Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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The Wasco Police Department proudly hosted its inaugural "Chill with a Cop" event on Thursday at Barker Park, inviting the community to engage in friendly conversations with its officers. Attendees were encouraged to discuss any issues or concerns, fostering open dialogue and strengthening community bonds. Held in a relaxed setting with ice cream in hand, the event provided a unique opportunity for residents to connect with the men and women who serve and protect their city. For grandmother...
The Shafter City Council voted to approve a buyout option for the employment contract between the City of Shafter and its City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez. Gonzalez, who began with the city in 2020, has a contract that expires in March 2025. Gonzalez has announced to the council that he plans to retire at the end of his contract. Gonzalez also said that he would be willing to accept a buyout of his current contract if the city finds a replacement before the expiration of his contract. In the terms...
Shafter held its First Friday event on Friday, Aug. 2, in downtown Shafter, drawing a crowd for an evening of fun. The event is a continuing series of events that the city started last year to great success. The brainchild of Mayor Chad Givens, the latest in the series had good food, music, games for the kids and a lot of vendors displaying a variety of items. There was jewelry, clothing and information booths, as well as organizations promoting an array of services. The Shafter Recreation...
Tin Cup of Shafter recently celebrated seven years in business with an event that included vendors, raffles, live music, coffees and drinks. Manager Shakira Willis said that she was pleasantly surprised with the response on Thursday. "I wondered what kind of crowd there would be because of the event being in the morning during the week, but it has been really great." Willis and her staff were busy selling their signature sandwiches and drinks, giving customers raffle tickets. They gave away...
The Shafter Lions Club, along with their partners and sponsors, held a Stuff the Bus event on Saturday, collecting a busload of school supplies for the students of Shafter. Gilbert Alvarado of the Shafter Lions Club said that it was thanks to the support of the entire community that the event was a success. In addition to the Shafter Lions Club, the Shafter Family Resource Center and Kern County Child Support Services, as well as Acelerados Off Road, were on hand to help with the event. Members...
In a rare packed house, the Wasco City Council has appointed former Mayor Pro Tem Valentin Medina as the next mayor, with Councilmember Eddie Saldaña taking over as mayor pro tem. This transition comes in the wake of the controversial resignation of Mayor Alex Garcia, who stepped down following allegations involving an alleged meeting with a minor. Medina said Tuesday night, "It's an honor to serve as mayor of Wasco. This is not how I saw myself becoming mayor, but it is crucial to continue...
Mayor Alex Garcia may have been lured into a meeting with individuals at a location in Bakersfield, perhaps with the intent to attack him based on his sexual orientation, his lawyer said in a statement Monday.. Meanwhile, a fellow councilmember called for him to explain himself, "or resign." "I advised him [Alex Garcia] not to make any statements because there are a few investigations that appear to be ongoing. Based on the information we have available right now, it appears to be a situation...
With new information being revealed over the last few days surrounding an alleged meeting in Bakersfield with two men portraying one as a minor, Mayor Alex Garcia resigned as Wasco mayor and councilmember early Thursday morning. In a statement, he said he has "been healing following my recent assault; I am now finally able to speak with you to announce, with a heavy heart and profound regret, my resignation. "I want to assure you that the accusations made against me are mischaracterized and inaccurate and certainly do not reflect who I am or...
With new information being revealed over the last few days surrounding an alleged meeting in Bakersfield with a man portraying himself as a minors, Mayor Alex Garcia resigned as Wasco mayor and councilmember Thursday morning. Here is the statement from Garcia released by the city: To the Citizens of Wasco, As I have been healing following my recent assault, I am now finally able to speak with you to announce, with a heavy heart and profound regret, my resignation as Mayor and Council Member of the City of Wasco. As many of you are aware, there...
For Jan Hummel, the newly hired principal of Teresa Burke Elementary School, the most rewarding part of her career in education has always been the deep connection she shares with her students. "I tell people it's not important if you don't remember all your students' names throughout all those past years. What is impressive is when the students from all those years remember you; then you know you've really made a difference," she said. "When they come back and see you, it's the best thing. That...
The Seamless Summer Option program at James A. Forrest Elementary School served an average of 500 to 540 children each Wednesday in July. Using a "grab and go" system, parents could drive through to pick up four bags containing seven days of breakfasts and lunches for their child. The program ensures that any child between the ages of 2 and 18 receives nutritious meals even when school is out. The Wasco Union Elementary School District food service director, Randy Jenkins, explained, "This...
As the school year approaches, House of Fadez is hosting its annual back-to-school event on Sunday, Aug. 4, providing free haircuts and backpacks to low-income students from kindergarten through 12th grade. House of Fadez opened its doors a few years ago and quickly became a local favorite. Owner Luis Contreras shared his connection to the event. "I remember how hard things were for my family when I was growing up, and I know how much small acts of support can mean. Now that I can help, a new ha...
