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Articles from the November 14, 2024 edition


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  • Shafter's Teen Challenge program offers second chances

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    Shafter Teen Challenge is a free, one-year residential, faith-based program for men ages 18 and older who suffer from any addiction. The goal is to transform lives, offering hope and a brighter future. Greg Hill, a Shafter native, has been a kitchen manager and teacher advisor for five years. He is a testament to the impact Teen Challenge can have on an individual. "I'm a product of the program," he said in an interview last week. "In 2017, I came here broken and homeless. I had a rough...

  • 2ND UPDATE: Milligan named new police chief

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    Captain Randy Milligan, who has been acting chief of the Shafter Police Department for the past year, has been named to permanently head the force. A pinning ceremony will take place Dec. 7, an email invitation said Friday. Milligan, a 26-year veteran of the force, replaces Kevin Zimmermann, who resigned on Wednesday following a long disability leave. The city agreen to pay Zimmermann a $245,203 12-month severance settlement, provide COBRA benefits for 12 months and pay out his accrued vacation...

  • Wings 'N' Wheels soars at Minter Field

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    Minter Field Air Museum hosted its 7th Annual Wings 'N' Wheels event on Saturday, showcasing a variety of aircraft, tractors and custom vehicles. The event featured vendors, a beer garden, raffles and a wide selection of food, offering a fun-filled day for families and enthusiasts of airplanes and cars. Thousands of spectators attended the museum's biggest fundraiser of the year, admiring nearly 75 private aircraft from across California and almost 200 custom cars, motorcycles and trucks on...

  • Art and literacy unite in library project

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    The Friends of the Shafter Library have launched the Book Bench project to inspire a love of reading across the community. This initiative combines art and literacy by placing benches designed to look like books, each painted with unique artwork, throughout town, promoting their mission to make literacy accessible and valued by all while beautifying public spaces with creative designs. Modeled after a public art installation by the Bakersfield Museum of Art, the project began with its first...

  • Tons of waste dropped off

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    Kern County Public Works hosted a bulky waste collection event on Saturday in Shafter. Residents could drive in and drop off their unwanted residential bulky waste for free. More than three tons of waste were collected, with 43 people dropping off items, most of which were appliances. (Photo courtesy of Kern County Public Works)...

  • Kiwanis dinner raises $10,000 for scholarships

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    It was a night of community and fellowship at the Kiwanis Club of Shafter Foundation Fall Scholarship Dinner, dedicated to raising funds for Shafter High School students. The event featured a lively reverse raffle, drawing guests together to support the mission of empowering local youth in their pursuit of education. The club's biggest fundraiser collected $10,000. Club President Phillip Jimenez, now in his second term, expressed his enthusiasm about the dinner's success: "We sold all our...

  • Vintage ornaments, holiday cheer await

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    The Shafter Woman's Club will host its annual fundraiser, A Holiday to Remember, on Wednesday, Nov.20. Tickets are $28, including a Chicken Cordova lunch and a door prize ticket. This year, attendees can explore a special vintage ornament sale. Over the years, the Shafter Woman's Club has gathered handmade ornaments crafted by past members. Each unique ornament, priced at $2, carries a tag with the maker's name and donation year. "Come pick up a piece of history!" invites Kathy Gamboa. A $5...

  • Voters support incumbents; bond measure OK'd

    The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    Incumbents appear to be the winners in most local races, with enough partial results of the Nov. 5 election to make calls ahead of the 30-day deadline for final results. Kern County, as well as Shafter and Wasco, bucked the state and followed the winner in voting for President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Rep. David Valadeo took a close contest from perennial opponent Rudy Salas, in a district seen as critical for Republicans to hold. Dr. Jasmeet Bains held a healthy lead to return to the Assembly. In local races, Pete...

  • Kiwanis Club honors Terrific Kids

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    It was a joyous occasion for local students at the monthly Shafter Kiwanis Club luncheon recently, honoring Terrific Kids for the enthusiasm they brought to the classroom and their academic endeavors. Parents and community members were in attendance to celebrate the students nominated by their teachers for demonstrating the character trait of enthusiasm. In addition to the delicious lunch enjoyed among their peers from other schools, each student received a certificate of recognition, a pencil,...

