Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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With the cost of Kern County Fire Department service expected to rise, the city manager of Shafter suggested that his city and Wasco jointly seek alternatives to the KCFD with a cost-sharing agreement. Wasco City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez said getting the Board of Supervisors to consider such an approach could be difficult. Ortiz-Hernandez also said a detailed evaluation needs to be done to determine exactly what services the fire department provides and to compare costs with private companies. The City Council also addressed the purchase...
You can't walk anywhere in Wasco without seeing people wearing masks. Businesses are now requiring customers to wear a mask in order to enter enter the establishment. Masks are the first line of protection against the covid-19 coronavirus, and those who don't wear one are risking either getting sick or getting someone else sick. Many people keep a mask handy in their vehicle so they can pop it on while walking into a business. Walmart, which had been ambivalent about masks, now enforces them onc...
High Speed Rail has had a negative impact on Wasco, City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez said in a memo this month. Ortiz-Hernandez said at the Aug. 18 City Council meeting that he asked the HSR if they would consider paying for the demolition of the former farm labor camp, because demolition would cost the city between $5 million and $6 million. The HSR said it would not pay for the demolition. Ortiz-Hernandez outlined the impact the high-speed rail construction is having on the city. Even though it will go through Wasco, it will not stop in...
Primex has taken precautions to protect its workers during the covid-19 pandemic. Mojhan Amin, the company’s chief operating officer, says Primex has been in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kern County Health Department guidelines. During a recent tour of Primex’s facility, many of these steps were on display. Since the middle of March, Primex has instituted new regulations for anyone entering the premises. Once a visitor enters, they are required to have their temperature taken. Receptionist Samantha Zav...
The Wasco City Council election has only one incumbent running unopposed while two of the three districts up for re-election are being contested. In District 2, incumbent Gilberto Reyna is running against business owner William David Ward, small business owner Vincent Martinez, businessman Jang Han “John” Kim and claims adjuster Florirene Olvera. In District 4, incumbent and Mayor Tilo Cortez is running against crane operator Eduardo “Eddie” Rodriguez Saldana. In District 5, Council member Alex Garcia is running unopposed. The election will be...
Wasco State Prison has released a total of 195 non-violent inmates as of Tuesday, Aug. 18, and has identified another 237 non-violent inmates who could be released in the future, said Lieutenant Joshua Farley, a prison spokesman. There have not been any deaths attributed to the virus. The prison also reported that 79 employees tested positive for covid-19, 30 of whom have returned to work. Farley said that as of Monday, 40 inmates had tested positive for the coronavirus, and that the prison released 29 with the virus. The number of cases...
With the cost of Kern County Fire Department service expected to rise, the city manager of Shafter suggested that his city and Wasco jointly seek alternatives to the KCFD with a cost-sharing agreement. Wasco City Manager Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez said getting the Board of Supervisors to consider such an approach could be difficult. Ortiz-Hernandez also said a detailed evaluation needs to be done to determine exactly what services the fire department provides and to compare costs with private companies. The City Council also addressed the purchase...
Shafter will host a group of representatives from nine cities to review a new reimbursement proposal that was put before the Kern County Board of Supervisors. The proposal would drastically increase the fire services costs for the nine cities. Those cities are: Shafter, Wasco, Taft, McFarland, Delano, California City, Tehachapi, Maricopa and Arvin. A study done by the Kern County Fire Department found that those cities had been substantially underpaying for services provided by the Kern County...
Shafter's Community Bible Study class will begin Sept. 1. This will be the study's 36th year. Community Bible Study is an in-depth study open to all. CBS is a nondenominational study; members represent many local churches. Valley Bible Church has hosted the study most of the time. At CBS, the Bible is studied in small, core groups that are facilitated by caring leaders. Onsite core groups are offered Tuesday mornings for ladies, long with remote coed core groups. Our Tuesday morning, class time...
The Community Emissions Reduction Plan, which was created by a committee made up of Shafter community members, city officials and business owners, has seen some implementation since it was approved late last year. In a move to lower emissions and reduce the community’s energy usage, the CERP includes a commitment from the San Joaquin Valley Air District of up to $1.5 million to incentivize the installation of residential solar and zero and near-zero emission appliances in Shafter, by committing a 10% match to state funding for residential s...
Cris Starrh was recently recognized for the 25 years she has served the youth of Shafter by founding the Shafter Children's Summer Theater, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year with its production of The Lion King. This was the first production that was done virtually, live streaming the play from Shafter's Ford Theater. After the production, the cast presented Starrh with a video featuring remarks from different cast members through the years. She was also given a special photo...
