Serving the community since 1922
Serving the community since 1922
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Allen Lee Warkentin was born in Dalhart, Texas, to Karl and Elisabeth Warkentin. The youngest of five siblings, his family moved during the dust bowl and relocated to Reedley, where Allen grew up. He attended Immanuel High School, class of 1950, and then continued his studies at Pacific Bible Institute (now Fresno Pacific University), where he met his future wife, Belva Becker of Shafter/Wasco. They married in 1953 and had some additional adventures (like the Navy '56-'57)...
The community of Shafter can be counted on to support the students in Shafter, be it buying candy to raise funds for trips to providing school supplies for the school year. On Aug. 6, a Stuff the Bus event collected backpacks, pencils, paper and other supplies that the kids will need. Assemblymember Rudy Salas, partnering with Shafter Healthy Start and several local clubs and organizations, were at the Dollar General Store in Shafter, filling a big yellow school bus. Isabel...
John L. Prueitt Elementary School kicked off the new year with excitement. Six hundred four students made their way back for the first day of school. The students dressed to impress and showed off their new school year clothes and backpacks. Some students waited anxiously the whole summer, ready to embark on their new school year. Parents kept their children busy, preparing them by reading and engaging in other educational activities. Other students said they were nervous...
The Wasco FFA Chapter is a pathway to success for those students interested in agriculture. It is a youth leadership organization rooted in the industry, benefitting participating students at Wasco High School from all it offers. "Our Wasco ag program is special because we are really focused on hands-on experience. We have a family structure and we build on student interest," Anthony Farao, an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor explained. There is a leadership component...
Anthony Ornelaz grew up in Wasco and has many fond memories of his childhood. Despite being poor, he was able to transcend past that and achieve many great things. He attended John L. Prueitt Elementary School, Karl Clemens Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Wasco High School. Recently Ornelaz received the Pat Tillman Foundation Scholars Award. The award is named in honor of the former professional football player who left his career to enlist in the army...
Hebrews 10:23 says, Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised. In this world that we live in we are going to need spiritual endurance and stamina. We must hang onto the Lord and His Word. The Bible tells us to fight the good fight of faith. We are living in uncertain and perilous times, but God is faithful! Deuteronomy 7:9 says, He is the faithful God. That is his character – faithfulness. Scripture teaches that no m...
Alejandro Morales Pallares, 47, of Delano, passed away July 31, in Madera. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Claudia Mora Lopez, 32, of Wasco, passed away July 26, in Wasco. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Carl Damon Shugart “Big Shug”, 49, of Wasco, passed away Aug 2, in Wasco. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Maria Cruz Velez, 83, of Lost Hills, passed away Aug. 3, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Maclovia P. Reyna, 65, of Shafter, passed away Aug. 7, in Chula Vista. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Raf...
My little brother, Marlo Glaser, passed away after a short illness on July 14, 2022. He was born in San Diego and lived in Hawaii, Escondido and Texas, with our parents Leland and Jackie Glaser. For over 30 years, he lived in Wasco, where he met and married the love of his life, Karen Robertson. They were devoted to each other until her death in September, 2014. They are now together again. Marlo was an accomplished builder and contractor throughout his professional life,...
Ascencion "Guero" Caudillo, a 65-year-old lifetime resident of Shafter, passed away on Aug. 4, 2022. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his children and the love of his life, his wife, Eliza. Guero was born to his beloved mother, Frances Gutierrez. There is a saying – "A mother is her son's first true love." Frances most definitely was his first love. His greatest love, though, was his wife, Eliza. They were blessed to have 33 wonderful years together. He was a man with a t...
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Sara came into the Wasco Animal Shelter as a stray. She is approximately 2-3 years old, a female min pin mix. She is great with staff and other dogs and has been tested with large and small breeds. It is unknown if Sara is house/crate trained at the time. Dogs are not tested with children; her behavior towards children is unknown. She will be available for adoption on Aug. 15. Everyone is welcome to adopt from our facility, and we like to give everyone the same opportunity to...
Go on out to the Shafter Animal Shelter, 18849 S. Shafter Ave., to meet a lovely little lady that may be a perfect fit for your home. Becky is a shepherd mix that is about 5 months old. Becky is very sweet and energetic. She is also curious about toys and treats. Becky will need a big back yard to run around in and some obedience training would be a good idea. Becky has passed her Safer Evaluations testing and is great with other dogs. For more information, visit the shelter....
