Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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The criminal investigation into former mayor Alex Garcia's alleged meeting with two men has been terminated, according to a statement issued Friday by the Bakersfield Police Department. Sergeant Eric Celedon, the department’s public information officer, said in the statement, “A case number was generated for this incident, but neither involved party contacted us after we reached out. This has left us unable to proceed with any type of investigation. As of now, the case is clos...
On Saturday, New Generation Church hosted its 9th Annual "Loving Our City" community outreach event, designed to offer families a safe and enjoyable experience. The free event featured food, games, prizes, raffles, live music and preaching. This year, they distributed 450 backpacks. Pastor Frank Sanchez proudly said, "We are a diverse, bilingual church. We have Anglo, Black and Hispanic families. Our church is very committed to helping the community, and to give you an idea,...
The Wasco Police Department proudly hosted its inaugural "Chill with a Cop" event on Thursday at Barker Park, inviting the community to engage in friendly conversations with its officers. Attendees were encouraged to discuss any issues or concerns, fostering open dialogue and strengthening community bonds. Held in a relaxed setting with ice cream in hand, the event provided a unique opportunity for residents to connect with the men and women who serve and protect their city....
In a rare packed house, the Wasco City Council has appointed former Mayor Pro Tem Valentin Medina as the next mayor, with Councilmember Eddie Saldaña taking over as mayor pro tem. This transition comes in the wake of the controversial resignation of Mayor Alex Garcia, who stepped down following allegations involving an alleged meeting with a minor. Medina said Tuesday night, "It's an honor to serve as mayor of Wasco. This is not how I saw myself becoming mayor, but it is...
In a rare packed house, the Wasco City Council has appointed former Mayor Pro Tem Valentin Medina as the next mayor, with Councilmember Eddie Saldaña taking over as mayor pro tem. This transition comes in the wake of the controversial resignation of Mayor Alex Garcia, who stepped down following allegations involving an alleged meeting with a minor. Medina said Tuesday night, "It's an honor to serve as mayor of Wasco. This is not how I saw myself becoming mayor, but it is...
On Sunday morning, Shafter Mayor Chad Givens, along with his wife, Vanessa, were installed as the new pastors of the Canyon Hills Shafter Church. Formerly the First Assembly of God Church of Shafter, the church was taken over by Canyon Hills a couple of years ago. Canyon Hills has campuses throughout Kern County. Givens said that he has been certified by both the Pentecostal Church of God and Assembly of God Church for a few years. Givens was part of the Jesus Saves Internatio...
With new information being revealed over the last few days surrounding an alleged meeting in Bakersfield with two men portraying one as a minor, Mayor Alex Garcia resigned as Wasco mayor and councilmember early Thursday morning. In a statement, he said he has "been healing following my recent assault; I am now finally able to speak with you to announce, with a heavy heart and profound regret, my resignation. "I want to assure you that the accusations made against me are mischaracterized and inaccurate and certainly do not...
With new information being revealed over the last few days surrounding an alleged meeting in Bakersfield with a man portraying himself as a minors, Mayor Alex Garcia resigned as Wasco mayor and councilmember Thursday morning. Here is the statement from Garcia released by the city: To the Citizens of Wasco, As I have been healing following my recent assault, I am now finally able to speak with you to announce, with a heavy heart and profound regret, my resignation as Mayor and Council Member of the City of Wasco. As many of...
As the school year approaches, House of Fadez is hosting its annual back-to-school event on Sunday, Aug. 4, providing free haircuts and backpacks to low-income students from kindergarten through 12th grade. House of Fadez opened its doors a few years ago and quickly became a local favorite. Owner Luis Contreras shared his connection to the event. "I remember how hard things were for my family when I was growing up, and I know how much small acts of support can mean. Now that I...
The Seamless Summer Option program at James A. Forrest Elementary School served an average of 500 to 540 children each Wednesday in July. Using a "grab and go" system, parents could drive through to pick up four bags containing seven days of breakfasts and lunches for their child. The program ensures that any child between the ages of 2 and 18 receives nutritious meals even when school is out. The Wasco Union Elementary School District food service director, Randy Jenkins,...
Mayor Alex Garcia may have been lured into a meeting with individuals at a location in Bakersfield, perhaps with the intent to attack him based on his sexual orientation, his lawyer said in a statement Monday.. Meanwhile, a fellow councilmember called for him to explain himself, "or resign." "I advised him [Alex Garcia] not to make any statements because there are a few investigations that appear to be ongoing. Based on the information we have available right now, it appears...
For Jan Hummel, the newly hired principal of Teresa Burke Elementary School, the most rewarding part of her career in education has always been the deep connection she shares with her students. "I tell people it's not important if you don't remember all your students' names throughout all those past years. What is impressive is when the students from all those years remember you; then you know you've really made a difference," she said. "When they come back and see you, it's t...
