wrestling Camp this week, with about 30 kids wanting to learn the basics of the sport. Headed up by Pastor Pat Coyle, the camp is designed for beginners, as well as those who have a little wrestling experience. It teaches the kids basic techniques, such as the proper stances, takedown moves, and escapes. It also touches on different workouts they can do to improve their flexibility, endurance, and fitness. Coyle, who is a former...
Alvie Snow Farms was established in 1952 and named for the owner, Alvie, who moved from Oklahoma to Wasco in 1951. Alvie died in a farm accident on his property in 1979 at age 62. The farm then passed to his wife, Betty, daughter Beverly and his two sons, Ronnie and Ricky. Ronnie's son Casye is also farming now, so it's third generation operation. They grow almonds and alfalfa, but before farmed mainly cotton, alfalfa, sugar beets and grains. "Cotton got to the point where you just couldn't...
Deterring crime in the city has been an elusive goal for years for the Kern County Sheriff's Office and Wasco city leadership. Now, the chief of the new Wasco Police Department, Charlie Fivecoat says he will do what it takes to address public safety. "We are still in the process of establishing the Police Department, and crime prevention strategies are still being developed. Ultimately, we will have a visible presence in the community, and all our enforcement strategies will be in part based on...
The City Council approved several resolutions in support of the development of the Wasco Police Department at their meeting Tuesday night. A highlight was the approval to purchase five new Ford Utility Interceptor AWD police vehicles, including emergency lighting and upfitting equipment for slightly over $401,000. The council additionally approved an agreement with American Business Machines to design, install and support an upgrade of the city security project for $367,386. The current city...
The city has been awarded $5 million for the development of a new Wasco Police Department station, which will be built at the current Kern County Sheriff’s Office substation site. Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains led the effort to secure the funding in the state budget for direct investments to improve public safety and the quality of life for residents of Kern County. State Sen. Melissa Hurtado also strongly advocated for the funds. The funding also included $5 million each for the c...
The Miss Wasco Rose Queen Pageant will take place on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Wasco High School Auditorium. This year 15 young women are competing for the coveted title, and the theme is Barbie. They are Abigail Martinez, Alyse Biggs, Natalia Crane, Amaia Marquez, Aleena Lopez, Ruby Macias, Addison Vasquez, Yesenia Hernandez, Devanie Caban, Xitlalic Trujillo, Monique Martinez, Madison Martinez, Esmeralda Rodriguez, Jasmine Barbosa and Silvia Inzunza. There are four pageant directors: Nicole San...
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. ANNOUNCEMENTS Cooling center – 2023 Kern County Cooling Center (Centros De Enfriamiento Condado De Kern 2023) at 505 Sunset Ave. at the Walker Senior Center in Shafter from 1 to 8 p.m. Sponsored by Kern County Aging & Adult Services. First Friday – City of Shaft...
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: Jesse Sabedra at Mexican Colony – now La Colonia – in the 1940s....
July 10 Heather Nicole Wiley, 37, of Shafter, was arrested in the 700 block of Griffith Avenue for possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of unlawful paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm and conspiracy to commit a crime. Rolando Cesar Saenz, 36, of Shafter, was arrested in the 700 block of Griffith Avenue for possession of a controlled substance for sale, felon prohibited to own firearm, ammunition, etc., possession of unlawful paraphernalia, possession of a controlled...
The Shafter Children's Summer Theater group is preparing to put on their production of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" late this month, bringing the entertaining classic to real life in Shafter. The production will be featured from July 28-30, with performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday night beginning at 7 p.m. Prices are $15 each. The production features a cast of veterans, with the majority of the players having experience in past efforts. Camryn Yasenchak will take on the title...
Councilmember Gilberto Reyna has a long history as a community activist dating even before June 2015, when he was appointed to serve on the City Council and later as mayor pro tem. In December of 2017, he was selected by the council to hold the position of mayor for 2018, five months in 2021 and a year term in 2022. He said seeing a need to improve the health and safety of residents motivated him to embark on a career in politics. "That was my initial motivation to become a public servant, and...
Strata Credit Union will open its doors in October/November of this year. It will be a resource to residents by providing a local option to traditional banks. Founded in 1949, Strata Credit Union is a federally insured, not-for-profit financial cooperative that serves Bakersfield and Kern County. The bank offers a wide range of financial products and services, including checking and savings accounts, loans, credit cards and investment products. "Strata Credit Union is extremely excited to open...
Lily came into the Wasco Animal Shelter as a stray. She is approximately 3-5 years old and is a female Jack Russel and is great with staff and other dogs. It is unknown if Lily is house/crate trained at the time. Dogs are not tested with children. Her behavior towards children is unknown. Lily will be available for adoption on Friday, July 14. Everyone is welcome to adopt from our facility, and we like to give everyone the same opportunity to adopt. Adopters can be from out of town and/or...
There’s an old song that says Heaven will surely be worth it all. The first verse of that song says, “Often I’m hindered on my way, burden so heavy I almost fall, then I hear Jesus sweetly say, Heaven will surely be worth it all.” Heaven will be worth all the hurt.[Down here we have sorrow and suffering, but Heaven will be worth it all. In life we face many discouragements. Psalms. 42:5 says, ”Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted in me? Hope in God and praise him for h...
[BEGIN BOLD]Norman Harold Hansen, [END BOLD] 85, of Bakersfield, passed away July 8, in Bakersfield. Basham-Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. [BEGIN BOLD]Miguel Cervantes, [END BOLD] 88, of Shafter, passed away July 6, in Shafter. Basham-Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. [BEGIN BOLD]Jeanette Bulaga, [END BOLD] 84, of Shafter, passed away June 29, in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Eduardo Isaac Garcia Jr., 0, of Wasco, passed away June 29, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Janice Garner, 71, of Mojave, passed away July 5, in Mojave....
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The Wasco High School varsity football team is gearing up for another great season. Practice is underway, with their first game in early August. Chad Martinez has been the head coach since 2017. He is also a teacher at WHS. He said he hopes the boys have a good experience. "We're going to be a young team, but they are extremely talented, with a ton of building blocks, and it is the perfect recipe to create great memories." There are 38 members on the team, made up mostly of sophomores and...
Royce Harvey Hawthorne, 88, was born in Sobol, Okla., on May 1, 1935, and passed away peacefully, while surrounded by family, on July 22, 2023. Royce was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle, as well as an Army veteran, retired vacuum truck driver (most notably for M.P. Vacuum), retired diesel mechanic, farmer, friend, and de facto "Mayor of Zingos." Royce was a one-of-a-kind man with unforgettable charisma and a profound sense of kindness and work-ethic. He...
Harold Eddie Westbrook, 87, passed from this life into eternal life July 15, 2023, in his Lavaca, Ark., home with his wife by his side. Ed was born July 6, 1936, in Bakersfield as the youngest of three sons of Joseph Hardy and Esther Loraine Westbrook. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Walter Winfred Westbrook and Joe Hiram Westbrook. Ed was raised in Shafter and graduated from Shafter High School in 1954. He was inducted into the US Army in 1959, and served in Munich,...
Dianne Marie Stewart was born July 2, 1947, in Brookings, S.D. She passed away July 14, 2023, in Bakersfield, after a long 4-year battle with dementia. Dianne is survived by her husband of 59 years, Robert; her son, Bobby and his wife Krystal; sister, Jeanne Cathaway; grandkids, Philip Wolfe and his wife Sarah, Taylor Stewart and Brody Stewart. She is preceded in death by both parents, John And Doris Miller; brother, Michael Miller; and daughter, Teresa Wolfe. Dianne enjoyed family vacations to...
