Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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As a gateway to knowledge and culture, libraries play a fundamental role. Their services create opportunities for learning while supporting literacy and education. They help shape the new ideas and perspectives central to a creative and innovative society. The Wasco Branch Kern County Library does this while providing many other benefits to the community. Visitors enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere while they sit and read. Many use other resources like audio books,...
Wasco High Track attended its first meet on Feb. 25 at Liberty High and showed good promise for the rest of the season. “Track is not about wins and loses, it is about individual improvement. Athletes are competing against themselves. I know if the athletes stick with it they will continue to improve weekly,” said Chad Martinez, Wasco High’s head coach for Track. Mens Varsity at Wasco High is off to a respectable start. Hector Magallanes, Elijah Gonzalez and Tommy Ruvalcaba placed 38th, 43rd, and 44th respectively in the 1...
Rigoberto A. Sanchez, 75, of Wasco, passed away March 10, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Delois S. Craig, 82, of Bakersfield, passed away March 10, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Barbara Scott, 82, of Wasco, passed away March 14. Graveside service to be held at Shafter Memorial Park on March 25, beginning at 1 p.m., Peters Funeral Home, Shafter....
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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 93263, or e-mail it to [email protected]. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: A S Gauge Model Train Layout built by Jim Taylor in the Baggage Room at the Shafter Depot Museum in 1...
Harold C. Simpkins, Sr. passed away peacefully at this home on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 10:15 a.m. at the age of 83. He was born to Raymond and Florence Simpkins, Sr. on Jan. 22, 1939 in Camden, New Jersey. He had one older brother Raymond. He married Barbara Schutte in August 1959 and they had 3 children. They were married for almost 54 years when Barbara passed away. He was widowed at the age of 74 and married his second wife Gwenda Davidson at the age of 76. Harold was a...
Terry Lewis was born June 4, 1958 to David and Wanda Lewis in Miami, AZ. Terry went home to be with Jesus on Feb. 11, 2022 while awaiting a liver transplant. His family moved to Bakersfield around 1966. He attended Horace Mann Elem., Sierra Jr. High and East Bakersfield High graduating in 1976. Terry worked for the Forest Service the summer of 1976. He then went to work for Aaron Lumber Co. in the truss yard. He met his wife, Joni Handel, in April of 1977 cruising Chester Ave....
You know that moment in the movies... someone who's terrified of heights must climb out on a ledge or jump between two high buildings. And they look down and the fear that overwhelms them almost makes them lose their grip and fall. We live in uncertain, scary times and the last thing we need to do is look down. If you look down... at your problems and your worries for too long, you'll soon be depressed and afraid to go on. If you look down... at your cell phone or tablet and...
A car show was held recently, displaying over 50 cars and trucks, from classic hot rods, to antique cars and trucks, giving the attendees a variety of vehicles to peruse. The event was held in honor of Freeman Nixon, a longtime Shafter resident and car aficionado. Held at Don Mettler's place on Mannel Avenue, the show included a number of cars that have cruised the Shafter streets for over five decades. Ruby Hickman, who has been involved in local car shows for years, was in...
Wasco Tigers Tae Kwon Do offers the community a place where people can learn key life skills such as confidence, respect, discipline and self-defense while simultaneously strengthening the mind and body through teaching the art and techniques of Tae Kwon Do. Tigers Tae Kwon Do is a family-owned business that has served Wasco for almost 20 years. Father Rigo, mother Rosa, and sons Brian and Alexander Solorio teach and run the school. "We coach ages three and up and have student...
The City Council formed a committee to handle illegal fireworks during its meeting this week. "At a previous meeting, the topic of illegal fireworks was discussed in some depth, and there was a request to form a committee from the council to meet with the fire chief, and perhaps sheriff's department representatives along with myself to explore this in significantly more detail," said City Manager Scott Hurlbert. "An ad hoc committee would be the appropriate vehicle for that di...
During a recent sweep, 10 arrests were made for open charges, active warrants and parole violations along with 2,800 pills of suspected fentanyl. On March 9, deputies from the Kern County Sheriff's Office, along with the Shafter Police Department, Kern County Probation Department, Kern County Sheriff's Office HIDTA Task Force and the Department of Homeland Security conducted a probation/warrant sweep within Wasco, according to a press release. It was an ongoing investigation...
K12 Energy, a solar power provider, recently presented to the Wasco Union High School District Board of Trustees as it considers going solar. "Solar energy is becoming more common for individual homeowners, and there are school districts that have gone solar. With this analysis, we hope to assess the possibility of adopting a solar strategy," Superintendent for Wasco Union High School District Rob Cobb said. The presentation was one of three planned to help decide whether to...
