Cherylee Wegman-Craig, first female mayor of Wasco, dies at 70

Former mayor and community activist Cherylee R. Wegman-Craig passed away on Christmas Day. at age 70.

Wegman-Craig, a resident of the city all her life, served on the Wasco City Council for over 20 years, becoming the first female mayor of the city in 2001. She was elected to the role four times. In 2018, she was honored as Assembly District 32 Woman of the Year.

Cherylee's involvement as a public servant was extensive, including participating as a member of the California Partnership Board for the San Joaquin Valley, the Citizen Advisory Committee at Wasco State Prison, the Association of California Cities Allied with Prisons and was an active member of the Wasco Community Alliance Partnership. A member of the Wasco Elks Lodge #2419, she contributed significantly to various community initiatives.

In 2006, she joined the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as a vocational instructor at Kern Valley State Prison. In 2018, Wegman-Craig moved into the position of supervisor of vocational instruction at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi.

She became a devoted board member for the Wasco Union Elementary School District in 2019, and retired from the state two years later.

Services for Cherylee Wegman will be held on Jan. 26 at St. John's The Evangelist Catholic Church.