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Articles from the December 5, 2024 edition


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  • Holiday cheer to light up Downtown Shafter

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Dec 5, 2024

    Get ready for the City of Shafter's Christmas Tree Lighting, Sing and Community Celebration in downtown Shafter this Monday. Enjoy a night of holiday cheer to honor local athletes, savor delicious food and music, and end the evening with a visit from Santa. Distinguished Young Woman of Shafter, Camryn Eubanks, will light the 22-foot community Christmas tree. "It's huge. This year, we are doing a white theme with big snowflakes, iridescent ribbons, and white and silver ornaments. The Lions Club...

  • Richland teacher arrested on child abuse charges

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Dec 5, 2024

    Zachary McGraw, a sixth-grade teacher at Golden Oak Elementary in Shafter, was arrested on Monday for allegedly possessing child abuse materials, according to officials. The 38-year-old was detained at his Bakersfield home in the 15000 block of Pinion Court, near Hageman Road and Rudd Avenue. McGraw was taken into custody around 7 a.m. on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material and intending to distribute obscene content involving a minor under 18. According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office inmate search page, he is being held o...

  • Council OKs $3.5M for police camera system

    Jamie Stewart, For The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    The Shafter City Council voted unanimously to approve a body-worn camera system at a cost of approximately $3.5 million over a 10-year period. Interim Police Chief Randy Mulligan told the council that the department has been studying different systems and selected the AXON system as the most cost-effective and advanced of the systems that were looked at. The AXON system includes body-worn cameras, worn by officers, as well as a taser program, in addition to several other items that come with...

  • Train hits stalled car, no one injured

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Dec 5, 2024

    A vehicle got stuck on the train tracks at Central Valley Highway and East Los Angeles Avenue in Shafter at about 5:33 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and was struck by an Amtrak train. A 55-year-old female was able to exit the vehicle before a tow truck could remove it from the tracks. Amtrak train 714, traveling south from Oakland to Bakersfield, came to a stop just beyond the train crossing after colliding with the car, according to Shafter Police Department Lt. Marvin Gomez. "Normally, we would...

  • Celebrate the season with 'Charlie Brown'

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Dec 5, 2024

    The Young Adults Theater of Shafter will present “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Shafter Ford Theater on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. Dessert by Bloemhouse Bakery and Tin Cup Coffee will be provided during the performance. Under the direction of Rori Acres, the cast of 12 has been rehearsing since October to bring this classic Christmas story, where Charlie Brown searches for the true meaning of Christmas. Not finding it in the silly, goofy advice of his "fr...

  • After nearly a century, SHS baseball team gets their rings

    The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    The Shafter High varsity boys baseball team celebrated their 2024 Valley Championship win with a ring ceremony on Nov. 23, at the Veterans Hall. The occasion was attended by family, friends, administrators, coaches and sponsors who came together to honor the team's achievement. Head Coach John Hill presented the rings to the players – the school's first Valley title in 96 years. Former Coach Mike Nichols spoke to the boys about when he played professional baseball "back in the day." He talked a...

  • Marian Jessup celebrates 95th birthday

    Jamie Stewart, For The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    The Shafter Nursing Facility had one of its residents celebrate their 95th birthday on Tuesday, giving her two cakes, cupcakes and balloons. Marian Jessup was born on Nov. 26, 1929, in Anaheim. Jessup grew up in Costa Mesa and had several jobs during her working career. Before retiring, Marian was working for a real estate firm as a foreclosure expert. "It was a great job, but not a popular one. If she didn't get the property foreclosed on, her bosses weren't happy, but if she did her job well,...

  • Valentin Medina reappointed mayor, council members sworn

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Dec 5, 2024

    The three appointed members, Vincent Martinez, Miguel Raya and Eddie Saldaña, were sworn in at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Valentin Medina was reappointed mayor, while Eddie Saldaña also was reappointed as mayor pro tem. Although this year's election was canceled because Martinez, Raya and Saldaña ran unopposed, they still are considered elected. Councilmember Gilberto Reyna nominated Medina and praised his performance as mayor since August, saying, "He's done a great job, and I think he...

  • Light up the season, Wasco style

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Dec 5, 2024

    The Light Up Wasco Christmas Cruise is more than just a holiday event; it's a celebration of community spirit, creativity and the magic of the season. On Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 18 and 19, the Wasco Recreation and Parks District, in partnership with the City of Wasco, invites families, friends and neighbors to embark on a magical drive through Wasco, where homes are transformed into displays of holiday lights and decorations. Each stop on the map along the cruise through Wasco, where...

