Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Shafter saw 47 new cases of covid-19 in the last week, which is an increase of about 10 percent over the week before. With most of the businesses in town following the safety precautions set by the Kern County Public Health Department and the city launching a campaign urging residents to wear masks when shopping or going downtown, Shafter had seen its fight against the virus take a turn for the better until last week. Shafter has now had 1,147 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, while Wasc...
As many businesses, clubs and organizations face challenges due to the pandemic, a local non-profit is thriving due to a tremendous show of support from its friends in the community. Shafter Healthy Start, which is operated by the Richland School District, has seen its coffers filled with the generosity of Shafter's business community and a multitude of residents who have stepped up in the midst of their own challenges to show support for the youth of Shafter. The most recent gift came last...
NEW: Rose Queen Virtual Pageant Thursday, Sept 10. Tickets for online are $25, login for payment to Venmo@MissWascoRoseQueen. Put your email and phone number in the description and you will be emailed the link access code and more information by Thursday, the day of the pageant. For any questions call W.H.S (661) 758-7400. The Knights of Columbus are holding another blood drive: Friday Sept 11 between 1:45-6 p.m. at 810 8th St. (the old courthouse). To make a donation, contact HCBB.com/schedule. Free Virtual Citizenship Services will be...
There will be six candidates on the ballot come November for the Shafter City Council. Three seats will be up for grabs, with Mayor Gilbert Alvarado, Chad Givens and Manuel Garcia having their terms expiring in December. All three Council members will be running to retain their seats. Three other candidates will be looking to fill them, with all three candidates running for the first time. Kris Lawrence, Rafael Zamudio and Pete Espinoza will join the three incumbents in the race for the three va...
The City Council is looking to appoint three people to each serve a four-year term on the Shafter Planning Commission beginning in January. The commission is made up of five members appointed by the City Council. Current members of the commission are Bob Wiebe, Ron Nunlist, Kirk Mouser, Jon Johnston and Peter Frantz. Frantz, Johnston and Mouser have terms that expire in December, which makes it necessary to fill their seats. The Planning Commission reviews and acts on matters related to planning and development in Shafter. The role of the...
LAST WEEK: The picture of the triangle building is of the KOA Campground on Lerdo Highway near the Freeway in the '80s and '90s. It's been closed for many years....
Sept. 7 Hector Perez, 46, of Shafter, was arrested for DUI. Allen Ray Forker, 26, of Shafter, was arrested for controlled substance paraphernalia and disorderly conduct: Alcohol. Sept. 6 Sergio Acosta Jr., 24, of Shafter, was arrested for burglary: first degree, burglary in a state of emergency and felony bench warrant. Sept. 4 Michael C. James Thompson Smith, 30, of Shafter, was arrested for possession of controlled substance, and on an outside agency warrant, misdemeanor bench warrant and proof of financial responsibility. Sept. 3 Enrique...
1 Years Ago: 2010 Shafter Homecoming King was Arturo Valle and Queen was Katarina Plaza. 30 Years Ago: 1990 Shafter resident Joe Kirk visited Galesburg, Mich., the hometown of Gen. Williams Rufus Shafter, for which the city is named. 40 Years Ago: 1980 Richland School District received a brand new Apple II computer. The computer cost $4,600. The computer was the start of automating report cards, class lists and more....
Because of the covid-19 pandemic, The VFW has canceled a couple of their well-known breakfasts and barbecues this year. Instead, the VFW held a raffle where the lucky winner would go home with $500. Winner of the $500 grand prize was Ysidro Castro. Castro showed up at the VFW building shortly after he received a phone call that he had won the big prize. "We sold over 400 tickets," member Danny Rueda said. "It was a big success." VFW Rose Queen candidate Talitha Arellano was with her father,...
If you have a disability, accessibility improvements on your home are still available through the Kern County Home Access Grant Program. If, for example, you need to widen your doorways for wheelchair access, provide a ramp with handrails going up and down stairs, or you might need a handicapped accessible toilet or your tub replaced by an accessible shower, all these items are available through the program. The grants are available to those with a physical disability who desire a better...
With much of the nation attempting to reduce funding for police departments, a Police Reform Bill, AB1299, has passed the California Legislature with bipartisan support. The bill was authored by local Assemblyman Rudy Salas. It is designed to help prevent local departments from hiring officers who have a history of serious misconduct. Salas, who represents the 32nd District, which includes Shafter and Wasco, said his bill will help hold departments accountable when hiring new officers. “We need to ensure that our local police departments are h...
It has been the most memorable year any girl could dream of. The people, the places and moments that were made are forever cherished as the new pageant comes closer and closer every day as Queen. Now, if you personally know me, I am a very honest person. They don't call me "Pinky Pie" for just any reason. I believe being yourself can get you far because it has given me the privilege to be on this stage in front of every single person. Growing up I knew my life was going to be different from othe...
