Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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A vaccination clinic was held over the weekend in Wasco at the old courthouse to help encourage residents to get vaccinated. The lines were long and the push for vaccinating everyone is becoming more important, the Kern County Public Health reported, since over 95% of those contracting the Delta virus with possibly deadly consequences are unvaccinated. The Kern County Public Health announced on Sept. 27 the latest covid-19 facts. Public Health Public Information Officer Michelle Corson stated there are 349 newly reported confirmed cases in...
While Arizona residents are dealing with extreme flooding, those in California are dealing with the result of too many fires, of which a by- product is smoke-filled air and ash floating down from the skies. All outdoor activities, including football games, were canceled due to the poor air quality last weekend. Those with any upper respiratory issues were recommended to stay indoors. The top five cities in the country with the worst annual air quality levels are all located in the state of California, which include Bakersfield, Fresno,...
The Wasco High FFA students had a packed month after the annual Charles Craig Classic Sept. 10-12 and then the Kern County Fair. At the annual Charles Craig Classic, the students who raised animals were able to get specific points from judges on how to improve their chances of placing at the Kern County Fair. The Kern County Fair officially opened on Wednesday, Sept. 22. Wasco High School FFA students were near the back of the livestock areas. Judging at the fair occurred Saturday and Sunday....
A High Speed Rail Zoom meeting on Thursday provided some answers to questions that have been in the minds of many. The HSR plan to continue building a subway to access the Wasco Amtrak platform, and construction further south of Poplar Avenue, is two to three years away. Completion of the phase is expected with Package Number Four in late summer 2022. The HSR will not start the Highway 46 crossing until Poso Street is finished. This phase does not include laying any rail, as that will take...
The City of Wasco was instrumental in coordinating a Job Fair held Thursday, August 26 at the Veteran's Recreation Hall on Poplar Avenue. Accounting Specialist 1 Nellie Garcia, Administrative Assistant 1 Claudia Garcia and City Office Manager Nancy Vela manned the City of Wasco's table where they had job opening information on the city's website cityofwasaco.org so applications can be filled out online. The city prefers that applications be filled out online, however, they still accept...
There was excitement in the air on Monday, August 2, when students returned to school for regular classroom instruction after a year and half of isolation and working on classwork from home. The Wasco Union Elementary School District (WUESD) opened its doors to students for the first time since March 2020, except for special education students and at-risk students, who were able to attend classes at certain times during the pandemic. Every student had the required mask on and offices were crowded with enrolling students and parents. Thomas...
Alex Garcia was voted out as Wasco mayor at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. The only vote recorded to keep in in office was his own. Council members John Pallares, Tilo Cortez, Gilberto Reyna and Vincent Martinez all were in favor of the resolution. Reyna took over leadership of the meeting after the vote, although the now-former mayor remains an elected council member. Garcia was arrested in June by the California Highway Patrol for driving under the influence. He was arraigned on June...
Good Samaritan in Bakersfield has opened a clinic in Wasco after its program to test field workers for covid-19 was a success. The Good Samaritan Medical Clinic is located at 1217 Seventh St., across the street from Fiesta Latina Market. The clinic will offer behavioral health services as well as primary care and wound care. The clinic will treat minors when it's an emergency situation. Once the clinic receives its Medicare certification, it plans on holding a ribbon cutting ceremony. "This is...
The Wasco State Prison has helped fund the city's July fireworks show for several years and this year's fundraiser will be on Wednesday, July 7. The prison's next fundraiser will be at Panda Express on Highway 46 in Wasco from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. If anyone comes in to order on that day, they must mention Wasco State Prison when placing their order and the money from that sale will go directly toward the fundraiser. Correctional Food Manager II Louis Rodriguez is in charge of the fundraising c...
The sponsors for the 12 girls competing for the Miss Wasco/Rose Queen pageant have been announced. The pageant kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 9 in a live show. “The girls are also planning a trip to Disneyland in July,” Student Activities Coordinator Hailey Coyle said. The candidates and their sponsors are as follows: • Victoria Loza sponsored by Wasco Bengal Cheer, • Kaitlyn Garza sponsored by Wasco Canyon Hills, • Daniela Castillo sponsored by Wasco Rotary, • Izabella Diaz sponsored by Lady Elks, • Jackie Mendez sponsored by Saldaña Weldi...
Roxy, a 5-year-old female Australian Kelpie mix, was an owner surrender to the Wasco Animal Shelter. This short-haired, black medium sized dog is approximately 50-55 pounds and is slightly timid toward staff. Roxy has not been tested with other dogs, cats, or children. At this time it is unknown if she is house or crate trained. Roxy is available for adoption now. Everyone is welcome to adopt from the facility. Adopters can be from out of town and/or local. The shelter will not place holds for...
Before the City Council denied a motion to raise the Pride flag in the month of June, a group of supporters rallied in front of City Hall. On the June 17 agenda, Mayor Alex Garcia proposed a discussion on raising the Pride flag in front of City Hall in honor of Pride Month. He gathered supporters June 15 on the lawn in front of City Hall before the meeting. About 50 people of all ages turned out to show their support of raising the Pride flag. "I was amazed at how many students I saw supporting...
