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Articles from the January 21, 2021 edition


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  • 300 new covid cases reported in city

    Toni DeRosa, Wasco Tribune|Jan 21, 2021

    In Gov. Gavin Newsom’s last covid-19 briefing held in December, he stated that he envisioned school reopening by February. School districts are differing in their opinions. Superintendent of the Wasco Union Elementary School District Kelly Richers has advised parents and staff that school will remain closed for the third quarter and nothing will be decided about reopening until closer to the fourth quarter. The high school remains the same as the elementary school district. The amount of covid-19 cases continue to rise and the population is n...

  • Farmers struggle amid pandemic, do not qualify for programs

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 21, 2021

    Farmers have felt the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as they have worked to keep residents fed and many have not been able to qualify for assistance programs. Almost a year after the beginning of the pandemic, local farmers said the impact has been great. "We have seen a big slowdown in the movement of goods from one source to another, either because of staff of truck drivers hauling the goods, or the amount of people needed to load them," said farmer Larry Kroeker, who grows almonds and...

  • Animal shelter charging small fee to surrender pets

    Sarah Velarde, Special to the Wasco Tribune|Jan 21, 2021

    The Wasco Animal Shelter is currently limiting the amount of surrendered pets it can accept — and for a fee. The shelter is charging a $20 surrender fee while still accepting strays. “Overcrowding can be an issue,” said Animal Control Officer Marcos Silva. “With only 17 kennels, if we get more large breeds than small breeds, we immediately lose space. We aim to ensure a safe comfortable stay for our animals while they are here.” The dogs do not tend to stay long in the shelter, Silva said. “After partnering with petfinder.com, our impounded a...

  • Prout has goals, challenges as Shafter mayor

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 21, 2021

    New Mayor Cathy Prout has some goals for the city as Shafter continues to grow during the pandemic. With a 5-0 vote, the council selected Prout to serve as the city's mayor for the next two years. Prout said there are some challenges facing the city and she is looking forward to working with the council and discussing the ways Shafter can move forward. "We are discussing having a strategic planning meeting that will give the group a chance to voice concerns and ways that Shafter can address...

  • Shafter residents, board battle over decision to return to in-person learning

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 21, 2021

    The Richland School District has recently implemented a return to classroom plan that has the board, as well as the community, at odds. The district has started a hybrid return to school plan that has students in the classroom for in-person instruction. Small cohorts are in classrooms, with no more than 16 students in one class. Not all teachers and students are on board with the new plan. With the invitation out there for students to return to the classroom, about 20% of the students are...

  • Shafter business can sell, repair guns in city after ordinance change

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 21, 2021

    he City Council approved an ordinance change that would allow the sales and repair of firearms in the city. A zoning change was required to make this possible. A proposed business, which will sell firearms, as well as repair them and sell ammunition, is slated to open on Central Avenue in downtown. The location would also sell other sporting goods equipment. There is a requirement that goes with the ordinance, which states that the business would have to get a permit approved by the Shafter...

  • Hazardous waste to be collected at event

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Jan 21, 2021

    The Public Works Department will be holding a household hazardous waste collection on Saturday, Feb. 13 for anyone needing to dispose of hazardous materials. Due to the coronavirus outbreak and inclement weather, the last event was canceled. The containers of waste accepted are those that are too toxic for the regular trash. Among the accepted materials are batteries, motor oil, paints, light bulbs, sharps (needles), pool chemicals, automotive products, cleaning products and more. The event...

  • 300 new covid cases reported in Wasco

    Toni DeRosa, Wasco Tribune|Jan 21, 2021

    In Gov. Gavin Newsom’s last covid-19 briefing held in December, he stated that he envisioned school reopening by February. School districts are differing in their opinions. Superintendent of the Wasco Union Elementary School District Kelly Richers has advised parents and staff that school will remain closed for the third quarter and nothing will be decided about reopening until closer to the fourth quarter. The high school remains the same as the elementary school district. The amount of covid-19 cases continue to rise and the population is n...

  • A big move for The Press and Tribune

    The Shafter Press|Jan 21, 2021

    The Shafter Press and Wasco Tribune will have new offices beginning Monday, Feb. 1. The paper's new address: 406 Kern St., Suite E, Shafter, facing Central Avenue. The City of Shafter is selling the building at 406 Central Ave. where the Press is now, moving there 10 years ago after a fire destroyed its previous office near Five Points. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, Monday through Friday. Masks are required, and appointments at are greatly appreciated by calling 661-292-5100. [CORRECTION, Jan. 21, 2021: The prinbt version of this story...

  • Cameras will be reading license plates

    Toni DeRosa, Wasco Tribune|Jan 21, 2021

    The City Council introduced the Flock Safety Program during its meeting to help deputies read license plates. This program gives the deputies automated license plate reading technology to utilize in responding to crimes committed in the city by reading license plate numbers and notifying the deputies if a vehicle is stolen. Sgt. Peter Martinez stated that the Flock system updates the list of stolen vehicles every two hours. "Thirty-seven jurisdictions use the Flock Safety Program," said City...

