Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Rita A. Portwood was born on Dec. 13, 1932 in Stigler, Okla., and passed away peacefully at her home in Wasco on April 9, 2019 after a short illness. She was 86 years old and had been in the capable hands of in-home caregivers, as well as hospice care. Rita enjoyed the family farm life and attending yearly reunions of the extended Mills family. She also enjoyed a cattle ranch she and her husband owned in Springville for over 40 years; she loved the cattle, wildlife and hiking...
The earthly journey of Ione R. Jensen Lollar came to an unexpected end on April 1, 2019. Living with the lifelong motto of "Life's a Journey," what a journey she had! Ione was born in Curtis, Neb., on June 15, 1936 to loving parents Clarence "Butch" and Ebba Jensen. At age 3, the family moved to California, where Lollar would live for the next 80 years. Ione attended Wasco schools and graduated from Wasco High in 1954. Her journey continued to UCLA and Children's Hospital...
Vicky Ann Jacobs was born in Delano on Oct. 21, 1956, to Elzie and Joan Grissom. She fought a 13-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis and passed away surrounded by her loving husband and children on April 16, 2019. Vicky enjoyed cooking, baking and shopping, as well as spending time with her children, grandchildren, and little dog, Peanut. Vicky joins in Heaven her parents, Elzie Lee Grissom and Joan Grissom (nee Montgomery); second husband, David A. Gonzales; and nephew,...
This week I wanted to discuss what seems to be the most controversial issue in our nation at this moment: immigration. It's important for all of us to understand the roles of all the different jurisdictions of government so that we can better know where one goes to get the results we want. As part of that, I have made it a goal of our office to better understand immigration law and policy and to understand where the county fits in this equation. As part of that education...
Thurman Junior Bruce, 78, of Bakersfield, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2019 surrounded by his loving family. Thurman was born May 26, 1940, in Quinton, Okla., to the late Thurman Bruce of Arkansas and Opal (Harris) Bruce of Oklahoma. He joined the Teamsters April 21, 1971 while working at Niagara Chemical Co. He started working at United Parcel Service Nov. 15, 1971. On Nov. 14, 1989 he was appointed Shop Steward for the Teamsters and became an executive board member of...
Arturo Gutierrez Lemus, 82, passed away April 16 in Bakersfield. Services pending. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Maria Luisa Sanchez, 71, passed away April 17 in Bakersfield. Services pending. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter....
The city of Shafter will be giving residents a good reason to do some spring cleaning by holding a Spring Clean Up Saturday, April 27 at the Shafter Aquatic Center. Residents can drop off any unwanted bulky items for free. This event is not only a bulky waste disposal event, but also a full spring cleaning for the city. Citizens, groups, clubs are welcome to join in to clean the city. Volunteers are welcome to join in the event, and groups and areas will be assigned. Each individual will receive bags and gloves to help pick...
Easter weekend will be busy for Shafter residents who want to celebrate the holiday with the community. The Shafter Ministerial Association will once again host the annual Sonrise Service at Mannel Park. The service will take place on Easter Sunday beginning at 6:30 a.m. Mike Scialabba from the Congregational Church of Shafter will be delivering the message. The service will begin as the sun rises with a praise and worship time, singing of hymns and spirituals. Teen Challenge will be on hand to perform with their choir....
A special joint meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission will take place on Monday, April 22 beginning at 5 p.m. at the City Council chambers. This meeting is to receive an update on a plan for reducing air pollution in the community. The City of Shafter and the south area of Fresno were chosen as the two pilot communities to test the bill and the process of deciding what cities can do to cut their pollution levels. A committee was formed in Shafter that is researching how and where to put up a monitoring...
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, Your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” -- Mahatma Gandhi I heard a speaker say one time that the worst thing a person can do when starting a speech, sermon or an article such as this is to begin with an apology. But here goes. You will please forgive me as I share on the subject of forgiveness. You see, I have had a very full week, with this subject taking center stage on each turn. A...
Today we mourn the loss of a great man, Fred Starrh, patron of the arts, sciences and his church, lover of his family and community, local farmer and an approachable, larger-than-life friend to many people across the nation. Fred slipped peacefully from this world on the evening of April 16, 2019 at the age of 89, at home while under the care of his wife, Linda Starrh. Fred was born in Arizona on June 15, 1929 of humble circumstance, the youngest son of a family growing...
Longtime Shafter patron and national farm leader and innovator Fred Starrh passed away Tuesday, April 16, at age 89. He died following a stroke, the family said. Starrh moved to Shafter at age 7 when his family left Tucson, Ariz., in 1936. Starrh farmed with his father and passed the tradition on to his family as they grew the farm into one of the leading cotton farms in the county, as well as branching out into almonds and pistachios. He was generous in his local leadership,...
