Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, a grant application submitted by the Orange Heart Foundation requesting $2,000 in funds for the Wasco Rose Festival event was approved. On May 7, 2019, the City Council adopted a resolution approving a $10,000 Community Grant Program to be given by the City Council to qualifying non-profit organizations within city limits. There is a $2,000 limit that a non-profit group may receive. Mayor Gilberto Reyna said that the Council recognizes that citizens have...
Wasco IS is a social media platform on Facebook and Instagram set up and run by community member and advocate Sharon Sharp. Combined, they have almost 8,000 followers after five years. "I just wanted a place to share positive news and all the good things about Wasco," said founder Sharon Sharp. Her audience is people that live in Wasco and those former Wasconians that like to stay in touch. Sharp will sometimes generate original content but mainly relies on contributions sent to her. When she...
The Wasco Elk Ladies will host An Evening of Wine and Roses on Friday, Sept. 9. The reception will honore the newly selected Grand Marshals, the Wasco Rose Queen and a featured artist. Tickets are $50, and all the money raised will go toward the Elk Ladies' scholarship fund. There will be wines from local wineries, craft beer and hors d'oeuvres. "It is an opportunity for people in our town to get together and appreciate one another and, in turn, support a good cause," said planning committee...
Karl F. Clemens Elementary School announced its weekly Super Students for the week of Aug. 8. Criteria for selection were based upon significant improvement in math, showing kindness to all friends, respect, hard work, following class procedures and helping other students understand new concepts. Front row, from left: Jaylene Reyes (2nd grade), Laura Tamayo (1st), John Hernandez (K) Middle row, from left: Randy Diego (5th), Azriel Bernal (4th), Hayden Crawford (3rd) Back row, from left: School...
Wasco Glass will celebrate 47 years in business next month. Since its inception, Wasco Glass has served the community with much love and dedication. Owner Eric Schroeder manages the business by himself, running the day-to-day operations and handling all of his many accounts. It is a family-owned business launched by his father in 1975, when Schroeder was a sophomore at Wasco High School. "We were a gas station and glass shop for 18 years," said Schroeder. In 1993, they decided to run the...
Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10b) Yet many Christians have lives that are anything but blessed, flourishing and abundant. They live below the level of blessing Jesus promised. They live with lack, sometimes financial lack, but more often a spiritual and emotional lack of love, joy and hope. There is a story in Samuel 9 of a young prince, who in spite of his royal blood, lived with lack. He was the grandson of Israel's first king, Saul. Unfortunately, after his father and...
The Wasco Rose Festival is back to being held the first weekend after Labor Day, and many special activities are planned. Over three days, a number of events will take place. There will be a kick-off on Thursday, Sept. 8, with the Miss Wasco Rose Queen Pageant at the Wasco Union High School Auditorium at 6 p.m. It promises to be full of entertainment as the candidates have been practicing since May. Be on the lookout for ticket sales at the end of August. On Friday, Sept. 9, the Wasco Elks...
John L. Prueitt Elementary School kicked off the new year with excitement. Six hundred four students made their way back for the first day of school. The students dressed to impress and showed off their new school year clothes and backpacks. Some students waited anxiously the whole summer, ready to embark on their new school year. Parents kept their children busy, preparing them by reading and engaging in other educational activities. Other students said they were nervous about getting new...
Aug. 8 was the first day of school for the Wasco Union Elementary School District. It was also the start of something grand. Throughout the district, almost 3,400 students embarked on the new year. "Looks like we have an increase of students across the district and anticipate we are up already about 100 students," said Superintendent Kelly Richers. "Most of the students appear to want school attendance though we are still offering remote as needed." WUESD strives for excellence by developing...
Wasco Independence High School leadership welcomed their students back with high hopes and a positive outlook. "I look forward to meeting the new batch of Falcons and graduating our seniors by May 26th," said Principal Rusvel Prado. Ninety percent of the student population is composed of seniors. "What excites me are the challenges. Most of our students are behind in credits, and we work hard to get them back on the right track. I know we have a staff that can do that." The school prides itself...
A large mounted Golden Eagle was stolen from the Wasco Museum during the week of April 13. A "generous reward" will be presented, without any questions, to anyone that returns it. It was a prized artifact for the museum. The eagle has a wingspan of about 3 to 4 feet and stands about 2 feet tall. A prominent Wasco citizen gave it to the museum in the early 1970s. Marlene Swan and Bob Ellis, curators at the museum, say they would appreciate any information leading to the recovery of their dear...
Anthony Ornelaz grew up in Wasco and has many fond memories of his childhood. Despite being poor, he was able to transcend past that and achieve many great things. He attended John L. Prueitt Elementary School, Karl Clemens Elementary School, Thomas Jefferson Middle School and Wasco High School. Recently Ornelaz received the Pat Tillman Foundation Scholars Award. The award is named in honor of the former professional football player who left his career to enlist in the army and later died in...
