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As is traditional at the end of the year, the Wasco City Council on Tuesday night selected a new mayor –Alex Garcia – and mayor pro tem, Valentin Medina. Garcia comes from serving as mayor pro tem, while Medina held the role of councilmember. For Garcia, it will be his second time as mayor. "I am humbled and honored to be re-appointed mayor for the great City of Wasco this upcoming year. The unanimous vote of confidence from my council colleagues is an awesome responsibility I don't take lightly...
The Wasco Recreation and Parks District hosted its second annual "Light up Wasco Community Cruise" and dazzled residents with a tour of over 23 homes decorated with Christmas holiday themes. Santa Claus came, the Gingerbread Men were there for photos, and cookies and hot cocoa were a part of the occasion. Some rode in the Dial-a-Ride bus, while others followed in a caravan of cars as they followed the route throughout town to the brightly and colorfully lit houses with twinkling lights,...
At a special meeting on Tuesday, the City Council repealed its Dec. 5 acceptance of the Resource Environmental Inc. bid for the Wasco Farm Labor Camp demolition and cleanup project Currently, the labor camp is at the step of abatement, which is making sure that the materials that need to be removed are properly disposed of from the site, such as lead paint and materials containing asbestos. On Nov. 14, seven bids were received for the project. Following the Dec. 5 city council meeting, staff...
Leo Alvarez is a Chicano artist based in Wasco, who has been cultivating his gift since the age of seven. He was raised here but is originally from a small town called Llano Grande in Jalisco, Mexico. He came here at the age of 4. Recently, he completed a mural for the City of Wasco at the 15th Street Playground Park. "It was my first mural in Wasco, but I've done a lot of murals in McFarland and Bakersfield." He started as an artist by drawing cartoon characters, then artwork from "lowrider"...
Líderes Campesinas North Kern Committee held a Mexican-themed Christmas event, "Posada," to honor local farmworker families. There were toys for the children, food boxes, gift cards, raffle items, clothing, desserts, tacos, music and drinks to enjoy. "We held this celebration to show our gratitude for their hard work this year," Paola Medina, the committee representative, said. "We were not only here to spread holiday cheer but also to raise awareness around the work we carry out to empower...
Karl F. Clemens Elementary School announced its weekly Super Students. Criteria for selection were based on significant math improvement, showing kindness to all friends, respect and hard work, following class procedures, helping other students understand new concepts and improving learning English. Front row, fro let, are Eliana Camacho (kindergarten), Kevin Martinez (2nd grade), Johnathan Cruz (1st) and Anabel Raya (4th). Back row, from left, are school mascot Whiskers, Kendra Naranjo (5th...
Hailing originally from Memphis, Daniel Vaughn, who spent his formative years in Wasco, is a example of someone who overcame the challenges of social and economic adversity, rising from the bottom to accomplish his dreams, and who now is a role model to many youth who find themselves in similar circumstances. Vaughn credits much of his success to his Wasco High School coaches. "I played basketball and ran track. My coaches influenced me and taught me about being a team player and a leader. They...
Bakersfield College offers diverse programs, from vocational courses to associate degrees in many fields, and is made more convenient for local residents through their Wasco site on the campus of Wasco Independence High School. With economical fees, readily available financial aid and accessible scholarships, BC is attainable for those facing barriers elsewhere due to financial constraints, academic preparedness, or life circumstances. "The Wasco site is part of BC's Rural Initiatives,...
Beginning Jan. 1, a new law in California will provide adults ages 26 to 49 access to full-scope Medi-Cal services, and immigration status will not matter. Ethnic Media Services held a news briefing to discuss Medi-Cal's expansion, who benefits, and how, particularly in rural communities such as Wasco. Juan Avila, chief operating officer of the nonprofit Garden Pathways, was one of the panelists. "Medi-Cal will seek to make health care more accessible to the hard-to-reach populations, including...
It was Christmas in Shafter on Saturday at the Shafter Depot Museum, as they held their annual Christmas at the Depot event. Santa arrived and took a seat in the museum's new caboose, giving the kids, young and the young at heart, a chance to make their Christmas wishes known. There was also live Christmas music, as the Shafter Brass Band entertained the crowd as they perused the museum and checked out all of the decorated trees. Refreshments also were served, including baked goods, cookies,...
The Shafter City Council approved an improvement project plan for the Shafter Aquatic Center which would give the facility a whole new look with a new building. A special meeting was held on Tuesday night, and discussed three different options that were created to complete the renovation of the center. The council recently awarded a contract to complete to get the pool operational and a little landscaping. The project discussed Tuesday would include the main building, which was used for...
