Wings 'N' Wheels canceled amid virus concerns

One of Shafter’s most popular events, Minter Field’s annual Wings 'N' Wheels, which was scheduled for November, has been canceled.

Organizers cited the health risks associated with the pandemic when they announced the news. The event typically brought attendees from as far away as Texas and Arizona and featured hundreds of planes on display. Ronald Pierce of the Minter Field made the announcement that the event would be canceled until 2021.

The virus outbreak is still seeing new cases in Shafter, but the number is significantly lower than the increase of the week before. There were only nine new cases in Shafter, according to the Kern County Department of Public Health, with Shafter’s total at 1,253 cases. Wasco has seen their numbers increase, with a total of 500 cases to date.

The number of residents wearing masks has increased dramatically, with the city littered with citizens wearing face coverings downtown and in their respective neighborhoods. At Shafter schools, the sites are readying for a return to in-person instruction for several students. The Special Education departments of the schools will be teaching on-site for their Special Needs students, as well as a select few including foster children, as well as at-promise students.

The majority of businesses in Shafter have opened their doors, with them operating with customers wearing face coverings, as well as staff at the businesses.

City buildings remain closed to the public, with a window around the back of the building serving customers. They also are serving those residents that need to complete transactions with in-person interaction by appointment only.

The City Council has also announced a change in start time for its meetings. The next council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. with residents able to participate via Zoom and YouTube. The council approved this change in time at its meeting last month by unanimous vote.

City Manager Gabriel Gonzales said that Shafter was the only agency in the county that had a later starting time of 7 p.m. of the different city governments. This starting time will still give residents a chance to return home from work, grab a bite to eat, and be able to participate in the meeting.

“This will not affect the ability for the residents to participate in the meetings,” said Gonzales.