  • Cortez leads effort for new Wasco chamber

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    The Wasco Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture is on its way, with Tilo Cortez, co-owner of California Home Pros, leading the effort. Inspired by his previous experience on the City Council and recognizing a void in the community that a local chamber could fill, Cortez said last week, "I felt that I am the right person to get it started because I am familiar with the needs of the business community as well as the city's regulatory requirements. I believe I can be a good liaison between those...

  • Community Calendar - Nov. 14, 2024

    The Shafter Press|Nov 14, 2024

    The Shafter Press and Wasco Tribune encourage local organizations to let the public know about coming events and activities through this column. Drop off or mail items at the office, 455 Kern St., Suite E, in Shafter, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, call 661-292-5100 or email esoriano@TheShafterPress.com. Deadline is 4 p.m. Thursday prior to publication. Updates will be on TheShafterPress.com and WascoTrib.com. ANNOUNCEMENTS Christmas Parade & Festival – Shafter’s Christmas Festival is Friday, Dec. 6, beginning at 4:30 p.m. in Mannel Park wit...

  • Mystery History - Nov. 14, 2024

    The Shafter Press|Nov 14, 2024

    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: The 1973-74 Winter Queen of Shafter High, Esther Albiar....

  • Arrest Report - Nov. 14, 2024

    The Shafter Press|Nov 14, 2024

    Nov. 4 Ryan Todd, 46, of Shafter, was arrested at Community Drive and Cobble Creek Drive for possession of unlawful paraphernalia. Nov. 9 Ali Mahmood Yassingazem, 23, of Shafter, was arrested in the 18600 block of Beech Avenue for kidnapping and conspiracy: commit crime. Joe Luis Ramirez, 58, of Shafter, was arrested in the 100 block West Orange Avenue for inflicting corporal injury onto a spouse/cohabitant, obstruction, robbery, damage to a wireless communication device and false imprisonment with violence. Teresa Vance, 57, of Shafter, was...

  • Hall of Fame welcomes Sean Medley

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    Sean Medley, a Wasco High School alumnus of the Class of 2013, was inducted into the Wasco Union High School Athletic Hall of Fame last month, a honor following a remarkable athletic career. Sean's high school years were filled with accomplishments in both wrestling and football, where he excelled and left a lasting impact. Originally from Los Angeles, Sean moved to Wasco after his father started working in Bakersfield quite often and he had a cousin in Wasco. Then, they met the Johnson family...

  • Students honor veterans with ceremony

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    The Teresa Burke Elementary School Student Council hosted its 10th annual Veterans Day program, honoring all who have served our great nation. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps members attended, creating a memorable morning for the school's 503 students as they gathered to show their gratitude and respect. Drew Raney, one of the Student Council advisors, was the master of ceremonies, with his father, Michael Raney, a trumpeter with 34 years of experience in the Bakersfield Symphony...

  • Wasco honors veterans, celebrates downtown renewal

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    The City of Wasco unveiled the Veterans Memorial Park with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony, honoring the courage, dedication and patriotism of those who have served and continue to serve our nation. This event also marked downtown improvements, showcasing a revitalization of the city center. Councilmember Gilberto Reyna thanked Caltrans for awarding the city a $5 million Clean California Local Grant, which funded the park's construction and the downtown beautification efforts. "This...

  • Wasco PD's first National Night Out

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    The City of Wasco, Wasco Police Department and other law enforcement agencies from across the area are inviting residents to celebrate National Night Out and enjoy a fun evening with local safety officials. Featuring free hot dogs (while supplies last), food vendors, music, emergency vehicles on display, demonstrations, and engaging programs and activities, the event aims to promote strong relationships between residents and law enforcement and strengthen neighborhood spirit. Its goal is to...

  • Big winners at Wasco Rotary festival

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    The Wasco Rotary Club held its annual Fall Festival fundraiser last week at the Wasco Elks Lodge, featuring a steak dinner, silent auction, 50/50 drawing and a reverse raffle with a $5,000 grand prize. The last five ticket holders, Greg Lane, Itze Rodriguez, Kenneth Newman, Ross Shafer and Clara Acosta, each received $1,000 after choosing to split the pot. US Bank Manager Rodriguez shared, "It's exciting. Especially tonight when the energy in here was so special. I'm going to take out my team...

