Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Get ready for the City of Shafter's Christmas Tree Lighting, Sing and Community Celebration in downtown Shafter this Monday. Enjoy a night of holiday cheer to honor local athletes, savor delicious food and music, and end the evening with a visit from Santa. Distinguished Young Woman of Shafter, Camryn Eubanks, will light the 22-foot community Christmas tree. "It's huge. This year, we are doing a white theme with big snowflakes, iridescent ribbons, and white and silver ornaments. The Lions Club...
Zachary McGraw, a sixth-grade teacher at Golden Oak Elementary in Shafter, was arrested on Monday for allegedly possessing child abuse materials, according to officials. The 38-year-old was detained at his Bakersfield home in the 15000 block of Pinion Court, near Hageman Road and Rudd Avenue. McGraw was taken into custody around 7 a.m. on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material and intending to distribute obscene content involving a minor under 18. According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office inmate search page, he is being held o...
A vehicle got stuck on the train tracks at Central Valley Highway and East Los Angeles Avenue in Shafter at about 5:33 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and was struck by an Amtrak train. A 55-year-old female was able to exit the vehicle before a tow truck could remove it from the tracks. Amtrak train 714, traveling south from Oakland to Bakersfield, came to a stop just beyond the train crossing after colliding with the car, according to Shafter Police Department Lt. Marvin Gomez. "Normally, we would...
The Young Adults Theater of Shafter will present “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at the Shafter Ford Theater on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. Dessert by Bloemhouse Bakery and Tin Cup Coffee will be provided during the performance. Under the direction of Rori Acres, the cast of 12 has been rehearsing since October to bring this classic Christmas story, where Charlie Brown searches for the true meaning of Christmas. Not finding it in the silly, goofy advice of his "fr...
The three appointed members, Vincent Martinez, Miguel Raya and Eddie Saldaña, were sworn in at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Valentin Medina was reappointed mayor, while Eddie Saldaña also was reappointed as mayor pro tem. Although this year's election was canceled because Martinez, Raya and Saldaña ran unopposed, they still are considered elected. Councilmember Gilberto Reyna nominated Medina and praised his performance as mayor since August, saying, "He's done a great job, and I think he...
The Light Up Wasco Christmas Cruise is more than just a holiday event; it's a celebration of community spirit, creativity and the magic of the season. On Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 18 and 19, the Wasco Recreation and Parks District, in partnership with the City of Wasco, invites families, friends and neighbors to embark on a magical drive through Wasco, where homes are transformed into displays of holiday lights and decorations. Each stop on the map along the cruise through Wasco, where...
The Wasco Toys for Tigers Christmas Tree Spectacular brought holiday cheer on Tuesday with activities like face painting by the Orange Heart Foundation, cookie decorating, marshmallow snowmen, crafts, games, a candy walk by the Elks ladies and letters to Santa. Treasurer Pat Ketcherside called it "the event of the year, heartfelt with so many children." She thanked those who supported the Wasco Bengals. Pictured are Juliet and Melody Garcia sharing a special moment with Santa and Mrs. Claus,...
Last week, some Wasco residents noticed cloudy water coming from their taps. The city quickly identified the issue, which was linked to the reopening of a well that had been undergoing repairs. According to City Manager Scott Hurlbert, when the well was brought back online, it is likely that sediment that had settled in the system was disturbed and released into the water supply, causing the cloudiness. While the water looked unusual, Hurlbert assured residents that it had been fully tested...
Captain Randy Milligan, who has been acting chief of the Shafter Police Department for the past year, has been named to permanently head the force. A pinning ceremony will take place Saturday, Dec. 7, an email invitation said Friday. Milligan, a 26-year veteran of the force, replaces Kevin Zimmermann, who resigned on Wednesday following a long disability leave. The city agreed to pay Zimmermann a $245,203 12-month severance settlement, provide COBRA benefits for 12 months and pay out his...
The Wonderful Company recently hosted a visioning workshop, inviting Shafter community members to give design input on its planned Lerdo Residential Project. "The project is meant to provide affordable housing options for young families wanting to build their lives in a safe and welcoming community like Shafter. I hope people will feel like they belong and are proud to live in Shafter, just as I have these past 40 years," explained John Guinn, executive vice resident and chief operating officer...
It was a celebration of local law enforcement at Wasco's National Night Out last week, as agencies from Wasco, Shafter, Avenal, McFarland, Arvin, the Kern County Probation Department and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation joined together in a show of unity with residents. The newly renovated downtown along 7th Street and the plaza in Wasco provided the setting for the festive block party. The event featured a variety of attractions, including food vendors, free hot dogs...
Wasco Cub Scouts Pack 950, serving children from kindergarten through 5th grade, and the BSA Scouting Boys and Girls Troops 950, for 6th grade through age 17, are at risk of closing due to low membership. Destini Mello, committee chairman for Pack 950 and a former scoutmaster, explained the challenge: ""Membership is being affected by low numbers. We are down to six Cub Scouts, five boy troops, and no girl troops. At our highest, we had about 40 Cub Scouts and 20 in each of the boy and girl...
A recent WalletHub report ranked Wasco as the third worst small city in America, but community leaders are offering a much more positive outlook, highlighting the unique qualities that make Wasco special and the strides in public safety achieved by the new Wasco Police Department. Community Development Director Keri Cobb said she doesn't dwell on these types of reviews. "They can be informative in terms of concrete numbers and things we might need to work on, but ultimately, the folks at...
