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Articles from the June 23, 2022 edition


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  • Obituary: Mae P. Murphy

    Updated Jun 27, 2022

    On June 11, 2022, at 4 a.m., on the 44th anniversary of our family's arrival in California from New York, our Mom, Mae P. Murphy, 85, was finally able to reunite with the love of her life, her beloved husband, Edward K. Murphy. We are certain that our Dad ran right past St.. Peter to be the first one to welcome her through the pearly gates! Dad was a mere 43 when he died, and they only had 11 years of marriage to cherish each other. After 47 years apart, they are together...

  • Pastor's Corner: The real answer to gun violence

    Pastor Steve Dobbs, Community Circle Church, Shafter|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    I am sure by now most of you reading this have heard about the many mass shootings throughout the last few decades. It is tragic all of the lives that have been lost to senseless violence. Before you stop reading, I ask you indulge me a few more minutes. I am not going to argue for or against gun control or for more laws in regard to gun violence. I would argue that since the Columbine school shooting in the 1990s, we have passed many new laws and had countless hours of...

  • Death Notices - June 23, 2022

    The Shafter Press|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    Rita Gay James, 77, of Bakersfield, passed away June 12, in Arvin. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Felipe Quijas, 67, of Shafter, passed away May 16, in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter....

  • Obituary: Randall Jerome Penner

    Updated Jun 27, 2022

    Randall Jerome Penner was born on Aug. 2, 1952, in Bakersfield, to Arthur and Donna Penner. He died on June 12, 2022, at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. Randy, the third of four children, lived his entire childhood in Shafter, growing up at the generational family farm house just north of town on Los Angeles Avenue. Randy loved living at the house, playing all sorts of games in the yard surrounding the home while also spending summers working on his father's farm....

  • Water rate hikes could reach 56%

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    The city's consulting firm presented scenarios for the proposed water and sewer rate increases. All proposed options raise the price of those services 56% over five years to meet the state-mandated water usage target of 52.5 gallons per capita per day by 2025. There is a target of 50 gallons per capita per day by 2030. Civil enforcement actions against noncompliant urban water providers will take effect in 2027. This water usage target is for efficient indoor water use such...

  • Mystery History - June 23, 2022

    The Shafter Press|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    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: At St. Marks Church, Father Lamar Hayes and wife Tony with their fellowship in the mid to late '90s....

  • Headlines in History - June 23, 2022

    The Shafter Press|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    1 years ago: June 13, 2012 City of Shafter broke ground on the new Veterans Park site. The park, at Schnaidt and West Los Angeles, now features a water park, soccer field, football field and more. 20 years ago: June 19, 2002 Former Principal Rose Shannon of the Richland Primary School was named Administrator of the Year by the California School Administrators Association, West Kern Chapter. 30 years ago:[ June 24, 1992 Manuel Melero was the first Hispanic to be sworn into...

  • Arrest Report - June 23, 2022

    The Shafter Press|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    June 13 Juan Jose Flores, 46, of Shafter, was arrested in the 500 block of Mettler Avenue on a felony bench warrant. June 15 Jose Reyes Soto, 39, of Shafter, was arrested on North Shafter Avenue and West Lerdo Highway for arson: property and on a misdemeanor bench warrant. June 16 Tracy Medina, 29, of Shafter, was arrested in the 100 block of West Lerdo Hghway for driving an unregistered vehicle and on a misdemeanor bench warrant. June 18 Adrian Arredondo, 33, of Shafter, was arrested on Soaring Heights and Cobble Creek on a...

  • Community Calendar - June 23, 2022

    The Shafter Press|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    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 NEW: The City of Wasco invites children ages 5 to 10 to lead the flag salute at the start of City Council meetings. You pick the date, and we sign you up. Leaders must be ages 5 to 10 and know the Pledge of Allegiance. If you and y...

  • 430 homes planned for open land

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    The City Council Tuesday night approved a two-year deadline extension for CJ Development’s plan for two land tracts near the area of Fresno Avenue, Beech Avenue and East Tulare Avenue. A preliminary plan offered by owner Dennis Handel calls for a 430-home development on the land, creating the largest residential subdivision in the city aside from Gossame Grove. Members Chad Givens and Pete Espinoza recused themselves from the discussion, since they own property within 1,000 f...

  • Council approves surplus budget for 2022-23

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    The Shafter City Council, after several workshop, unanimously approved a budget with a modest surplus in 2022-23 The budget approved Tuesday night projects operations revenue of about $44.9 million, with expenses at about $44.4 million. This is a dramatic increase in the revenue from 2021-22, which saw the city still recovering from the pandemic. Sales tax is responsible for 43% of the city's revenue, giving the city a leg up on other comparable cities, led by the strong...

  • Plans forming for a new thrift store

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    Shafter shoppers may be getting a new option – with budget prices. Listen to Shafter and the Mennonite Central Committee Thrift Shop Network plan to open a new thrift store in town, according to Nancy Neufeld and Katie Wiebe, organizers of the business. They revealed the project at last week's Community Task Force meeting. Customers of the thrift shop would get quality products at discount prices. Wiebe said that the store would focus on clothing and household products, s...

  • Shafter man convicted of murder in fatal DUI crash

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Updated Jun 27, 2022

    Steven Flores Garza, who killed two people and injured a third when his vehicle collided with a Honda sedan in 2018, was convicted of six charges, including two charges of second-degree murder in the case, the highest possible penalty involving a DUI case. Garza faces 35 years to life in prison. Garza, who at the time of the 2018 accident was driving on a suspended license, had five prior DUI convictions before the fatal crash. In this case, Garza was being chased by local...