Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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Covid-19 has changed the landscape of community activities such as fundraisers, meetings and the traditional Rose Queen pageant, which takes place the first Thursday after Labor Day. This week, the pageant is today, Thursday, Sept. 10. However, because this is a virtual pageant, things will look quite different. The location of the pageant is unknown. Even ordering tickets for this year’s pageant will be done online and using Venmo. Tickets are $25 each. Log on to Venmo@Miss Wasco Rose Queen, pay $25. Put your email and phone number in the d...
It has been the most memorable year any girl could dream of. The people, the places and moments that were made are forever cherished as the new pageant comes closer and closer every day as Queen. Now, if you personally know me, I am a very honest person. They don't call me "Pinky Pie" for just any reason. I believe being yourself can get you far because it has given me the privilege to be on this stage in front of every single person. Growing up I knew my life was going to be different from othe...
Wasco Unified Elementary School District Superintendent Kelly Richers said distance learning has been successfully implemented, with the district at 92% attendance. Richers said some special education and English language learner students have been authorized by the state to attend school in person as needed; however, he said only 14 students are allowed in one cohort, or grouop. Every district in California has been sued, he added, because they are not meeting the requirements of federal special education student Individual Education Plans....
Kelly Richers, superintendent of the Wasco Union Elementary School District, sent a statement to all staff at the district expressing his gratitude and support for everything that staff has done to make school work during the covid-19 pandemic. Richers said that at first he wanted to wait until things stabilized; however, he realized that wasn't going to happen anytime soon, so he decided to pen a memo to all in order to connect with everyone involved in the education of the district's...
The second virtual Wasco Community Coalition meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2, took place online with various groups reporting on their recent activities: 1. Keri Cobb from the City’s planning department updated attendees on the city’s procedures. She said city offices remain closed to the public, but that work continues. City staff is available over the phone and online. She also said the city is moving forward on conducting a school traffic safety survey, and that the city launched its new website a few months ago. Cobb encouraged others to che...
Wasco is now accepting applications for the Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program. The program aims to alleviate the impact of the virus on small businesses and their employees. The city has committed up to $150,000 in one-time funds to create the program. The objective of the grant is to enable small businesses to maintain their workforce. Grants in the amount of $3,000 and $5,000 will be awarded to small businesses in Wasco that meet all eligibility criteria. Recipients will have until December 30 to spend the funds. For a complete...
Shafter saw 47 new cases of covid-19 in the last week, which is an increase of about 10 percent over the week before. With most of the businesses in town following the safety precautions set by the Kern County Public Health Department and the city launching a campaign urging residents to wear masks when shopping or going downtown, Shafter had seen its fight against the virus take a turn for the better until last week. Shafter has now had 1,147 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, while Wasc...
Because of the covid-19 pandemic, The VFW has canceled a couple of their well-known breakfasts and barbecues this year. Instead, the VFW held a raffle where the lucky winner would go home with $500. Winner of the $500 grand prize was Ysidro Castro. Castro showed up at the VFW building shortly after he received a phone call that he had won the big prize. "We sold over 400 tickets," member Danny Rueda said. "It was a big success." VFW Rose Queen candidate Talitha Arellano was with her father,...
NEW: Rose Queen Virtual Pageant Thursday, Sept 10. Tickets for online are $25, login for payment to Venmo@MissWascoRoseQueen. Put your email and phone number in the description and you will be emailed the link access code and more information by Thursday, the day of the pageant. For any questions call W.H.S (661) 758-7400. The Knights of Columbus are holding another blood drive: Friday Sept 11 between 1:45-6 p.m. at 810 8th St. (the old courthouse). To make a donation, contact HCBB.com/schedule. Free Virtual Citizenship Services will be...
As many businesses, clubs and organizations face challenges due to the pandemic, a local non-profit is thriving due to a tremendous show of support from its friends in the community. Shafter Healthy Start, which is operated by the Richland School District, has seen its coffers filled with the generosity of Shafter's business community and a multitude of residents who have stepped up in the midst of their own challenges to show support for the youth of Shafter. The most recent gift came last...
