Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The City of Shafter will pay Chief of Police Kevin Zimmermann a $245,203 12-month severance settlement, provide COBRA benefits for 12 months, and pay out his accrued vacation in exchange for his resignation, effective Nov. 20. This agreement was announced in a statement read by City Attorney Marco Martinez during the closed session of the Tuesday, November 19, city council meeting. Martinez stated that all terms are pursuant to Chief Zimmermann's employment agreement. In return, the chief...
The PRIDE Pantry at Shafter High School is calling on the community to join its annual community re-stock drive-through drop-off and school-wide Thanksgiving collection drive to help gather essential supplies for students and families in need. On Thursday, Nov. 21, the school will host a drive-thru drop-off event from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the front of the school. You will also be able to utilize boxes placed around town. This is a chance to make a direct impact by donating much-needed items...
Captain Randy Milligan, who has been acting chief of the Shafter Police Department for the past year, has been named to permanently head the force. A pinning ceremony will take place Dec. 7, an email invitation said Friday. Milligan, a 26-year veteran of the force, replaces Kevin Zimmermann, who resigned on Wednesday following a long disability leave. The city agreen to pay Zimmermann a $245,203 12-month severance settlement, provide COBRA benefits for 12 months and pay out his accrued vacation...
The Shafter Generals football team punched their ticket to the Valley Championship game with a 31-22 win against the Immanuel Eagles on Friday night. Shafter, the top seed in the Division IV bracket, beat the 5th-seeded Eagles with a mixture of offense, defense, and special teams, with each faction contributing to the victory. The Generals jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first half, thanks to some key runs from Maryion Sloan and Christopher Espinoza, accounting for the majority of the yardage...
Get ready for a magical evening on Friday, Dec. 6, when the Shafter Christmas Parade and Festival brings snow to Mannel Park, thanks to the Lions Club. The festivities will kick off at 4:30 p.m., offering a feast for the senses with a diverse range of dishes. From Mexican favorites to Korean delights, there will be something for every craving. Sip on specialty drinks such as hot chocolate, champurrado (a warm, thick Mexican chocolate beverage) and freshly brewed coffee, or indulge in sweet...
On Saturday, Dec. 7, Santa Claus will make a special early appearance in the area, accompanied by Mrs. Santa Claus. "I personally know Santa, and I'm able to get him to fly in from the North Pole to Minter Field Air Museum and deliver stuffed animals to all children, compliments of PetSmart Ming Avenue," Chairman Ronald Pierce said. Santa will arrive at 11 a.m. The museum, at 401 Vultee Ave., will be open for the public to tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The museum also will observe Pearl Harbor...
Kern County is requesting letters of interest for proposed projects or activities at the Shafter Cotton Research Station - a California Historical Landmark. On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Kern County Property Management Department held an open house with most of the buildings at the station open for inspection. The station was built in 1922 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop the state's cotton industry. In a tour of the facility last week, Jim Damian, chief economic development officer...
The 2024 Wasco High School Valley Champion cheer and Tiger wrestling teams, along with the JV and sophomore Bengals football teams, will be this year's Honored Guests and Tree Lighters at the Kindness Shines Wasco Christmas Festival Saturday, Dec. 7, marking the event's inaugural year at the newly opened Wasco Downtown Plaza on 7th Street. "We are so excited to announce that the Wasco Christmas Festival is moving back downtown!" Orange Heart Foundation President Traci Mills-Clendenen said....
The Shafter Press and Wasco Tribune encourage local organizations to let the public know about coming events and activities through this column. Drop off or mail items at the office, 455 Kern St., Suite E, in Shafter, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday, call 661-292-5100 or email esoriano@TheShafterPress.com. Deadline is 1 p.m. Thursday prior to publication. Updates will be on TheShafterPress.com and WascoTrib.com. ANNOUNCEMENTS Fall Donations – consider donating to SHS Pride Pantry this Thanksgiving season. Suggested items to donate include n...
Nov. 9 Adam Charles Brown, 37, of Shafter, was arrested at South Shafter and West Los Angeles avenues for DUI and possession of an open container. Nov. 10 Jamie Flores, 20, of Shafter, was arrested at West Los Angeles and Poplar avenues for DUI, stop required and driving without a license. Sarah Nichole Sital, 25, of Shafter, was arrested at East Lerdo Highway and Beech Avenue for evading a peace officer and DUI. Nov. 11 Emanuel Garcia, 29, of Shafter, was arrested in the 500 block of Gibson Lane for possession of a controlled substance and on...
In a story about the Minter Field Air Museum Wins ‘N’ Wheels event on Page 1 in last week’s paper, a picture caption was misplaced. The man in the picture was Ronald Pierce, chairman of the museum. We regret the error....
The Shafter City Council on Tuesday night interviewed candidates for three open seats on the Shafter Planning Commission Board – Armando Camacho, Mariah Campos, Zachary Fain, John Sanchez, Joseph Simmons and Fortino Valdivia. The council is to decide on the three successful candidates at their next meeting. Camacho is a Shafter business owner who has made a career in the accounting field, and has been a member of the 746 Sports Foundation and the Shafter Lions Club. Campos is a 2024 high s...
