Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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In partnership with Dignity Health, Community Health Initiative hosted a Spanish language workshop on mental health. The workshop's focus was to understand how to close negative chapters in life, letting go of those things holding you back so one can move forward in life, regardless of a mental health condition. CHI helps people access health insurance and other social services like assistance with food, legal advice and housing. As a one-stop shop, they can refer the community to essential...
The City Council held a fourth and final public hearing on the district redistricting at their meeting. Previously, the council narrowed the options of potential replacement district maps down to draft map 6, which was brought back for final discussion, approval and adoption. The city's consultant, Flo Analytics, returned with a presentation of a recap of the redistricting process that the council and staff have been working on for the last couple of months. At the March 22 public hearing, the...
The City Council held a strategic planning workshop to plan for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Many issues were discussed and prioritized for the upcoming months based on the city's mission, vision and core values. The City of Wasco's stated vision is to provide its citizens and business community effective municipal services and, at the same time, maintain a historical sense of community values. Community values are trust, respect, integrity, teamwork, ownership and innovation. "We are committed to...
The Wasco Tigers varsity baseball team gave their best and beat Cesar E. Chavez High School Titans out of Delano with a shutout 6-0. With this defeat, the team is two and one in the league and nine and three overall. The win was a team effort. "It was a great bounce back as we just came off a loss. It was nice to return strong and swing the bat better to bring in some runs," said assistant varsity coach Chris Wedel. The team did all of the little things right. They played solid defense and had...
The City Council held a public hearing to address the redistricting maps and, after no public comment, map 6 was approved unanimously to move forward. Redistricting was necessary because an analysis of the city's current district boundaries, adjusted for the 2020 data, shows the districts are no longer population balanced. By law, the city must hold at least four public hearings that allow community members to provide input on the drawing of the district maps. This was the third of those...
In partnership with Brighter Bites, Community Action Partnership of Kern and The Wonderful Company, the Westside Family Fellowship Spanish and English Church held its monthly farmers market. Together, they provided over 300 families with nutritious food. "This is our 9th time holding the food giveaway, and each time the crowd gets bigger and bigger. I believe this shows just how much help the Wasco community needs. It is getting harder to survive financially with inflation skyrocketing," said...
Wasco Independence High School hosted their paint night event after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19. It was an evening of creativity while raising money for various school programs. "This was a nice celebration because we hadn't had it in two years since the pandemic. It was small but an excellent turnout. We had staff, students, parents, and staff children attend, so it was a mixture," said Principal Rusvel Prado. Next year teachers will sponsor two to three students to increase participation...
Wasco High School held their Powder Buff volleyball tournament, and over 350 people came out to support the teams. The event brought together the Wasco High School seniors versus the juniors for a fierce competition. It was an exciting game with attendees in full school spirit. The stands were packed with cheering fans, and the gym was decorated with colorful banners and balloons. The game was close, but the seniors came out on top, winning three to zero. "It was a tight match. The teams played...
If you are looking for a place to relax and enjoy the comfort of a warm environment while you get your hair done, 1 Stop Barbershop and Salon provides just that. "The best part about our shop is getting to know our clients. They become our friends and feel at ease sharing their lives with us. It builds a bond and makes us more than just a regular business. You can say we care for more than just hair," owner Jorge Espinoza said. As a one-stop-shop for everyone, they cut hair for both men and...
The Wasco Bengals Football league is once again ready to kick off the new season, recruiting youth ages 6-14. The organization's mission is to cultivate and inspire a spirit of excellence. "We strive to bring our community closer together through a common interest in citizenship and in character," Wasco Bengals Football Area Representative Gonzalo Cruz said. "We hope to impart the timeless values of sportsmanship, sacrifice, accountability and safety for the overall success of our young people....
Who was the first person you called when your doctor gave you the bad news? Or maybe when the phone rang in the middle of the night and a stranger asked if they were speaking to the parents of...? Where did you go for help when the bills were beyond overdue and there was nothing coming in to pay any of them. For many, a memory of a loyal family member or a faithful friend coming to your rescue or at least available to listen and offer comfort in your moment of crisis comes immediately to mind. Like you, we are so grateful for the people we can...
The City of Wasco was awarded a $5 million grant by the Clean California Local Grant Program to launch its downtown revitalization efforts. "The 7th Street Downtown Business District Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project has been in the works now for quite a bit of time. With this grant, we can move forward with our vision to revitalize and beautify our downtown historic district, enhancing visitors' experience, attracting additional community participation and increasing commerce. It's a...
At a special City Council meeting, the city's redistricting consultant, Flo Analytics, presented draft map options with accompanying summary statistics for review. The council then narrowed the maps down to three. According to a City of Wasco staff report, cities with by-district election systems must redraw their district boundary maps to comply with the California and Federal Voting Acts. The process to complete the redistricting requires a minimum of four public hearings and dedicated public...
