Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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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 93263, or e-mail it to mysteryphoto@The ShafterPress.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Those answering The Press photographer's question in 1985 were, from left, Kathy Vieria, Angeline Merrigan, W.C. Walker, Clayton Plaster,...
Part of a continuing series highlighting local leaders, including members of the Wasco Recreation and Parks District board. Other stories can be found on WascoTrib.com. Oscar Luna is in his second year serving on the Parks and Recreation board, bringing to the role his experience as the assistant superintendent of the Wasco Union Elementary School District since July 2022. He also has nearly 15 years of experience in school administration. In addition, he has served as the president of the...
In March 2023, the City of Wasco received a $288,000 grant from UC Davis to partner with the SNIP Bus to expand the city's spay/neuter capacity. The partnership allows the SNIP Bus to hold free spay/neuter clinics monthly for three years, completing an estimated 1,800 surgeries. "Last year, we treated 210 dogs and 171 cats for a total of 381 animals, saving residents approximately $300 a piece per surgery," Public Works Director Luis Villa explained. The Spay Neuter Imperative Project is a...
4 years ago: Jan. 16, 1985 Former Mayor and City Council member Elmer Unruh received Shafter's Citizen of the Year award. --Compiled by Erica Soriano...
The Shafter City Council rejected a proposal to open the Shafter Aquatic Center's pool this year just for the Shafter High School swim team, so they would be able to practice in their own home pool for the first time in years. Council members were told at a special meeting Tuesday afternoon that there would be a gap of about $70,000 of the cost of operating the pool during that time, between what the Kern High School District usually pays for the use of the pool and the cost that would be required to have it open during ongoing reconstruction...
Here are second-half highlights of Shafter's year. Last week's first-half review can be seen on TheShafterPress.com. July Shafter saw thousands of people fill the Shafter High fields for the annual July 3 Fireworks show. There was also an activity area for the kids, with games and inflatables for the children to play on. Shafter's Minter Field Air Museum also was on hand, giving kids the chance to sit in the cockpit of their LOACH helicopter. The fireworks show was put on by Zamboli Fireworks, w...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club honored Barbara Gladden with the 2024 Community Service Award last month in appreciation of her nearly 50 years of dedicated community service. A Shafter native, Barbara is a selfless servant who works not for recognition but out of a genuine passion for helping others, club members said during the ceremony. Her deep commitment to making Shafter a better place for families and a special community for everyone to call home is truly inspiring. Arlie Smith, a longtime...
Gary Rodriguez joined the Shafter Recreation and Park District board in 2008 and considers one of his greatest accomplishments to be overseeing the process of acquiring state grant funding for the new Wonderful Sports Complex. "A big thank you to the other board members who played a significant part in making that process a success, including Phillip Jimenez and his staff, as well as our grant writer and consultant, Gilbert Garcia," he said in an interview last week. Rodriguez is enthusiastic ab...
Mike Russo of Russo Construction, contracted by Wonderful, has installed the new Colours sign on Highway 99 near Lerdo Highway. It's a reminder of this year's Colours: The Shafter Art Festival, Feb. 20-23. For more information, visit ShafterColours.org....
Mariyon Sloan, a junior at Shafter High School who has played football since he was 4 years old, participated in the U.S. Army Bowl National Combine in Frisco, Texas, from Dec. 19 to 21. "It was a great experience meeting the top 160 high school juniors from across the nation, showcasing my talent and competing against everyone else," he said. At the combine, football players were tested on their 40-yard dash, pro shuttle, broad jump and L-drill, and competed one-on-one. Offensive and defensive...
The Kern County Coroner’s Office has identified the 18-year-old driver from Wasco involved in a fatal crash on Kimberlina Road on Dec. 7. Luis Jesus Rios was killed after his vehicle collided with a piece of farm equipment. The incident occurred about 7:30 a.m. when Rios was driving a GMC Sierra pickup truck eastbound on Kimberlina Road near Root Avenue. Despite the dense fog that reduced visibility, Rios was traveling at an unsafe speed, according to the California Highway Patrol. At the same t...
Catrina's Mexican Grill celebrated its 10th anniversary on Dec. 17, and owner Marcela Bojorquez couldn't be prouder of this milestone. In 2014, she and her husband, Cesar Marquez, pursued their American dream by starting the business, trusting that with hard work and dedication, they could persevere. They immigrated from Mexico 28 years ago and met in Bakersfield in 2007. Marcela is a Spanish professor, and Cesar had always wanted to open a restaurant because his family owned restaurants in...