The Shafter Animal Control will be holding a Low Cost Vaccine Clinic for Shafter dogs and cats on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 7 to 10 a.m. Shafter residents are eligible to participate in the clinic, but an appointment is recommended for the event. The cost is $15 and includes FVRCP vaccine for cats, rabies vaccines for dogs and cats, and DHPP vaccine for dogs. Free licensing also will be available for pets for one year with the special. There are dogs and cats in town who need to...
Edwin Sanchez, who was involved in a fiery crash in Shafter in August 2023, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter in connection with a deadly crash last year in Shafter and has been sentenced to probation and community service. On the afternoon of Aug. 14, Sanchez drove a Ford Excursion west on West Lerdo Highway approaching Driver Road, according to a court filing. The Ford collided with an Infiniti Q50 in the intersection. Both vehicles caught...
Due to a production error, pictures and captions for two stories on last week’s print page 1 and continuations of the stories inside the paper were swapped. A corrected version is posted on TheShafterPress.com and WascoTrib.com. The Press and Tribune regret the error....
Belton Banks, who has spent over 30 years serving the community of Shafter, has announced that he will be retiring from the District 1 Cemetery Board at the end of his current term. Banks has served on the board for the last eight years. In addition to the cemetery board, Banks has served on numerous boards and committees, as well as being involved in several clubs and organizations. Belton Banks was raised in Shafter. He had a 32-year career in elementary and secondary...
The Shafter Summer Children's Theater cast a spell on audiences this past weekend, performing "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella" at Shafter's Ford Theater. The group spent two months preparing for the challenging production, filled with songs, dancing and acting. The production featured the character of Cinderella, played by Rori Acres. Acres was at times shy and reserved, as well as always kind and gracious. For comic relief, look no further than the hilarious Evil Stepmo...
Father Jose Padron has become the first known ordained priest from the St. Therese Church in Shafter. The celebration of Padron's ordination took place July 13 and was witnessed by over 100 parishioners from Shafter who had made the trip to see Padron become ordained. He is now the priest for St. Anthony's Church in Fresno. Padron said that he is excited in fulfilling his lifetime dream to one day have a parish and allow God to work through him. The Mass of Ordination took pla...
With new information being revealed over the last few days surrounding an alleged meeting in Bakersfield with two men portraying one as a minor, Mayor Alex Garcia resigned as Wasco mayor and councilmember early Thursday morning. In a statement, he said he has "been healing following my recent assault; I am now finally able to speak with you to announce, with a heavy heart and profound regret, my resignation. "I want to assure you that the accusations made against me are mischaracterized and inaccurate and certainly do not...
With new information being revealed over the last few days surrounding an alleged meeting in Bakersfield with two men portraying one as a minor, Mayor Alex Garcia resigned as Wasco mayor and councilmember early Thursday afternoon. Here is the statement released by the city: To the Citizens of Wasco, As I have been healing following my recent assault, I am now finally able to speak with you to announce, with a heavy heart and profound regret, my resignation as Mayor and Council Member of the City of Wasco. As many of you are...
On Sunday morning, Shafter Mayor Chad Givens, along with his wife, Vanessa, were installed as the new pastors of the Canyon Hills Shafter Church. Formerly the First Assembly of God Church of Shafter, the church was taken over by Canyon Hills a couple of years ago. Canyon Hills has campuses throughout Kern County and elsewhere. Givens said that he has been certified by both the Pentecostal Church of God and Assembly of God Church for a few years. Givens was part of the Jesus...
"James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash" will be returning to Shafter's Ford Theater on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 17 and 18. Garner appeared at the Shafter Ford Theater last year in a sold-out show that entertained the crowd with nostalgic songs and storytelling by Garner. "We're excited to bring our show back to Shafter," Garner said. "We played to a sold-out crowd, so we are glad to be playing three shows over two days to give more folks a chance to see the show." The...
The Shafter Mennonite Brethren Church is holding its annual Wrestling Camp this week, teaching kids on and off the mat. There were over 30 kids on hand, from novice wrestlers to competitive wrestlers looking to get back into form. Led by Pastor Pat Coyle, the camp has been helping children for over 15 years with basic workouts to intricate moves on the mat. Coyle had the assistance of wrestlers from the Shafter Spartans youth wrestling team, as well as members of the Shafter...
The First Southern Baptist Church of Shafter held their Vacation Bible School this week, taking the kids on a Jungle Journey that took them all over the world, in search of the 7 Cs of History. Those Cs include creation, corruption, catastrophe, confusion, Christ, cross and consummation. The 7 Cs of History are intended to be a memorable way of showing that the Bible is a history book, and its events connect with real history. This framework helps to understand fossils, rock l...
