Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
The annual Blaine Willard Memorial Car Show, held on Saturday and presented by the Wasco Elks Lodge #2419, drew a record crowd of car enthusiasts. The event was a tribute to Blaine Willard, who served the lodge and the community for many years. The large turnout demonstrated just how much Blaine was admired, with attendees coming from near and far to honor his memory. Linda Ballengee thought it was a great show. Her husband, Mark Ballengee, brought his 1933 Victory, and she...
The Young Adults Theater of Shafter will perform "Drop Dead Disco," a captivating murder mystery dinner with audience participation that showcases the ttalent of its actors. The event will raise funds for the Shafter Children's Summer Theater and Young Adults Theater of Shafter productions, said Joshua Cooley, the show's director. The evening promises to be packed with entertainment, with dinner and desserts served while a sibling trio gains ownership of a discotheque....
James Osborne is originally from Nashville, Tenn., and came to Shafter in 2019. Along with his wife, Cur'Neisha, he runs a nonprofit called Villagers Inc., which serves underprivileged youth by offering educational study trips, life skills training, leadership development, and food and home resources to the parents. Osborne is running for one of three seats to be filled on the Shafter City Council, against incumbents Mayor Chad Givens, Gilberto Alvarado and Pete Espinoza, and...
The Wasco Union High School Class of 1974 gathered on Saturday to celebrate their milestone 50th reunion. Classmates traveled from as far as Florida, Texas, Idaho, Nevada, Washington and Arizona to reconnect with old friends, relive memories from the past and catch up on the last five decades of each other's lives. For Jann Hill, it was a special opportunity to see John Herrick. "We were close friends in high school, and he was in my wedding. The last time I saw him was 40...
The Shafter community came together Tuesday evening to celebrate National Night Out, an event designed to foster stronger connections between law enforcement agencies and residents. Hosted by the Shafter Lions Club and the Shafter Police Department, the gathering offered a chance for community members to interact with officers in a relaxed, friendly setting, with the goal of promoting trust and collaboration. "It was a team effort between me and the Lions Club," Councilmember...
An emergency was averted by the Wonderful Aviation team at Meadows Field on Friday when a pilot on a King Air 90 flight from Henderson, Nev., to Monterey Bay, became unconscious. A student pilot found herself flying the aircraft alone for the first time. Wonderful Aviation's pilots played a crucial role in guiding the student pilot – who had zero experience - through the crisis, helping her safely land the plane in Bakersfield. Chief Pilot Nick McLean said it was a matter...
Strata Credit Union will celebrate Día de los Muertos with a member appreciation event, on Friday, Nov. 1, at their Wasco branch. The gathering will include activities such as face painting, pastries, exciting raffles and giveaways, including a chance to take home a limited-edition tumbler. "We established the Día de los Muertos Member Appreciation Event to celebrate and honor both past and present family members, embodying the rich cultural traditions that resonate deeply...
Karl F. Clemens Elementary School announced its Super Students for the week of Oct. 7. Criteria for selection were 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. Front row, from left, are Principal Anabel Garrison, Alexander J. Hernandez (5th grade), Anthony Beltran (4th grade), Isaiah Matamoros (3rd grade), Julian Hernandez (2nd...
Irma Ceja is a Chicana artist and muralist. She paints anime characters on tote bags, clothing, and shoes, which she sells online, at pop-ups, special events and galleries. Her artwork often depicts females, such as the Virgin Mary and other feminine influences. She is currently working on a large scale, colorful mosaic mural commissioned by the Urbanist Collective, representing the rich agricultural community of Delano. "I love that my art can be used to help beautify a...
When our mail came recently, there was a flyer for a product I've seen on TV quite a bit, "Leaf Filter." It's designed to fit over rain gutters to keep leaves and other debris from clogging up the gutters and downspouts on a home. Although we don't need it for our home, the flyer did spark a thought: How is the filter doing that that keeps my mind, and life, from being clogged with thoughts that can be destructive? The Bible is very clear that we are faced with three distinct enemies of our souls; the world, the flesh and...
Margarita Lopez, 60, of McFarland, passed away Sept. 26, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Ricardo Ramirez Llanas, 62, of Hollister, passed away Oct. 1, in Hollister. Peters Funeral Home,...
Ann Sill Hayes, 89, passed away on Sept. 20, 2024, in Shafter. Born on Sept. 24, 1934, in Bakersfield, she was a lifelong resident and grew up in the Sill family, a Kern County pioneer family in farming and ranching. She had fond memories of the Sill family and growing up on the ranch in Shafter and later moving to Bakersfield. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Frances Sill, and sister to Ben Sill. Ann attended St. Francis Elementary School and graduated from Garces High...
Sept. 29 Teoduia Lopez, 57, of Shafter, was arrested at Blake Avenue and Elm Street for DUI and driving an unregistered vehicle. Miguel Angel Zamora Medina, 40, of Shafter, was arrested at South Shafter Avenue and West Ash Avenue on an outside warrant and a bench warrant/failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Victor Urrea Sandoval, was arrested in the 800 block of North Central Valley Highway for DUI and outside agency warrant. Sept. 30 Christopher Rojas, 24, of Shafter, was arrested on Scaroni Avenue and West Lerdo...
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, CA 93263, or e-mail it to mysteryphoto@The ShafterPress.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Graddy's Goal Busters battle it out in a Shafter AYSO soccer match Oct. 3,...
The Shafter Library & Learning Center is pleased to welcome the new community services supervisor, Rebecca Bernal. The position has been redesignated from SLLC manager because in addition to leading the team at the SLLC, Bernal will be involved in planning and organizing the city's downtown events. Her first day was Sept. 23. Bernal is returning to work in Shafter after a few years with the Wonderful Company's College Prep Academy in Delano and Lost Hills. She graduated from...
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