The City of Wasco, in partnership with SNIP, held a free mobile spay and neuter clinic for residents. "All across the country, we are facing a crisis of pets dying in shelters that do not have homes," said registered veterinary technician Kandice Webb. "These pets end up here because of irresponsible owners breeding their pets without regard for the crisis in our shelters." The event was aimed at reducing the population of strays. "I wish more people would spay and neuter,...
One person was killed Aug. 3 when a Toyota Camry was traveling in the area of Highway 99 and Lerdo Highway turned over and burst into flames. The tan Camry flipped over several times before it became engulfed, according to the account given by one of the passengers to the CHP. At around 8:30 p.m., officers from the California Highway Patrol were dispatched to the area of Southbound 99 and Lerdo Highway. Upon arrival, the officers found a vehicle engulfed in flames. According...
The Books in Motion program came to the Shafter Library and Learning Center last Friday to perform Splat the Cat with a Bang and a Clang. BIM is a collaboration of the Kern Dance Alliance, a nonprofit dance advocacy organization supporting and promoting dance and the arts in Kern County, and Kern Literacy Council, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming lives through literacy. By summer's end, eight Kern County dance groups will have given more than two dozen Books in Motion performances at libraries across Kern County....
A large mounted Golden Eagle was stolen from the Wasco Museum during the week of April 13. A "generous reward" will be presented, without any questions, to anyone that returns it. It was a prized artifact for the museum. The eagle has a wingspan of about 3 to 4 feet and stands about 2 feet tall. A prominent Wasco citizen gave it to the museum in the early 1970s. Marlene Swan and Bob Ellis, curators at the museum, say they would appreciate any information leading to the...
Wasco Independence High School leadership welcomed their students back with high hopes and a positive outlook. "I look forward to meeting the new batch of Falcons and graduating our seniors by May 26th," said Principal Rusvel Prado. Ninety percent of the student population is composed of seniors. "What excites me are the challenges. Most of our students are behind in credits, and we work hard to get them back on the right track. I know we have a staff that can do that." The...
The Freewill Baptist Church in Wasco will be providing a free hot meal to anyone in need on Friday evening Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. This is a Matthew 25:35 Ministry, which serves those in need. The scripture expresses the compassion and servitude of Jesus Christ. “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in.” According to Mike Miller, of the Wasco Freewill Baptist Church, the idea cam...
Aug. 1 Israel Gomez, 35, of Shafter, was arrested in the 100 block of Beth Eden Avenue on a bench warrant/failure to appear on misdemeanor charge. Jose Cruz Rodriguez, 43, of Shafter, was arrested in the 300 block of Central Avenue on a bench warrant and for failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Bianca Chamale, 37, of Shafter was arrested on the 700 block of South Shafter Avenue for bench warrant/failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. Michael Figueroa, 33, of Shafter was arrested on Burbank Street and Highway 43 on...
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, including Justesens, a drugstore under Dr. Duck's dentist office and Valentine's Cafe &...
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 NEW: Waste collection – Saturday, Aug. 13, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event at 17621 Scofield Ave., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Accepted materials include batteries, motor oil, paints, light bulbs, pool chemicals, automotive pro...
Aug. 8 was the first day of school for the Wasco Union Elementary School District. It was also the start of something grand. Throughout the district, almost 3,400 students embarked on the new year. "Looks like we have an increase of students across the district and anticipate we are up already about 100 students," said Superintendent Kelly Richers. "Most of the students appear to want school attendance though we are still offering remote as needed." WUESD strives for...
The Wasco Rose Festival is back to being held the first weekend after Labor Day, and many special activities are planned. Over three days, a number of events will take place. There will be a kick-off on Thursday, Sept. 8, with the Miss Wasco Rose Queen Pageant at the Wasco Union High School Auditorium at 6 p.m. It promises to be full of entertainment as the candidates have been practicing since May. Be on the lookout for ticket sales at the end of August. On Friday, Sept. 9,...
At least two new candidates will challenge incumbents for two City Council seats this November. Mayor Prout and Councilmember Cesar Lopez have turned in paperwork for another term, along with Gustavo Olvera, Jr. and Rafael Zamudio. Olvera, a local real estate agent, served for 12 years as a member of the Shafter Police Department. He retired as a sergeant. Olvera said that he had to have a backup plan after retirement, and real estate was the perfect fit. Zamudio ran...
