Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Representatives of several agencies met virtually recently to discuss the challenges presented by the coronavirus. Those in attendance included Russell Shipley, principal of Shafter High School; Rosa Romero, interim superintendent of the Richland School District; members of the Richland Board of Trustees; and Shafter City Council members Chad Givens, Cathy Prout, Manuel Garcia and Mayor Gilbert Alvarado. Among the topics was a discussion of the status of each school district and how well...
The pandemic, which cost last year's high school seniors their chance to compete in the spring sports season, will sideline fall sports as well. The California Interscholastic Federation has ruled that all fall sports in the Central Section will have their seasons delayed until the winter quarter, with football, soccer and volleyball scheduled to begin their seasons in December. With the late start to fall sports, the ruling makes it difficult for those students who usually compete in more than...
For the second time in three months, Shafter has shut down its city buildings, as well most of the businesses in town, because the governor has placed Kern County back on the state’s watch list during the coronavirus pandemic. With the spike in new cases in Kern County, the region was forced to close all non-essential businesses and services. Restaurants with outside dining areas are allowed to serve customers, as well as offer take-out and delivery. Other businesses, such as hair salons, movie theaters and gyms, are being shut down. A...
Following guidelines put forth by the county and the Kern County Health Department, Shafter has closed its city buildings until the governor announces that the restrictions have been eased. Two weeks ago, Governor Newsom announced that certain counties would be put back on the watch list and would have to close all non-essential businesses that operate indoors. Businesses with outdoor service options are still able to serve the public. This includes restaurants with outdoor seating. Although...
Raised in Wasco, Russel Prado knew from his freshman year in high school that he wanted to be a teacher and teach in his hometown of Wasco. Prado was forced to move out of Wasco in April of his freshman year at Wasco High School and finished high school in Bakersfield. Because of the decision he made during his freshman year, he always knew he was going to return to Wasco and teach. "I love Wasco," he said. "You knew everybody and that was great." After high school, Prado was offered a football...
Students in the Wasco Union Elementary School District will begin the school year with distance learning only because Kern County is back on the governor’s watch list, Superintendent Kelly Richers says. Richers said he had hoped the school would be able to include some in-person classes, but that under the watch schools, hair salons, in-dining restaurants and barbershops are restricted. The earliest school could provide in-person learning is 14 days after being placed on the watch list, Richers said. He added that “there would not be time to...
Jacob Michael Mulligan was born on January 19, 2000 and passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on July 24, 2020. Jacob came to live with the Mulligan family when he was 15 months old, along with his biological sister and lifelong best friend Kristina (Tina), and was adopted by Mike and Susan shortly thereafter. Jacob and Kristina, along with Phillip and Fernando, were called the "Littles" by the Mulligans and were much loved and cared-for by their older siblings Mackenzie (Kenzie), Oliver...
Adelaida R. Montes Terrazas, 75, of Shafter, passed away July 22. Peters Funeral Home Shafter. Antonia “Tona” Arellano, 88, of McFarland, passed away July 21 in Delano. Peters Funeral Home Wasco. Rigoberto Ramirez, 51, of Wasco, passed away July 21 in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home Wasco. Rosie T. Urvina, 67, of Shafter, passed away July 22 in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care Shafter. Brandon Michael Gonzalez, 22 , of Bakersfield, passed away July 19. Peters Funeral Home Shafter. Victoria Raya de Villagomez, 75, of Wasco, passed away J...
Balbina Sanchez, 77, passed away on July 26, 2020 at her home in Bakersfield, CA. She was born on March 8, 1943 in Los Angeles, CA to Ernesto Trejo and Benita Velasco. Balbina grew up in Los Angeles but relocated 46 years ago to Wasco, CA. She attended Cal State University Bakersfield where she received a B.A. in Spanish and earned her teaching credential. Her passion was working with students, which she did successfully for 35 years. She spent 21 years teaching Spanish at Wasco High School...
Liz Carrasco-Wright, 63, passed away on July 25, 2020, in Bakersfield. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, from 5 to 6 p.m. for siblings and from 6 to 10 p.m. for all others at Basham & Lara Funeral Care, 343 State Ave., Shafter. (Masks and social distancing will be required). Funeral services will be held outdoors on Thursday, July 30, at 10 a.m. at Greenlawn Cemetery, 2739 Panama Lane, Bakersfield. (Masks and social distancing will be required). Liz was born on July 22, 1957, in...