Wasco Bengals held their annual tryouts and 170 girls turned out for the event. They are a cheerleading program for youth ages 6-14. "Our organization is special because we are a small community, and we see each other as family. The goal is to mold these girls to be the best they can be," said cheer representative for the Wasco Bengals Cynthia Torres. "I love seeing the girls grow up and move into high school and later college. Their smile and their joy mean so much to me." The Bengals reported...
Throughout the United States and other countries, hundreds of Ronald McDonald Houses offer families great comfort while their children are undergoing treatments at nearby hospitals. The organization's goal is to produce a "home away from home" for families struggling to care for their sick children. "What we offer is important because we help families during a medical crisis. They don't have the added expense of traveling to the hospital where their child is cared for. It gets expensive, and we...
On Saturday, April 9, the Wasco Woman's Club will host its 1st Annual Craft Fair and Pop Up event. It will be perfect for those looking for spring gifts, Easter decorations and sweet treats. "We invite the community to come out and support small businesses. They will find lots of extra special items to buy. With the spring weather being so nice, we expect a large turnout," club member and event organizer Anita Harris said. The event will be in memory of Linda Dieter, a former Wasco Woman's Club...
Karl F. Clemens Elementary School announced its weekly Super Students. Criteria for selection were based upon significant improvement in math, showing kindness to all friends, respect, and hard work, following class procedures, helping other students understand new concepts and improving learning English. Front row from left, Erika Torres (K), Kelvin Miranda (1st) Kayla Campos (2nd) Middle row from left, Sterling Hughes (3rd), Cindy Maya (4th) Back row from left, Vice Principal Mrs. Hummel...
During a recent sweep, 10 arrests were made for open charges, active warrants and parole violations along with 2,800 pills of suspected fentanyl. On March 9, deputies from the Kern County Sheriff's Office, along with the Shafter Police Department, Kern County Probation Department, Kern County Sheriff's Office HIDTA Task Force and the Department of Homeland Security conducted a probation/warrant sweep within Wasco, according to a press release. It was an ongoing investigation that resulted in...
As a gateway to knowledge and culture, libraries play a fundamental role. Their services create opportunities for learning while supporting literacy and education. They help shape the new ideas and perspectives central to a creative and innovative society. The Wasco Branch Kern County Library does this while providing many other benefits to the community. Visitors enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere while they sit and read. Many use other resources like audio books, computers, printers,...
Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) introduced AB 2602, which will boost revenue for the "Have a Heart, Be a Star, Help Our Kids" program. The bill is intended to support county child abuse services, increase local child care provider recruitment and fund children's safety programs across California. According to the Center for Disease Control, unintentional child injury is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States, killing approximately 12,000 children and...
President Cheryl Woody and the Wasco Woman's Club members honored art students from Wasco High School after not being able to for the past two years because of covid-19. The art and photography were on display at the clubhouse. The students that participated in the photography category were Erik Silva, Alex Trevino, Jazmin Flores, Leslie Pruneda, Gabriel Villasana and Abram Aboytes. Students participating in the art category were Faith Reyes, Ann Marie Rivera, Alexis Figueroa, Yuridia Gonzales,...
On Wednesday, March 23 at 6 p.m., Wasco Independence High School will host a paint night event for students, staff and families. The community is invited to join. "We have done this event for several years. With Covid-19, we took a break, and we are happy to resume what is always a fun occasion," art teacher Monica Adams said. "The focus of the evening will be to paint in line with the season. We will be painting beautiful almond trees in bloom." Students and staff are involved in the planning...
Wasco Tigers Tae Kwon Do offers the community a place where people can learn key life skills such as confidence, respect, discipline and self-defense while simultaneously strengthening the mind and body through teaching the art and techniques of Tae Kwon Do. Tigers Tae Kwon Do is a family-owned business that has served Wasco for almost 20 years. Father Rigo, mother Rosa, and sons Brian and Alexander Solorio teach and run the school. "We coach ages three and up and have students that are in their...
The City Council formed a committee to handle illegal fireworks during its meeting this week. "At a previous meeting, the topic of illegal fireworks was discussed in some depth, and there was a request to form a committee from the council to meet with the fire chief, and perhaps sheriff's department representatives along with myself to explore this in significantly more detail," said City Manager Scott Hurlbert. "An ad hoc committee would be the appropriate vehicle for that discussion. Today we...
You know that moment in the movies... someone who's terrified of heights must climb out on a ledge or jump between two high buildings. And they look down and the fear that overwhelms them almost makes them lose their grip and fall. We live in uncertain, scary times and the last thing we need to do is look down. If you look down... at your problems and your worries for too long, you'll soon be depressed and afraid to go on. If you look down... at your cell phone or tablet and read all the contradictory opinions, hatred and arguing, gloom and...