Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
A ceremony was held at Bakersfield High School in which 32 trainees received their badges in a pinning ceremony after the trainees completed an extensive training program. Of the 32 graduates, two of those were to become new members of the Shafter Police Department. Officer Herrera was pinned by Acting Chief Randy Milligan, as was Officer Escutia. They were among 47 trainees that started the program over six months ago that were sworn in by Judge David Zulfa. The officers...
At Tuesday night's Wasco City Council meeting, more progress was made toward developing the Wasco Police Department, including approval to execute all documents necessary to create a no-profit Police Activity League organization and authorization to finalize the purchase of additional police start-up vehicles. Currently, the Kern County Sheriff's Department has a nonprofit Sheriff's Activity League located in a city-owned building at 1445 12th St. However, with their...
Barry Braun, chairman of the Kern County Cemetery District 1, which includes Shafter and Wasco, has received the Trustee of the Year award from the California Association of Public Cemeteries. The award is given to a trustee who was nominated by their district for exceptional performance, including for their commitment of time and energy to working with others to improve and enhance their district, and to develop new approaches, methods and systems to improve organizational...
St. John the Evangelist Parish presented a moving reenactment of the Passion of Christ, a dramatic performance depicting the trial, suffering, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. There were elaborate costumes, music and set designs with dozens of actors that realistically portrayed the last hours of Jesus's life before his resurrection. In an interview right before the play on Friday, Eulogio Arreola, sound technician and set designer, said, "We have been preparing since...
It was an Evening with the Mustangs at Teresa Burke Elementary School for families to hear about the things happening in the Wasco Union Elementary School District. Assistant Superintendent Oscar Luna presented the Local Control Accountability Plan for them to provide feedback and input. The Local Control Accountability Plan is the district's three-year guide for how it will use state Local Control Funding Formula funding to service all students. The LCFF is California's...
Shafter Depot Museum curator and local historian Stan Wilson gave an informative and entertaining lecture on the German POW camp that was stationed in Shafter back during World War II. Wilson was at the Shafter Library and Learning Center on Thursday evening and gave the attendees an informative recount of the prisoners who served as labor for the local cotton growers in the area beginning in 1944. He said local cotton growers were worried about a labor shortage on their...
The Shafter City Council Tuesday night approved a revised development agreement with Lennar Homes for the Marcona Preserve development off of Seventh Standard Road. This property would be the site of 395 residential lots, ranging in size from 5,508 square feet to to 23,345 square feet (a large corner lot). The minimum size of a residential unit is 1,400 square feet. The agreement includes environmental impact fees of up to $15,000. This agreement will eliminate any...
Wasco High School has an incentive program designed to inspire student achievement called STRIPES. Focused on positive reinforcement, students are taking away the message of showing respect, doing the right thing, focusing in class and being involved on campus, among other things. In its second year of the program, over 89% of the student body received at least one stripe of recognition from school leadership. In September 2022, WHS rolled out the program to highlight...
North Kern Christian School will have two fundraising events in the next month and a half. A Vendor Faire is planned for Saturday, April 27, and a BBQ and Auction is set for Saturday, May 4. Both events promise family fun, delicious food and an opportunity to support the school's mission of providing exceptional education rooted in faith. Sandy Armstrong is the director of the Home Study Program. In an interview, she said, "Our Vendor Faire will have homemade goods, sweet...
At the Community Circle Church in Shafter, Easter Sunday was celebrated with a children's story. It was a familiar tale of the Three Little Pigs. Pastor Steve Dobbs told the story, complete with decorated houses on stage, as well as three pigs and, of course, the Big Bad Wolf. The service, attended by about 75 people, was held at the Fred Starrh Performing Arts Center in Shafter, now home to the church. There also was an Easter egg hunt for the kids and the adults immediately...
The Shafter Kiwanis Club held their annual Easter Sunrise Service at Mannel Park on Sunday, giving residents a chance to celebrate Resurrection Sunday together as a community. Over 100 attendees were met with hot coffee and donuts, taking the bite out of the very cold morning. They were welcomed with music by David Bleomhof, as well as an opening prayer by Kiwanis President Ben Wilson. Randy Toews sang a "He Arose" to open the service, then a scripture was read by Kiwanis...
