Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
Axzay Villarreal is a celebrated artist from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, who created the hand-crafted mosaic "Deep Roots/ Raices Profundas," featured in the Downtown Beautification Project. Her murals are vibrant canvases that convey rich historical narratives, and this piece reflects her interpretation of Wasco's heritage. The foreground of the intricate 9 foot by 7 foot mosaic, crafted from mosaic tile and glass, shows Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, and La Catrina, the...
Meet the first six contestants vying for the 2025 Miss Wasco Rose Queen title. Each young woman brings her own unique blend of charm, talent and dedication to the competition. Discover more about these standout candidates and their journey toward becoming the next Rose Queen. Jacqueline Reyes is sponsored by Westside Family Fellowship. Her parents, Pedro and Janette Reyes, and her escort, Israel Paniagua, have been by her side throughout this experience. Jacqueline dreams of...
Excitement is building for the Wasco Rose Festival Parade on Saturday, Sept.7, starting at 10 a.m. There's still time to participate-applications are being accepted for parade participants. "My goal this year is to make this the biggest parade we've ever had," says Christi Johnson, a member of the Rose Festival Group. "Currently, we have 25 entries with 450 participants, including Planet Dance Studio, the City of Wasco, the Rose Queens, local golf carts, Wasco Glass, Kern...
The Wasco Elk Ladies will present "Stop and Smell the Roses" on Friday, Sept. 6, featuring an honorary guest reception. This event will honor Grand Marshals Helen and James Medrano, Mike and Chris McCurdy, the Honorary Grand Marshals organization Wasco Knights of Columbus, the 2025 Miss Wasco Rose Queen and her court, as well as local artists. "We sincerely hope the community will join us in honoring these remarkable individuals while enjoying the Elk Ladies' cherished...
A new North Shafter Parkis finally expected to break ground early in 2025, according to the city. The project was originally approved in 2021. According to Public Works Department Director Michael James, the design phase of the park has been completed, and the city will be accepting bids as early as this fall, planning for a groundbreaking toward the first of 2025. The 4-acre park, at Highway 43 and Fresno Avenue, will offer a variety of amenities, including a playground, a...
The Shafter City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday night to appoint a business growth leader as city manager. Fresno economic director Lance Lippincott was not present at the meeting, but it was reported that he was watching the meeting via Zoom. Current City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez announced that he would be retiring when his contract expires in March 2025. The council interviewed candidates and selected Lippincott. According to the council report, Lippincott was...
Miss Wasco Rose Queen Pageant contestants kicked off the season with a bonding trip to Disneyland. (Photo by Daisy...
The criminal investigation into former mayor Alex Garcia has been suspended, according to a statement issued Friday by the Bakersfield Police Department. Sergeant Eric Celedon, the department's public information officer, said in the statement, "A case number was generated for this incident, but neither involved party contacted us after we reached out. This has left us unable to proceed with any type of investigation. As of now, the case is closed." This came after Detective...
The Wasco City Council appointed certified candidates, incumbents Vincent R. Martinez and Eddie Saldaña, along with Miguel A. Raya, as City Council members for Districts 2, 4, and 5, respectively. This decision resulted in the cancellation of the Nov. 5, 2024 election. The resolution followed that Martinez and Saldaña faced no challengers, and Raya was the only nominee for his district. Prior to Tuesday night's meeting, City Manager Scott Hurlbert said, "Tonight, the...
On Aug. 14, a special City Council meeting was held for the city clerk to certify that incumbents Vincent R. Martinez, representing District 2, and Eddie Saldaña, representing District 4, had no challengers in the scheduled Nov. 5 elections. The certification also noted that only one candidate, Miguel A. Raya, had been nominated to run for the District 5 seat. The nomination period for the general elections ended on Aug. 9, and only the incumbents filed papers to run in the...
