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Articles from the May 18, 2023 edition


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  • Survey: Residents see drop in quality of life

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    The Shafter City Council listened to a presentation of a citywide survey that was given to Shafter residents. This survey included how residents rated their quality of life, job growth, state of their neighborhoods and housing developments. Most residents, when asked what their satisfaction rating of their quality of life, answered "good or excellent." The 68% who answered positively was a 7% drop compared to the survey done in 2021. As far as how residents viewed their quality of...

  • Trojans get a glimpse of future home

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    The eighth grade students at Richland Junior High got a glimpse of their future recently when they took a field trip to Shafter High School. The Trojans had a chance to meet some Generals, as well as visit classrooms and tour the campus. A lot of the students enjoyed the look into their future. Students took part in a rally at the gym, and ate lunch in the cafeteria. They met the Shafter General mascot face to face, and took part in a quick orientation of the school and its surroundings....

  • New trash cart system gets mixed reviews

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023
    1

    It depends on who you talk to if you want to know the effectiveness of the new three-cart trash collection system that was implemented this year by the City of Shafter and American Refuse. According to Jeff Martin, owner and operator of American Refuse, the transition has been pretty smooth. It has had its bumps in the road, but overall, Martin has reported to the City Council at regular meetings that the system has been working and the public has been very helpful in their participation. If...

  • SHS brings Broadway to Shafter in 'Mamma Mia'

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    The Shafter Drama Club performed the broadway classic "Mamma Mia" last weekend, giving three performances of the popular production, delighting audiences with a quality show. Drama Advisor Hal Friedman, who is also the artistic director for the Ovation Theater in Bakersfield, led the group through a challenging production that had singing, dancing and acting at a high level. The play takes place on an island where Donna, an innkeeper and mother, is planning a wedding for her daughter Sophie....

  • Sound the Fire Alarm in Shafter

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    A Sound the Alarm event is coming to Shafter on Saturday, May 20, with residents of Shafter receiving free fire alarms. Home fires claim seven lives every day, and this event is intended to reduce those losse. Volunteers are needed for the event. No prior experience is necessary; training is provided. Volunteers may be asked to wear a mask at a resident’s request, and they will be provided. Those interested are asked to go to GROW Academy in Shafter at 471 W. Los Angeles Ave. from 9 a.m. to 2 p...

  • Planet Dance to sparkle on stage

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|May 18, 2023

    Planet Dance Studio will host an energetic Wild Wild West-themed recital to showcase the hard work of their over 75 students. They will perform 17 routines in jazz, ballet, hip hop and tap genres. It will be their summer show and midyear gala. The theme is country western, and the students will perform to some of the biggest and favorite country music songs, young and old. There will be elaborate and detailed costumes to align with the theme. Dancers range from age 4 and up. There are four...

  • New Wasco Police Department looks to be recognized

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|May 18, 2023

    Wasco is moving to make its new Police Department a Peace Officer Standards and Training recognized agency. At the city council meeting on Tuesday, the council took the first action needed to authorized the department to become a POST-recognized agency, adding police dispatchers to an earlier authorization. "We are modifying the 1961 ordinance to include police dispatchers," Chief Charlie Fivecoat said. "What we are doing is we are correcting the original POST authorization." "The way they are...

  • Wasco Police Department one step closer to fruition

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|May 18, 2023

    The launch of the Wasco Police Department is well underway and making substantial progress, led by Chief Charlie Fivecoat. Working in conjunction with City Manager Scott Hurlbert and other key staff, Fivecoat says he has nearly completed all of the logistics needed for the startup. He will soon be entering into the recruitment phase of the project. The tasks completed include the purchase of patrol vehicles, radios, computer-aided dispatch technology and weapons acquisitions. "We have been...

  • Mental health focus of church outreach event

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|May 18, 2023

    Flood Ministries and Free Will Baptist Church will hold their first Wasco Community Outreach event on Saturday, May 27, intending to raise awareness and help end the stigma around mental health. There will be mental health resources, homeless services, food, vendor booths and activities for the kids. The event is in collaboration with American Refuse, the Independent Living Center of Kern County and Kern County Superintendent of Schools. "Kern County Sheriff's Office and City of Wasco...

  • Community Calendar - May 18, 2023

    The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    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. ANNOUNCEMENTS End of the year event – The community is invited to Shafter’s Redwood Elementary Playground for food trucks, games, student performances, music and family fun. Friday, May 19, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Resource Fair – CPAK presents the 2023 Community Action...

  • Arrest Report - May 18, 2023

    The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    May 8 Ivan Isaac Garcia, 20, of Shafter, was arrested in the 700 block of Golden Poppy Court for battery: spouse. May 10 Joseph Anthony Sanez, 32, of Shafter, was arrested in the 600 block of Kern Street for possession of a controlled substance, on a bench warrant/failure to appear on felony charge and misdemeanor charge. Andrew Ruben Munoz, 50, of Shafter, was arrested in the 400 block of North Wall Street for disorderly conduct: alcohol. May 13 Rafael Gonzalez, 35, was arrested at 7th Standard and Galpin for operating an unregistered vehicle,...

