Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
Sorted by date Results 601 - 625 of 715
The Wasco Union Elementary School District has formulated a new written policy regarding promotion, acceleration and retention of students, and it takes into consideration both academics and the social issues involved. “In the upper grades, retention can cause psychological and social problems for the retained older student,” Superintendent Kelly Richers said. “Experience from the past indicates some students, who are doing well in their classes and are held back at the parents’ request, often don’t keep their grades up.” Richers added that...
Wasco K&R Banquet Halls opened its doors on Broadway with an official ribbon cutting Tuesday. Owner Ruth Ramos might be a familiar name to the residents of Wasco, since she owns the State Farm Agency on 7th Street, right around the corner from the new banquet halls. Aside from being co-owner, her husband, Oscar, is the general manager of the facility. Ramos will continue to operate her insurance business next door; her husband, will also continue working in hopitalityat the Bakersfield...
The Wasco Reserves baseball team has added another player to its inaugural roster on Opening Day, Saturday, June 1. Twenty-four-year-old Scott Robert Martinez showed up at the first unofficial practice in Wasco on Tuesday. He is just one of the many players that will be on the field for the first official practice scheduled Thursday, May 23 at 9:30 a.m. at the ballpark. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, he was a member of the Spring Valley Little League, where he was an all-star for four...
The Woman's Club helped one of its members celebrate her 100th birthday a few months early. Mary Ellen Boyd Rexius officially reaches her centennial in July, and club members wanted to honor her and recognize her accomplishments during different milestones in her life, as presented by member Cheryl Woody. Club member Sharon Voth entertained with songs reflective of those times. Voth was accompanied by Priscilla Neufeld on the piano. Rexius was born in the small town of Alton, Mo., and was the on...
Eighth graders will not longer be able to be retained – or "held back" – under new county policies, WUESD Superintendent Kelly Richers told the school board Tuesday night. "We cannot retain eighth graders," Richers said The basis for retention, Richers explained, is proficiency in reading, language arts and math. "The district must meet with the parents before Christmas break if a student is in danger of retention," he said, adding that a second meeting regarding the student should be held by...
A new business has opened in Wasco, and it's a family affair. When the Garcia family, originally from Sinaloa, Mexico, decided to come to California, they all wanted the same thing – the American dream, to own their own business. So everyone pitched in, pooling all their money, sharing the workload and renting the space for Delicias Sinaloenses Ice Cream Shop, 2330 Highway 46. "Our whole life, our parents have worked for minimum wage," Garcia said. "My parents wanted to see if they could s...
Wasco Union Elementary School District took some time out on Thursday to celebrate and recognize its staff. This year, the district honored distinguished alumna and former band teacher Miriam Grisso at the ceremonies. Grisso, a native of Wasco, taught band for fourth through eighth grades for 26 years at the WUESD. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the University of Southern California. She was also a flutist for the Long Beach Symphony, Westchester/Marina del Rey...
The Wasco Reserves roster has grown to 22 players for their opening day in Wasco June 1, Reserves Coach Bill Moore reported this week. "The first game is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, at the baseball park on Poso at 7:00 p.m." Moore said. "The players will play about 70 games in 70 days," Moore said. The season schedule is online at wascoreserves.com. Another player recently has been added to the roster. Evan Hirschbaum, 25. will play first base and outfield. He was a 2013 graduate of Plainedg...
It's rare to find someone who has only had one employer during their entire working career. Since he graduated from college in 1996, the assistant superintendent, Student Services, Brad Maberry, has only worked for the Wasco Union Elementary School District. Maberry graduated from California State University, Bakersfield, in 1996 with a physical education major. He then got his master's degree in educational management in 2004 from the University of La Verne, and began teaching PE at Thomas...
Shafter Animal Control, in conjunction with Kern County Animal Services, will be holding a Low Cost Vaccination and License Clinic on Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m to noon. at Mannel Park in Shafter Cost for the clinic are: FVRCP vaccination $12, DHPP vaccination $12, canine influenza $12 and rabies vaccination $12. They will also be offering pet microchipping for $15. Dog licenses for unaltered dogs are $35 for one year, $65 for two years and $100 for three years. The cost for altered dogs are $15 for one year, $20 for two years, and $25 for...
This past weekend was perfect barbecue weather. Saturday was the annual Wasco Veterans of Foreign Wars tri-tip barbecue held at the VFW at 603 E St. Early ticketholders began arriving before the 11 a m. opening, and they continued to arrive well after noon. It was a good time to visit with old friends and make new ones as attendees from as far away as Fresno joined the Wasco veterans as they reminisced. Several students assisted the veterans, as well as a number of Walmart volunteers who have...
May 4 was a fun-filled Saturday in Wasco with a barbecue in the early hours and a carnival in the afternoon hours. Following the VFW tri-tip barbecue, North Kern Christian School had its annual carnival. In a large room tables had several auction items on top of them. Bid sheets were placed by each item and a beginning dollar amount was placed on each sheet. Coordinator for the fundraiser was Julie Rodarte, who has been a teacher at the school for several years. She currently teaches the...
