Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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Meet the first six contestants vying for the 2025 Miss Wasco Rose Queen title. Each young woman brings her own unique blend of charm, talent and dedication to the competition. Discover more about these standout candidates and their journey toward becoming the next Rose Queen. Jacqueline Reyes is sponsored by Westside Family Fellowship. Her parents, Pedro and Janette Reyes, and her escort, Israel Paniagua, have been by her side throughout this experience. Jacqueline dreams of attending UC...
Axzay Villarreal is a celebrated artist from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, who created the hand-crafted mosaic "Deep Roots/ Raices Profundas," featured in the Downtown Beautification Project. Her murals are vibrant canvases that convey rich historical narratives, and this piece reflects her interpretation of Wasco's heritage. The foreground of the intricate 9 foot by 7 foot mosaic, crafted from mosaic tile and glass, shows Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, and La Catrina, the central symbol of...
The Wasco City Council appointed certified candidates, incumbents Vincent R. Martinez and Eddie Saldaña, along with Miguel A. Raya, as City Council members for Districts 2, 4, and 5, respectively. This decision resulted in the cancellation of the Nov. 5, 2024 election. The resolution followed that Martinez and Saldaña faced no challengers, and Raya was the only nominee for his district. Prior to Tuesday night's meeting, City Manager Scott Hurlbert said, "Tonight, the council will consider t...
Shaken by loss, frightened by illness, worried about family and finances, and pulled by a million demands on our time, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Add on social media’s tsunami of information about others’ real-life dramas, alerts to potential future dangers and millions of invented “crises,” and facing life can feel impossible. As pastors, we frequently counsel people to stay off social media (and turn off the news) to avoid added stress. Our own lives already have enough drama. But the truth is, focusing on our own problems instead...
The first day of school for the Wasco Union High School District was marked by excitement, anticipation and a sense of renewal as students returned to campuses across the district. The atmosphere at both Wasco High School and Wasco Independence High School was filled with energy as students, teachers and staff began a new academic year. At Wasco High School, the day began early with a special event organized by the senior class. The Senior Sunrise, held at 6 a.m., brought together the Class of...
The start of a new school year is always filled with anticipation, and this year was no exception for the Wasco Union Elementary School District. With a focus on success, the district is set to make this school year one to remember. Superintendent Brad Maberry shared that the district currently has approximately 3,450 students enrolled, reflecting a small increase of about 20 students compared to the first week of last school year. Despite this increase, he noted that the overall staffing is...
As the highly anticipated annual Rose Festival approaches, set to take place the weekend following Labor Day, excitement is building throughout Wasco. This community event, themed "Small Town, Big Ideas," promises a weekend of vibrant activities for all ages. There's something for everyone to enjoy! Here is the schedule for this year's Rose Festival – "Small Town – Big Ideas": Thursday, Sept. 5 --Miss Wasco Rose Queen Pageant, Wasco Union High School Auditorium, 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 --W...
The Grand Marshals and Honorary Grand Marshals organization for the Rose Festival every year are examples of selfless servants in the Wasco community. This year, they are James and Helen Medrano, Mike and Chris McCurdy and the Wasco Knights of Columbus. "For my husband, his first words were, "What did I do?" and mine were just like, wow. I was surprised and caught off guard, and even to be thought of and nominated is just amazing," said Helen Medrano. "It's one of the ultimate honors, but...
Sun World International LLC, a global leader in the fruit industry with significant operations in Wasco, has announced the acquisition of Biogold Group, a renowned South Africa-based global fruit variety rights manager. This strategic alignment brings together two industry powerhouses, combining Sun World's expertise in table grapes and stone fruit with Biogold's leadership in citrus and mango genetics. For over 50 years, Sun World's Center for Innovation in Wasco has been at the forefront of...
In a rare packed house, the Wasco City Council has appointed former Mayor Pro Tem Valentin Medina as the next mayor, with Councilmember Eddie Saldaña taking over as mayor pro tem. This transition comes in the wake of the controversial resignation of Mayor Alex Garcia, who stepped down following allegations involving an alleged meeting with a minor. Medina said Tuesday night, "It's an honor to serve as mayor of Wasco. This is not how I saw myself becoming mayor, but it is crucial to continue...
The criminal investigation into former mayor Alex Garcia's alleged meeting with two men has been terminated, according to a statement issued Friday by the Bakersfield Police Department. Sergeant Eric Celedon, the department’s public information officer, said in the statement, “A case number was generated for this incident, but neither involved party contacted us after we reached out. This has left us unable to proceed with any type of investigation. As of now, the case is closed.” This came afte...
