Articles written by Jamie Stewart
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Council approves committee to explore library use
The City Council approved forming an adhoc committee that would explore ways to keep the library open. The library is currently open two days a week until June. The City of Shafter came to an...
Landmark hotel vandalized
Shafter's Green Hotel, a historical landmark, was vandalized for the third time in the last 90 days over the weekend, after several windows were broken, the glass front door was smashed and the fence...
Cemetery district manager to retire
Tim Unruh, who has served Kern County and specifically the areas around Shafter and Wasco, as the district manager of the Kern Cemetery District, is retiring at the end of this week. Unruh has held...
Young Adult Theater following the Yellow Brick Road in May production
The city's Young Adult Theater will be presenting their annual production in a couple of weeks, taking local theater-goers down the Yellow Brick Road as they look for the Wizard of Oz. Cris Starrh...
Easter message speaks of hope
After a year in hiatus due to the pandemic, the Shafter Community Sunrise Easter Service made a return on April 4. The event began at 6:30 a.m., with music being played as the sun broke over the...
3 sisters focus on creative businesses during pandemic
The Ceja sisters were determined to make the most out of the pandemic, launching new businesses that not only let them be creative, but bring in some extra income. Vahira Ceja, who has had experience...
Generals stomp Broncos, continue undefeated
The Shafter High Generals shut down the Kern Valley Broncos, 48-0, continuing their undefeated streak since their recent win against Arvin. Celebrating their seniors during Senior Night, Quarterback...
Generals win big in season opener
The Shafter High Generals took to the football field for the first time since the pandemic began, winning 52-3 against the Arvin Bears. The Generals began the game strong, scoring three times in the...
Vietnam veterans are honored at gallery
Vietnam veterans were celebrated and honored during a ceremony March 29 at the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery in Bakersfield as part of National Vietnam Veterans Day. Shafter native Ed Gaede, who has...
Lennar opens new phase for community
Lennar Homes is opening a new phase in Gossamer Grove for homes. Lennar opened the Summer Series with models with three and four bedroom options, along with a flexible floor plan. Lennar also offers...
Easter service begins at sunrise Sunday
Easter will once again be celebrated with a Sunrise Service on Sunday at 6:30 a.m. after the service was canceled last year due to the pandemic. The service will be held at “The Green,” at the...
New Distinguished Young Woman to be named April 10
The Distinguished Young Woman of Shafter program, previously known as the Shafter Junior Miss program, will be held on Saturday, April 10. Due to pandemic restrictions, the event will be shown online...
Florist shop sees increased demand
Sun Country Flowers has continued producing bouquets and gifts as more people began to send flowers to loved ones, owner Carol Reichenbach said, making 2020 one of the shop's busiest years. Instead...
Pet of the Week: Trina is looking for her forever home
This girl is Trina, a brindle and white Pit Bull/Shepherd mix. Trina is about 1 year old and is a really sweet pup. She will need someone to teach her manners and some basic commands. She is shy...
Meadows: Development in city strong amid pandemic
Development in the city is staying strong amid the pandemic as a drive-thru car wash and an Amazon fulfillment center prepare to open their doors. With the majority of the businesses having to at...
Bulky waste event draws over 200 participants
Over 200 residents loaded up their bulky waste and drove it over to the bulky waste drop-off event this past Saturday. American Refuse, partnering with the City of Shafter, hosted the event. Several r...
Gallery to salute Vietnam veterans
The Portrait of a Warrior Gallery in downtown Bakersfield will be holding a ceremony on March 29 in observance of National Vietnam Veterans Day. The gallery is honoring the 176 Kern County veterans...
Tigers defeated in opener at Templeton
The Wasco High Tigers couldn't dig out of a first half hole when they traveled to Templeton to take on the Eagles on Friday night, dropping their season opener by a score of 39-22. "Offensively, we...
Generals ready to hit the field as sports resume
The Shafter High School sports programs got the green light and are preparing for an abbreviated season, with the only exceptions being indoor sports such as basketball, volleyball and wrestling. The...
Shafter High program helps students thrive together
As the pandemic continued, a group of Shafter High students were feeling disconnected with their peers as they left the school campus to learn at home. The group soon developed a solution to help...
Book details experience in Vietnam as a young soldier
A project 50 years in the making for Shafter resident Barry Bongberg has finally come to fruition. Bongberg recently published "Dear Mom and Dad - Letters from Vietnam," a project which began for his...
Shafter Library to reopen for 3 months
The City Council approved an agreement with Kern County to open the Shafter Library for two days a week for the next three months, beginning in April. In March 2020, the library was closed due to the...
Shafter seniors returning to campus
Shafter High School and the rest of the Kern High School District schools are preparing to return to campuses in April. The district board approved a plan that would allow seniors to return to campus...
Minter Field Air Museum gets new roof
The 80-year-old roof on the Minter Field Air Museum was peeled off this past week as the museum got a new roof thanks to the community's help. During the pandemic, the museum had to suspend the...
Motorcycle driver killed in crash
A Shafter man was killed after his motorcycle and a pickup truck collided on Lerdo Highway Tuesday. Jonathan Rosales, 21, was pronounced dead at the scene after the crash around 3:20 p.m. According...