Wasco's downtown transformation on track

The Wasco City Council received an update regarding the Downtown Wasco Streetscape Project, which is to be completed by early fall 2024. They also decided to repair a clock tower, place it in the plaza and install a mini water tower replica in the center of a roundabout.

"It's exciting to see staff working diligently to finish the downtown beautification project. There have been many delays, from covid to the weather, but I'm confident its completion will be well worth the wait," Mayor Alex Garcia said.

A tentative date of Friday, Nov. 8, has been set for the project's ribbon-cutting celebration and Veterans Park dedication.

There was a new employee Police Department badge pinning ceremony for Senior Police Officer Shaun Manuele, Police Officer Dayle Frye, Police Officer Adan Gonzalez, Police Officer Dartanyun Rabon and Police Records Clerk Xochitl Nieto.

"I have family, co-workers and friends here. It's a momentous occasion," Manuele said, "I've been privy to working here for the last two and a half months, and I would say since I've been able to experience working in this city. I've never felt more welcome."

Nieto was an administrative assistant for City Hall before joining the Police Department. She said about the badge pinning ceremony, "I loved that the family members got to pin the officers. My sister pinned me. It was special. I'm very excited. It's a new journey and something new. I never thought I would be in the police department."

Gonzalez was asked how he felt about being pinned and officially recognized as an officer. "It's an honorary position. Being a part of a new police department built from the ground up is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it also provides that interconnectedness with law enforcement and the community."

"This will probably be our last pinning for a while, and I'm extremely proud of the people we were able to bring on board," Chief of Police Charles Fivecoat said. "I'm confident that every one of them has embraced the culture of the Wasco Police Department and has the safety and welfare of all of our citizens."

In other news, Chief Fivecoat was happy to report a decrease in violent crimes. He also said, "When we first started, we were recovering a lot of guns on car stops. Now we are not seeing as many guns. I attribute that to the fact that the officers are out there moving around, and the would-be violators with these guns understand the chances of getting caught are much higher."

Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains attended the meeting to ask for a letter of support from the council for the "Grow Our Own" Medical School Bill she introduced so that Kern County could be home to a new medical school. She said that Kern County has some of the worst health outcomes in the state.

"A medical school can do a lot of good for our community. We can address healthcare shortages, we can train more doctors and nurses, can create more good-paying jobs, and diversify our economy. This is the way that we start to tackle our healthcare issues in the valley," Dr. Bains said.

Councilmember Gilberto Reyna was in agreement. "Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains's unwavering dedication and determination have led to remarkable achievements in serving her constituency. I greatly admire her tireless efforts, and she has my sup