Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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Wasco State Prison was fined $16,360 for the way it handled its employees during the coronavirus pandemic. Cal/OSHA fined several California prisons over the issue of employees and the coronavirus in the workplace. The state website reported that the prison was fined for three violations, including two serious infractions. The website also states that the prison did not have an adequate plan in place to protect workers from viruses transmitted through the air. “They also did not fit employees properly for face masks requiring a filter,” the...
Mayor Alex Garcia pushed the High Speed Rail Authority Board on the topic of the farm labor camp hazard. He delivered public comments at the board meeting Feb. 9 via Zoom. “I will not apologize for past leadership. I will; however, be headstrong in our efforts to hold the HSR accountable for any and all adverse impacts the project has on the community they chose to build through,” Garcia said. “Our city has bent over backwards to accommodate the authority’s contractors every step of the way. We have to reconsider permitting further activity wit...
The superintendent of the Wasco Union Elementary School District presented a bleak picture regarding the reopening of school for the current school year. "The WUESD is waiting for two things to occur before reopening," Superintendent Kelly Richers said. "1. The infection rate needs to drop below 25/100,000 and 2. The staff needs to have the opportunity to be vaccinated." In his speeches, Gov. Gavin Newsom states that schools need to reopen as soon as possible; however, teachers are not on his...
Wasco High School FFA students recently participated in the South Valley Speaking Competition. Shafter High School FFA hosted the competition on Jan. 23 and 30. Students spent two weekends competing. "This year it was different compared to prior years," said Recorder Sofia Reyes. "Each competition was online, which was new to a lot of us. It was divided into two different weekends. The first weekend was Creed, Prepared, and Job Interview." The Creed Recitation's purpose is to get members to...
One of the first things you notice about Vickie Hight is her smile and the lightening streak of white that frames her bangs. A former Shafter General, Hight has become a Tiger because of the many years she and her husband, Scott, have lived in Wasco and the many years she has served the Wasco community. Now the community is bidding her ado as she retires from the Recreation and Parks Department. Hight began her career in Wasco working part time at the Chamber of Commerce in 1993. She then...
The plans for a proposed park in northern Shafter are now online after the community got a chance to help design the park. The park will be the first in the northern Shafter neighborhood near the intersection of Fresno Avenue and Highway 43, adding to the improvements and enhancements that are being done in that area. There is a shoulder improvement project underway, and there is a study being conducted for the possible need for a stop light on Highway 43. The new park design is the result of...
City Hall office buildings reopened to the public on Monday, Feb. 8, with social distancing and the requirement of facial coverings to be worn by all who enter the buildings. For the safety of the customers and the staff, these requirements will be in place until further notice. Those customers who need to speak to city staff other than to make utility payments can make appointments for in-person transactions. All other city offices are open as well, including planning department buildings,...
Many items cannot go in the usual garbage and the hazardous household waste collection event is a way to get rid of those items. On Saturday, Feb. 13, Kern Public Works will be holding an event for anyone needing to dispose of hazardous materials. Due to the pandemic, the last event was canceled. This event will be held rain or shine. The containers of waste meant for this event 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,...
The number of new positive cases of the covid-19 virus continues to rise quickly in one week in Wasco. On Feb. 2, there were 4,724 cases and on Feb. 9, there is an increase of 325 new cases up to 5,049. The number of recovered is 1,444 up from 1,427 for the week of Feb. 2., which means recoveries have increased by 17 people. The number of presumed recovered for the week of Feb. 9 is 1,745 above last week’s recovered of 1,557, therefore 188 are presumed recovered from last week. Shafter’s numbers are more stable than Wasco’s with 3,268 cases...
With restaurants facing the challenge of drawing diners during the pandemic, a lot of businesses are altering their service options, menus, and hours. In Shafter, there is a restaurant that has been drawing diners from all over Kern County and the pandemic has not slowed the appeal. In 2016, El Michoacano Restaurant, on Central Avenue next to Bank of America, was visited by Pete Tittl, the food critic for the Bakersfield Californian. Tittl was celebrating his anniversary and raved about the...
It has been almost a year since there has been any sort of high school sports competition. According to Shafter High Principal Russell Shipley, the sports dilemma is a frustrating one. According to the California Interscholastic Federation, since Kern County is in the purple tier, cross country is the only sport that can begin competition. If Kern County gets into the red or orange tier, there would be more sports added to the list. After Gov. Gavin Newsom lessened the restrictions on schools, a...
