Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
Sorted by date Results 501 - 525 of 715
The city is investigating several options to reduce the amount of TCP 123 and nitrates in its water supply, Public Works Biridiana Bishop explained in an interview this week. The city awarded a professional services agreement to Dee Jaspar and Associates, Inc. to prepare an analysis of options for developing a treatment strategy for the water supply. These could cost the city millions of dollars, depending on the direction of the work needed to bring contaminant levels into compliance with state requirements. At the Sept. 17 City Council...
As a team, Optimal Hospice combines compassion with the art and science of medicine to help patients and families live life to its fullest. To continue this care, Optimal Hospice is always searching for volunteers to assist hospice patients. Optimal Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Alicia McGowan explained the need for volunteers from throughout Kern County to assist end-of-life or chronically ill patients on a daily basis. Doctors refer patients in need to a hospice organization, such as Optimal Hospice, and once that is done, McGowan is contacte...
The local coordinator of the Sheriff's Activities League described some of the important benefits of joining SAL at the Wasco Woman's Club's September meeting. Deputy Patrick Basquez, the SAL coordinator in the Wasco substation, told the group about what SAL does to aid the community. "SAL is a program that teaches leadership, responsibility and helps create productive citizens by preventing juvenile delinquency, crime and disrespect," he emphasized. "At the present time, we have 126 members...
The Wasco Festival has added a newcomer to its line of events. Alfred F. Miller has been added to the lineup of talent at this year's Wasco Festival, where he will be selling his book From Cows to Space with God as My Copilot: My Career and Family Life. Born and raised in Wasco, the 89-year-old Miller attended Wasco schools and graduated from Wasco High in 1948. Immediately after high school, he went to the University of California at Berkeley, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in...
Sergeant Negron Cruz of the U.S. Army was the guest speaker at Rotary this past Monday. Cruz shared his journey in the Army and explained that he served three tours in Liberia. "The Army offers 150 different careers," Cruz said. "I was a commander in the Delano recruiting office, and we have a lot of recruits out of that office." He said that the Army doesn't get that many recruits from Wasco. He described his journey from mathematics to engineering to human resources, and how he found his...
The Kern County Sheriff’s Department is looking for assistance from homeowners with their Camera Registry Program that is aimed at making neighborhoods safer. According to Public Information Officer Angela Monroe, residents can help the Sheriff’s Office prevent and solve crime by being their digital eyes and ears. Residents can partner with the Sheriff’s Office as part of their voluntary civilian camera registry. Surveillance cameras already keep homes and businesses safer, and this program gives residents the chance to keep their entire neigh...
The city is continuing to investigate different methods to rid its drinking water of contaminants – but drilling new wells is a major possibility, at a cost of over $15.7 million, according to a consultant’s report. Last year, the city awarded a professional services agreement to Dee Jaspar and Associates, Inc. to prepare an analytical report for a water treatment strategy for the water supply. At this week’s City Council meeting, Public Works Director Biridiana Bishop said that the city’s water system relies on groundwater provided by six exi...
The events of 9/11 are forever etched into the minds of those old enough to remember. It's a day etched in the memory the way President John F. Kennedy's assignation is remembered: It happened in an instant but will continue to be relived many times over and never forgotten. On 9/11, three planes were hijacked. One hit the north tower of the World Trade Center and people were horrified as they watched it burn and then crumple to the ground. When the second plane hit the south tower, it became...
Barker Park was filled with colorful food vendors, a truck show for the vehicle enthusiasts and boxing matches for the sports fans. Cars and Spars was the centerpiece Saturday of a park filled with people as far as the eye could see. There were boxers representing Bakersfield SAL, Wasco SAL, the Bakersfield Truck Club and Wasco's Orange Heart Foundation participating in the events of the day. Hall Ambulance even had a unit at the park demonstrating CPR "This was the first time we have combined...
Peters Funeral Home held an open house on Tuesday to unveil their recent remodeling of their Wasco facility. Pre-need sales manager Mark Taber presented three testimonial videos from individuals who finalized their family member's needs, saying the move eliminated anxiety and stress during an emotional time. Audience members shared their expected and unexpected experiences with a loved one's death and were unanimous in their conclusion that the ones who had prepared saved their families grief...
When Carol Funk Hamilton lived in Santa Barbara, a car accident that caused her a lot of pain and suffering also gave her the incentive to become a chiropractor. "I went to a chiropractor over there, and he healed me," Hamilton said. "That's when I made up my mind to become a chiropractor." Hamilton also took martial arts classes when she was younger. Between the classes and the chiropractor's help, her mind was made up to become a chiropractor and help others. "The chiropractor put me back...
Robert Price, the former Bakersfield Californian editor, columnist and author, joined the Wasco Rotary Club on Monday as their guest speaker. Price was introduced by Rotary member Larry Pennell as a veteran journalist who has worked for the Californian as editor, author, columnist and writer for over 31 years. Price said he is impressed with the fact that Wasco High School students can walk through graduation with an associate's degree from Bakersfield College on graduation day. "Education is...
