Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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October has started out violently in Wasco, with four separate shootings. Though none were fatal, these incidents have put law enforcement, schools and residents on high alert – even forcing the cancellation of extracurricular events such as the Wasco High School football game against Delano High School on Thursday night. Several other schools followed suit. Acting Superintendent Kevin Tallon in a statement Friday: "I want to thank everyone in the Wasco Union High School District (WUHSD) communi...
Four of this month's shootings with six victims may be gang-related, according to the Kern County Sheriff's Department. Public Information Officer Lori Meza told the Wasco Tribune in an email that all of the incidents "may be gang-related but had not been confirmed at this time [Thursday]." She also reported the names of the victims, and that no arrests had been made. On Oct. 3 at approximately 7:38 p.m., in the 1000 block of Poso Drive, Marcos Quinitana, 31, of Wasco, was shot. The same night,...
The long-awaited annual football competition between Wasco High School and Shafter High School has arrived and will take place on Friday, Oct. 28. The heavily contested battle will be a fight for the title of champion. A week-long celebration of fun on campus will lead up to the game. Starting on Monday, there will be different dress-up days and lunchtime activities, including karaoke. On Thursday, a community bonfire rally will take place on the WHS football field starting at 7 p.m. It is open...
Yes, it is that time of year again. The rivalry continues as the students at Shafter High and Wasco High prepare to celebrate that one week of the year that they look forward to more than any other. Shafter/Wasco Week is almost upon us, with fun-filled activities being planned for both schools throughout the week, beginning Monday, Oct. 24. There are Dress Up Days at both schools, games at lunch time, and several events throughout the week that culminate with a series of events on Friday. On tha...
Richland Junior High received a donation of four microscopes recently, courtesy of California Resources Corporation. On Oct.13, the company presented Richland Superintendent Rosa Romero and RJH Principal Monica Garza with the high-powered microscopes. California Resources Corporation supports programs that enable students to learn and be inspired about science, technology, engineering and mathematics and the energy industry. Romero said that the microscopes will help students explore the STEM cu...
The Shafter City Council approved an amended agreement with the firm of Best/Best and Krieger as the city's attorneys. Marco Martinez will be the designated Shafter city attorney for the firm. The city agreed to pay the firm a flat rate of $16,500 per month for a maximum of 62 billable hours. Any services by the firm that exceed 70 hours for the month will be billed at a rate of $288 per hour for attorneys and $155 per hour for paralegals and law clerks. For special legal services, the city...
After a two-year hiatus because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Shafter Reverse Drawing returned. This year, it was put on by the Shafter Kiwanis Club. Arlie Smith played host and emcee, calling out the numbers for the event at the Veterans Hall. The night included a tri-tip dinner provided by Martin's Meats. The main event of the night was the chance to get $5,000 richer. All of the entrants had a number with their entry. All of the numbers began on the board, hoping theirs would be the last one...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club held their Terrific Kids luncheon on Wednesday, honoring a select group of students from the Richland School District. Each student honored was nominated by their teachers or administration, with every student named embodying the trait for that month. Last month, the characteristic was Enthusiastic. Students honored from Golden Oak Elementary were Jaylah Ayala and Jesse Panduro. Assistant Principal Jose Montelongo presented the awards, accompanied by Officer Eric Diaz...
If you have lived in Shafter any length of time, you probably have a memory or two of chowing down at the Red Wagon. The restaurant, located on Beech Avenue, has been serving the residents of Shafter and Kern County for decades. Starting Tuesday, the restaurant is under new ownership, but holding on to some old traditions. Owner Gilbert Pena, along with his wife Rita, son Oscar and the rest of the Pena clan have vowed to keep the traditions in the forefront, including its homey atmosphere and it...
The Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church will be holding their annual Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 4, as one of their main fundraisers of the year. The event will take place in the gymnasium at the Fellowship Center of the church at 400 Kern St. The hours are Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m. The sale will feature a great variety of items, from clothing, art, baked goods and home décor items. For those interested in donating items for the sale, they can drop...
Sports at Wasco High School was put on hold last week, with all games and matches cancelled due to increased violence in the area. With another two shootings in the city of Wasco – coupled with rumors on social media – the school decided to cancel all extra-curricular activities, including the football game against Delano High that was scheduled for Thursday night. Coach Chad Martinez said that the students’ safety is the first priority. “At the end of the day, wins and losses come, but we want...
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. ONGOING NEW: Safe Halloween – Shafter’s Safe Halloween Community events on Oct. 27 include the Lions Club Fall Party & Trunk or Treat at the Veterans Hall parking lot, 309 California Ave., at 6:30 p.m. One Monday, Oct. 31, City of Shafter’s Candy in Courtya...