The City of Shafter will pay Chief of Police Kevin Zimmermann a $245,203 12-month severance settlement, provide COBRA benefits for 12 months, and pay out his accrued vacation in exchange for his resignation, effective Nov. 20. This agreement was announced in a statement read by City Attorney Marco Martinez during the closed session of the Tuesday, November 19, city council meeting. Martinez stated that all terms are pursuant to Chief Zimmermann's employment agreement. In return, the chief...
The PRIDE Pantry at Shafter High School is calling on the community to join its annual community re-stock drive-through drop-off and school-wide Thanksgiving collection drive to help gather essential supplies for students and families in need. On Thursday, Nov. 21, the school will host a drive-thru drop-off event from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the front of the school. You will also be able to utilize boxes placed around town. This is a chance to make a direct impact by donating much-needed items...
Get ready for a magical evening on Friday, Dec. 6, when the Shafter Christmas Parade and Festival brings snow to Mannel Park, thanks to the Lions Club. The festivities will kick off at 4:30 p.m., offering a feast for the senses with a diverse range of dishes. From Mexican favorites to Korean delights, there will be something for every craving. Sip on specialty drinks such as hot chocolate, champurrado (a warm, thick Mexican chocolate beverage) and freshly brewed coffee, or indulge in sweet...
On Saturday, Dec. 7, Santa Claus will make a special early appearance in the area, accompanied by Mrs. Santa Claus. "I personally know Santa, and I'm able to get him to fly in from the North Pole to Minter Field Air Museum and deliver stuffed animals to all children, compliments of PetSmart Ming Avenue," Chairman Ronald Pierce said. Santa will arrive at 11 a.m. The museum, at 401 Vultee Ave., will be open for the public to tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The museum also will observe Pearl Harbor...
The 2024 Wasco High School Valley Champion cheer and Tiger wrestling teams, along with the JV and sophomore Bengals football teams, will be this year's Honored Guests and Tree Lighters at the Kindness Shines Wasco Christmas Festival Saturday, Dec. 7, marking the event's inaugural year at the newly opened Wasco Downtown Plaza on 7th Street. "We are so excited to announce that the Wasco Christmas Festival is moving back downtown!" Orange Heart Foundation President Traci Mills-Clendenen said....
The Wasco City Council will fund an expanded Veteran's Banner Program for family and friends to honor their veterans through a personalized banner flown on downtown light posts during portions of the year. The $5,000 approved at Tuesday night's meeting will be used to create, repair and replace damaged banners, covering the cost of new banners for friends and family facing a financial barrier. The city has recently installed a video screen at the new Veteran's Memorial at 7th Street & F Street....
A Wasco man received a prison sentence of over eight years for a DUI-related crash in July 2022 that killed a 1-year-old infant and left five others injured in Shafter, according to Kern County Superior Court records. The crash occurred on July 23, 2022, at approximately 4:30 p.m., when Irving Rodriguez-Barraza was driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck eastbound on Burbank Street with a passenger. According to the California Highway Patrol, Rodriguez-Barraza ran a stop sign at the intersection of...
Don Sushi, a unique fusion restaurant blending the flavors of Japanese and Mexican cuisine, opened its doors in Wasco in August. The restaurant is the collaborative creation of owners David Sauceda, Baudel Guerrero and chef Kevin Vizcarra. Vizcarra, who has been cooking since the age of 16, says his passion lies in the reactions of customers as they experience his dishes. "What excites me most is seeing the look on customers' faces when they try our plates. And also, the possibilities that...
Almost 20 vendors gathered for the annual Wasco Woman's Club Pop-Up & Craft Fair on Saturday, with food and drinks sold by the club. The Orange Heart Foundation provided face painting for the children, and all the money raised from the event will go back to the community. "Thank you to all those that came to support us," Co-President Petra Rueda said. Pictured are OHF co-founder Orquidea Ocampo, Wasco Woman's Club Co-President Petra Rueda and OHF co-founder Traci Mills-Clende...
The Shafter High School girls varsity tennis team claimed second place at the Division IV Valley Championship Central Section last Tuesday at Cesar Chavez High School in Delano. Coach Jorge Maldonado, a 32-year Shafter High School soccer coach, social studies teacher for 27 years, MEChA club advisor and LISTOS program advisor, brought a fresh approach to the team in his first season as their coach. "It was an outstanding season starting in the summer when we did conditioning. I'm a new coach,...
Shafter Teen Challenge is a free, one-year residential, faith-based program for men ages 18 and older who suffer from any addiction. The goal is to transform lives, offering hope and a brighter future. Greg Hill, a Shafter native, has been a kitchen manager and teacher advisor for five years. He is a testament to the impact Teen Challenge can have on an individual. "I'm a product of the program," he said in an interview last week. "In 2017, I came here broken and homeless. I had a rough...
Captain Randy Milligan, who has been acting chief of the Shafter Police Department for the past year, has been named to permanently head the force. A pinning ceremony will take place Dec. 7, an email invitation said Friday. Milligan, a 26-year veteran of the force, replaces Kevin Zimmermann, who resigned on Wednesday following a long disability leave. The city agreen to pay Zimmermann a $245,203 12-month severance settlement, provide COBRA benefits for 12 months and pay out his accrued vacation...