The Wasco FFA Chapter is a pathway to success for those students interested in agriculture. It is a youth leadership organization rooted in the industry, benefitting participating students at Wasco High School from all it offers. "Our Wasco ag program is special because we are really focused on hands-on experience. We have a family structure and we build on student interest," Anthony Farao, an agriculture teacher and FFA advisor explained. There is a leadership component where students learn...
The City of Wasco, in partnership with SNIP, held a free mobile spay and neuter clinic for residents. "All across the country, we are facing a crisis of pets dying in shelters that do not have homes," said registered veterinary technician Kandice Webb. "These pets end up here because of irresponsible owners breeding their pets without regard for the crisis in our shelters." The event was aimed at reducing the population of strays. "I wish more people would spay and neuter, and we wouldn't have...
It has been an exciting run leading up to the Miss Wasco Rose Queen pageant, set for Thursday, Sept. 8. The candidates have been practicing since May and will continue up until the title winner is announced. On pageant day, before the girls step foot on stage, there will be a luncheon for the contestants and their mothers, concluding with an interview of each contestant. Another segment that takes place before the pageant is a scholastic portion, where the grades and extracurricular activities...
Aug. 8 is the first day of school for the Wasco Union Elementary School District. It is also the start of something grand. Throughout the district, almost 3,600 students will embark on the new year. WUESD strives for excellence by developing lifelong learners, an appreciation for diversity and responsible citizenship. District leaders and the faculty are proud of the district's growth year after year in mathematics and English language arts. They try to help the community with highly qualified...
The Wasco City Council unanimously approved the use of American Recovery Plan Act funds to hire a firm to help develop its retail base. Retail Strategies, of Birmingham, Ala., will collect and analyze real estate data, get community input, organize communications, produce a customized marketing guide and retail recruitment plan, and train staff. The cost? About $140,000 over three years, according to Assistant City Manager Maria Lara. The firm also will identify potential retail businesses, rest...
The return of Zumba was a big hit, with over 30 dancers attending the community class last week. It was a great mental and physical workout for those who participated. Classes were organized by several community members and spearheaded by Councilmember Alex Garcia. "It is a different option for residents to stay active, get out of their homes and socialize with their neighbors," said Councilmember Garcia. Owners Oscar and Ruth Ramos donated the space for the classes at their Wasco K&R Banquet...
A vaccination clinic sponsored by the City of Wasco in partnership with United Against Covid-19 and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church was back again for a second monthly event. This time around, those that were vaccinated not only received a $50 Visa gift card from the City of Wasco, but they also got a $100 Walmart gift card donated by South Kern Sol News. Over 90 adults and children came for their vaccination. Whole families attended, going home with hundreds of dollars worth of gift...
Libraries play an essential role in a community, bringing knowledge and a wealth of resources. The Kern County Library Wasco Branch is no different, with its dedicated staff, extensive collection of books and many other services it provides residents. Patrons, young and old, can enjoy a cool place in the summer while taking in everything the library has to offer. Monthly visitors are close to 3,200, and more when there are special programs. There is computer access, help with job search and...
Wasco K & R Banquet Halls is a beautiful and elegant venue designed for any special occasion. It is an intimate space for weddings, birthdays, quinceaneras, anniversaries, celebrations of life, baptisms and baby showers. "We can accommodate for any event," said Oscar Ramos, who owns the building, along with his wife, Ruth. The building was built in the mid-1950s and used to be a Masonic Temple. In 2018, Ramos purchased and completely remodeled it, including new inside floors, walls, ceilings...
The Wasco Recreation and Parks District has an exciting summer lineup of fun activities with open registration for their soccer and cross country youth programs. The soccer season will begin on Sept. 17 and will run through Nov. 5. Enrollment is active now and closes on Aug. 5. Those participating will learn the soccer fundamentals, agility, different drills and skills, footwork, rules and sportsmanship. There are different divisions for as young as 3 up to 14. All divisions are coed. The cost...
Monday, Aug. 8, is the first day of school for the Wasco Union Elementary School District. It is also the start of something grand. Throughout the district, almost 3,600 students will embark on the new year. WUESD strives for excellence by developing lifelong learners, an appreciation for diversity and responsible citizenship. District leaders and the faculty are proud of the district's growth year after year in mathematics and English language arts. They try to help the community with highly...
United Against Covid-19, in partnership with the City of Wasco and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, is back with another free covid-19 vaccination clinic on Sunday, July 31. Through the leadership of Mayor Gilberto Reyna and the City Council, the City of Wasco will again provide all Wasco residents vaccinated at this clinic with a $50 Visa gift card. "I anticipate a bigger crowd will show up to get their Visa gift cards. Because of the new Omicron BA.5 subvariant infections increasing,...
Since 2009, Wasco Families Wrestling has empowered young people through the sport. Thousands of students have benefited from the program, instilling in them the importance of education and inspiring them to work hard at their goals. Vice President Juan Gallardo started his career as a wrestler at the early age of nine in elementary and later as a junior and senior in high school. In his first year of college, he became a coach. "I have been a coach going on 27 years, most of my time in this...