  • A day of golf to honor Jesse Acebedo

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Press and Tribune|Nov 14, 2024

    The 8th Annual Jesse Acebedo Memorial Golf Tournament took place on Saturday, with 34 teams gathering to celebrate the life of Jesse Acebedo, who dedicated much of his life to serving in law enforcement, empowering Wasco youth and actively contributing to the community. Proceeds from the event benefited the Wasco Community Scholarship Association. Jesse's sons, Keith, Ben, and Jeff created the memorial golf tournament as a tribute to him. Ben shared, "When we first started, it was just my brothe...

  • Generals face Reedley in Valley semifinals after 56-7 win

    Jamie Stewart, For The Shafter Press|Nov 14, 2024

    The Shafter High Generals did not fall into the trap that so many teams fall into after having a week off when it comes to the playoffs. Head Coach Jerald Pierucci said that he was proud of the way his guys came out to take care of business on Friday night, dominating the eighth-seeded North High Stars, 56-7, setting up the Generals in a semifinal matchup with the fifth-seeded Immanuel Eagles of Reedley. "Sometimes you worry about being a little rusty after a bye week in the playoffs," said...

  • Lady Generals' season ends with semifinal loss

    Jamie Stewart, For The Shafter Press|Nov 14, 2024

    The Shafter High Lady Generals volleyball team advanced to the semifinals in the Central Section Division IV playoffs last week, but they lost their seminal match with the third-seeded Immanuel from Reedley in three straight sets. Shafter, seeded number two in the playoffs, had little trouble in the first round, dispatching Hanford West in three straight games. Led by the hitting of Sydnee Macias and Rylyn Hanner, the team was aggressive from the beginning and never let up. In the quarterfinal...

  • Girls tennis team makes it to Valley Championship

    The Shafter Press|Nov 14, 2024

    After a remarkable run, the Shafter High varsity girls tennis team competed at the Valley Championship in Delano on Tuesday, though they lost to Chavez 4-5. "Our season ended with a great battle for Valley. We fell short, but we are super proud of our hard work that led us here," player Ellen Esquivel said. Pictured are Yessica Gil, Katie Avila, Coach Jorge Maldonado holding their second-place plaque, Elissa Muñoz, Ellen Esquivel and Jayna Pierucci. {Photo courtesy of Ellen E...

  • Generals will face North in quarterfinals

    Jamie Stewart, For The Shafter Press|Nov 14, 2024

    The Shafter High Generals got a bye for the first week of the Central Section Division IV playoffs as top seed in the division, and with the ranking ensuring a home game throughout the gamers leading to the championship. The North High Stars, the number eight seed, defeated Templeton, setting up the quarterfinal against the Generals. Shafter has had another outstanding season, having the top ranking in Division IV throughout. It has been a challenge, though, with the loss of quarterback Ezekiel...

  • Shafter Commander teams make championship history

    Veronica Jacuinde|Nov 14, 2024

    The Shafter Commanders youth football and cheer organization, for ages 6-14 and part of the GEYFC league, made history this Saturday as their freshman, sophomore and varsity football teams each won the National Division Golden Empire Youth Football Championship for the 2024 season. President and headv arsity coach Fortino Valdivia, who also has helped coach Shafter High's varsity football team for the last nine seasons and is the co-chair of the Shafter Recreation and Parks District, said, "We...

  • Pastor's Corner: Don't stress – celebrate!

    Pastor Beverly Perello, Home Fellowship Church, Shafter|Nov 14, 2024

    We’re counting down to the end of the year, and we’re in what should be the best two months of the year! November and December have the most holidays, generally excellent weather (in our area anyway) and great food. What’s more, everything from school lesson plans to community activities in November are focused on gratitude, and in December on joy and peace. It should be amazing! Yet many of us are too stressed out and exhausted to take a walk in the cool, crisp air or to enjoy the great opportunities to gather with friends and family. It’s har...

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