Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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A 23-year-old Wasco man was killed during a shooting on Feb. 20. The shooting occurred in the 500 block of D Street at around 9:30 p.m. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene for multiple reports of shots fired in the area. Guillermo Leon was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead by emergency responders. A postmortem examination will be conducted to confirm the cause and manner of death, deputies said. There are no details regarding what led up to the shooting, and no suspect information was i...
Wasco Independence High School beat out over 400 alternative schools in California to win the 2022 Model School Award. Founded in the mid-1970s, WIHS has since played an essential role in the community for those students needing extra help. "I feel ecstatic, and especially for the staff, students, and parents as they all worked so hard for the award. It was a team effort," said Principal Rusvel Prado, a former teacher at the school with over 18 years of experience in alternative education....
As of Feb. 16, the state's masking mandate reverted back to pre-surge requirements and fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks indoors. Unvaccinated people are required to mask in all indoor settings. The state also recommended that fully vaccinated people continue masking indoors if the risk may be high. Masks are required for all individuals in the following indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status: on public transit, indoors in K-12 schools, emergency shelters, healt...
The Wasco Woman's Club held an orientation event for new members last week, sharing how the organization is making an impact and contributing to the well-being of those living in the city. The new members were introduced to the group's mission and goals, including hearing about the club's rich history of service. The club, founded in 1923, has flourished as one of Wasco's most active and vital civic organizations. The club is also proud to own the oldest adobe building in Wasco., which it rents...
Keep Kern Beautiful is hosting an event on April 23 for all Kern County residents to help clean up the area. The event is to recognize the Great American Clean up on April 30. The national event is the country’s largest community improvement program and takes place annually in over 15,000 communities nationwide. Lynnda Martin, from American Refuse in Wasco, said there are a couple of big events coming up in the near future that can help the county keep its environment looking beautiful. “I wil...
The Pizza Factory has been remodeled and is under new ownership. "I am grateful for the opportunity to take over, and I am excited to see how I can work with the city of Wasco to bring the community together during these times. I hope to create a special place where one can enjoy great food and a great atmosphere," said new owner Chai Lee. "The city is growing. The generation is changing, and I want to adapt to this while supporting Wasco in any way I can," added Lee. Lee chose Wasco because...
Feb. 14 Karla Evangelista, 35, of Wasco, was arrested in the 700 block of F Steet on a misdemeanor bench warrant. She was cited and released at the scene. Feb. 16 Jaime Lucas Cortez, 36, of Wasco, was arrested in the 800 block of 7th Street on his misdemeanor bench warrants and disorderly conduct: drunk in public. He was booked into the Kern County Jail. Ademar Ruiz, 26, of Wasco, was arrested in the 1900 block of Palm Avenue for felony inflict corporal injury on spouse. He was booked into the Kern County Jail. Feb. 19 Jeffrey Morales, 27, of...
On Feb. 18, the Houchin Community Blood Bank, in partnership with the Knights of Columbus, brought their donor bus to Wasco. "When I first donated, I found out I was O positive, which I learned was the most needed blood type. I am young and healthy, and there is no reason I can't do my part to help," donor Jose Castro said. "The process is simple," he said. "It doesn't hurt, and afterward, you get a snack. I feel terrific knowing that I am making a big difference for something that takes less...
The Richland School District celebrated Kindness Week, with students and staff displaying their ability to show kindness to one another, as well as showing that they care for each other. At Redwood Elementary School, Kindness Week began by passing out Kindness Matters cards and a Kick Off Lunch with food and music. Staff and students danced in the playground area and also took a pledge to be kind to one another. They had Dress Up Days to promote kindness. The Kindness Squad spent lunch recesses...
The Shafter Young Adult Theater is putting on a production of the Broadway hit "Newsies", which will be held at the Shafter Ford Theater from March 3-6, and March 11 and 13. The curtain will go up on March 3-5 at 7 p.m. On Sunday March 6, the show will be starting at 4 p.m. There will also be performances on March 11 and 13, beginning at 7 p.m. on March 11 and 4 p.m. on March 13. Led by Director Chad Givens, the production is based on the original production by Disney, which went on to be...