Local restaurant Don Pepes has recently undergone a renovation to beautify the space. Renovations included new tables, paint, murals and light fixtures. Owner Jose Martinez has worked hard since opening the restaurant in 2017, reopening the restaurant after it had declined with its previous owners. During the pandemic, Martinez took the extra food, cooked it and gave it away to the community. The response was so great, Martinez said, he bought more food to finish the week and...
Karl F. Clemens Elementary School announced its weekly Super Students. Criteria for selection were based upon significant improvement in math, showing kindness to all friends, respect, and hard work, following class procedures, helping other students understand new concepts, and improving learning English. From left, front row, Aaliyah Bernal (K), Cristopher Hernandez (1st), Selena Mixca (2nd) From left, back row, Eduardo Pimentel (4th), Vice Principal Mrs. Hummel, Edgar...
President Cheryl Woody and the Wasco Woman's Club members honored art students from Wasco High School after not being able to for the past two years because of covid-19. The art and photography were on display at the clubhouse. The students that participated in the photography category were Erik Silva, Alex Trevino, Jazmin Flores, Leslie Pruneda, Gabriel Villasana and Abram Aboytes. Students participating in the art category were Faith Reyes, Ann Marie Rivera, Alexis Figueroa,...
I was so sad recently to hear of the passing of Pastor Jim Neal, of the First Southern Baptist Church, who passed away in late February. Pastor Neal was one of the first pastors I talked to when we were reviving the Pastors Corner section of the Shafter Press. Neal and Pastor Pat Coyle were the stalwarts in the city, never hesitating in sending in a piece when needed, which a lot of the time was pretty often. Pastor Neal sent in so many articles that inspired, touched, and...
Every Wasco Independence High teacher must select a different student each quarter to be honored. The criteria is based on Student Learner Outcomes (SLO's): S-skillful, O-open minded, A-accountable and R-respectful. Students of the quarter are Falcons that SOAR. From left, Mr. Castro, Mrs. Castillo, Gael Lopez, Brianna Flores, Ciara Garcia, Arturo Perez, Sergio Lopez, and Mr. Dominguez. Bottom left, Mr. Rowland, Guadalupe Leyva, Ms. Gonzalez, Mr. Prado, Ms. Martinez, Mrs....
Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) introduced AB 2602, which will boost revenue for the "Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids" program. The bill is intended to support county child abuse services, increase local child care provider recruitment and fund children's safety programs across California. According to the Center for Disease Control, unintentional child injury is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States, killing approximately...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club held their monthly Terrific Kids luncheon, recognizing students who best exemplify traits that describe Terrific Kids in the program specifics. The program promotes character development, self-esteem and perseverance. "Terrific" is an acronym for Thoughtful, Enthusiastic, Respectful, Responsible, Inclusive, Friendly, Inquisitive and Capable. Students work with their classroom teachers to establish goals to improve behavior, peer relationships,...
On Wednesday, March 23 at 6 p.m., Wasco Independence High School will host a paint night event for students, staff and families. The community is invited to join. "We have done this event for several years. With Covid-19, we took a break, and we are happy to resume what is always a fun occasion," art teacher Monica Adams said. "The focus of the evening will be to paint in line with the season. We will be painting beautiful almond trees in bloom." Students and staff are...
March 9 Roseanna Ruth Lara, 36, of Shafter, was arrested on the 200 Block of Central Valley Hwy for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant and assault with a deadly weapon. March 11 Rosendo Telez Jr, 25, of Shafter, was arrested on N. Shafter Ave. and Poso Ave. for disorderly conduct under the influence of drugs. Michael Figueroa, 33, of Shafter, was arrested on the 200 Block of Central Ave. on a felony bench warrant, controlled substance paraphernalia, possession of over 28.5g marijuana, disorderly conduct: alcoho...
As activities restart and businesses reopen, we will try to update readers on the status of events and activities throughout the area. Please contact Erica Soriano with additions and changes at [email protected] or call 661-292-5100 by Monday at 4 p.m. for that week’s paper. Ongoing Wasco Elks Golf Tournament — The 2022 Wasco Elks Golf Tournament is on April 23. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and it is four-man teams. The tournament will be at the North Kern Golf Course, 17412 Quality Road, Bakersfield. Call Ser...
A Shafter High student was injured after he was stabbed by another student Monday afternoon after school, Shafter Police reported. According to Shafter Assistant Chief Diana Barnett, the department were dispatched to the high school, but they are not the investigating agency. “I can tell you that the kid is okay, but we are not doing the investigation,” said Barnett. “That is being conducted by Kern High School District Police. According to a release sent out by the Kern High...
The City Council approved a lease agreement that will allow American Refuse to utilize the old Corporation Yard to store their waste containers during the transition of the city going to a three cart system. Mayor Cathy Prout asked if the agreement was flexible if someone was interested in purchasing the property. Public Works Director Michael James said something could be worked out if there was interest in the property. James said the project should take no longer than one...