After almost one full year of debate, the City Council voted 3-2 to authorize each of the five council members to grant $2,000 to a Wasco nonprofit each year. Councilmember Gilberto Reyna originally raised the question of conflict of interest last year when the resolution was first brought in front of the council. "I was concerned because I have been a board member of the religious organization Knights of Columbus, and I didn't want there to be an issue with me voting." The city's legal...
After almost one full year of debate, the City Council voted 3-2 to authorize each of the five council members to grant $2,000 to a Wasco nonprofit each year. Councilmember Gilberto Reyna originally raised the question of conflict of interest last year when the resolution was first brought in front of the council. "I was concerned because I have been a board member of the religious organization Knights of Columbus, and I didn't want there to be an issue with me voting." The city's legal...
John L. Pruitt Elementary School students in first through sixth grades were busy last Friday exploring the many different local businesses in search of a career that would peak their interest. The school held its first-ever career fair, where vendors presented different options for the students' futures. Juan Bernal from Kern Schools Federal Credit Union had a table full of giveaways. He presented each visitor with a KSFCU pen, coloring book and crayons (for the younger grades), along with...
The special education students at Wasco High School were able to spend last Friday at a special prom. The Wasco Woman's Club sponsored its fifth prom for the special education students by providing the food, wristlets, the disc jockey and decorations. Superintendent of Special Education Gaylene Roberts enjoyed dancing with several students and mixing it up with the kids on the dance floor. "We invited several students who have been with the Kern Medical Vocational Program and wanted to attend...
Hundreds of parents and incoming students filled the Wasco High School cafeteria Monday evening for the annual Freshmen Blast, Over 500 incoming students snaked around the cafeteria from two directions, while monitors at the door guided everyone to their proper place. According to parents who have gone through the registration process stated that this year was organized as they've seen in the past. Incoming students spent the evening preparing for their freshman year. Staff was seated around the...
Most people are probably not aware how well-traveled the city's planning director is, that he is the father of triplets and has experience in many different areas that incorporate construction and architecture. Planning Director Roger Mobley has been with the City of Wasco for seven years and in his lifetime, he has traveled to Dubai, Australia, Afghanistan and Argentina. Born in Los Angeles, Mobley moved to northern California and graduated from San Jose State University. After graduation, his...
Since opening almost 10 years ago, Blue Sushi has acquired a loyal following. When the restaurant was damaged in a fire in 2016, its owners considered remodeling and reopening it as a bakery. However, while shopping in Wasco, co-owner Katie Chong said that people would come up to her and ask her when Blue Sushi was going to reopen. Because so many people asked that they reopen as the original Blue Sushi, she and her husband, Hyung Kim, decided to do just that. They opened a bakery at the...
The customers have weighed in on Wasco's newest bakery, and the verdict is: Sweet. Sweet 7th Street Bakery, owned by Daun (Katie) Chong and Hyung Kim, held soft opening on April 12. The bakery is at 947 7th St., the site of the original Blue Sushi & Teriyaki Restaurant, which was damaged in a fire three years ago. The couple decided to renovate the site and open the bakery, while moving Blue Sushi to a new location. Amber Cortez and Mike Saldana were among the first customers at the new bakery....
Students and parents spent two evenings at Wasco High School with end-of-the-year events. Monday was the school's annual incoming freshman registration and Tuesday, was a Career Fair. Many people showed up for the fair. Booths were set up around the perimeter of outside behind the cafeteria , where there were free tacos. In preparing for the Career Fair, several local employers and schools set up tables and decorated their space. Along with the booths, many had a giveaway for each guest....
A 12-year-old Thomas Jefferson Middle School student narrowly escaped being kidnapped recently, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Department. On April 12, the boy’s mother asked him to go across the street to his aunt’s house near the corner of 7th Street and Redwood. Fortunately, his parents had taught him what to do if he was approached by a stranger. He didn’t think it would ever actually happen, but when it did, he said, it was scarier than he ever imagined. A man wearing a dark baseball cap and sunglasses and driving an older model ol...
While their Easter message was the same as in years' past, Westside Family Fellowship completely changed their annual Easter service this year. Instead of having the congregation go inside the church for the 10 a.m. service, they took advantage of the warm weather and set up the chairs outside on the lawn where the Easter service was held. Westside is a large congregation, and every chair was filled to leave standing-room-only. Children were dressed up in their Easter best and excited for the...
Each Good Friday evening, St. John's Catholic Church annually presents a play so the community can be a part of a religious Easter experience. Young and old parishioners and volunteers re-enacted the death of Jesus Christ according to John by putting on the annual Passion of the Cross play. Prior to the play beginning, attendees filled the grassy area with their lawn chairs in preparation for the evening's performance to begin. Many families brought their own snacks, while others took advantage...
When a small business lasts over 28 years, it's a testament to the quality of what it sells. When you walk into Rosie's Cakes at 440 E St., the first thing you notice is the party-like atmosphere with all the Mylar balloons displayed, racks of stuffed animals at the front of the shop and the smell of freshly baked and frosted cookies and cakes everywhere. Rosie Gonzalez is a self-taught baker and has a passion for it. "I took a class with Veda Millar here in town," Gonzalez said. "I already...