Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Pastor Brian Klassen is the new chaplain of the Wasco Police Department, being a bridge between the police force and the community. He comes with almost three decades of experience in ministry and said it is an exciting opportunity. "I believe coming to Wasco means that I'm called not only to pastor a church but also to serve the community. It's working with Chief [Charles] Fivecoat; he is an amazing man. I've had the pleasure to meet several police officers, and I think they...
The Wasco High School swim team is set for its first meet on March 1 at the Wasco pool. It is a South Sequoia League meet and Shafter, Taft and Delano will compete. It promises to be an opportunity for the team to showcase the talents they have been working hard to cultivate under the leadership of Head Coach Chris Gebhardt. "Chris has almost a decade of coaching experience. His coaching philosophy is unique. "I look at coaching swimming more than just the swimming. My goal is...
In another historic accomplishment for Wasco High School athletics, the varsity boys wrestling team made history by winning the Valley Championship. The girls team had standout performances, with Areli Solis securing the Valley Champion title in Division 1 and seven girls qualifying for the masters. Juan Gallardo, the head coach, described winning the prestigious championship as exciting. "It was something I never felt before that the kids did it. The kids were committed to...
The Wasco Elks Lodge #2419 will host its 2nd Annual Clay Shoot Tournament on Saturday, April 6, at the Kern County Gun Club. Jeff Tackett, past exalted ruler, is spearheading the event. "It's a shotgun start like golf. There are teams of five with 18 stations. Each team will take turns shooting at each station. The highest score among the teams, male, female, youth shooter, will win a trophy." He invites the community to attend. "Come out. You'll have fun. It's interesting."...
The City of Wasco has been awarded the prestigious Annual Comprehensive Financial Report award for 2022. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the city, since it was last recognized in 2012. "This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of every member of our team. Over the years, we've faced challenges such as frequent staffing shortages and frequent leadership turnover within the Finance Department, making this achievement even more remarkable,"...
Brad Maberry, a dedicated educator and community leader, has been an integral part of the Wasco Union Elementary School District since 1996. Starting as a teacher, he has gradually climbed the ranks and, in 2023, assumed the role of superintendent. He is a native of Bakersfield but has worked in Wasco since 1996. "It's a magnificent small town with caring parents and community members; the small-town culture is really what has kept me here." Maberry has stayed involved in the...
Esmeralda Díaz is the proud owner of Esmeralda’s Flower Shop & More, a quaint flower shop and secondhand store that offers a variety of new and gently used items. She bought the establishment from a previous owner who had the business for over 40 years, and she wants to continue with the legacy. “I opened two years ago and have been blessed so far. The community has supported me, and for that, I am grateful. After being around for so long, the business has great pote...
The Wasco High School wrestling team, under the guidance of Head Coach Juan Gallardo, has emerged victorious from the South Sequoia League Championship. The team's achievements and the dedication of both players and coaches have led to a memorable season. About the win, Coach Gallardo said, "It's wonderful. Overall, with varsity boys, varsity girls and the JV boys, we had 20 champions." As the head coach, Gallardo oversees 48 wrestlers with the help of eight other coaches....
At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, the Wasco City Council recognized the newly formed Wasco Police Officers Association. Employees of the department formed the WPOA to represent officers and other staff when negotiating a memorandum of understanding with the city. In Wasco, as is common in most cities, the MOU document acts as a labor contract to establish hours, wages, working conditions and policies for its members in collective bargaining. "We are happy to see our Poli...
A 52-year-old woman suffered multiple life-threatening stab wounds and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment after an carjacking attack Monday. The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m. in the 400 block of Peppermint Court in Wasco. During an investigation, deputies from the Wasco and North Area substations identified Randy Flores-Lopez, 21, from Wasco, as the suspect. Flores-Lopez also took the victim’s silver 2005 Chrysler minivan, California license plate 6LQE90...
Mike Martin is a story of inspiration from humble beginnings, from a family of hardworking farm laborers to owning multiple companies, including a spreading, composting and pistachio company. He is an example of the values of perseverance and the importance of dreaming big. He was born in Visalia in 1965 to parents who worked in the fields. From an early age, he started working alongside them. This experience taught him the lessons of a strong work ethic that would serve him...
On Saturday, it was the official grand opening and ribbon cutting of the completion of the renovation of the old PG&E building by California Home Pros. It was an opportunity to spotlight the business along, with Sherry Knapp's California Home Loans and the opening of Pops Barbershop. "It's a culmination of a year's worth of hard work of getting the building ready for our customers and contributing to the beautification of downtown 7th Street," California Home Pros owner Tilo...
