Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez presented his resignation to the City Council Tuesday night. He is expected to begin duties as city manager of Webster City, Iowa -- a city of about 8,500 where is he held the same post from 2016 to 2018 -- at the end of July, according to a press release posted by that city. Wasco city officials would not comment on the resignation, but aside from an email from Mayor Alex Garcia, it was obvious they were surprised coming out of the executive session where it...
The city was recently awarded an Urban Greening Grant for $2.2 million for the Central Avenue Neighborhood Park, City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez told the City Council Tuesday night. Ortiz-Hernandez reported that the Natural Resources Agency announced $28 million was funded in the Urban Greening Program grants. The grant provides funding for projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide multiple benefits including expanding access to parks and green spaces in underserved areas across the state. Ortiz-Hernandez said the funding...
The City Council unanimously approved the hiring of retiree Roger Mobley as extra help in the planning department at a salary of $41 per hour for 960 hours during its May 4 meeting. “There is a vacancy that hasn’t been filled yet after Keri Cobb was promoted,” City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez said. “The city requires someone with a higher level of the department’s knowledge than what the city’s counterperson has. This person can assist Keri Cobb when needed.” The meeting was dedicated by the council to Donuts to Go owner Lon Mam. Mam was...
Vendors filled the parking lot at El Pueblo Market last Sunday as shoppers milled around, browsing the various goods for sale. Jazmine Lucero was one of the vendors. Lucero was selling small bags that included a variety of necessities such as hand sanitizer, bottle openers, lip balm holders and a Kubaton. A Kubaton is a small metal instrument that can break a vehicle window in case of emergency. Also included in the bag was pepper spray. "I've been doing this for about a year," Lucero said of...
AT&T employees at the new Highway 46 store celebrated the store's opening on April 30 with an official ribbon cutting. Market Director Erica Leppke, who leads the Central California Area Market, directed the ribbon cutting that morning. The company raffled off items such as air pods, discounts to newly signed customers and discounts on phones. Even though the Wasco store has been open since the end of the year, there were several items that needed to be completed before the ribbon cutting such...
A Lerdo Justice Facility inmate is still on the loose after he escaped April 28. The Kern County Sheriff's Office is searching for Tyrone Deangelo Johnson. Detectives and the Special Investigations Division are leading a thorough criminal investigation into the whereabouts of Johnson and into anyone aiding in the escape or assisting in concealing Johnson's whereabouts. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office at 661-861-3110, Secret Witness at 661-322-4040, or 9-1-1. The...
The community enjoyed a day in the park last Saturday as they gathered for the Recreation and Parks District's Primavera at the Park. The first vendor at the event was Lupita Castro of Obsession Jewelry, who was selling shoes, hats and T-shirts from Letty's Boutique. Enjoying the day with his young children was Tim Holtermann, who was accompanied by his 6-year-old son Henry and 3-year-old daughter Hazel. Holtermann is part of H&H Family Farms with his wife, Jenny, a 2004 Wasco High School gradua...
The owner of Rocy's Mexican Food has opened a new venture in the city called El Duran's Taco Shop. Antonio Duran and his family have been in business in Shafter for a few years. Duran said that he loved the location of Highway 43 right after Apple Market, thinking that it would be a perfect spot for a business. Duran made this dream a reality as he opened the doors to El Duran's Taco Shop this past Thursday. Duran said the new restaurant offers everything that Rocy's offers, specializing in taco...
The Shafter Young Adult Theater group will be presenting their production of the old classic, "The Wizard of Oz" this weekend, Friday, May 7 and May 8. Show times are 7 p.m. for Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday as well. Directed by Chad Givens, the group has been rehearsing for a couple of months. Starring in the lead role of Dorothy is Lauren Givens. Givens has been acting for a couple of years now, with her previous performances as Ariel in the Little Mermaid and in...