There will be six candidates on the ballot come November for the Shafter City Council. Three seats will be up for grabs, with Mayor Gilbert Alvarado, Chad Givens and Manuel Garcia having their terms expiring in December. All three Council members will be running to retain their seats. Three other candidates will be looking to fill them, with all three candidates running for the first time. Kris Lawrence, Rafael Zamudio and Pete Espinoza will join the three incumbents in the race for the three va...
Sept. 7 Hector Perez, 46, of Shafter, was arrested for DUI. Allen Ray Forker, 26, of Shafter, was arrested for controlled substance paraphernalia and disorderly conduct: Alcohol. Sept. 6 Sergio Acosta Jr., 24, of Shafter, was arrested for burglary: first degree, burglary in a state of emergency and felony bench warrant. Sept. 4 Michael C. James Thompson Smith, 30, of Shafter, was arrested for possession of controlled substance, and on an outside agency warrant, misdemeanor bench warrant and proof of financial responsibility. Sept. 3 Enrique...
If you have a disability, accessibility improvements on your home are still available through the Kern County Home Access Grant Program. If, for example, you need to widen your doorways for wheelchair access, provide a ramp with handrails going up and down stairs, or you might need a handicapped accessible toilet or your tub replaced by an accessible shower, all these items are available through the program. The grants are available to those with a physical disability who desire a better quality of life. If you are living in a low-income...
With much of the nation attempting to reduce funding for police departments, a Police Reform Bill, AB1299, has passed the California Legislature with bipartisan support. The bill was authored by local Assemblyman Rudy Salas. It is designed to help prevent local departments from hiring officers who have a history of serious misconduct. Salas, who represents the 32nd District, which includes Shafter and Wasco, said his bill will help hold departments accountable when hiring new officers. “We need to ensure that our local police departments are h...
How many of you have somebody in your life that you can say you look up to? It may be a parent, an athlete, actor, teacher, world leader or anybody else in or around your life. Sometimes we try to pattern our lives after our heroes. Let me start by saying this. I’m not against anyone making a ton of money for doing something they love to do. If owners of pro sports teams are willing to pay tens of millions of dollars to athletes to play for their team, God bless them. I would take the money just...
Robert E. Duke, 85, of Bakersfield, passed away Sept. 1 in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Rodolfo Garcia Velarde, 33, of Shafter, passed away in Shafter Sept. 3. Basham- & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Axel Matias Garin, 19, of Wasco, passed away in Wasco. Sept. 2. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Ignacio Martinez, Jr., ] 66, of Wasco, passed away in Wasco. Sept. 5. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. David G. Flores Solis, 38, of Wasco, passed away in Los Angeles Sept. 3. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Rogelio Roy Olivo, 59, of...
LAST WEEK: From a 1930s Wasco High School yearbook ad, J. Ray Baker – Insurance, Real Estate and Public Accounting, at 5th and E streets. "A Policy for Every Hazard."...
Rogelio Roy Olivo was born in Phoenix on June 26, 1961, to parents Guadalupe Olivo and Dionicia Alaniz. Roy proudly served his country as a Marine and was stationed in Hawaii during his service. He spent many years working at Wasco State Prison, from which he retired. After retirement, he worked at the local True Value hardware store, where he enjoyed interacting with customers who became friends. Roy was a loving person with an outgoing personality and great sense of humor. His loud and...
Ordell O. Portwood was born Oct. 28, 1928, in Lost Hills and passed away at his home in Wasco on Sept. 9, 2020, after an almost 27-year-long battle with Parkinson's disease. He had been in the capable hands of in-home caregivers for the past 11 years, in addition to hospice more recently. Ordell was a very successful farmer in Wasco for several decades. He started Portwood Farms back in the 1950s, and it is still going strong today. He also raised cattle on a ranch in Springville for many years,...
Barbara Ann Terry was born Aug. 29, 1943, to William E. and Eula Wooten in Olney, Texas. She lived with her family for a time in Arizona, then moved to McFarland, where she attended the local schools and graduated from McFarland High School in 1961. She met Allen Terry, and they wed on May 16, 1964, and made Wasco their home, where they raised their three daughters. Barbara started working for the Wasco Elementary School District in 1976 as a teacher aide,. She was also the "lunch lady,"...