Belton Banks, who has spent over 30 years serving the community of Shafter, has announced that he will be retiring from the District 1 Cemetery Board at the end of his current term. Banks has served on the board for the last eight years. In addition to the cemetery board, Banks has served on numerous boards and committees, as well as being involved in several clubs and organizations. Belton Banks was raised in Shafter. He had a 32-year career in elementary and secondary education in Shafter...
On Sunday morning, Shafter Mayor Chad Givens, along with his wife, Vanessa, were installed as the new pastors of the Canyon Hills Shafter Church. Formerly the First Assembly of God Church of Shafter, the church was taken over by Canyon Hills a couple of years ago. Canyon Hills has campuses throughout Kern County and elsewhere. Givens said that he has been certified by both the Pentecostal Church of God and Assembly of God Church for a few years. Givens was part of the Jesus Saves International...
The Shafter Summer Children's Theater cast a spell on audiences this past weekend, performing "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella" at Shafter's Ford Theater. The group spent two months preparing for the challenging production, filled with songs, dancing and acting. The production featured the character of Cinderella, played by Rori Acres. Acres was at times shy and reserved, as well as always kind and gracious. For comic relief, look no further than the hilarious Evil Stepmother and her quirky...
Due to a production error, pictures and captions for two stories on last week’s print page 1 and continuations of the stories inside the paper were swapped. A corrected version is posted on TheShafterPress.com and WascoTrib.com. The Press and Tribune regret the error....
Edwin Sanchez, who was involved in a fiery crash in Shafter in August 2023, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter in connection with a deadly crash last year in Shafter and has been sentenced to probation and community service. On the afternoon of Aug. 14, Sanchez drove a Ford Excursion west on West Lerdo Highway approaching Driver Road, according to a court filing. The Ford collided with an Infiniti Q50 in the intersection. Both vehicles caught fire. The...
The Shafter Animal Control will be holding a Low Cost Vaccine Clinic for Shafter dogs and cats on Saturday, Aug. 3, from 7 to 10 a.m. Shafter residents are eligible to participate in the clinic, but an appointment is recommended for the event. The cost is $15 and includes FVRCP vaccine for cats, rabies vaccines for dogs and cats, and DHPP vaccine for dogs. Free licensing also will be available for pets for one year with the special. There are dogs and cats in town who need to get up to date on...
Mayor Alex Garcia may have been lured into a meeting with individuals at a location in Bakersfield, perhaps with the intent to attack him based on his sexual orientation, his lawyer said in a statement Monday. Meanwhile, a fellow councilmember called for him to explain himself, "or resign." "I advised him [Alex Garcia] not to make any statements because there are a few investigations that appear to be ongoing. Based on the information we have available right now, it appears to be a situation...
Devonn Bradley responded early Tuesday morning to a request for comment on the meeting between him, his brother and Wasco Mayor Alex Garcia last Wednesday night in Bakersfield. He described the altercation this way: "We didn't meet up with him to fight; we even told him we didn't want to hurt him. His claims are nonsense. He kept reaching into his bag as if he had a weapon. Naturally, anyone would defend themselves in that situation. Plus, this is a man who came to meet a 15-year-old. He also brought weed, a pipe, a full bottle of alcohol, sex...
On Sunday morning, Shafter Mayor Chad Givens, along with his wife, Vanessa, were installed as the new pastors of the Canyon Hills Shafter Church. Formerly the First Assembly of God Church of Shafter, the church was taken over by Canyon Hills a couple of years ago. Canyon Hills has campuses throughout Kern County and elsewhere. Givens said that he has been certified by both the Pentecostal Church of God and Assembly of God Church for a few years. Givens was part of the Jesus Saves International...
Central Avenue Park celebrated its grand opening with a joyful ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 19. The new park, designed to be a vibrant hub for families and visitors, provides a range of recreational activities and green spaces. "It's a fantastic park that offers active sports on the basketball court and lawn area, picnic tables and multiple types of playground equipment. Also, it connects the walking path on Filburn to the walking path on Central," City Manager Scott Hurlbert said....
Pastor Paul Hernandez of the Free Will Baptist Church oversees the Matthew 25:35 Ministry Fresh Rescue Program, a weekly food distribution that started in January and has provided roughly 10,000 meals. Before the weekly program, the church held their distributions monthly for the last three years. Several factors inspired the church's long-term commitment to feeding the community. "First, we saw statistics that said two out of five kids go to bed hungry, and we wanted to find a way to minister...
The Wasco Police Department will host its first-ever Chill with a Cop at Barker Park on Thursday, Aug. 1. There's no agenda – just a chance to interact in a friendly setting with the men and women who help keep the city safe. Sergeant Lloyd Galutira is spearheading the event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. "The Wasco Police Department is dedicated to building trust and creating strong relationships with the community," he said. "We wanted to come up with an event that focused on the c...