The fate of the Shafter Branch Library is in limbo as the current agreement ends in June. Over the weekend, the library held an event to make the community aware of its uncertain fate. The city entered into an agreement with the Kern County Library to open the Shafter Branch for two days a week until the end of June. After this agreement has ended, another plan will have to be in place to keep the library open. The library was not opened back up by the Kern County Libraries during the pandemic...
Residents will be able to shop at the bazaar for mom and donate blood at an event held by the Truth Church. On Friday, May 7 from 2 to 7 p.m., the church is hosting a Mother's Day shopping event along with a blood drive held by the Houchin Blood Bank. For those wanting to donate blood, you must be at least 16 years old, have a valid picture ID, and be in good health. In addition to the blood drive, Pastor Frank Cabrera said that they are holding a bazaar that celebrates the mothers in the...
April 28 Leonel Acosta Jr., 33, of Shafter, was arrested on the 400 block of Louise Ct. for possession of controlled substance, on a misdemeanor bench warrant and an outside agency warrant. Kaleb Anthony Alcala, 20, of Shafter, was arrested on Central Valley Hwy. for driving with a suspended license, exceeding max 65 speed limit and no proof of financial responsibility. April 30 Juan Daniel Bautista, 26, of Shafter, was arrested on S. Schanidt and W. Lerdo Hwy. for driving with a suspended license, stop required and no proof of financial...
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 Covid-19 testing — There will be free covid-19 testing Wednesdays and Sundays at the Wasco Library, 1102 7th St., Wasco. If you have insurance, they will be billed. Appointments can be made at lhi.care/covidtesting or call 888-634-1123. Donde? Bib...
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, 406 Central Ave., Shafter 93263, or e-mail it to mysteryphoto@WascoTrib.com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Wasco farmer George Yursick pictured in the 1940s....
The City Council presented the key to the city to Nicole Morris, the new Distinguished Young Woman, at its recent meeting. The council also honored First Alternate Natalie Olvera, Second Alternate Jamilynn Eighmy and winner of the Physical Fitness Award Malia Maldonado. Morris will represent the city at the state competition in Bakersfield in July. Terry Knight, of the Kern County Vector Control, also gave the council information on the upcoming mosquito season. Knight advised the council of...
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David S. Vivas, Sr, 74, of Delano, passed away April 28 in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Vernon David Lee “Shorty”, 58, of Shafter, passed away April 23 in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Jose Luis Estrada Rodas, 76, of Shafter, passed away April 24 in Shafter. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Billy Ray Dunn, 65, of Lost Hills, passed away April 29 in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Alfredo E. Felix, 92, of Arvin, passed away May 1 in Arvin. Peters Funeral Home, Arvin. Darrell Bruce Chambers, 69, of...
Visit the Wasco Animal Shelter and check out Barkley, a young male Wirehaired Terrier. He is a mix of brown, chocolate, yellow, tan, blond and fawn with a medium coat. Barkley gets along well with other dogs at the shelter and he would be good in a home with other dogs. He is approximate 1-2 years old. He has been great with staff, but has only been tested with large breed dogs at this time. It is unknown if he is house or crate trained. Dogs are not tested with cats or children. He will be...
Ricardo "Ricky" Antonio Trujillo Acosta, 19, passed away on April 20, 2021, in Shafter. He was born on Jan. 5, 2002, in Bakersfield, to Elida and Alvaro Trujillo. Ricky grew up in Wasco. He graduated from Independence High School in 2020. During high school he started his own business, Compitas Auto Detailing. When he wasn't working at Wasco Family Auto, he was detailing cars, where he continued to expand his business and made many friends. Ricky enjoyed spending time with family and friends....
Anselma V. Flores, "Chemita," was born April 21, 1930, to Leonila Gamez and Ventura Vasquez in Linares, Mexico. Anselma lived in Texas and Arizona, then made her home in Wasco for the last 56 years. Anselma worked for Jackson & Perkins/Armstrong Roses for over 40 years. She was a member of St. John's Catholic Church. She loved to travel to visit family in Mexico, Texas, Utah and here in California. She also ventured to Canada, Hawaii and Las Vegas. She had such a welcoming heart and helpful...