For some people, going to a secondhand store can be daunting; however, for others, it's a treasure trove of unique finds. No matter how you feel, the Wasco 2nd Hand Store has an eclectic collection of items likely to meet some need. Owner Maria Valdez is at the store Monday-Friday, sometimes from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and her son Miguel Valdez is there to help her when he is done with his Bakersfield College classes for the day. He is the youngest of three and he helps his mom out with the store...
The Wasco Knights of Columbus were successful in another blood drive this summer. Houchin Blood Bank had two large vehicles parked in the Tropicana parking lot for the drive. "There were 83 donors in Wasco," Houchin Supervisor Tracy Hunter. "We didn't collect platelets, just blood. My goal was to collect from 86 people." Over 30 people waiting to donate relaxing underneath the awning as they filled out their information digitally. The Knights of Columbus gave away free hot dogs to anyone who...
Wasco High's varsity football coach, Chad Martinez, thinks the Tigers may take it all the way to the finals in this year's season. Martinez greets anyone who steps into his classroom with a smile and a welcoming attitude. "We have a well-oiled machine working in Wasco," he said. Martinez spent a year as football coach for Delano High School before arriving in Wasco. He has previously coached basketball, soccer and track, but football is where his heart lies. "This is my 10th year of coaching," h...
The audience erupted into a loud roar of approval accompanied by whistles and clapping last Thursday night when Elisa Flores was named 2019 Wasco Rose Queen, Pageant emcee Ally Triolo introduced Elisa, from the stage of the Wasco High School auditorium, ending a night of entertainment and months of hard work by the 10 contestants, all students at Wasco High School. In addition, Elisa took home three scholarships; $200 for the physical fitness portion of the pageant (presented by Wasco Festival...
Elegance was the theme for this year's Wine and Roses event held last Friday at the Recreation and Park Hall adjacent to Barker Park. Each table was covered with a deep maroon tablecloth and adorned with a gold pillar centerpiece holding a maroon rose on top. The atmosphere felt rich, and guests were heard commenting on how beautiful the room looked. This was quite a change from last year's event where everything was "rock and roll" and guests wore poodle skirts and leather jackets. This...
Eager Wascoans made it to the grand re-opening of the city's historical museum Many had just seen their friends the evening before at the Wine and Roses event but still enjoyed the chance to get together again at the museum and check out the changes. A section of 6th and E Street was blocked off across the street from the VFW. Chairs and tables were set up underneath a canopy to ward off the heat. It was newly selected Rose Queen Elisa Flores' first official ribbon cutting to begin her reign....
The Wasco Union Elementary School District is once again looking into placing another bond on the ballot. The district is considering making classroom and school facility improvements and putting a school improvement bond measure before voters on an upcoming ballot. Rex Despain of Isom Advisors, a division of Urban Features, Inc., presented the results of the study to the board members at its Tuesday meeting. "The support for a bond is above the Prop. 39 -- 55% level," Despain, who prepared the...
In response to an accident that occurred in February when a student was hit by a car while walking to Palm Avenue Elementary School, the City Council took action Tuesday night on making streets safer for pedestrians. The city will pay $11,000 for a study to improve safety, which includes protecting children walking to and from school. The council unanimously approved the city manager entering into an agreement with Ruettgers & Schuler to perform a pedestrian crossing investigation at three...
Wayne Montgomery didn't always want to go into the insurance business. He already had a successful psychology practice in Bakersfield during the 1970s, while Sally was a homemaker raising their kids. In all started with an insurance company's expansion plan. "In 1977 Travelers Insurance wanted to establish 100 insurance businesses in California," Wayne said. Delbert Bowles was attending a seminar at California State University, Bakersfield, where two representatives from Travelers gave a...
Wasco High School student Elisa Flores was named 2019 Wasco Rose Queen at Thursday night's pageant....
Back to School Night was held at Palm Avenue Middle School on Tuesday in the air-conditioned gymnasium. Parents and their child or children commented on how nice the cooler air felt, especially getting out of the heat. Approximately 150 students and parents were in attendance, all looking forward to exploring their child's classrooms. One wing of the school is dedicated to all the sixth-grade rooms, while the seventh and eighth graders have their own area. Parent Kathy Nunez said her daughter,...
Sergeant Peter Martinez, the new officer in charge of the Kern County Sheriff's Department's Wasco substation, envisions the substation will be able to respond and reduce the increase in crime in the area reported over the past year. "I believe that visible law enforcement is one of the most effective ways to help eliminate or reduce the amount of criminal activity in a community," he said in an interview this week. "I am going to make sure the patrol staff is out and about in the community,...
There is a small market in town that carries just about anything a shopper might need in the way of medical needs, shampoo, fresh produce, canned goods, bakery items, cold beverages and great meat choices. "We have the best meat in town," owner Saeed Saleh said. "Butcher Antonio Vadillo has been with us for 16 years. We also have fresh produce every day." Though Fiesta Latina Market on 7th Street doesn't carry everything, it stocks a very big selection for its size. Saleh arrived in the United...