James Garner brought his "Tribute to Johnny Cash" show to the Shafter Ford Theater for three shows last weekend that packed the house for each performance. Garner performed in Shafter for one show last year, also a sellout. The show features Garner as the Man in Black, complete with the clothes, demeanor and the unmistakable voice of the Country Music Hall of Famer. Garner and his band played Cash's most popular songs, such as "Ring of Fire," A Boy Named Sue" and "Walk the...
Due to an editing error, part of the location of a planned roundabout was inadvertently truncated in an Aug. 8 story . The new construction will be at 7th Standard Road and Highway...
The Shafter High Generals football team began their quest for a championship on Thursday night, scrimmaging against a tough Golden Valley team. Shafter, which has the majority of their offense and defense back from last season, looked like they were further into the season than the first outing. Head Coach Jerald Pierucci and company impressed the large home crowd, making a positive start to the season. With each team running 10 plays at a time on offense, the Generals...
Shaken by loss, frightened by illness, worried about family and finances, and pulled by a million demands on our time, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Add on social media’s tsunami of information about others’ real-life dramas, alerts to potential future dangers and millions of invented “crises,” and facing life can feel impossible. As pastors, we frequently counsel people to stay off social media (and turn off the news) to avoid added stress. Our own lives already have enough drama. But the truth is, focusing on...
Andres Fuentes Ayala, 81, of Wasco, passed away Aug. 13, in Lost Hills. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Roy H. Scott, 94, of Shafter, passed away Aug. 17, in Shafter. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. MaryAnn “Rita” Olivarez, 81, of Shafter, passed away Aug. 5, in Delano. Basham & Lara Funeral Care,...
The family of Paul A. Spolsdoff is saddened to announce the passing of their father on Aug. 10, 2024, at the age of 95. Paul was born on Feb. 25, 1929, to Alex and Anna Spolsdoff in Kerman, Calif. He was married to his loving wife, Phyllis, in 1953 and were married for 61 years until her passing in 2014. He is survived by his four children: Paul Jr., George, Alex and lovely daughter, Tanya, as well as nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Family was truly always...
Cheryl Annette Mason, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Aug. 11, 2024, at the age of 57, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Born on Dec. 22, 1966, in Bakersfield, and raised in Shafter, Cheryl was the beloved daughter of Jerry Clinton Taylor and Linda Sue Taylor and was the middle child among her siblings, William Scott Taylor and Jason Clinton Taylor. Cheryl Annette Mason was married to David Conrad Mason, with...
Aug. 12 Leonel Angel Vargas, 36, was arrested in the 600 block of Oak Avenue for hit and run. He was cited and released at the scene. Ryan Sims, 52, was arrested in the 100 block of F Street for assault with a deadly weapon. He was booked into the Lerdo Justice Facility. Aug. 13 Jesus Mauricio Silvaza-Mora, 32, was arrested at the intersection of Filburn Street and Highway 43 for driving at an unsafe speed and driving with a suspended license. He was cited and released at the scene. Aug. 14 Jaime Cortes Lucas, 39, was...
20 years ago: Sept. 15, 2004 The Shafter City County approved the naming of six streets after his family members in the New Freedom Home development. The names given were Enns Road, Martha Avenue, Loewen Street, Ryan Drive, Emily Way and Molly Court. 40 years ago: Sept. 12, 1994 Shafter High Math and Science teacher Mike Nichols coached Shafter's Academic Decathlon team. --Compiled by Erica...
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 mysteryphoto@WascoTrib. com. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Florence and Cecil Page were a well-known couple in Wasco during the 1940s. Florence was a former...
Brendon, a 2–3-year-old lab/pit mix, was found as a stray but has quickly won over our hearts. This playful, gentle boy loves snuggles and gets along great with other dogs and our staff. While his behavior towards children is unknown, we know he's full of love and would make a perfect addition to your family. Brendon will be available for adoption on Aug. 22. Come meet your new cuddle buddy! --Wasco Animal...
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