Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Karl F. Clemens Elementary School announced its weekly Super Students. 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. From left are Vice Principal Angela Devin, Arlene Hernandez (5th grade), Adam Barboza (2nd grade), Angel Zagal (4th grade), Jesus Hernandez (kindergarten), Matthew Mendoza (1st...
Semitropic School students wear uniforms to school. This can be a financial hardship for some families. Recognizing this pressing need, teacher Melody Gebhardt started the "Wardrobe for Wildcats" project. "We are seeking donations from local community members with the ultimate goal of providing two full uniforms, a school t-shirt and a school sweatshirt to each Semitropic School student for the 2024-25 school year," Gebhardt said. There are over 160 students. Each uniform...
Wasco Union High School, represented by certificated, classified and administrative staff, was recognized as a 2024 California Distinguished School at an awards ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel on May 3. WHS is one of only 293 middle and high schools in California to be selected for the prestigious title. The awards were announced in February by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond in recognition of schools that demonstrate excellence and growth in...
Mothers and sons in Wasco had a very special time on Saturday, attending the inaugural Mother-Son Dance, sponsored by the Wasco Parks and Recreation Department. The event attracted over 60 pairs and had a theme of the Wild West. Attendees came dressed in the Western outfits, complete with cowboy hats, blue jeans and boots. There was also a western-themed backdrop as they entered, with hay bales, balloons and horseshoes decorating it, giving each mother and son a chance to...
The Wasco City Council reviewed the preliminary 2024-25 budget and found it balanced, with general fund revenues of $15.4 million and general fund operating costs of $15.1 million. Public safety was the largest cost area, accounting for 43% of general fund operating costs, comprising fire, police and animal control. Animal services accounted for $0.45 million, fire services for $0.74 million and police for $5.38 million, for a total of $6.56 million. Public Works added $3.44...
Police confiscated gambling machines and arrested the owner of the Shafter Tobacco Shop last week. Yassim Shaw, 50, was cited and released after the Tuesday raid, allegedly allowing illegal gambling in the back room of his business. The investigation involved officers from the Shafter Police Department and inspectors from the California Tax and Fee Administration, who searched the business and found that the business was in possession of illegal cannibas and tobacco products....
College Community Services, Wasco Child, will celebrate May Mental Health Awareness Month with an event on Friday, May 17. The organization is an outpatient community-based mental health clinic that provides services to children, adolescents and families struggling with mental illness, substance use challenges and other life struggles. Patty Ortega is the lead clinician. "The purpose of the event is to allow the community to gain free access to education about mental health,...
Councilmembers Valentin Medina and Eddie Saldaña of the Wasco Task Force led a team of almost 30 excited volunteers on Saturday morning in a cleanup effort focused on the newly renovated South Gate Park and surrounding neighborhood. "It was a great turnout. We had councilmembers, city staff, members of the Orange Heart Foundation, students, residents and Walmart representatives that came who cared about making a difference," Medina said. "We collected about 20 large bags of...
The Shafter Library and Learning Center hosted Viva El Arte, a fine arts show on Friday afternoon, featuring artists displaying their works, including paintings, sketches, sculpture and photographs. One of the featured artists was Nora Pineda. Pineda grew up in the area of Shafter known by many as the Mexican Colony, now La Colonia. Pineda said that she is proud of her heritage and she puts her culture and passion into her work. Pineda had several sculptures on display, each...
In connection with the annual Shafter Cinco de Mayo Festival, the Shafter Learning Center and Library hosted Dia del Ninos last week, giving youths a chance to celebrate in a unique way. The event was a celebration of children in the community, giving families a place to have some safe fun in town. The traditional event is a celebration of children held with a variety of games, activities, food and music to celebrate the youth of the community. There was face painting, music,...
Wasco moved forward with the construction rehabilitation phase of the Police Activity League building, accepting a bid from Crosswhite Construction Inc. for $498,684 and up to an additional $150,000 for changes, with hopes to get outside funding to help pay for the project. On Dec. 28, 2022, the city received an executed agreement from the Housing and Community Development Department approving an amendment of funds totaling $511,964. Out of these funds, $184,869.44 was used to...
The Shafter City Council decided not to help pay for the Chamber of Commerce 3rd of July Fireworks Show. City Manager Gabriel Gonzales said that the city had discussed the proposal and deemed it okay for the city to be a Patriot Sponsor for the annual event. Gonzales said that the show is attended by the public, allowing it to help fund the event. At the first-ever meeting at Gossamer Grover's Community Park Tuesday night, Councilmember Gilbert Alvarado asked Gonzales if the...
Last week’s Press reported that the city was purchasing new Flock cameras for tracking vehicles at a cost of $90,000 each. The actual cost is $90,000 for all 25 cameras, not per camera, with an annual maintenance fee of $70,000 annually, according to Mayor Chad Givens. The Press regrets the error....
