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Articles from the March 14, 2024 edition


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  • WUHS earns Distinguished School Honor

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|Mar 14, 2024

    Wasco Union High School had the honor of being one of only 293 middle schools and high schools in California to be selected for the 2024 California Distinguished Schools Program. This recognition, announced on Feb. 29 by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, highlights schools such as WHS that demonstrate excellence, growth, outstanding academic achievements and a commitment to fostering a positive school environment. WHS is one of only two high schools in Kern County to...

  • Huddeston's road from dropout to director

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|Mar 14, 2024

    Joshua Huddleston is the director of athletics and activities at Wasco High School. His story is one of turning his life around and using it to inspire the young people he works with. "I dropped out of high school at the beginning of my sophomore year. I went back in my junior year because my grandfather, on his deathbed, made me promise I would. One of the reasons I do this job is to try to build connections between students and the school, so they will be more likely to graduate." After high...

  • At Shear Design, beauty, community and unwavering bonds

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|Mar 14, 2024

    The Shear Design salon has a long history of serving the Wasco community. With 38 years in business, it is the oldest salon in Wasco. At the helm is owner Maria Martinez, who oversees a dedicated staff of hair stylists, nail technicians and an esthetician. "We are a full-service salon. Whatever you need, it can be done. We try to give one hundred percent. We bend over backward for our customers." Her team comprises Maria Rivera, Indira Rodriguez, Katie Romero, Terry Nguyen, Rosa Lucero, Vicky Pe...

  • OHF: Cultivating community spirit

    Veronica Jacuinde, The Shafter Press|Mar 14, 2024

    The Orange Heart Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to enhance the community of Wasco. The organization aims to instill optimism through educational and recreational initiatives, uniting through events, and focusing on the betterment of the local area. The goal is to elevate the quality of life in the community by establishing constructive and inspiring customs that represent the entirety of residents. The OHF was founded in 2015 following the organization of the Centennial...

  • Marlene Swan gives a lifetime of service to community

    Veronica Jacuinde, Wasco Tribune|Mar 14, 2024

    Since the 1950s, Marlene Swan has tirelessly volunteered her time and energy to various Wasco organizations. Through her acts of kindness and service, her commitment and dedication have made an impact on the community. Marlene was born in 1932 in Wasco and attended all local schools, including Wasco High School. "It was there that I first became involved with different things. There were the parades the FFA put on then, and the adults got that started, but I also helped out. My mom volunteered...

  • Richland Chevrolet dealer wins award

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Mar 14, 2024

    Last week, Chevrolet executives from Detroit, including Zone Manager Michael Stinner, arrived at Richland Chevrolet in Shafter to present dealer Jeff Millwee with a plaque commemorating 25 years of service as a Chevrolet dealer here. This milestone was celebrated with great pride and recognition of the dealership's unwavering dedication to its customers and the Chevrolet brand. The event culminated in a special photo session, capturing a feature on Millwee in the trade publication AutoNews,...

  • Chamber to celebrate excellence in Shafter

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Mar 14, 2024

    The Shafter Chamber of Commerce Banquet and Awards event is Thursday, March 14, beginning at 5 p.m., with an hors d'oeuvre hour followed by dinner and then the awards. Before the awards presentations, the mayor of Shafter, Chad Givens will be giving the State of the City address, which highlights the accomplishments of the city the past year, as well as the future. Givens gave a speech last year that was full of hope and promise, with several of these goals coming to fruition, such as the succes...

  • Shafter's DYW to be named next week

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Mar 14, 2024

    This article features the second half of the contestants in the Shafter Distringuished Young Women program set for this month. The other eight were in last week's paper, which can be seen at TheShafterPress.com. A total of 16 young women will be vying for the title of Shafter Distinguished Young Woman at this year's competition on Friday, March 22. The event is one of the oldest scholarship programs for junior girls in the state, with the Shafter event celebrating over 40 years in existence, at...

  • Students celebrating reading

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Mar 14, 2024

    Schools in the Richland School District celebrated the Reading Across America event last week, with classrooms filled with special guest readers of numerous Dr. Seuss books. The event encouraged reading in and out of the classroom and shows that reading is an enjoyable event, not just an educational tool. There were dozens of guests at local elementary schools that helped celebrate the joy of reading. Members of the Shafter community came to read to the students, including Mayor Chad Givens,...

  • Community Calendar - March 14, 2024

    Wasco Tribune|Mar 14, 2024

    The Shafter Press and Wasco Tribune encourage local organizations to let the public know about coming events and activities through this column. Drop off or mail items at the office, 455 Kern St., Suite E, in Shafter, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, call 661-292-5100 or email esoriano@TheShafterPress.com. Deadline is 4 p.m. Thursday prior to publication. Updates will be on TheShafterPress.com and WascoTrib.com. ANNOUNCEMENTS Chamber of Commerce Dinner and State of the City – Mayor Chad Givens’ annual report highlights the program, with awards to...

  • Mystery History - March 14, 2024

    Wasco Tribune|Mar 14, 2024

    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 John Miller dairy ranch in 1932....