Gilberto Abarca Soltero Melany Aguilar Magana Scarlett Aguirre Everardo Alvarez Rogelio Aragon Salazar Marlene Ayon Aleah Barajas Rodriguez Avany Caballero Carmendee Camacho Darely Carranza Sanchez Devin Chamblee Sara Contreras Ramirez Dominic Espinoza Ellen Esquivel Ruben Flores Edith Flores Ramos Edith Flores Ramos Miley Flores Uribe Roger Garcia Nathaniel Garrido Miguel Herrera Lopez Johnathan Jaime Lucero Lopez Acevedo Joddany Munoz Susana Munoz Francisco Navarro Estrella Osornio Mia Osuna...
The Wasco City Council will fund an expanded Veteran's Banner Program for family and friends to honor their veterans through a personalized banner flown on downtown light posts during portions of the year. The $5,000 approved at Tuesday night's meeting will be used to create, repair and replace damaged banners, covering the cost of new banners for friends and family facing a financial barrier. The city has recently installed a video screen at the new Veteran's Memorial at 7th Street & F Street....
A Wasco man received a prison sentence of over eight years for a DUI-related crash in July 2022 that killed a 1-year-old infant and left five others injured in Shafter, according to Kern County Superior Court records. The crash occurred on July 23, 2022, at approximately 4:30 p.m., when Irving Rodriguez-Barraza was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck eastbound on Burbank Street with a passenger. According to the California Highway Patrol, Rodriguez-Barraza ran a stop sign at the intersection of...
Don Sushi, a unique fusion restaurant blending the flavors of Japanese and Mexican cuisine, opened its doors in Wasco in August. The restaurant is the collaborative creation of owners David Sauceda, Baudel Guerrero and chef Kevin Vizcarra. Vizcarra, who has been cooking since the age of 16, says his passion lies in the reactions of customers as they experience his dishes. "What excites me most is seeing the look on customers' faces when they try our plates. And also, the possibilities that...
The Shafter High Generals did not fall into the trap that so many teams fall into after having a week off when it comes to the playoffs. Head Coach Jerald Pierucci said that he was proud of the way his guys came out to take care of business on Friday night, dominating the eighth-seeded North High Stars, 56-7, setting up the Generals in a semifinal matchup with the fifth-seeded Immanuel Eagles of Reedley. "Sometimes you worry about being a little rusty after a bye week in the playoffs," said...
Almost 20 vendors gathered for the annual Wasco Woman's Club Pop-Up & Craft Fair on Saturday, with food and drinks sold by the club. The Orange Heart Foundation provided face painting for the children, and all the money raised from the event will go back to the community. "Thank you to all those that came to support us," Co-President Petra Rueda said. Pictured are OHF co-founder Orquidea Ocampo, Wasco Woman's Club Co-President Petra Rueda and OHF co-founder Traci Mills-Clende...
The Shafter High School girls varsity tennis team claimed second place at the Division IV Valley Championship Central Section last Tuesday at Cesar Chavez High School in Delano. Coach Jorge Maldonado, a 32-year Shafter High School soccer coach, social studies teacher for 27 years, MEChA club advisor and LISTOS program advisor, brought a fresh approach to the team in his first season as their coach. "It was an outstanding season starting in the summer when we did conditioning. I'm a new coach,...
The Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church sponsored their eighth annual Wrestling Invitational on Saturday, drawing an all-time record for the event. Pastor Pat Coyle, director of the tournament, commented, "This was the biggest we have ever had, by far." Coyle said that there were over 150 wrestlers competing and spectators that filled the gymnasium, with an overflow crowd. "I have never seen this many kids here before," said Manny Hernandez, whose son was competing for the second year. "This is a...
Byron Allen "Bob" Brown was born on May 5, 1956, in Bakersfield, the youngest of four children to Annie Beatrice Lyons Brown and Sam Brown. From an early age, he was affectionately known as "Bob," a nickname given to him by his older brother Larry who couldn't quite pronounce "Byron." Bob embraced the name and never looked back. Growing up in Wasco, Bob was always drawn to music. He sang in the choir at Truelight Baptist Church, and in his early teens he learned to play the drums. He was a...
If you're like me, you may get used to certain things in life and come to take them for granted. For example, we assume that when we open a faucet, water comes out or when we flip a switch, a light comes on. On the recent mission trip that I went on, it reminded me that in many parts of the world those things don't always work like that. Upon arriving home, I suddenly felt very fortunate to have a comfortable home, plenty of clothes to wear and an abundance of food to eat. I realize that there are plenty of areas in our own country where that...
Kodak is a playful, happy 9-year-old Anatolian Shepherd mix, with shiny brown and white fur. He came to us as a stray and is excellent with staff and other dogs. He's microchipped, but it's unknown if he's house/crate trained, and his behavior with children hasn't been tested. Kodak is an ideal match for someone looking for an active, loving companion who's great with other dogs. He will be available for adoption starting Wednesday, Nov. 27. Consider giving this sweet boy a chance to bring joy...
Rigoberto Villagran, 63, of Bakersfield, passed away Nov. 11, in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Jose Tovar, 67, of Wasco, passed away Nov. 7, in Wasco. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Martha Lou Epps, 97, of Tehachapi, passed away Nov. 11, in Tehachapi. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Silveria Lopez Vasquez, 89, of Bakersfield, passed away Nov. 11, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Byron “Bob” Brown, 68, of Wasco, passed away Nov. 15, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Amparo M. Gonzalez, 97, of Del...
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@TheShafterPress.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Shafter High 1994 MeCha Club photo of Susanna Trujillo, Alma Moreno, Juan Campos and advisor Joaquin Patino, to mention a...
