Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The City of Shafter has had a longstanding tradition of lighting their Christmas tree downtown with a celebration involving the entire community, complete with music, food, drinks and fun. This year they also had a few extra groups to celebrate as they recognized several local sports teams who have had extraordinary years in 2024. Of course, the event wouldn't be complete without a visit from the jolly man in red and white, who arrived and took pictures with the children. Mayor Chad Givens...
Demolition began Monday on the building at the corner of Highway 43 and Central Avenue, on the site of the city's first retail business. The building featured a mural depicting various scenes of Shafter. During the city's centennial celebration in 2013, the city acquired funding to hire an artist to create the mural. "On that corner, Charles Shomate established the first retail business in Shafter in 1914. He replaced his original building with the brick building now being demolished in l919....
A pinning ceremony was held on Friday to celebrate the appointment of interim Shafter Chief of Police Randy Milligan as the new chief of police. The event honored a decorated peace officer who, over his 23 years in Shafter, has held nearly every position within the department, including traffic officer, field training officer, K-9 officer, senior patrol officer, sergeant, range master, lieutenant, captain, acting chief and now chief. With 26 years in law enforcement, his dedication and service...
Santa Claus, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, flew in from the North Pole to visit the Minter Field Air Museum on Saturday. "They arrived in an airplane, taxied right up to the museum's hangar, got out and greeted all the children and adults there," Minter Field Air Museum Chairman Ronald Pierce said. Hundreds of children from across Kern County had the chance to share their Christmas wishes with Santa. Each child also got to choose a free stuffed animal, donated by the Ming Avenue PetSmart. Members...
The Shafter Christmas Parade and Festival at Mannel Park on Friday brought the community together to celebrate the season of cheer. Hosted by the Lions Club, this evening featured a parade with over 40 entries, including festive floats, decorated cars and trucks, and lively marching bands, all radiating holiday spirit. Kicking off the festivities were activities at the park, including food trucks, games, bouncy houses and lots of "snow." All of the schools in the Richland School District, as wel...
The Kiwanis Club of Shafter hosted a luncheon on Nov. 13 to celebrate local students recognized as Terrific Kids, nominated by their teachers for exemplifying respect in the classroom. The event, attended by their families and community members, showcased the pride and support for the students' achievements.Each student received a certificate, pencil, bumper sticker and t-shirt. "At Kiwanis, we love encouraging kids to develop good character traits that will help them succeed in life. In our...
The Rose Festival Group and Orange Heart Foundation, in partnership with the City of Wasco, hosted the Wasco Christmas Festival on Saturday, with this year's theme, "Kindness Shines." The event featured a parade with over 50 entries, a vendor fair, a kids corner with games, crafts and a train ride and a lighting ceremony, where Miss Wasco Rose Queen Rihanna Sanchez lit the 20-foot tree. This year, the 2024 Wasco High School Valley Champion cheer and Tiger wrestling teams and the JV and sophomore...
In last week’s paper, new Wasco mayor Valentin Medina’s first name was wrong in a headline. We regret this editing error....
On a foggy Saturday morning, a high-speed crash between a pickup truck and a tractor on Kimberlina Road resulted in the death of the truck's driver, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision occurred about 7:30 a.m. in dense fog that severely reduced visibility. The CHP officials reported that a GMC Sierra pickup truck was traveling eastbound on Kimberlina Road at an unsafe speed, given the conditions. A John Deere tractor pulling an implement of husbandry in tandem was crossing...
Líderes Campesinas is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 by farmworker women in California's Coachella Valley. "Our mission is to strengthen the leadership of farmworker women and girls so they can serve as a bridge for economic, political, and social change and ensure their human rights," Yesenia Acosta of Líderes Campesinas Kern Norte explained. On Friday, Dec. 20, they will host CampesinXmas at the Wasco Woman's Club, featuring a traditional Mexican posada, a 2024 post-election c...
The "Intergalactic Space Invasion" recital, produced by Planet Dance Studio, conquered the stage on Saturday. The program took place in Delano at the RFK High School Auditorium. With nearly 500 in attendance, the energy was out of this world. Each class gave a phenomenal performance, and the music selection was just as entertaining to match....
The Wasco Woman's Club held its annual Christmas celebration for students on Friday at Grace Community Church. High school youth with disabilities enjoyed pizza, cookies, lots of dancing, and, of course, a highlight was a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, with whom they took pictures and received a Christmas gift. DJ Boomer provided the music, and all the students dressed in their best holiday attire. "It was the most joyous and rewarding Christmas party ever," said Sukie Martinez, Woman's Club...
Karl F. Clemens Elementary School announced its Super Students for the week of Dec. 9. Criteria for selection were based on significant math improvement, showing kindness to all friends, respect and hard work, following class procedures, helping other students understand new concepts and improving learning English. Pictured in the front row, from left, are Principal Anabel Garrison, Agustin Landeros (5th grade), Luis M. Flores Valdez (4th grade), Consuelo Ochoa (kindergarten), Yoselin Noriega...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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 Saturday, 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 agreed to pay Zimmermann a $245,203 12-month severance settlement, provide COBRA benefits for 12 months and pay out his...