The Richland School District had planned to begin in-person schooling on Aug. 6, but that was before Governor Newsom restricted school districts to distance learning in counties on the state's watch list. That made it necessary for Kern County schools to teach via the internet. While distance learning presents a series of challenges, the Richland School District has made the learning a positive experience by integrating lessons with sessions that allow the students to communicate with one...
ONGOING Cooling off -- Shafter’s cooling center will be open at the Walker Senior Center, 505 Sunset Ave., from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Residents using the center are encouraged to bring their favorite nonalcoholic beverages, snacks, reading materials, games, etc. Face masks are required. Emergency food pantry -- The food pantry is a one-time food service that is provided to families in need on an emergency basis. A food basket can be provided when the church is notified of the need, and if any further assistance is needed. Griffith Avenue Baptist C...
Aug. 15 Stephen Noe Gutierrez, 21, of Shafter, was arrested for domestic violence, disorderly conduct: under the influence of drugs, and possessing controlled substance paraphernalia. Jose Isaac Gomez, 31, of Shafter, was arrested on an outside agency warrant. Santos Gutierrez, 30, of Shafter, was arrested on an outside agency warrant and a misdemeanor bench warrant. Aug. 13 Dirk Barton Underwood, 50, of Shafter, was arrested on an outside agency warrant. Aug. 12 Alfonso Garcia Jr., 26, of Shafter, was arrested for DUI alcohol. Aug. 11 Esteban...
Dr. C R Swanbeck was born Aug. 8, 1929, and passed away on Aug. 18, 2020, at the age of 91. He had been a resident of Golden Living in Shafter. He received caring treatment from the wonderful nurses and staff. Dr. Swanbeck was born in Lewiston, Idaho, and resided in Clarkston, Wash., until leaving to attend WSU. He was active in sports and academics in high school. Upon graduation from WSU, he attended medical school at the University of New York School of Medicine, in Syracuse. After an internship in Spokane, Wash., and a residency in general...
Uriel Lopez, 0, of Wasco, passed away Aug. 12 in Delano. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Julia S. Rodriguez, 89, of Shafter, passed, away Aug. 13 in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. David W. Northam, 79, of Bakersfield, passed away Aug. 13. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Ivan Ronald Ward, 73, of Bakersfield, passed away Aug. 13 in Bakersfield. Basham-Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Romaldo Ortiz Cabrera, 65, of Bakersfield, passed away Aug. 18 in Bakersfield. Basham-Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Ana Maria Barajas de Esparza, 65, of Buttonwillow,...
As the month of September is getting closer, our thoughts often go to the “normal” events of the fall season, such as school, gathering around a table of food with family and friends at Thanksgiving, football games galore, and, hopefully, a good dose of an attitude of gratitude! This time we’re in right now has certainly changed our perspective on the time of year and the normal events we enjoy. Although it’s hard to duplicate special seasons and days like Thanksgiving, we can certainly try to be thankful all year long. According to the wor...
#1 YARD SALE SHAFTER YARD SALE: 561 Harris, Drive, Shafter. Saturday, Aug. 22. 7:30 a.m. Furniture, lots of children’s toys and clothes, bedroom sets, dresssers, etc. Wear a mask. Please! #1 YARD SALE WASCO #2 AUTO/MOTORCYCLES FOR SALE 2005 Chrysler 300, $1,800. Clean tags, non-op. new parts, custom rims, needs work etc. Call 661-340-1544. #3 CAMPER/RV #4 MISC. FOR RENT #5 MISC. FOR SALE ENJOY 100% guaranteed, delivered-to-the door Omaha Steaks! Get 4 FREE burgers. Order The Griller Bundle -- only $79.99. 1-877-882-4248. Use Code 63281PAM or O...
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 guess to the Tribune, 406 Central Ave., Shafter 93263, or e-mail it to [email protected]. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: A snowy view from the WHS library in 1962....
The Miss Wasco Rose Queen pageant has been set for Thursday, Sept. 10, though in what format it will be produced is still to be determined by organizers. The rest of this year's 22 contestants will be featured in next week's Wasco Tribune. PHOTOS BY VINCENT MARTINEZ | VINCENT MARTINEZ PHOTGRAPHY Maybeth Lopez Sponsored by Canyon Hills Assembly of God Maybeth Lopez Dominguez was born in Mexico; at the age of 3, her family moved to Lost Hills and when she was 16, they moved to Wasco. "I ask...
