Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 555
In a tribute to the residents who have served in the United States armed forces, the City of Wasco is sponsoring a Veteran Salute Banner Program, symbolizing appreciation for their dedication to the nation and community. This initiative celebrates honorably discharged veterans and presently serving active-duty military personnel from any branch of the armed forces. Banners featuring the service member's photograph will adorn streetlight posts throughout downtown Wasco along...
Wasco High School will host its 5th Annual Community Fair and Pop-Up on Friday, April 12, with over 75 pop-up vendors, representatives from trade schools, junior colleges, universities, and military branches, available to students looking for career options. To add more fun to the mix, there will be an interactive obstacle course for the kids, making it an evening for the whole family. Whether considering higher education or seeking a dream career, the fair offers a one-stop...
For 45 years, Pastor Houston Crenshaw has stood at the pulpit of the Apostolic Faith Temple, delivering sermons that resonate with wisdom, compassion and faith. His words have offered solace to the grieving, hope to the despairing and guidance to the lost. But perhaps his greatest gift lies in his ability to forge genuine connections with people from all walks of life, cultivating a sense of belonging and unity within the congregation. At 90 years old, he believes what keeps...
Coin-O-Matic is a self-service laundromat that recently launched a wash, dry and fold service, as well as pick-up and delivery options. It is a family-owned business that Jorge Pimentel, Armando and Vanessa Ramirez took over in 2022. Armando said in an interview, "Launching these new services will be convenient for customers on the go. We can pick up their dirty laundry and deliver it clean. We'll serve Wasco, Shafter, Delano, Bakersfield, McFarland and Lost Hills." "For...
After much anticipation and excitement, the Wasco Police Department will launch on April 18 and assume law enforcement responsibilities for the City of Wasco. At about 11 a.m., 911 circuits will begin to roll over from Bakersfield to Wasco. "We'll start to transition service calls from the Kern County Sheriff's Office to the WPD," Chief of Police Charles Fivecoat said Tuesday. "We'll be handling all police responses for the city. We will start operating on the morning of the...
Joe Appleton has 26 years of experience with the Kern County Fire Department, having been promoted through the ranks from firefighter to engineer to captain to battalion chief and finally as fire division chief, where he has served for 2 1/2 years. He enjoys being in the community, helping people and loving the challenge of emergency services. "As fire division chief, I oversee operations for C shift for the entire Kern County Fire Department, including responding to...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The historic Wasco High School auditorium was filled with the rhythmic beats of steel drum music of the WHS Groove Steelers at their Pan Rocks concert last week. Known for the band's infectious and soulful melodies, the performance featured a special guest appearance by Tracy Thornton, whose presence added an extra layer of excitement to the evening's festivities. In an interview after the show, Eduardo Jimenez Corona said performing in front of a live crowd is stressful,...
The Wasco Woman's Club held its 2024 Wasco High School Fine Arts Awards recently, giving Wasco High School young talent a platform to shine and exhibit their exemplary artistic skills. Under the guidance of art teacher Julie Pineo, eight students received accolades for their one-of-a-kind art pieces created in various mediums. Mahalia Bradshaw won the Graduating Senior Art Award for her torn-paper mosaic, "Thoughts." "With my self-portrait piece, I wanted it to really be a...
The annual Spring it On Easter Egg Hunt hosted by the Wasco Recreation and Parks District brought families together for a day filled with excitement, laughter and plenty of Easter eggs. At Barker Park, parent Cristal Landeros appreciated the activity. "I came to bring my little one. He's been wanting to do activities for Easter, and I love that the city put this together for the kids and families." Gayle Coleman brought her three grandchildren. "It's an excellent time for...
A Wasco man was arrested for allegedly removing human remains from the scene of an accident. The accident occurred on March 22 at approximately 8:05 a.m., when a train fatally struck an individual at the Amtrak station in the city, according to the BNSF Railway and the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Rosendo Tellez, 28, of Wasco, was taken into custody for taking evidence from the scene and for multiple outstanding warrants. He was booked into the Kern County Jail. The county Co...
Richard Keith Reding, Sr., born on September 10, 1935, in Montgomery County, Tenn., lived an exemplary life of service above all. He was a man of faith and family, going over and beyond to serve his beloved community of Wasco, where he lived for 59 years. He passed away on March 17 at age 88. Reding taught physical education, health and typing at Thomas Jefferson Middle School for 35 years. The Richard K. Reding Gymnasium at Palm Ave Middle School was named after him. Reding...
The Wasco High School Drama Club presented the musical Annie to hundreds over a three-day run of performances at the school's historic auditorium. A cast of 27 thespians graced the stage to put on a show that dazzled and entertained, complete with singing, dancing, original costumes and elaborate set designs. Annie is the classic tale of the red-headed orphan who eventually gets adopted by the millionaire Daddy Warbucks. Sophia Perezchica played the lead role of Annie. In a...
In collaboration with the city of Wasco, the Wasco Rotary Club placed 4-Way Test signs along Highway 43 near Filburn Street. The effort symbolized the Rotary mission and was a way to remind the community to be the best citizens possible. "Our club members came together to support and provide service to our community while embodying the Rotary 4-Way Test, which is: 1) Is it the truth? 2) Is it fair to all concerned? 3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships? and 4) Will...
A kidnapping scam is targeting local people, Sergeant Herbert Stout from the Kern County Sheriff's Office told the City Council Tuesday night. "It involves telephone calls to residents in which the caller states that they have kidnapped a family member and demands money," Stout said. "They would then tell the person they are talking to to wire them money through a green dot card or a wire transfer through a local store. After transferring the money, they would hang up on...
The City Council approved taking current donations of $3,350 from local vendors, donors and Wonderful Company grants and future donations for the Wasco Police Department, and other city departments and projects. "From time to time, companies and residents generously donate to city operations, and as such, staff will provide a report of donors and request authorization to accept the funds and increase appropriations," City Manager Scott Hurlbert said in a report to the...
It was more than just fun at the Wasco High School Tiger Parent Club Spring Paint Night – it was an evening of information to guide parents on better connecting with their children. Led by trained social workers, parents took home tools to inspire and motivate them to build stronger ties and closer relationships with their young ones. "The event aimed to provide a creative outlet for parents and students while offering practical strategies to help better serve their child a...
Joshua Huddleston is the director of athletics and activities at Wasco High School. His story is one of turning his life around and using it to inspire the young people he works with. "I dropped out of high school at the beginning of my sophomore year. I went back in my junior year because my grandfather, on his deathbed, made me promise I would. One of the reasons I do this job is to try to build connections between students and the school, so they will be more likely to...
The Shear Design salon has a long history of serving the Wasco community. With 38 years in business, it is the oldest salon in Wasco. At the helm is owner Maria Martinez, who oversees a dedicated staff of hair stylists, nail technicians and an esthetician. "We are a full-service salon. Whatever you need, it can be done. We try to give one hundred percent. We bend over backward for our customers." Her team comprises Maria Rivera, Indira Rodriguez, Katie Romero, Terry Nguyen, Ro...
Wasco Union High School had the honor of being one of only 293 middle schools and high schools in California to be selected for the 2024 California Distinguished Schools Program. This recognition, announced on Feb. 29 by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, highlights schools such as WHS that demonstrate excellence, growth, outstanding academic achievements and a commitment to fostering a positive school environment. WHS is one of only two high schools in...