Even as you enter the LaCarne Meat Market, grabbing the handles made from meat cleavers, you know you are in for a different experience. The meat market opened this past August. Owner Hugo Garcia said one difference in his market is the high quality of meat that they provide to customers. "Our meat is graded, and we use only Choice and Prime cuts of meat," said Garcia. Garcia also said this place is something that Shafter has needed for a long time, letting the residents experience a high...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club hosted local author Barry Bongberg recently, as he told the attendees of his experience writing his book, "Letters to Mom and Dad from Vietnam." Bongberg also told of his experiences when he returned home from Vietnam after serving bravely for his country. "Dear Mom and Dad- Letters from Vietnam" is the end result of a series of letters that Bongberg wrote to his parents while he was overseas in Vietnam between 1967 and 1969. "I didn't even want to think about Vietnam...
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 Healthy minds, healthy bodies — The Shafter Youth Center is having a Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies event on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 455 E. Euclid Ave., Shafter. This is a walk-up event. While supplies last, 200 pantry food boxes, 200...
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, CA 93263, or e-mail it to mysteryphoto@WascoTrib.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: The photo was of the 1932/33 Wasco High School basketball team with Coach Paul Wise. Wise began teaching at Wasco High in 1929 and he hel...
Teodoro Nunez, 92, of Wasco, passed away Feb. 18, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Kathy Wegman, 96, of Wasco. passed away Feb. 18, in Wasco. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Santa Teresa Hernandez, 40, of Wasco, passed away Feb.3, in Bakersfield. Basham-Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Robert Sanchez, 74, of Wasco passed away Feb.3, in Culver City. Basham-Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Pedro Rivera Lopez, 68, of Wasco passed away Feb. 6, in Bakersfield. Basham-Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Gilbert Thomas, Alegria, 55, of Shafter, passed away Feb....
Kenneth Gene Kroeker, 83, passed away on Feb. 3, 2022, while at his home in Bakersfield. Ken was born on March 12, 1938, in the notorious neighborhood of Smith's Corner in the town of Shafter. Ken was the youngest of five children, all born to Jake and Annie Kroeker, both of Shafter. Ken attended school in Shafter, later graduating from Shafter High School in 1956. Ken loved playing sports, specifically basketball, showing steers in the FFA, and was also the class president. Shortly after...
Steven Noel Wilson was born July 5,1968 in Bakersfield, to Noel Wilson and Janice (Putnam) Wilson. He moved from his earthly home to his heavenly home with his Lord and Savior Feb. 15, 2022. He was raised two miles south of Shafter with his two younger brothers, Sam and Jay. Steve attended Richland Schools and graduated from Shafter High School in 1986. He mastered the trumpet during high school and enjoyed playing guitar, keyboard, piano and drums. After high school, he spent a short time in...
Barbara Louise Mack was born on Aug. 17, 1945, to Ben and Jane Allen in Pomona. Growing up, she worked on the family ranch and was actively involved in 4-H and raising replacement heifers. She graduated salutatorian at Montclair High School in 1963 and went on to attend California Lutheran University. Barbara spent a semester in Mexico and became fluent in Spanish. She began her 40-year teaching career in Ventura, but taught most of her years in Shafter for the Richland School District,...
Have you ever had an argument? Most of us have. It may have been with your kids, a co-worker or your spouse. It is unfortunate that arguments have become a way of life. There are actually people living around us who can’t communicate unless they elevate the volume of their voice. They have to be heard no matter what, so they talk over everybody. If we are to be honest with ourselves, is anything really ever solved or accomplished by arguing, except maybe in a courtroom. I have come to believe w...
Meet Sally, an approximately 5-month-old female German Shepard mix. Visit the Wasco Animal Shelter to learn more about her. She is great with staff and other dogs and has only been tested with medium/large breeds. It is not known if Sally is house /crate trained. Dogs are not tested with children and cats. Sally is available for adoption on March 1. You are welcome to call the shelter on that day. Call 661-758-7240 to schedule a time to meet her and possibly adopt her at that time. You may also...
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Fernando Alaniz Ochoa "Fernie" -- Coach Alaniz -- was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on Feb. 14, 1972. He resided in Wasco and taught high school and coached the varsity boys' basketball team at McFarland High School. He passed away on Feb. 7, 2020 alone in his classroom while on his prep period. He was getting everything ready for the upcoming basketball tournament at Wasco High School, his alma mater. Fernando is the son of Sara Ochoa Vento, but was raised by his grandparents/adoptive...