Arthur Wilson McDonald, Jr., 66, of Shafter and Norman, Okla. passed away April 4, 2019, in Bakersfield. Mario Montoya Montoya, of Shafter, passed away April 13, 2019, in Shafter. Services pending. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Thurman Junior Bruce, 78, of Shafter, passed away April 13, 2019, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter....
1 years ago: April 11, 2019 The Shafter Depot Museum opened two new exhibits, a parlor and a kitchen to represent the 1930s. The new features are on the second floor of the museum. 20 years ago: April 28, 1999 Hall Ambulance was welcomed to the Shafter community. The Shafter Chamber of Commerce celebrated with a ribbon cutting. 30 years ago: April 19, 1989 Shafco, the local hardware/contracting store, announced they were closing after 40 years in Shafter. --Compiled by Erica...
The Shafter Recreation and Parks District held their annual Easter Eggstravaganza earlier this month and drew almost 600 people from all over the community. The event was more than just an egg hunt. Of course, there were egg hunts for several different age groups and all of the children received their share of plastic eggs, filled with candy and prizes. They also gave away two bicycles, one for a girl and one for a boy. There was plenty to do other than hunting also,...
The Shafter Rotary Club hosted Dr. Julie Bousch, principal at Maple School, at a recent club meeting. Bousch made a presentation on the newly formed Maple School Foundation that was created to fund projects that the school has planned for the future. Maple School is in the middle of a major renovation project that saw the demolition of the cafeteria, classrooms and administrative buildings, making room for new structures and giving the school a full makeover. Bousch...
A meeting was held to bring together members of the community who are involved in maintaining about 20 Little Free Libraries in the city, with two more boxes in La Colonia and one at Smith Corner. The purpose was to let the more than 20 stewards of this work meet one another and be encouraged to continue and broaden the project, with the common interest of providing free reading material to children and adults. The March 25 meeting hosted by Jill O'Brien, Katie Wiebe and...
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Ron Warkentin was born on March 14, 1950, to Katherine (nee Bestvater) and Aaron F. Warkentin of Shafter. Ron graduated in 1968 from Shafter High School, where he developed his love of tennis. He was a fierce competitor who went on to win the Bakersfield City Tennis Tournament's Mens Divisions D, Cc and B at the Racquet Club. Ron started his work career with Superior Farming Co. as a pest control applicator. At one time he owned the Union 76 station at Lerdo and Highway 99....
This week's challenge, courtesy of the Shafter Historical Society. Send your educated (or semieducated) guess to The Press, 406 Central Ave., Shafter 93263, or e-mail it to [email protected]. Winners will be revealed here next week, along with the facts behind this photo and a new one to challenge you. LAST WEEK: "Raisin Sweet" boxes in the field belonging to William C. Unruh of Shafter....
April 8 Courtney LeeAnn Vela, 35, of Shafter, was arrested on the corner of North Wall Street and Poso Avenue. for trespassing and refusing to leave. April 9 Arthur Joseph Martinez, 35, of Shafter, was arrested on corner of North Shafter Ave and Poso Avenue for possession of a controlled substance. Miguel Omar Camacho Ramirez, 38, of Shafter, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance/paraphernalia and possession of burglary tools. Juan Humberto Loza, 22, of Shafter, was arrested for receiving and knowing it was...
ANNOUNCEMENTS NEW: Auction dinner -- Shafter Commanders Auction Dinner fundraiser Saturday, April 27, at the Shafter’s Veterans Hall, 6 p.m. Lots of sports memorabilia, unique gift baskets and items to bid on, both live and silent. Full steak dinner and dessert for $25 a plate. All funds raised go directly to the program for newer safer equipment and to keep our athletes’ cosst down. NEW: Law Day -- At the Beale Library Auditorium, Wednesday, May 1, 12-6 p.m. at 701 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield. Free 15-minute consultation wit...
The Minter Field Air Museum has been putting the history of Shafter aviation on display for decades, and the facility keeps growing bigger and better. The facility houses an amazing collection of artifacts and photographs of the men and women who were stationed at the base, in addition to the history of other regiments across Kern County. Museum Chierman Ronald Pierce says that the museum tries to keep adding to the collection, making it a new experience every time they...
Gossamer Grove, the new development at the south end of the city, held an Easter egg hunt for the entire community, drawing Shafter residents, as well as nearby residents of Northwest Bakersfield, on Saturday at Flight Park in the development. Attendees were treated to an Easter egg hunt for children, separated by age groups, followed by free refreshments and free tote bags for the children to take their collection of eggs home. There was also a visit by the Easter Bunny, who...
The City Council will pay $4.15 million for a new home for the city's Public Works yard. The council Tuesday night approved the purchase of land previously occupied by Global Fabricators, near the Shafter CCF facility, at Commercial Way and East Ash Avenue. The Public Works yard, currently located at 550 North Shafter Ave., has outgrown its space and the new location will have enough space for the recycling station, equipment yard and office space. "The staff is really...
