Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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At Tuesday's City Council meeting, the City of Wasco accepted a $50,000 state grant to fight the illegal sale and marketing of alcohol to minors. City Manager Scott Hurlbert said, "It's just a piece of the entire policing effort in Wasco. This portion helps fund targeted efforts related to improper sale of alcoholic beverages." Police Chief Charles Fivecoat also reported that in the department's first seven weeks, over 2,300 incidents have been reported and handled. The...
Kern County firefighters were dispatched at 12:14 a.m. on Saturday, June 1, to a 3-alarm fire at an abandoned home on the 1000 block of 6th Street. Multiple dwellings were affected, and abandoned vehicles also caught on fire. Thirty-nine Kern County firefighters worked on the fire, which involved eight fire engines and one fire truck. The Wasco Police Department also assisted. According to an incident report from the Kern County Fire Department, Engine 31 arrived on the scene...
The Wasco Union High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct eight accomplished athletes, coaches and teams on Saturday, Oct. 26. The 2024 Hall of Fame class is comprised of the 2012 Tiger Football Team, Sherril Boyett (basketball, football, track), Elizabeth Holtermann (basketball, golf, volleyball), Mike Johnson (football, wrestling), Sean Medley (football, track and field, wrestling), Coach Rusvel Prado (football), Veronica Sanchez Gregory (cross country, track and field)...
Wasco Elks Lodge #2419 will present its annual car show on Saturday, Oct. 5. Since 2017, the free event will be in memory of long-time Elks Lodge member Blaine Willard. "The Blaine Willard Memorial Car Show will be a fun day for all ages to enjoy," said Trustee Jerry Bozarth, who has been a member of the lodge since 1978. "It will commemorate a past member who did so much for the club and community. He participated in all our projects, working hard with his tireless efforts,...
The community came together last Thursday night for the grand opening ceremony of the new Wasco Police Department, marking a new chapter in the community's safety. There was food, music and speakers recognizing key stakeholders, including the chief of police, Charles Fivecoat, the city manager, Scott Hurlbert, and Councilmember Gilberto Reyna, who played significant roles in establishing the police department. "Tonight was extremely humbling," Chief Fivecoat said. "I truly...
Juneteenth is a day to commemorate the freedom of African Americans from slavery in the country. On Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Barker Park, the community is invited to join in Juneteenth: a celebration of "Heritage, Healing and Hope." "We also use this holiday to highlight the rich Black history in this town. We try to do both. Wasco has a rich black history unlike any small town in this area in Kern County," New Generation Church Assistant Pastor Marcus...
UPDATE: The body of a 16-year Kern County Sheriff's Department veteran was identified as the deceased man found in the Gossamer Grove area on Tuesday, May 21, the county Coroner's Office announced on Thursday. He died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the statement said. The man was identified as Senior Deputy Benjamin Alan Michael Harmonson, who began work with the Sheriff's Office in 2008. Harmonson, 36, was found in an unmarked patrol vehicle on Seventh...
Miguel Raya was appointed by a City Council committee to serve on the Wasco Recreation and Parks District board, filling the unexpired term expiring Nov. 30, 2025. The city was looking to fill a vacancy on the WRPD board due to the resignation of the appointed member, Sharon Sharp, to fill the remainder of the term expiring at the same time. The city received applications from Carlos Barraza, Rosalio Armendariz and Miguel Raya. All three candidates were found to be qualified....
Wasco High School held its baccalaureate on Sunday night. It was a way to celebrate graduation in a religious ceremony to bless the graduates, sharing a message of a higher power and the love of Jesus Christ. The speakers were Nino Vasquez and Hector Bernal from Templo Immanuel, Pastor La Ronna Rhodes from Westside Family Fellowship and Ross Shafer, former longtime Wasco High School counselor. Miranda Cortez is the student council publicity manager and one of the key...
It was a magical evening, where fathers and daughters stepped onto the dance floor, hand in hand, and embraced the beauty of the moment at the Orange Heart Foundation-hosted Father-Daughter Dance. It was an opportunity to create lasting memories, fostering bonds to last a lifetime. Ysidro Castro came with his daughter Violet, "She's my baby, and I want to show her I'm always going to be here for her, and I think this is a good chance to bond with her. "It also brings out our...
Wasco High School celebrated over 280 students at the first STRIPES Field Day earlier this month. Students who earned five or more STRIPES this school year were treated to lunch in the sun on the administration lawn, along with field games, La Rosa ice cream and music from DJ David Armendariz. Principal Rusvel Prado said after the May 2 event, "At Wasco High School, the STRIPES Field Day was a joyous celebration under the sun, rewarding students who earned ALL their STRIPES...