The Shafter High baseball team opened their SSL campaign with a split against Chavez High School. On Tuesday, the squad dropped an 8-2 decision to the Titans, but bounced back on Thursday and beat Chavez, 7-5. In the victory, seven different Generals had at least one hit in the game, continuing the Generals prowess at the plate. The team is averaging over 7 runs per game this season. Matteo Martinez had a great series, going 3-4 at the plate and scoring three runs in the win....
Express Collision Centers is a thriving business with a focus on quality work. Owner and operator Johnny Saffouri shows he has a passion for auto body repair and a commitment to customer satisfaction, going above and beyond to deliver top-notch service. Originally from Washington D.C.,Saffouri has been a Californian for over 30 years. His journey into the auto body repair industry began seven years ago, inspired by a lifelong dream. He pursued his education at the Universal...
This time of year is one of my favorite seasons. The colder days of winter begin to pass, the dormant trees push out their blossoms and the days get longer for a variety of outside activities. I find it somewhat facinating how plants of various kinds produce new growth in their environment. This time of year also make me think about what contributes to "spiritual growth" in my life and the lives of others. Let me suggest several things the Bible would encourage us to do in order to provide a "rich environment" for growth:...
Marina Gonzales Duck, age 58, passed away peacefully in San Diego on March 30, 2024. She married the love of her life, Bobby Duck, on March 3, 2024. Marina was loved dearly by her parents, Longino Gonzales and Margie Gonzales. She had four siblings, Longino Gonzales, Jr. married to Sandra, Christina Smart married to Wesley, Peter Gonzales, and Andrea Hernandez married to Chon. Marina was preceded in death by her father, Longino Gonzales; her brother Longino Gonzales, Jr. and...
Jovita Valentina Sanchez, born on Feb. 14, 1923, in Leon Guanajuato, Mexico, peacefully entered eternal rest on March 29, 2024, at the age of 101. She was preceded in death by her parents Emeterio and Aurelia Lopez, as well as her beloved husband Ray Sanchez, who passed in 2001. Together, Jovita and Ray shared 63 years of marriage and raised nine children in Wasco: Jessie Lopez, Raymond Sanchez, Jr., Rachel Martinez, Linda Sanchez Muniz, Pamela Venegas, Michael Sanchez,...
Paula (Sharina) Maria Lindsey, 62, slipped peacefully into the arms of her loving Jesus the evening of March 29, 2024. Paula was born to Donald and Dorothy Sherman in Bakersfield on May 9, 1961, and was the second of five children. She graduated from Shafter High School in 1979 and married the love of her life, Jon Lindsey. They had just celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary on Feb. 16. Paula was a member of the Wasco Church of God (Tabernacle of Praise) for more than 40 years. Paula was the church clerk and worship...
Jeanne Shoffner, 71, of Bakersfield, passed away March 19, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Jovita V. Sanchez, 101, of Wasco, passed away March 29, in Bakersfield. Peters Funeral Home,...
March 25 Steven Marin, 66, of Wasco, was arrested in the 700 block of F Street on felony and misdemeanor bench warrants and possession of a controlled substance. He was booked into the Kern County Jail. Mindi Moreno, 37, of Wasco, was arrested near the intersection of Poso Drive and J Street on misdemeanor bench warrants. She was cited and released at the scene. Davian Rosas, 20, of Wasco, was arrested in the 2000 block of Highway 46 for misdemeanor disorderly conduct: drunk in public. He was booked into the Kern County...
20 years ago: April 14, 2004 Freedom Homes was building 31 new houses on West Lerdo Highway and Schnaidt Street in Shafter. 40 years ago: April 25, 1984 Shafter's Smalltown Breakdancer Club members were Art Sanchez, Carver Sampson, Robert Gomez, Robert Ruiz and Jose...
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, CA 93263, or e-mail it to [email protected]. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Rolodex used by many Wasco businesses in the...
Tegan came into the Wasco Animal Shelter as a stray. She is approximately a 4-6-month-old female pit mix. She is great with staff and other dogs. At the time, it is unknown if Tegan is house/crate trained. Dogs are not tested with children, and her behavior towards children is unknown. Tegan will be available for adoption on Saturday, April 4. Everyone is welcome to adopt from our facility, and we like to give everyone the same opportunity to adopt. Adopters can be from out...
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