  • Arrest Report - March 14, 2024

    Wasco Tribune|Mar 14, 2024

    March 4 Agustin Garcia Cruz, 19, of Wasco, was arrested in the 1000 block of 4th place for misdemeanor contribute to delinquency to minor. He was booked into the Kern County Jail. Wilfred Gonzalez, 48, of Wasco, was arrested in the 2800 block of 9th Place for his misdemeanor bench warrant. He was cited and released at the scene. March 6 Mia Chaneile Crofton, 30, of Bakersfield, was arrested for misdemeanor conspiracy to commit a crime, shoplifting, and on misdemeanor bench warrants. She was booked into the Kern County Jail. Ronald Hartfield,...

  • Pet of the Week: Grace needs a forever home

    Wasco Animal Shelter|Mar 14, 2024

    Grace came into the Wasco Animal Shelter as a stray. She is an approximately 3-5 year-old female chihuahua. She is shy and timid around staff and bigger dogs. At the time, it is unknown if Grace is house/crate trained. Dogs are not tested with children. Her behavior towards children is unknown. Grace will be available for adoption on Thursday, March 14. Everyone is welcome to adopt from our facility, and we like to give everyone the same opportunity to adopt. Adopters can be from out of town...

  • Shafter Coach Pennell says goodbye to 'his girls'

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Mar 14, 2024

    Shafter High girls basketball Coach Shawn Pennell has retired after 20 seasons at the helm, completing a transformation that took the Lady Generals from the bottom of the SSL to Central Section supremacy. Pennell ended his career a few weeks ago when the Lady Generals made it to the Central Section Division III semifinals and lost a tough game to the eventual Regional Champions, the Bakersfield Christian Eagles. The team won their own basketball tournament and also finished in third place in...

  • Pastor's Corner: Lifelong wisdom

    Pastor Spencer Carpenter, First Southern Baptist Church, Shafter|Mar 14, 2024

    “Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square… Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.”(Proverbs 1:20, 23). Wisdom in the Bible is available to all, but we must respond and receive it. Biblical wisdom is the practical application of biblical truth obeyed out of love and reverence for God that results in skillful, beneficial and productive righteous living in the world. Essentially, it is effectively living like Jesus Christ in the world. Wisdom in the Bible covers all areas of life fr...

  • Classified Ads - March 14, 2024

    Wasco Tribune|Mar 14, 2024

    To see this week's Classified Ads, click on the e-edition icon at the top of the page....

  • SHS off to a fast start on the track

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Mar 14, 2024

    The Shafter High School track and field team is off to a quick start, with a strong showing at the Kern Invitational track meet last weekend. The highlight was sophomore Jocelyn Pierucci, who won the discus event, throwing a distance of over 122 feet, outdistancing her competition by 22 feet. Pierucci is continuing her high school athletic career after having an outstanding freshman season, advancing all the way to the Central Section Masters meet, just missing qualifying for the State track mee...

  • Consuelo Salinas

    Mar 14, 2024

    Consuelo “Chelo” Salinas, 79, entered the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 11, 2024. Consuelo was born Nov. 22, 1944, in La Fiera, Texas. She married Porfirio “Pilo” Salinas Feb. 23, 1965, in Edinburg, Texas. They quickly moved to California the same year and settled in Wasco. Consuelo began to attend a small church that was using a rented building on G Street called Mision Pentecostes. She served the church as a Sunday school teacher and became the pastor in 1970. As a female pastor the road was difficult. The Lord wa...

  • Annette M. Castillo

    Mar 14, 2024

    Annette M. Castillo was a kind and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, sister-in-law and friend. She passed away on Feb. 27, 2024, at the age of 64 after a 13-year battle. Annette was born to Angel and Madeline Barbosa on May 4, 1959. She attended St. John's Catholic School and graduated from Wasco High School in 1977. She married her husband, Julian Castillo, in 1978. She worked at Wasco Valley Rose Golf Course for 15 years. Before retiring, she had worked at GEO Correctional Facility for...

  • Sally Ann Holmes-Tatum (Firkins)

    Mar 14, 2024

    Sally Ann Firkins was born on May 19, 1940, in Santa Monica. She spent her childhood years in Downey, before relocating to Shafter in 1946. In Shafter, her father, Charles "Chuck," owned Chuck's Flying A Service Station, while her mother, Celia "Sally," worked at Stringham's Drug Store for 20 years, caring for Sally and her siblings Donald, Betty and Tommy Firkins. Sally, the eldest sibling, contributed to her family's endeavors from an early age, working in the cotton fields, assisting her...

  • Charlotte Belle German

    Mar 14, 2024

    Charlotte Belle German, age 92, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Camarillo. She was born in November 1931, in Lancaster, to Wm. Walter Homes, Jr. and A. Marie Kornelissen. She was a graduate of Antelope Valley Joint Union High School and also attended Antelope Valley Junior College. Many years later she earned an A.A. in early childhood development from Ventura Junior College, in Ventura. She married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth German, at St. Paul's Episcopal Ch...