Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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A conflict of interest was identified during a recent audit of the pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements and landscape improvements around multiple schools. Officials from the California Department of Transportation's Independent Office of Audits and Investigations reported the previous public works director's daughter-in-law was employed by Palmetto Engineering. The previous director had directly participated in the selection process of Palmetto and had neglected to note the conflict of...
A 1955 Wasco High School graduate, Ned Permenter, was a three-sport athlete all four years while he attended high school, and sports have been a constant throughout his life. He even has a stadium named after him at Foothill High School where he taught and coached. Raised in Wasco and having attended all Wasco schools through his educational years, he maintains contact with many friends from that time including Harvel Pollard, Chuck Emerson, Dr. Jack Groves, Don Forth, Audra Miller and Frances...
The first time Lori Albrecht heard the sound of "Pomp and Circumstance" was when she walked along the sideline in the processional as superintendent at Wasco High School. "Turning to greet Mr. Tallon at the goalpost will be a forever memory," she said. "It was such a great feeling of accomplishment." Albrecht is retiring this December and made the announcement at the September district board meeting. Born and raised in Michigan, she describes herself as an underachiever when she was in school...
In light of the ongoing battle against covid-19, Kern County received a surprise visit from the U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams. As the nation’s doctor, Vice Admiral Adams oversees the 6,000 member U.S Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and guides public health officials through general advisories and action reports on issues regarding advancing the health of the nation. During his visit, Dr. Adams encouraged our community to follow public health guidelines to maintain the p...
Residents struggling to pay their rent or mortgage now can apply for assistance. The program, sponsored by the Bakersfield Homeless Collaborative, Community Action Partnership, and the Housing Authority of Kern, is geared toward Kern County residents who have been impacted by the pandemic. Residents can receive a one-time payment up to $5,000 paid directly to the mortgage company or landlord. To be eligible, the resident must pay at least 30% of their income toward housing and may have a...
A Shafter man was killed after a crash on Burbank Avenue Monday morning. The Shafter Police Department responded to a call involving an accident at approximately 7 a.m. on Monday. A driver of a gray Nissan, later identified as Maribel Pimentel Lopez, 30, was stopped at the intersection of Burbank and Scaroni avenues. Lopez didn't notice the driver of a Chevrolet SUV approaching the intersection and pulled into the path of the Chevy, resulting in the Nissan being hit on the driver's side. Both...
There are three seats on the City Council open this November and the race to fill them involves the three current members whose terms are expiring and three new candidates. Last week, we met candidate Kris Lawrence. In this issue, we will be introducing Pete Espinoza. Espinoza has been a Shafter resident for 54 years and he said that he has always enjoyed being a part of such a caring community. Espinoza said that he feels that after being a part of this community, he feels that now is his time...
Bryce Atkins has been hired by the city as the new administrative services director. Atkins began working for Shafter in July and was previously with the City of Gilroy. He has been working in city government for 14 years. Atkins has experience as an analyst, finance manager, interim finance director and city manager working in the fields of budgeting, anaylsis, financial management, policy development and grant and contract management. “The city is extremely impressed with Mr. Atkins’ credentials, financial experience and high ethical sta...
With the covid-19 virus still in the forefront of residents’ minds, flu season is arriving, threatening to make this season one of the worst in recent memory. Kern County Public Health Department officials are urging residents to get their flu shots now and not wait until the customary start of flu season, which is usually in late October. In fact, the County Health Department, which holds low-cost vaccination clinics annually, will not be receiving its vaccine supply until October. However, the vaccine is available at various places t...
Trinidad Lopez, 75, of Delano, passed away Sept. 22 in Delano. Services pending. Arnoldo Macias Sr., 61, of Shafter, passed away Sept. 15 in San Diego. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Ruben Reyna Fernandez, 41, of Shafter, passed away Sept. 19 in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Arcelia Carranza, 70, of Buttonwillow, passed away Sept. 20 in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Dominga Becerra, 45, of Bakersfield, passed,away Sept. 13 in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter....
Sept. 20 Earl Wayne Whygle, 47, of Shafter, was arrested for possession of controlled substance for sale, evading a public office, disregard of safety, destroying evidence and unregistered vehicle. David Becerra, 41, of Shafter, was arrested on an outside agency warrant. Brianna Danai Perez, 20, of Shafter, was arrested for obstruction of public office. Luis Enrique Villarreal, 22, of Shafter, was arrested for controlled substance paraphernalia, obstruction and resisting arrest and on an outside agency warrant. Fernando Garcia Jr., 34, of...
NEW: Join Congressman TJ Cox in honoring the contribution of Latinos to California’s 21st Congressional District by nominating an outstanding leader to receive the Latino Inspire Award. Anyone who resides or works in TJ Cox’s district (CA-21st) and is of Latino heritage may apply for this award: Sept. 14-30. Nomination form may be obtained by bit.ly/CA21LIA, or call 559-460-6070. Virtual awards ceremony will be Oct. 13 at 5 p.m. Wasco/Shafter Free Virtual Citizenship Services will be provided by the United Farm Workers Beginning Oct. 2, 202...
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I don’t need to tell you that 2020 is an election year. As the field of contenders for president has narrowed down, as well as other offices of various kinds, we’ll see more and more airtime devoted to supporting a particular candidate. I believe it’s important for each of us to participate in the process of voting and the freedom we often take for granted. But I also believe in the importance of praying for our elected officials at every level of government. With that in mind I’d like to encourage you to consider a resource I’ve been usin...
A blank space on a building will become a Wall of Dreams after a few students in Shafter wanted to help beautify it. Advisors Melissa Bergen and Katie Wiebe, from the nonprofit organization Listen To Shafter, encouraged the girls to write their dream for the wall down on paper, making them real and attainable. "We have helped the kids realize their dream, but the real credit for the project goes to those students who voiced that desire and helped make it happen," said Bergen. The space is on...
There are three seats on the Richland School Board up for grabs in November, with only one of the areas having two candidates in the race. Current Board of Trustees members Cain Maldonado and Tammy Criswell-Rubio are running unopposed in their Trustee areas, with current Board President Deanna Rodriguez-Root running against newcomer Julian Armando Calvillo in Area 3. Rodriguez-Root said that she decided to run again because she wants to follow through on the district's vision and finish what...