Rene Gutierrez is a rig welder who works in the oil fields and makes custom gates. Last year, he lent his welding talents to the Wasco Downtown Beautification Project. "After this job, I transformed myself into an artist. I never saw myself as one until Art Sherwyn gave me the assignment. He showed me the design picture, and I brought it to life." He built a 19-foot steel archway inspired by camera lenses and squares symbolizing camera bodies. The varying sizes and shapes of the rings and...
Here are second-half highlights of Wasco's year. Last week's first-half review can be seen on WascoTrib.com. July The second half of the year began with the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Central Avenue Park. The new park, designed to be a vibrant hub for families and visitors, offers a variety of recreational activities and green spaces. Semitropic Elementary School welcomed a new addition to its leadership team with the appointment of Dr. Wendy Castañeda-Leal as...
Shafter has seen much growth, considerable challenges and many achievements in the past year, and this is a look at a few of the highlights for the first half of 2024. The second half will be covered next week. January The year started off with a strange incident at the Shafter Cemetery. Police were called for a report of a strange happening at the cemetery. When officers arrived, they found eggs broken over a dozen graves, and chunks of raw meat, wrapped in twine with spikes through them. The...
The Shafter Lions Club hosted its inaugural 'Pictures with Santa' event in downtown Shafter on Saturday, welcoming over 100 children, distributing candy and spreading joy and smiles. "It was a big hit, and next year will be even bigger and better," President and Councilmember Gilbert Alvarado said. "Thank you to our Santa, David Porter, who did a wonderful job entertaining the kids." (Photo courtesy of Councilmember Gilbert Alvarado)...
Sherry Peckhoon Sim, the District 5240 Governor, visited the Shafter Rotary Club on Wednesday, December 18. As part of her official duties, she meets with each club in the district. Her visit was a special occasion, allowing club members to learn about her extraordinary career serving the Rotary organization. "She represents local, our district and international exceptionally well. For her, Rotary is love, care and family. She genuinely cares about people, which is important for a District...
Kern County Public Works invites residents throughout the county to participate in its Christmas Tree Recycling Program, running from Thursday, Dec. 26, through Monday, Jan. 6. This program offers an eco-friendly way to dispose of one of the holiday season's most beloved symbols – the Christmas tree. By recycling their trees at designated county and partnering locations, residents can contribute to a cleaner environment and ensure these festive centerpieces are disposed of responsibly. The i...
The City of Shafter hosted a bench dedication ceremony at the Skate Park on Friday. The Lions Club led the effort to raise the money and provide the bench for the community to use and enjoy at the skate park. Created in the shape of a skateboard, the bench adds an artistic touch to the park's modern design and features a plaque naming all 15 sponsors who contributed to funding the skateboard bench. The sponsors include SoCalGas, Glam Salon & Spa, Shafter Transmission & Smog, Candyland Party...
A tree decorated by The Shafter Press staff is on view as part of the Shafter Depot Museum holiday display through Jan. 4. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays....
In partnership with the City of Wasco, the Wasco Recreation and Parks District spread Christmas cheer last week with its Light Up Wasco Christmas Cruise. This Dial-a-Ride tour showcased homes transformed into dazzling displays of holiday lights and decorations. The event featured a competition for the best-designed homes, and guests had the opportunity to vote for their favorites. District Manager Chris Serna shared, "We loved having everyone stop by to drop off their letters to Santa, visit...
This was another year of activity in Wasco, and was full of highlights. Here are some of the top stories for the first half of 2024. The second half will be covered next week. January The year kicked off with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wasco Downtown Rehabilitation Project, funded by a $5 million grant. The initiative aimed to revitalize the downtown area with green spaces and public art installations. Alex Garcia assumed the role of mayor for the third time after previously serving in...
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 [email protected]. Deadline is 4 p.m. Thursday prior to publication. Updates will be on TheShafterPress.com and WascoTrib.com. ANNOUNCEMENTS 16th Annual Christmas Tree Display – The Shafter Depot Museum presents ...
The North Kern Chapter of Líderes Campesinas hosted CampesinXmas at the Wasco Woman's Club on Friday, featuring a traditional Mexican posada. Over 250 toys were distributed, bikes and gift cards were raffled, and members of the organization prepared a homemade birria dinner. "It was a packed house, and the room was full of joy," Líderes Campesinas Executive Director Suguet Lopez said. "We were blessed to have had the support of all our sponsors, and we are so happy we could share this special ti...
3 years ago: Jan. 4, 1995 A new California law prohibited smoking in the workplace. --Compiled by Erica Soriano...