  • Mystery History - May 18, 2023

    The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    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, CA 93263, or e-mail it to mysteryphoto@The ShafterPress.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Central Avenue, built in the mid 1930s....

  • Grocery Outlet looks to bring savings and quality products

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|May 18, 2023

    A new national retailer is in town, and the owners are excited to launch Grocery Outlet on June 15, with the owners hoping to bring the community great prices and a vast selection of quality products. It is a family-owned business, with Amor Regis and James Sauco at the helm. They bring experience they say will help them operate Grocery Outlet efficiently while providing value to the residents of Wasco. Amor's background is in accounting, where she specialized for 26 years and has owned a...

  • Elks to host a series of fun events

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|May 18, 2023

    The Wasco Elks Lodge has an exciting lineup of events, including a golf tournament and a car show for the community to enjoy. The golf tournament will occur on Saturday, July 8, at the North Kern County Golf Course in Shafter. Registration starts at 6 a.m., with a shotgun start at 7 a.m. Prizes will be given for the closest to the hole and the longest drive. The price is $500 per team of four and comes with a cart, lunch, greens fee and awards for first and second place. The tournament is for...

  • James Forrest Super Students

    James Forrest Elementary School|May 18, 2023

    James A. Forrest School announced their Eagles of the first quarter. Criteria for selection were academics, showing kindness to friends, respect and hard work, following class procedures, helping other students understand new concepts and improving learning English....

  • Headlines in History - May 18, 2023

    The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    4 years ago: May 18, 1883 Gregory Robert Davis (now known as Greg Fontes) graduated from the San Diego Naval Training Center. He specialized in electronics engineering. 30 years ago: May 26, 1993 Shafter High 1991 graduate Brian Schmidt got the opportunity to play in the AIA traveling summer baseball league in Asia. --Compiled by Erica Soriano...

  • Mustangs earns 14 medals in Valley Championships

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    The Maple School Mustangs Track team competed in the Valley Track and Field Championships in Clovis at Buchanan High School last weekend. The meet was a culmination of meets that the team had to qualify for at different levels. They competed in five different meets, having to qualify to move on the next level at each meet. The Mustangs started the season with 96 athletes competing in the first meet. After three meets, the Mustangs had 34 competitors qualify for the County Championships. After...

  • Super Students at Clemens

    Karl F. Clemens Elementary School|May 18, 2023

    Karl F Clemens School announced their Super Students for the week of May 8. Criteria for selection were based on academics, showing kindness to friends, respect and hard work, following class procedures, helping other students understand new concepts and improving learning English. Front row, from left, are Gabriel Mesa (1st grade) and Gabriel Estrada (kindergarten). Middle row, from left, are Carolina Bautista (5th grade), Alexandra Perez (4th grade), Genesis Gomez (3rd grade) and Briella Esquivel (2nd grade). Back row, fro left, are Vice...

  • Classified Ads - May 18, 2023

    The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    To see this week's Classified Ads, click on the e-edition icon above....

  • Pastor's Corner: Honoring our mothers

    Pastor Pat Coyle, Mennonite Brethren Church, Shafter|May 18, 2023

    May is one of those months that sees the weather get warmer, the end of the school year get closer, and we celebrate Mother's Day! Although not all of us are moms, we certainly all had one at some point in our lives. I know that many of you have lost your moms or realize the days you have together are far less than what have already passed. Let's also admit that we can sometimes take our moms for granted, so perhaps having at least one day per year to honor them, reminds us to do that more often! Let me suggest a few ways to do just that, even...

  • Death Notices - May 18, 2023

    The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    Anita Gonzalez Martinez, 84, of Bakersfield, passed away May 9, in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Maria Gonzalez Manzo, 100, of Wasco, passed away May 11, in Wasco. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Maria Refugio Delgado, 94, of Bakersfield, passed away May 10, in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Phillip Young Su Chang, 53, of Bakersfield, passed away May 8, in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter....

  • Erlinda Romo DeLeon

    May 18, 2023

    Erlinda Romo DeLeon, 81, passed away unexpectedly in Bakersfield. She was born in Wasco to Gonzalo and Margarita Romo on Feb. 4, 1942. She attended St. John's The Evangelist Catholic School through 8th grade and soon went on to graduate from Wasco Union High School in 1960. After high school, Erlinda enrolled at Frederico College and graduated with her degree in cosmetology. She soon moved to Los Angeles. After settling in L.A. and working as a beautician, she met Robert at a local dance and...

  • SHS spring sports playoffs under way

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|May 18, 2023

    The Shafter Generals' spring sports teams have entered the playoff phase of their seasons. The Shafter Swimming team competed in the Central Section Valley Championships at Clovis West High School Swimming Complex. They had a relay team and a couple of individuals qualify for the event. They came away with one medal, as freshman Josephine Martin won a sixth place medal in the 100m backstroke. Martin actually swam a faster time in her preliminary round, qualifying for the finals in fourth positio...