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 [email protected] or call 661-292-5100 by Monday at 4 p.m. for that week’s paper. Ongoing Utility bills — The City of Wasco reminds residents that the city’s official website is the only authorized avenue to pay your utility bill online. Covid-19 testing — There will be free covid-19 testing Wednesdays and Sundays at the Wasco Library...
Here's this week's challenge, courtesy of the Wasco Historical Society. If you know the location, circumstances, exact or rough date and/or people in the photo, send your educated (or semieducated) guess to the Tribune, 455 Kern St., Suite E., Shafter 93263, or e-mail it to [email protected]. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: A photo of the family of former Wasco dentist Dr. Thomas F. Prather. From left, Dr. Prather, daughter Ann, wife Liz and son Tom - who is also a...
Alejandro Hernandez, 21, of Bakersfield, was arrested at the intersection of Poso Drive and Broadway Street for misdemeanor driving without a license. He was cited and released at the scene. Sixto Hernandez, 20, of Wasco, was arrested in the 2300 block of 3rd Street on his active felony and misdemeanor bench warrants. He was booked into the Kern County Jail. Jose Lopez, 31, of Wasco, was arrested at the intersection of 7th Street and Poplar Avenue for misdemeanor driving without a license. He was cited and released at the scene. Feb. 5 Ramon...
Janet Grimes Reed, 88, of Bakersfield, passed away on Feb. 5, 2021. She was dedicated to her family and helping the family business be successful. Born in Taft to Dawson Grimes and Stella Sparks, she lived her entire life in Kern County, residing in the communities of Taft, Arvin and Bakersfield. Early in life, Jan met and fell in love with the love of her life, Frank Wallace "Wally" Reed. They were married for 72 years until his passing in 2020. Jan joined the Reed family business shortly...
Jorge Beltran, 72, passed away on Jan. 30, 2021 in Wasco. He spent his last days with his family. Jorge was born on Feb. 20, 1949 to Jesus and Esperanza Beltran in Bakersfield. He grew up in Wasco and played football for the Wasco Tigers. After high school, he served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971. When he returned from military service, he met his wife, Mary Ann, and started his family. Jorge enjoyed spending time helping his friends and family. He could always be found lending a...
Bonnie Lorie Smothers, 85, passed away on Feb. 8, 2021 in Bakersfield. The wife of Billy Smothers, they shared 68 incredible years of marriage together. Born in Oklahoma, she was the daughter of Dorothy and Claude Kaufman and little sister to brothers Walt, Doc and Clarence. She attended Wasco High School where she would eventually work as the supervisor of the Wasco High School cafeteria for 25 years. A job she loved as much as all the many kids she served over the years. Bonnie, who was known...
Jesus “Moose” Perea Torres, 51, of Shafter, passed away Feb. 5 in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Jorge Beltran, 71, of Wasco, passed away Jan. 30 in Wasco. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Joseluis Valencia, 48, of Bakersfield, passed away Jan. 28. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Jesus Saldana Garcia, 84, of Arvin, passed away Jan. 4. Peters Funeral Home, Arvin. Joel Rodriguez Zamora, 68, of Shafter, passed away Feb. 1 in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Arturo “Tudy” Sanchez, [END BOLD] 52, of Wasco,...
One good thing leads to another. While we are anticipating a navigation center for the homeless in Delano to be opening soon, the progress we made in Delano is helping us get programs in other rural communities going as well. Progress in Arvin, Lamont, Taft, McFarland and Wasco are the direct result of what we’ve been able to do in Delano and bodes well for Kern County’s long-term approach to homelessness in the rural areas of Kern County. Already much funding and additional services and bed...
I have lived almost my entire life here in rural Wasco one mile away from where I was born at the peak of the “Dust Bowl.” In the last 25 years a problem has become of epidemic proportion – the dumping of city waste onto roadsides of our valuable farmland. The cities of Wasco and Shafter do a good job of keeping the waste hauled to our county dump and recycling center located within a few miles from both cities. The dumps are well run and have a staff of very helpful employees to assist you when you take your load to the dump, and the hours the...
Janice McCormick loved having her family around her. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved Jesus with all her heart and shared His love with everyone she came into contact with. She loved going on "girl" trips to the beach and mountains. She loved to shop -- she could outshop anyone half her age. It was her hobby and sport. But most important was her love for God and the relationship she had with Him. She was the family matriarch, spiritual advisor and best friend....