Oct. 10 Johnny Frank Rodriguez, 45, of Shafter, was arrested in the 500 block of Pacific Avenue on a bench warrant/failure to appear on misdemeanor charge. Arthur Arellano, 56, of Shafter,was arrested at Tulare Avenue and Poplar on a bench warrant/failure to appear on misdemeanor charge and for possession of unlawful paraphernalia. Rosendo Tellez Jr., 26, of Shafter, was arrested in the 100 block of Lerdo Highway for disorderly conduct: under the influence of drug and narcotic violations. Omar Chavez, 33, of Shafter, was arrested on the 200...
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: The interior of the Bayless Store on Central Avenue in 1932....
At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, a resolution was unanimously passed to approve police department start-up positions and pay ranges. According to a staff report, the council and staff are moving forward with research, planning and actions leading to establishing a Wasco Police Department. Currently, the city outsources law enforcement to the Kern County Sheriff's Department. Based on the staff report, the steps proposed include: 1) Establish a start-up team including a chief of police....
The first of two candidate forums took place last Thursday for the Wasco City Council election on Nov.8. The Wasco Woman's Club hosted the event. "I think that holding candidate forums is one of the most important things we do," Club President Jill Drescher. "We are a nonpartisan organization, but believe that people should be making informed decisions." She thanked the candidates for being willing to sacrifice their time for community service. At the forum, the candidates provided an...
The Wasco Union High School Athletic Hall of Fame is set to induct 12 exceptional athletes, coaches and teams with a dinner on Saturday, Oct. 29. The 2022 Hall of Fame class includes one All State recipient, one All Americans, one College State Champion, two Bob Elias Hall of Fame members, three professional baseball players, four college athletes, five all-area players, seven South Sequoia League Champion teams/players and eight Valley Champion teams/players. They are the 1985 boys cross...
The Wasco Recreation and Parks District will host its 3rd annual "Trunk or Treat" celebration on Monday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Barker Park. It will be a free event and is open to everyone. "Our goal is to have a safe and fun event where kids can come and have a good time," WRPD Manager Chris Serna said. "The more, the merrier." There will be a kid zone and a costume parade, where prizes will be awarded to the best dressed. This year, the WRPD has organized a haunted house for the first...
The Wasco Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Four candidates are vying for three openings, and one is running unopposed. The candidates are incumbent Richard K. Reding, incumbent Cherylee Wegman-Craig, incumbent Anna Poggi, and Ernie Sanchez, who has served on both the elementary and high school boards. Candidate Petra Rueda will fill out her late husband's unexpired term, unopposed. All the candidates are passionate about helping youn...
The Wasco FFA chapter and Wasco AG Boosters hosted their 3rd annual Charles Craig Classic for Wasco, Shafter, Delano, Taft and McFarland students. The competition was held at the WHS farm laboratory. The event was in honor of the late Dr. Charles Craig, who served as an agriculature instructor for many years in the Wasco Union High School District. During his time in service to the district, he overcame many obstacles that would have otherwise prevented students from experiencing hands-on...
Everyone in the world is on a quest for success. Many successful people in history accomplished great things; none more so than King Solomon (990-931 BC). Proverbs is where Solomon wrote divinely revealed wisdom for skillful living and success. Reading Proverbs regularly and repeatedly will bear the life-changing fruit of being able to live righteously and skillfully in this fallen world to the glory to God. Every person seeking to accomplish anything needs motivation that goals can be attained and hope that success will result. All around us...
Marjorie Robertson, 94, passed away Sept. 15, 2022. Funeral service Saturday, Oct. 29, at 10 a.m. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Samuel Cardiel Maldonado, 70, of Wasco, passed away Oct. 13, in Wasco. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Maria M. Hernandez, 47, of Shafter, passed away Oct. 12, in Los Angeles. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Irma Rocha, 48, of Wasco, passed away Oct. 5, in Wasco. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Manuel A. Tavares, 95, of Delano, passed away Sept. 29, in Delano. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter....
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Marjorie was born on May 3, 1928, in Licking, Mo., and passed away on Sept, 15, 2022, in Maple Falls, Wash., at the age of 94. Marjorie moved from Missouri to California after marrying Lloyd A Robertson in 1946, and eventually settled in Shafter. She enjoyed working several years for Charles West at Mira Mesa Farms, where she was proud to be recognized as the first woman to buy and sell cotton in the state of California. She later managed the accounts for decades at LA Robertson Farms, Inc. She...
Westside Family Fellowship will host its monthly farmer's market on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 8 to 10 a.m. It is free and open to anyone that needs it. The church will distribute fresh vegetables, fruit and other food like canned and dry goods, including rice, bread, oatmeal and other staples. In collaboration with the Community Action Partnership of Kern County, the church can bring this help to the community. It is also a collaboration with many volunteers that help to make the farmer's market...