The Shafter Ford Theater has set auditions for their upcoming production of "Anne of Green Gables." This classic tale is set to come alive on stage, and the theater is looking for talented individuals to bring this beloved story to life. Audition packets for "Anne of Green Gables" will be provided upon request. These packets contain information about the characters, scenes and the overall audition process. Auditions will be held on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10 and 11, from 4...
Barber Bros launched in 2023 and has since developed a reputation for its commitment to quality service and its vibrant, friendly atmosphere. Owner Luis Magallanes said he started the business because of all the luxuries afforded by being an entrepreneur: "I wanted the freedom to make my schedule and have the flexibility to spend time with my growing family." Magallanes is a Wasco native and thought the city was the perfect place to open the barbershop. He's familiar with the...
Criston McPhetridge is an outreach pastor for Westside Family Fellowship who turned his life around after being addicted to drugs and alcohol and who now volunteers to help the homeless and minister in the Philippines. He is gives of his time not for the recognition but for the love of it. His story is one of inspiration, having overcome a 20-year addiction that almost destroyed him. "I started using meth at 17 and didn't stop until I was 40. I was going down a path where I...
The Wasco Police Department and Arvin Police Department have announced a long-term collaboration to enhance police operations, training and interagency relationships. WPD Chief of Police Charles Fivecoat said, "We have used the same model throughout my time as a chief, even when I was in Shafter. The idea is to maximize resources to benefit our communities' citizens, which is why this collaboration is good." "You look at all the officers, sergeants, lieutenants and everybody;...
A recreation and parks district enhances a community's overall quality of life by providing spaces for residents to engage in activities promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being. In Wasco, Chris Serna is the manager of this city agency and is responsible for leading the organization in innovative and interactive programming for all ages. She has held the position for two years, previously being employed primarily in the public sector. She is not from Wasco – "But I...
The Wasco High School varsity girls soccer team is blazing a trail of success this season, emerging as the top leader in the South Sequoia League. With an impressive record of five wins and one loss, they have firmly secured the top spot and are poised for further triumphs. Jose Castro has been the head coach for the last four years. He said the team's success can be attributed to the girl's willingness to try and learn. "We have been working off-season for the last two years...
The Wasco High School varsity cheer team competed in the California Interscholastic Federation Valley Championship and won, making history by being the first in the school ever to earn this title. Cheer Advisor Hailey Coyle said, "I am extremely proud of the girls and coaches on this huge accomplishment. This team is so deserving of this title. It takes a lot of hard work, long practices, dedication and drive to achieve something like this. Cheer is not easy. It's not easy...
The Knights of Columbus set up hundreds of crosses on the lawn of St. John the Evangelist Church as a visual tribute to lives lost to abortion. This observance aligns with National Sanctity of Human Life Day to encourage reflection on the value of human life amid the ongoing abortion debate. "The Knights have been doing these for four or five years," Grand Knight Joe Blanchard, the group's leader, said. "It's been just our way of letting people know about the sanctity of...
For over two decades, Tilo and Jenny Cortez have served the greater Kern County Community and beyond with their real estate and property management company, California Home Pros. With a commitment to excellence of the highest quality, they have helped many families achieve the American dream of owning their own home. Their business continues to expand, and the company purchased the old PG&E building to grow its business and renovated the location for its new office last year....
With the recent passing of the beloved Wasco community activist Cherylee R. Wegman-Craig, many friends remembered her with kind words and shared memories of working with and knowing her in various capacities. Petra Rueda, former president of the Wasco Union Elementary School District board, knew Cherylee for almost 30 years and got close to her recently, working alongside her on the school board. "She was a very nice, respectful woman and had a lot of knowledge to share with...
The Wasco Union Elementary School District held its 41st annual Science Fair on Saturday, showcasing the talent of its student body. A total of 267 projects were displayed, representing the efforts of 377 students. The event demonstrated the district's commitment to fostering a love for science and learning while providing a platform for young minds to explore, innovate and share their discoveries with the community. Kory Mildenberger, a Palm Avenue Middle School science...
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...
The Shafter Police Department is supporting the newly established Wasco Police Department by selling three vehicles at a discounted rate of $600. "We know that Wasco is an up-and-coming agency, and we want to support as much as possible. So that is when I contacted Chief Fivecoat and asked if he would be interested in obtaining the three vehicles we were going to be taking out of our inventory," Acting Shafter Police Chief Randy Milligan said this week. "These vehicles are...