On Saturday, New Generation Church hosted its 9th Annual "Loving Our City" community outreach event, designed to offer families a safe and enjoyable experience. The free event featured food, games, prizes, raffles, live music and preaching. This year, they distributed 450 backpacks. Pastor Frank Sanchez proudly said, "We are a diverse, bilingual church. We have Anglo, Black and Hispanic families. Our church is very committed to helping the community, and to give you an idea, we have 120...
The Wasco Police Department proudly hosted its inaugural "Chill with a Cop" event on Thursday at Barker Park, inviting the community to engage in friendly conversations with its officers. Attendees were encouraged to discuss any issues or concerns, fostering open dialogue and strengthening community bonds. Held in a relaxed setting with ice cream in hand, the event provided a unique opportunity for residents to connect with the men and women who serve and protect their city. For grandmother...
In a rare packed house, the Wasco City Council has appointed former Mayor Pro Tem Valentin Medina as the next mayor, with Councilmember Eddie Saldaña taking over as mayor pro tem. This transition comes in the wake of the controversial resignation of Mayor Alex Garcia, who stepped down following allegations involving an alleged meeting with a minor. Medina said Tuesday night, "It's an honor to serve as mayor of Wasco. This is not how I saw myself becoming mayor, but it is crucial to continue...
Mayor Alex Garcia may have been lured into a meeting with individuals at a location in Bakersfield, perhaps with the intent to attack him based on his sexual orientation, his lawyer said in a statement Monday.. Meanwhile, a fellow councilmember called for him to explain himself, "or resign." "I advised him [Alex Garcia] not to make any statements because there are a few investigations that appear to be ongoing. Based on the information we have available right now, it appears to be a situation...
With new information being revealed over the last few days surrounding an alleged meeting in Bakersfield with two men portraying one as a minor, Mayor Alex Garcia resigned as Wasco mayor and councilmember early Thursday morning. In a statement, he said he has "been healing following my recent assault; I am now finally able to speak with you to announce, with a heavy heart and profound regret, my resignation. "I want to assure you that the accusations made against me are mischaracterized and inaccurate and certainly do not reflect who I am or...
For Jan Hummel, the newly hired principal of Teresa Burke Elementary School, the most rewarding part of her career in education has always been the deep connection she shares with her students. "I tell people it's not important if you don't remember all your students' names throughout all those past years. What is impressive is when the students from all those years remember you; then you know you've really made a difference," she said. "When they come back and see you, it's the best thing. That...
The Seamless Summer Option program at James A. Forrest Elementary School served an average of 500 to 540 children each Wednesday in July. Using a "grab and go" system, parents could drive through to pick up four bags containing seven days of breakfasts and lunches for their child. The program ensures that any child between the ages of 2 and 18 receives nutritious meals even when school is out. The Wasco Union Elementary School District food service director, Randy Jenkins, explained, "This...
As the school year approaches, House of Fadez is hosting its annual back-to-school event on Sunday, Aug. 4, providing free haircuts and backpacks to low-income students from kindergarten through 12th grade. House of Fadez opened its doors a few years ago and quickly became a local favorite. Owner Luis Contreras shared his connection to the event. "I remember how hard things were for my family when I was growing up, and I know how much small acts of support can mean. Now that I can help, a new ha...
Mayor Alex Garcia may have been lured into a meeting with individuals at a location in Bakersfield, perhaps with the intent to attack him based on his sexual orientation, his lawyer said in a statement Monday. Meanwhile, a fellow councilmember called for him to explain himself, "or resign." "I advised him [Alex Garcia] not to make any statements because there are a few investigations that appear to be ongoing. Based on the information we have available right now, it appears to be a situation...
Devonn Bradley responded early Tuesday morning to a request for comment on the meeting between him, his brother and Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia last Wednesday night in Bakersfield. He described the altercation this way: "We didn't meet up with him to fight; we even told him we didn't want to hurt him. His claims are nonsense. He kept reaching into his bag as if he had a weapon. Naturally, anyone would defend themselves in that situation. Plus, this is a man who came to meet a 15-year-old. He also brought weed, a pipe, a full bottle of alcohol, sex...
Jesús Flores opened Carnitas El Jesse in April this year, and since then, the culinary gem has been making waves with its mouthwatering carnitas. Carnitas is a traditional pork dish known for its rich, savory taste and balance of tenderness and crispiness. It involves cooking the pork in lard, a method called "confit," at a low temperature for about four hours. This slow-cooking process renders the fat, making the meat juicy and flavorful. "There's a lot of work that goes into preparing the...
Central Avenue Park celebrated its grand opening with a joyful ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 19. The new park, designed to be a vibrant hub for families and visitors, provides a range of recreational activities and green spaces. "It's a fantastic park that offers active sports on the basketball court and lawn area, picnic tables and multiple types of playground equipment. Also, it connects the walking path on Filburn to the walking path on Central," City Manager Scott Hurlbert said....