Shafter received its first new fire truck in almost 15 years recently, getting a brand new engine that was "pushed into" Kern County Fire Station 32 in Shafter. Fire officials say that the new engine was loaded with brand new tools and was thoroughly examined before it was pushed into – the term used by firefighters for the first time a truck is driven into a bay – the engine bay in Station #32 in Shafter. Shafter Mayor Pro-Tem Cathy Prout was onsite for the delivery, She also was on hand for...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club works year round to enrich the lives of Shafter residents, especially its youth. In addition to their Terrific Kids Luncheon program, the club holds several events throughout the year, sponsors several sports teams and usually backs a contestant in the Distinguished Young Womans program. Last week, the members of the organization were busy packing over 70 boxes of food for needy families. Each box contained a protein, vegetables, bread, potatoes and more They were not...
Dodgeball is a game many of us played in grade school and haven't seen that giant rubber globe since. But a group of Shafter residents dusted off their sneakers Saturday and played in a kickball tournament to benefit the Toys for Tots organization. All of the proceeds went to the group and there was another Toy Drop-off event held at the tournament site, Veterans Park. The event was sponsored by Big Dog Presents and Acelaredos Off Road. Several teams kicked their way around the diamond, bringing...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club held its monthly Terrific Kids Luncheon Tuesday, honoring a special group of kids from the elementary schools in the Shafter area. Students from Redwood, Sequoia, Golden Oak, Richland Junior High, GROW Academy and Maple School were recognized for displaying a certain character trait that was the feature trait for this month. This month, the character trait is Responsibility. In addition to Responsibility, the other traits that are recognized by the program that stand...
2 years ago: Dec. 18, 2003 The old Frosty King was demolished and was in the process of being relocated. Frosty King now sits at 683 Central Valley Hwy. 70 years ago: Jan. 8, 1953 The new Shafter High School auditorium was one of the additions to the school district. It was a part of a $17-million bond issue. --Compiled by Erica Soriano...
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 [email protected] or call 661-292-5100 by Monday at 4 p.m. for that week’s paper. ANNOUNCEMENTS Christmas at the Shafter Depot — Come and see the Christmas tree display. Saturdays, Dec. 23, 30 and Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. ONGOING Warm clothing drive – Supervisor David Couch invites the public to donate gently used or new warm clothing throu...
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 93263, or e-mail it to [email protected]. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Mr. Kettleson's 8th-grade class graduation picture at Wasco Union Elementary School in 1950....
Dec. 11 Brittany Arreola, 26, of Wasco, was arrested in the 1000 block of Pistachio Street for felony infliction of corporal injury on spouse and misdemeanor cruelty to child. She was booked into the Kern County Jail. Dec. 12 Mario Vallejo Ayala, 40, of Wasco, was arrested in the 1200 block of Highway 46 for felony grand theft with a credit card, using accessed credit data, altering account data, grand theft, forgery and conspiracy to commit a crime. He was booked into the Kern County Jail. Julio Daniel Rodriguez, 19, of Rialto, was arrested...
Sebastian came into the Wasco Animal Shelter as an owner surrender. He is approximately a 4-5 month-old male Labrador. He is great with staff and other dogs. At the time, it is unknown if Sebastian is house/crate trained. Dogs are not tested with children. His behavior toward children is unknown. 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 and/or local. We do not place holds for adoptions. Adopters...
As the holiday season approaches, students across the country are wrapping up their papers and exams for a long holiday break. For many, it is a time to rest, recharge and catch up with friends and family. It can also be an important opportunity for the adults in students' lives to check in about their mental health and wellness. In college, our kids' lives are full of new experiences; while exciting for many, navigating academic pressures and a growing independence can also bring about mental...
What is the true meaning of Christmas? Is it about Christmas trees, lights and presents? Or is it about good food and reunions? Yes. But it goes much further than that. It's about God sending us a gift that we can enjoy forever. In Isaiah 45:22, the Lord said, "Look unto me and be saved, all the ends of the earth." The question is, saved from what? In Isaiah 59:1-2, the Lord says, "The hand of the Lord is not short that he cannot save you, neither is ear closed that he cannot hear you, but your sins have separated between you and your God." In...
Esther Gallegos, 72, of Wasco, passed away Dec. 17, in Wasco. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Jazmin Hall, 32, of Shafter, passed away Dec. 17, in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter....
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