  • Arrest Report - Jan. 21, 2021

    The Shafter Press|Jan 21, 2021

    Jan. 11 Jodi Kay Bevelheimer, 37, of Shafter, was arrested for theft extortion of a vehicle, possession of identifying information, on a felony bench warrant, possession of burglary tools and controlled substance paraphernalia. Humberto Lopez Ramirez, 44, of Shafter, was arrested for DUI/drugs. Jan. 12 Alberto Luis Rosette Jr., 30, of Shafter, was arrested for contempt: disorderly court order and on an outside agency warrant. Juan Antonio Pena Rojas, 40, of Shafter, was arrested for burglary in the first degree, obstruction of a public officer...

  • Dollie Imogene Burrow

    Jan 21, 2021

    Dollie Imogene Burrow, 78, of Shafter, passed away on Jan. 18, 2021, in Bakersfield. Dollie Imogene (Whitmire) Burrow was born in Kenefic, Okla., to William E. Whitmire Sr. and Minnie M. Ritchie on Aug. 20, 1942. She went to school in Quanah, Texas. Dollie married Floyd E. Burrow on Sept. 6, 1963. They then moved to Shafter, where she lived for the rest of her life. Dollie worked at the Richland School District for many years. She volunteered at the schools, worked as a classroom aide and as...

  • Teofilo Farias

    Jan 21, 2021

    Teofilo Farias Jr., 59, passed away on Dec. 21, 2020, at Mercy Southwest Hospital in Bakersfield. Born on April 11, 1961 in Galveston, Texas, to Teofilo and Lupe Farias, Teofilo was one of 12 children. Growing up in Shafter, Teofilo graduated from Shafter High School in 1979. After high school he attended Bakersfield College, where he studied auto mechanics. He worked for the City of Shafter and retired in 2010. Teofilo married Concha (Cathy) Gutierrez in 1985, and they were happily married for 35 years. He loved his family and his sports and...

  • Classified Ads - Jan. 21, 2021

    The Shafter Press|Jan 21, 2021

    Click on the pdf to see this week's Classified Ads....

  • Juan Diego Cantú Adame

    Jan 21, 2021

    Juan Diego Cantú, de 55 años de edad, falleció el día 8 de Enero del 2021 en Wasco. El nació en el día 30 de Noviembre del año 1965 en General Nuevo León México. Sus padres son Aureliano Cantú y su madre Ramona Adame. Juan Diego creció en China Nuevo León y se graduó de General Bravo Secundaría. Juan Diego trabajo por 35 años haciendo soldadura, troquero y mecánico. A Diego le encantaba la música y bailar con su esposa Josefa. Diego siempre le encanto decir chistes y hacernos reír. Diego teni...

  • Death Notices - Jan. 21, 2021

    Wasco Tribune|Jan 21, 2021

    Juan Diego Cantu Adame, 55, of Wasco, passed away Jan. 8 in Wasco. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Jack Allen Branch, 72, of Bakersfield, passed away Jan.11 in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Ruben Anaya, 32, of McFarland, passed away Jan.10 in McFarland. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Maria L. Mares, 83, of Bakersfield, passed away Jan.10 in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Anna Salinas, 72, of Shafter, passed away Jan.13 in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Jenny Hernandez, 81, of Wasco,...

  • Community Calendar - Jan. 21, 2021

    Wasco Tribune|Jan 21, 2021

    As activities restart and businesses reopen, we will try to update readers on the status of events and activities throughout the area. Please contact Erica Soriano with additions and changes at esoriano@TheShafterPress.com or call 661-292-5100 by Monday at 4 p.m. for that week’s paper. Ongoing Warm clothing drive — District 4 Supervisor David Couch is collecting blankets, coats, gloves, hats, scarves and socks. Donations will benefit families in District 4. To schedule an in-person pickup, call 661- 868-3680. Utility bills — The City of Wasco...

  • Ag company prepares land for planting

    Toni DeRosa, Wasco Tribune|Jan 21, 2021

    Frank Sanchez is a busy man, running a business along with being a pastor at New Generation Church. His business, Frank Sanchez Ag LLC, has been grinding trees and prepping orchards for 17 years. "We do vine and orchard removal and grinding trees," said owner Frank Sanchez. "We prepare land for new plantations, ripping the land three to six feet deep. We do removal of grapevine orchards and tree removals." Thirty-one employees work for the company and that includes Sanchez's children and other...

  • Fiesta Latina Market delivers for free

    Toni DeRosa, Wasco Tribune|Jan 21, 2021

    Fiesta Latina has risen to the challenge of operating during the pandemic, delivering to residents for free. "We deliver to our customers free of charge as a service to our community," said owner Saeed Saleh. "Butcher Antonio Vadillo has been with us for 16 years." Fiesta Latina Market, at 1220 7th St., carries everything a shopper may need, Saleh said. Saleh arrived in the United States from Yemen in 1991 several years after his brother, Gna Saleh, arrived in 1987. His brother started Fiesta...