Covid-19 has changed the landscape of community activities such as fundraisers, meetings and the traditional Rose Queen pageant, which takes place the first Thursday after Labor Day. This week, the pageant is today, Thursday, Sept. 10. However, because this is a virtual pageant, things will look quite different. The location of the pageant is unknown. Even ordering tickets for this year’s pageant will be done online and using Venmo. Tickets are $25 each. Log on to Venmo@Miss Wasco Rose Queen, pay $25. Put your email and phone number in the d...
Wasco Unified Elementary School District Superintendent Kelly Richers said distance learning has been successfully implemented, with the district at 92% attendance. Richers said some special education and English language learner students have been authorized by the state to attend school in person as needed; however, he said only 14 students are allowed in one cohort, or grouop. Every district in California has been sued, he added, because they are not meeting the requirements of federal special education student Individual Education Plans....
The second virtual Wasco Community Coalition meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2, took place online with various groups reporting on their recent activities: 1. Keri Cobb from the City’s planning department updated attendees on the city’s procedures. She said city offices remain closed to the public, but that work continues. City staff is available over the phone and online. She also said the city is moving forward on conducting a school traffic safety survey, and that the city launched its new website a few months ago. Cobb encouraged others to che...
How many of you have somebody in your life that you can say you look up to? It may be a parent, an athlete, actor, teacher, world leader or anybody else in or around your life. Sometimes we try to pattern our lives after our heroes. Let me start by saying this. I’m not against anyone making a ton of money for doing something they love to do. If owners of pro sports teams are willing to pay tens of millions of dollars to athletes to play for their team, God bless them. I would take the money just...
Tony Perez, 45, was called home to be home with God on Sept. 12, 2020, in Bakersfield. He was born on Oct. 30, 1974, in Tulare to Carlos and Imelda Perez. Tony grew up in Buttonwillow and graduated from Shafter High School in 1993. Tony was a semitruck driver and loved driving across the country. He was a humble, selfless and adventurous soul. Tony was a true foodie and an enthusiast for music. He loved spending time with his family and would do anything for them. He also had a heart for...
Willie Eugene Abernathy went to be with the Lord on Aug. 29, 2020. Willie was born March 29, 1936, in White, Georgia, to "Son" Marvin Edward Abernathy and "Lee" Sally Leah Abernathy. He lived a very rewarding 84 years, and he did it his way. He is survived by his four children, Mitchell, Michael, Tracy and Amanda; 16 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and five great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Mary Lou, his daughter Sherry and son Mark....
Barbara Ann Terry was born Aug. 29, 1943, to William E. and Eula Wooten in Olney, Texas. She lived with her family for a time in Arizona, then moved to McFarland, where she attended the local schools and graduated from McFarland High School in 1961. She met Allen Terry, and they wed on May 16, 1964, and made Wasco their home, where they raised their three daughters. Barbara started working for the Wasco Elementary School District in 1976 as a teacher aide,. She was also the "lunch lady,"...
It is with great sadness that the family of Francisco "Kiko" Verdugo announce his passing after a tough battle. He entered the floodgates of Heaven on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, at the age of 33. Kiko will be lovingly remembered by his parents, Rosa Acosta and Simon Verdugo, and siblings Lore, Reyna, Julio, Francisca, Leobardo, Simon and Nelly. Kiko will be fondly remembered by his numerous nieces and nephews, and the souls he touched throughout his life, including his best friend, his puppy Piggy....
Robert E. Duke, 85, of Bakersfield, passed away Sept. 1 in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Rodolfo Garcia Velarde, 33, of Shafter, passed away in Shafter Sept. 3. Basham- & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Axel Matias Garin, 19, of Wasco, passed away in Wasco. Sept. 2. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Ignacio Martinez, Jr., ] 66, of Wasco, passed away in Wasco. Sept. 5. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. David G. Flores Solis, 38, of Wasco, passed away in Los Angeles Sept. 3. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Rogelio Roy Olivo, 59, of...
Wasco is now accepting applications for the Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program. The program aims to alleviate the impact of the virus on small businesses and their employees. The city has committed up to $150,000 in one-time funds to create the program. The objective of the grant is to enable small businesses to maintain their workforce. Grants in the amount of $3,000 and $5,000 will be awarded to small businesses in Wasco that meet all eligibility criteria. Recipients will have until December 30 to spend the funds. For a complete...
Edna Ruth Shepherd was born to Henry Ramsey and Ethel Smith in Bangs, Texas, and went to be with the Lord on Sept. 9, 2020 in Bakersfield. Edna Ruth was 78 years old when she passed from this life after suffering from colon cancer complications. Edna Ruth was the wife of Charles Toy. She was the mother of two children, Madeliene Fontes and Jeff Shepherd. Madeliene is the mother of three children. Adam, Kelley, and Joey. Jeff is the father of two sons, Chase and Jordan. In addition to her...