A teacher at Sequoia Elementary School saw her case in a Bakersfield Superior Court postponed for the third time last week. Candie Springer is now scheduled for a preliminary hearing Thursday, June 6, on a felony count of child cruelty and a misdemeanor count of allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle. Last year, Springer allowed her then-15-year-old son to take her car for what she thought would be a quick trip to the market. Jace Springer instead picked up...
Wasco High School hosted its first annual SkillsUSA National Signing Day, honoring 17 seniors who have trained in the skilled pathways of culinary, multimedia, public safety, construction or allied health and are continuing in those pathways after high school through additional college programs, internships and jobs. These seniors signed a pledge to continue in their pathways as adults and were given certificates celebrating their hard work and dedication. The students are: Em...
The city's Code Compliance Division is thrilled to present a Summer Safety Event on Monday, June 17, at Barker Park for children ages 5 to 12. With a fresh twist on their traditional Bike Rodeo, this year's activities include fire and water safety education, along with bike raffles, bike repairs, swimming, lunch, snow cones, free helmets and information booths for a fun and interactive morning of learning how to stay smart and safe this summer. "This year, we are...
Greg "Sparky" Sparks is a dedicated educator who brings enthusiasm and passion to his role as the music director at Wasco High School. Energetic with a vibrant personality, he takes great pride in instilling a deep appreciation for music and love for the art form in his students. He is originally from Maryland and moved here in 2003. He decided to make a move that bettered his family, finding his way to Wasco. "There is not a better community I could have moved to. This is...
The community showed its support for their Shafter Police Department last week as they participated in National Police Week. In addition to the proclamations given out by Mayor Chad Givens to the different departments in the police force, residents participated in Project Blue Light. Police dispatchers and police officers were honored for their sacrifices in making Shafter one of the safest cities in the county, if not the state of California. Retired Assistant Police Chief...
In May 9’s Press, a caption misidentified the action and the athlete involved in a play during the Shafter-Wasco baseball game. Wasco’s second baseman, Gerardo Aldana, made the tag to get an out during the game. Aldana is the only freshman on the Wasco varsity team. The Press regrets the error....
The Shafter Generals' Jesus Figueroa added to his accolades last week as the Central Section's Scholar Athlete of the Year. Figueroa was named to the South Sequoia League's First Team for his prowess on the champion Shafter High Generals football team. He also excels in track and field, competing in running and jumping events, just missing qualifying for the State Track Meet this weekend in Clovis. Figueroa is not only a star on the field and track. He is also a star in the...
The Shafter High School Senior Awards took place last Thursday, giving Shafter's seniors a total of over $100,000 in scholarships. The event was held at the Fred Starrh Performing Arts Center on the high school campus. Over 150 seniors were presented with scholarships, giving them a head start on their future educational journey. Principal Russell Shipley welcomed the family and friends of the students. "I am so excited and proud of this graduating class. They have been...
A Wasco man was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading no contest to several charges in the Superior Court of Kern County. Tellez was charged with felonies, including two counts of removal of human remains from other than a cemetery, destroying/concealing evidence, and resisting a peace officer. Resendo Tellez, 27, was additionally charged in Shafter Municipal Court with possessing drug paraphernalia, but the case was continued until the outcome of this hearing was...
The body of a 16-year Kern County Sheriff's Department veteran was identified as the deceased man found in the Gossamer Grove area on Tuesday, May 21, the county Coroner's Office announced on Thursday. He died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the statement said. The man was identified as Senior Deputy Benjamin Alan Michael Harmonson, who began work with the Sheriff's Office in 2008. Harmonson, 36, was found in an unmarked patrol vehicle on Seventh Standard Road,...
Shafter will host a Jobfest event on Thursday, May 23, expecting to attract over 40 employers who will be on hand. With finding a job becoming a challenge, events such as this will help as being a one-stop-shop for job seekers. Registered employers and recruiting firms include the Kern County Sheriff’s Department, Fastrip, Walmart, Harvest Grow and Apple One Employment Service. Frank Cabrera, pastor for The Truth Church in Shafter, also works for the County of Kern and is h...
The Wasco AG Boosters will host the first Lavender Garden 5K Run and Walk on Saturday, June 1, opening the Lavender Garden Festival. Proceeds from the run will support Wasco High School FFA students. Benito Juarez is a Booster member and coordinator of the event. “The organizers of the Lavender Garden Festival wanted to create an event that would draw people to come to the festival, and their thought was to create the run. And they were looking for someone to put it on, and t...
The Palm Avenue Middle School robotics team took high honors at the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas late last month. Both the 1920R CLS Invaders and 1920D Coneheads teams were there representing Wasco. They went onto a global stage, competing against over 400 teams split into divisions of 80-plus teams from all over the world, including facing teams from Korea, China, Australia, the United Kingdom and across the United States April 27-30. Students on the 1920D team...