As Scott Hurlbert prepares to take the reins from outgoing City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez, he sat down with the Tribune to talk about his background and goals for the city. Hurlbert has three main goals in Wasco to help stabilize finances in the city. These are jobs, safety and education. "If these three things are stable, then a city is pretty well run," he said. Hurlbert said his past experience with the High Speed Rail will help the city with its issues. He also stressed the importance...
Over two dozen employers worked to entice new employees last Friday during a job fair held at Cormack Park. The job fair was hosted by Wasco Career Awareness Recruitment Education (CARE). Jose Segovia, from Elwood Staffing in Bakersfield, said he expected traffic to pick up a bit later in the afternoon at the fair. "It seems that people aren't really looking for jobs these days, especially after covid," Segovia said. "Especially after getting free benefits this year." Segovia hopes that this tre...
Director of Finance Isarel Perez-Hernandez gave a presentation to the City Council during a special meeting on some increases that will occur during the fiscal year 2021-22. Hernandez stated that there will be significant increases in Measure X costs. Funds from Measure X come from the 1% bond issue passed in 2016 that raised the sales tax in Wasco by 1%. That means these items are paid for through the sales tax. One of the increases is in body cameras in the amount of $55,518. This is due to...
The name Juneteenth has been spoken a lot in 2021. It's called Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day by many and the day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is a day of liberty and a day to recommit to ending systematic racism in America. Now it is a federal holiday. This year, Wasco celebrated with a party in The Park on 15th and G Street beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting into the afternoon. Speakers and special guests were seated underneath canopies...
The City Council spent over an hour on a presentation on raising a Pride flag in front of City Hall during the month of June each year, which is known as Pride Month, during its meeting Tuesday. The motion ultimately failed 3-1. Over 20 people addressed the council about their feelings on this issue. The majority of the speakers were against the raising of a flag commemorating Pride Month and several questioned “Where will it stop?” Mayor Alex Garcia presented arguments in favor of raising the flag for the population that feels unr...
School will begin Monday, Aug. 2, for the Wasco Union Elementary School District, Superintendent Kelly Richers clarified after he said a letter with an incorrect date went out to parents. Teachers will return July 27 for voluntary professional development and July 28 for mandatory professional development, Richers said at the district board meeting. The board also unanimously adopted the 2021-22 budget along with the LCFF Simplified Local Control Funding Formula. These are California school funding laws. Richers said at the last board meeting...
The state officially opened up June 15, but there are still some restrictions especially if you are unvaccinated. Gov. Gavin Newsom retired the Covid-19 Blueprint on Tuesday. “Everyday life should feel a lot like it did before with most places being open and returning to usual operation with no capacity limitations or social distancing requirements,” Michelle Corson public information officer for the Kern County Health Department said. “The only exception to this is for ‘mega events,’ defined as an indoor event with more than 5,000 people, whic...
Wasco will celebrate the Fourth of July with a fireworks show at Barker Park on Saturday, July 3 at sundown. The event will be a party in the park with vendor booths selling food and celebratory items. Attendees may bring their favorite lawn chair, pick out a spot and relax for an evening of fireworks. The Recreation and Parks District will be coordinating this year’s show as the Orange Heart Foundation and the district will be working together on this year’s event. The Orange Heart Foundation usually fundraises for the fireworks show; how...
The Wasco Reserve season has started out rocky after the team lost the first three games they played. The Reserve is in the six-team Pecos League Pacific Division with Bakersfield, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Martinez and San Rafael. In their first game against the Monterey Lumberjacks, the score was tied for most of the game, but the Lumberjacks pulled ahead and the game ended 12-11. The first game began with rock music greeting attendees adding a spike of energy as they climbed up the bleachers. A...
Black Californians have been an important part of history within California’s rural communities. There is a traveling exhibit at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in Earlimart exploring the history of African Americans in rural California. The exhibit will run from Saturday, June 19 to Sunday, Aug. 1 with highlights and untold stories of black farmers, ranchers and rural residents. These stories will create new narratives about freedom, self-governance and civic culture. “We are not strangers here: African American Histories in Rural Cal...
Sadie is a puppy at 9 months old. She came in as a stray and will be available June 24. Sadie is a medium-sized, red/chestnut/orange/tan Shephard mix who will bring lots of joy into your home. She is great with staff and other dogs and has been tested with both small and large breeds. Dogs are not tested with children or cats. If she is reclaimed before her availability date on June 24, she will be removed from PetFinder immediately. If this is your dog, contact the Wasco Animal Shelter right away. Everyone is welcome to adopt. Adopters can be...
Public Works Director Biridiana Bishop will be leaving Wasco and relocating to Webster City, Iowa to be assistant city manager. Bishop will be working under Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez, who is leaving Wasco as city manager to go to Webster City. Bishop said she has submitted her resignation letter and will continue with the city until Aug. 13. Bishop was promoted to Public Works director in 2019. The Public Works director position will not be filled until the next mid-year budgeting process, the...
Superintendent of the Wasco Union Elementary School District Kelly Richers said that the district looks good financially for the next two years; however, "It's 2022-23 that the district may run into problems." At the Tuesday, June 8 board meeting, Richers reported that the governor has not presented his budget yet, so the district is unsure of how much it will receive. Financial Officer Karen Evans presented a report on the proposed 2021-22 budget. "The next two years the district will be...