John Max Howard, age 88, died on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at Mercy Hospital. John was born on Aug. 10, 1931, in Claremore, Okla., to Roy and Georgia Martin Howard, their fourth of six children. John moved with his family to Shafter, California when he was 7 years old. He was quite athletic and played football, basketball, and track at Shafter High School and graduated in 1951. John worked as a truck driver for most of his working life. He loved to fish, but mostly he enjoyed drinking McDonald's...
Glenna Lee Fannin Smith passed away July 25, 2020, in La Mesa. She was born in Wasco to Clinton Lee and Josephine Krause Fannin on Dec. 14, 1934. Glenna leaves behind sisters Marlene Swan of Wasco and Geraldine Wirant (Roger) of Fresno. Also, daughters Tamara Ching of La Mesa and Christina Ryan of Hurst, plus four grandchildren and one great-grandson, numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Glenna graduated from Wasco Schools and Fresno State College, met her future husband, Michael R. Smith,...
Kenneth Lee German, born June 1930 in Burbank to Alfred Edwin German and Margrethe Sofia Hoffing, went home to be with the Lord July 12, 2020, in Camarillo at the age of 90. He graduated from Antelope Valley Joint Union High School and was attending Antelope Valley Junior College when the Korean War began. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Oct. 24, 1950. He was engaged to high school sweetheart Charlotte Belle Holmes at the time, and they married Dec. 31, 1950. After being stationed at Barbers...
July 24 Porfirio Aragon, 20, of Shafter, was arrested for violation of felony parole, conspiracy to commit a crime and wireless device into jail/prison for inmate. July 20 Espirion Garcia Salinas, 40, of Shafter, was arrested for controlled substance paraphernalia and misdemeanor bench warrant. Stephen Noe Gutierrez, 21, of Shafter, was arrested for attempted burglary and disorderly conduct: under the influence. Robert Charles Beam, 54, of Shafter, was arrested for violation of felony parole and obstruction of public officer. July 19 Sarah Ann...
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. ANNOUNCEMENTS NEW: Utility bill payments -- The City of Wasco reminds residents that the official city website at wasco.com is the only authorized avenue to pay utility bills online. NEW: Coronavirus testing -- FREE Covid-19 testing is available; insurance will b...
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: A view of the old Maple School....
When you ask about anyone about Daniel "Danny" Escalante, you are bound to hear a variety of adjectives, such as generous, kind, hard working. But most people who knew him will mention that Escalante was a truly nice guy. Escalante passed away on July 19, just days after being honored by the Honor Flight of Kern County for his service to his country. He originally planned to participate in an Honor Flight to the nation's capital, but with the pandemic and his failing health, he was unable to...
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 Have you ever come against a struggle, a roadblock, or a seemingly insurmountable obstacle? Of course, you have if you have lived any length of time or tried anything considered off the beaten path. Sometimes those barriers are self-imposed; other times they are tossed in your path by a boss, a co-worker, a foe, or friend. It matters not how they get there; they hurt and challenge just the same. Sometimes it is good to...
Arthur James Penner was born on March 16, 1925, in Shafter,, to John C. and Susan Thiessen Penner. He was the fifth of six children in the family. The family had moved from Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada, just over a year prior to his birth. Art attended both Wasco and Shafter High Schools, graduating from Shafter High School in 1943. He was an outstanding basketball player and a fine student. As a senior in high school, he was baptized upon his confession of faith in a reservoir, becoming a...
Caudie F. Brown, age 82, of Shafter, passed away on July 29, 2020. She is now resting with her husband, Bill, and her son, Richard. Caudie's faith was strong, and no doubt she is enjoying the company of so many that have gone before. Caudie was born Feb. 8, 1938, in Oklahoma. She raised her four children in Shafter. She loved to do art work, from painting to yard sculptures, and was an avid reader. She was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend. She never shied away from hard work, working...
Travis Weston Unruh was born on October 22, 1989, in Bakersfield, to Timothy Warren and LaVonne Beth (Janzen) Unruh. He was received in heaven on July 31, 2020, by his Lord and Savior. He was the second child in a family of two children. Travis accepted Jesus as his Savior at an early age. He attended North Kern Christian School and graduated from Shafter High School in 2008. He attended Tabor College in Kansas for three years, returning home to work at Second Amendment Sports in Bakersfield....