  • Spectacular holiday from Toys for Tigers

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Dec 5, 2024

    The Wasco Toys for Tigers Christmas Tree Spectacular brought holiday cheer on Tuesday with activities like face painting by the Orange Heart Foundation, cookie decorating, marshmallow snowmen, crafts, games, a candy walk by the Elks ladies and letters to Santa. Treasurer Pat Ketcherside called it "the event of the year, heartfelt with so many children." She thanked those who supported the Wasco Bengals. Pictured are Juliet and Melody Garcia sharing a special moment with Santa and Mrs. Claus,...

  • 'Cloudy' water makes a short, safe appearance

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Dec 5, 2024

    Last week, some Wasco residents noticed cloudy water coming from their taps. The city quickly identified the issue, which was linked to the reopening of a well that had been undergoing repairs. According to City Manager Scott Hurlbert, when the well was brought back online, it is likely that sediment that had settled in the system was disturbed and released into the water supply, causing the cloudiness. While the water looked unusual, Hurlbert assured residents that it had been fully tested...

  • Community Calendar - Dec. 6, 2024

    The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    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.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, call 661-292-5100 or email esoriano@TheShafterPress.com. Deadline is 4 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...

  • Mystery History - Dec. 5, 2024

    The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    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: Shafter High School faculty members from 1984 included, from top left, Kalman Mathis, arts and crafts; Ben McCoy, business education;...

  • Arrest Report - Dec. 5, 2024

    The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    Nov. 23 Eric Hopkins, 55, of Shafter, was arrested in the 500 block of South Shafter Avenue on a bench warrant/failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Nov. 25 Ramiro Enriquez Cortes, 30, of Shafter, was arrested on Central Valley Highway for possession of unlawful paraphernalia, on a bench warrant/failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Nov. 27 Jose Juan Tovar, 50, of Shafter, was arrested in the 800 block of South Shafter Avenue on an outside warrant and a bench warrant/failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Irineo Hernando, 46, was...

  • Generals drop heartbreaker in Valley Championship game

    Jamie Stewart, For The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    The Shafter Generals football season came to an end on Friday with a heartbreaking loss to the Coalinga Horned Toads in the Central Section Division IV championship game, 34-33. The top-seeded Generals just missed winning their second title in three years, dropping the contest to the third-seeded Horned Toads after allowing Coalinga to come back from a 12-point deficit with under five minutes remaining in the game. Coalinga got on the board first after a long drive on their first possession, usi...

  • Pastor's Corner: God's indescribable gift

    Pastor Jim Glasco, Seventh Standard Pentecostal Church, Shafter|Dec 5, 2024

    Do you still remember that special Christmas gift you received as a child? I remember receiving a BB gun and footballs and baseball gloves and toy soldiers. As a kid I had so much fun with those gifts. In 2nd Corinthians 9:15 Paul says, ”Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” It is speaking of an indescribable gift. Paul was so thankful for the gift that God gave to mankind. No words can truly express the greatness of this gift. This gift is truly too wonderful for words. This ind...

  • Death Notices - Dec. 5, 2024

    The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    Thelma “Jodi” Dahlin, 86, of Shafter, passed away Nov. 25, in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Hefziba Canseco Garcia, 2, of Wasco, passed away Nov. 24, in Madera. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Ramon Nevarez, 65, of Wasco, passed away Nov. 27, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Jessica K. Leon, 29, Buttonwillow, passed away Nov. 26, in Buttonwillow. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter....

  • Classified Ads - Dec. 10, 2024

    The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    To see this week's Classified Ads, click on the e-edition icon at the top of the page....

  • Helen Marie Tyler Ballard

    Dec 5, 2024

    Helen Marie Tyler Ballard, 69, of Wasco, passed away peacefully on Nov. 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 6, 1955, in Bakersfield, to Geneal and Augusta Tyler, Helen lived a life defined by faith, love and kindness. She shared God's love generously, offering prayer and encouragement to all she met. Helen grew up in Wasco, graduating from Wasco Union High School in 1973. She found her faith early and became a devoted member of Apostolic Faith Temple Church. Helen's life was...

  • Headlines in History - Dec. 5, 2024

    The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    1 years ago: Dec 17, 2014 The City Council welcomed newly elected member Eli Espericueta. Jasmine's Bakery on Sunset Avenue had an attic fire. The fire department got control of it before major damage was caused. Today, the bakery is still going strong. They are known for their tamales, torta, cakes and sweet breads. --Compiled by Erica Soriano...

  • Pet of the Week: Introducing Alina – your new best friend

    The Shafter Press|Dec 5, 2024

    Alina is a sweet, playful 9-12-month-old female shepherd mix, ready to brighten your life. Found as a stray, this golden-chocolate beauty has a soft coat perfect for cuddling. She's been a joy to the staff and gets along wonderfully with other dogs. While it's unknown if Alina is house/crate-trained, her loving and gentle nature makes her an ideal companion. Alina loves to share affection, making her a wonderful addition to any home. She will be available for adoption on Thursday, Dec. 5.....