The Wasco Woman's Club treated students with special needs from Wasco High School to a Cinco de Mayo-themed prom, where they enjoyed an afternoon of dancing, laughter and memories. Leo Chavez is a special education teacher at Wasco High School. "Our kids get super excited about the prom. It's a good way to end the school year. It's fun for the kids and staff because they get to enjoy listening to music, dancing and socializing. It's almost like all the hard work they put in...
The St. John the Evangelist Catholic Parish Cinco de Mayo Festival was a joyous occasion. With live entertainment, an array of mouth-watering authentic Mexican dishes, refreshing drinks and children's games, there was something for everyone. Councilmember Gilberto Reyna is president of the church council and spearheaded the event. "The festival was a success, and it was a good turnout. We had a large crowd. They enjoyed spending a festive afternoon with their friends and...
The Shafter Cinco de Mayo Festival was held on Saturday, complete with a parade downtown and a slew of activities at Mannel Park following the parade. The parade was led by this year's Grand Marshal, Diana Burnett, who retired this past year as the highest-ranking female officer in the department's history, retiring as the assistant chief of police. Burnett was followed by the Minter Field Air Museum's entry, which included their Follow-Me Yellow Jeep and their Vietnam-era LOA...
If you have wondered what those black poles going up around Shafter are, they are the newest aid in keeping the city of Shafter safe. The city has purchased 25 Flock Cameras to put up around town, placed in strategic locations throughout the city. The cameras are license plate readers, catching on record every vehicle that passes. The readers use technology that will aid the Shafter Police Department in responding to crimes committed in the city by reading the plate and...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club held their final Terrific Kids luncheon of the year in Wednesday, honoring the student leaders of each of the area schools. The Terrific Kids program recognizes students who display one of the character traits that are highlighted in their program. Those traits are Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Responsibility, Respectful, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive and Capable. Each student honored received a lunch, t-shirt, bumper sticker, and pencil. For the final...
The Shafter High Drama Department put on their production of the Broadway hit Guys and Dolls at the Fred Starrh Performing Arts Center last weekend, giving the crowd a taste of Broadway, with a musical that tested the actors singing, dancing and acting skills in one production. Led by advisor Hal Friedman, the actors told the story of 1920s New York, with a glimpse of the underbelly of the city, with gambling, drinking and the fight that leads to redemption. It tells of...
The Minter Field Air Museum will be offering free tours of the Gossamer Condor, which flew the first human-powered control flight. The flight took place in Shafter at the Minter Field Airport. An anniversary celebration will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, with a banquet at Hodel's Country Dining in Bakersfield. The dinner will honor those involved in the project, as well as give attendees a chance to relive a part of aviation history. Gossamer Condor Pilot Bryan Allen; Sam Dura...
The Wasco Task Force will hold its monthly community clean-up at South Gate Park on Saturday, May 4. This event will allow residents to come together to beautify Wasco and inspire civic pride. Councilmembers Valentin Medina and Eddie Saldaña of theTask Force are leading the effort. "Our first clean-up last month was at Cormack Park, where we focused on cleaning the park. We also went to nearby alleys and cleaned those up as well. This time around, we will meet at South Gate...
Wasco High School held its highly anticipated "Last Blast" prom, which was a great way to end the school year with a special event and a tradition that the students were proud to continue. The theme was "Mamma Mia!" after the famous musical and the Associated Student Body was responsible for organizing the event. Mariana Gonzalez is part of ASB. "We worked hard to plan it as a whole, so I feel like everyone deserves this night." "We chose the theme because 'Mamma Mia!' is tren...
The Bakersfield Californian and BVarsity has named Juan Gallardo, Wasco High School varsity wrestling head coach, as Coach of the Year, voted for by all head high school wrestling coaches in Kern County. "I am honored to be recognized as 'Coach of the Year.' " Gallardo said, "I don't do it to get awards. I don't like to get awards. It's not who I am as a person. I don't think any coach should get awards. I get it. It's an honor. I don't do it to get recognized at all. I do it...
With higher city expenses expected primarily due to the new Police Department, Measure X revenues are looking strong, a city panel reported last week. A presentation to the Sales Tax Oversight Committee April 23 shed light on Measure X, a local sales tax initiative crucial for the city's finances and safety. Led by Finance Director Isarel Perez-Hernandez, the session provided a comprehensive update on the Measure X sales tax, laying out a roadmap for the city's fiscal health...
The San Joaquin Valley Air District Board has approved a couple of plans that propose improvements in Shafter. As a result of the work of the AB617 Committee, which has been working for five years to improve the city's air quality, there will be sidewalks in North Shafter, beginning at Apple Market and will go north past Fresno Avenue. This addition are intended to improve the safety of the roads in the area, protecting pedestrians and children as they walk along the stretch...
