Opinion
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Pastor's Corner - Nov. 7, 2019
Few passages have caused as much fear and anxiety as the verses where Jesus states that there is an unpardonable or unforgivable sin, which is mentioned in all three Synoptic Gospels (see Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29; Luke 12:10). Many questions...
Couch's Corner - Nov. 7, 2019
I got the chance to speak at the second Annual Civil Rights for Immigrants Conference recently in October at Hodel’s. It was an honor to be invited by the host, the Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance (GBLA), to welcome the attendees (about 280...
Pastor's Corner - Oct. 31, 2019
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” -- The Golden Rule “For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be...
Editor's Note | Jamie Stewart
I recently wrote a piece about new legislation that makes it illegal for schools to suspend students for “willful defiance.” This phrase includes noncooperation, such as cussing out a teacher,...
Couch's Corner
I recently learned of the Housing Authority of Kern’s concept of using farm labor camps they own in Shafter and Lamont to house about 50 homeless women from Kern County temporarily this winter. [Editor’s note: The county has since eliminated the...
Couch's Corner - Oct. 10, 2019
I recently learned of the Housing Authority of Kern’s concept of using farm labor camps they own in Shafter and Lamont to house about 50 homeless women from Kern County temporarily this winter. Having no more details than that, I let a member of...
Pastor's Corner - Oct. 10, 2019
No, I am not going to preach you a sermon this morning; this verse is just apropos to what I have been thinking about and dealing with -- thought maybe some of you have, also. Have you ever just...
Pastor's Corner - Oct. 3, 2019
James, the half-brother of Jesus, shared a bold statement that causes one to question whether he was in His right mind: "Count it all joy, brothers, when we face various trials” (James 1:2-3). Has...
Pastor's Corner - Sept. 5, 2019
Do you find it difficult to find peace in a chaotic world? At the rhythm that our world is spinning it is difficult to pump the brakes and simply breathe. I know that I have been there various times...
Couch's Corner - Sept. 5, 2019
The Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2019-20 budget last week. In addition, we also adopted a resolution declaring the end of the County of Kern’s fiscal emergency. By the end of this fiscal year – June 30, 2020 -- the county will...
Pastor's Corner - Aug. 29, 2019
Do you find it difficult to find peace in a chaotic world? At the rhythm that our world is spinning it is difficult to pump the brakes and simply breathe. I know that I have been there various times...
Couch's Corner - Aug. 29, 2019
The Board of Supervisors adopted the fiscal year 2019-20 budget on Tuesday. In addition, we also adopted a resolution declaring the end of the County of Kern’s fiscal emergency. By the end of this fiscal year – June 30, 2020 -- the county will...
Letter to the Editor - Aug. 15, 2019
To the editor: I considered it an honor and privilege to have served the City of Shafter for 20 years as a member of the City Council, eight of those years serving as mayor. Throughout those 20 years, the council worked together to maintain a...
Can't wait for sequel
You can smell it in the air. The green grass is being tended, the fields being prepared for another season of gridiron battles. This is my favorite time of the year, as the football teams begin practi...
Pastor's Corner - Aug. 8, 2019
“…Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:5 This is one of my favorite Psalms and one that has helped me through some tough bumps in the road of life. We all have...
Pastor's Corner - Aug. 1, 2019
A lawyer once asked Jesus, “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?” Jesus replied, “Love God with everything in you, and secondly love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:36-40). Who...
Pastor's Corner - July 25, 2019
“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” --Genesis 6:8 I am not going to bore you with how I happened upon this verse concerning the time of the great flood and righteousness of one man;...
Letter to the Editor - July 25, 2019
After reading Stan Voth's "Letter to the Editor" in the June 27 Shafter Press, I feel compelled to state a few more facts. The Richland School District is in a sorry state of affairs, with approximately a half-a- million-dollar deficit. The Richland...
Pastor's Corner - July 18, 2019
In the fall of 1958, it was the day of our an annual athletic physicals in our small rural community. On this appointed day every would-be athlete walked down to the local clinic to see Dr. Helmut...
Pastor's Corner - July 11, 2019
“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” -- Abraham Lincoln Doesn’t it seem as you look around, read the newspaper or listen to or watch the daily news that one of the key concepts missing in all of...
Couch's Corner - July 11, 2019
Kern Transit will offer free rides to those from Wasco and Shafter attending Bakersfield College. The rides will continue through the summer session. In addition, the county also has funding available to offer the program again during the 2019-2020...
Letters to the Editor policy
We received a letter recently but the letter was not signed, so we are unable to verify its author. Since it's the policy of the paper not to publish anonymous opinion, we didn’t have the privilege of printing the the submission. If any reader has...
Letters to the Editor - June 27, 2019
My interest in Richland School District affairs was again sparked by the forced resignation of Superintendent Dr. Garcia, and public statements by district CBO and others in position to know of the financial health of the district. Most enlightened...
Pastor's Corner - June 20, 2019
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must Be lived forward.”--Kierkegaard Is that statement right on target or what? I read that quote in a book I am reading, and it hit me squarely between the eyes! I suppose said another way is more f...
