Serving the community since 1970
Serving the community since 1970
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The November election was a nail biter for many candidates and constituents. In the District 4 City Council race, current Mayor Tilo Cortez kept his seat by one vote with candidate Eddie Saldana catching up near the end of the race. On Nov. 30, the two candidates were tied; however, by Dec. 3 that changed on when Cortez led by one vote. Although District 2 council candidate David Ward led the race after the election, candidate Vince Martinez eventually took the final lead and was declared the winner on Dec. 3 of that open...
Over 50 families received an early Christmas present as they were given a box full of food. The Shafter Kiwanis Club organized the event and were assisted by volunteers and other organizations that came together to help the community. Phillip Jimenez, district manager of the Shafter Recreation and Park District, and his crew helped prepare the boxes. The boxes contained beans, rice, canned goods, as well as potatoes and other items going toward a holiday meal and helping the...
On Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, Robert "Bob" Alfred Smith, loving husband, father, grandfather, coach, and community mentor passed away at the age of 87 in Bakersfield. Bob was born on July 20, 1933, in Caile, Mississippi to Henry Alfred and Anna "Elizabeth" (Sumerall) Smith. He grew up on his family's farm in the Mississippi Delta and was raised by his maternal grandparents. Bob graduated from Inverness High School before attending the University of Mississippi on a football schola...
Josie Rodriguez Martinez was born Feb. 2, 1939 in Hill, New Mexico, to parents Jesus and Telesfora Rodriguez. She married Santiago Martinez in Shafter on March 26, 1975. Josie was the type of person who would care for everyone; in addition to her own children, she would often cook and look after her children's friends, too. A giving and generous heart will define her memory. Josie was a Godly woman; she had a passion for learning about her Lord through reading her Bible or...
Michael Eugene Mattly, 71, of Bakersfield, passed away Dec. 8 in Bakersfield. Basham & Lara Funeral Care Shafter. William Alfonso Argueta, 31, of Shafter, passed away Dec. 6 in Shafter. Basham & Lara Funeral Care Shafter. Patricia Ann Hosman, 84, of Shafter, passed away Dec. 10. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Paula A. Rojas, 86, of Wasco, passed away Dec. 9 in Tulare. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Elizabeth Ann Rogers, 73, of Bakersfield, passed away Dec. 11. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter. Agustin Valencia, 47, of Arvin, passed...
Winter is coming, and I’m not just quoting my current favorite series. With winter and series binging comes the long-awaited Christmas break. Last year at this time, parents would be shopping for their children, trying to find the perfect holiday program attire. Teachers would be working tirelessly to fit in as many festive lesson plans as possible. College students would be solidifying winter recess plans; a ski trip with friends or family bonding. Seeing that Cal State Bakersfield will be on break from Dec. 8 until the b...
Due to a production error, last week’s Wasco Tribune about Planet Dance was cut off. It should have read: Hernandez further announced that the studio selected a 2020 scholarship winner, Klarissa Pruitt. “Klarissa takes all the disciplines,” Hernandez said. “All her fees are paid for the year, which includes tuition and costume fees and any registration fees required to compete.” The school selects a scholarship winner each year in December; however, the studio announces the name of the scholarship winner after the December...
Sundays are usually a lazy day for those who work five days a week; however Dec.13 several Wasco friends drove out to the Lavender Garden to browse the little gift shop and take a walk in the field. Celeste Valdivia works in the gift shop nestled in the lavender fields. "Lavender blooms from March to May," Valdivia said. "However, we are lucky because our lavender blooms twice a year, which is unusual and the shop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop sits on property owned...
Shafter has seen its confirmed cases of covid-19 increase despite a mask-covering campaign and safety guidelines in place. Last week there were 133 confirmed cases in the city, bringing the total confirmed cases in Shafter to 1,832. City officials say that the most important thing is the health and safety of its citizens and they are encouraging everyone to do their part in keeping all of its residents safe. This means adhering to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order, w...
The City Council is ready to begin work on the former farmer labor camp by creating an agreement with Anderson Integrated Services for the labor camp asbestos testing project. The council also authorized the city manager to sign and award an agreement with Rudnick Fence Co. in an amount not to exceed $25,000 for the labor camp fencing project. The city is also making plans to utilize a building at the camp for an expanded animal shelter. The council swore in new council member Vince Martinez. It also nominated new Mayor Alex...
Families have their homes lit up bright as they entered the Recreation and Parks District competition. Most of the houses had blow-up decorations such as snowmen, candles, the nativity scene and reindeer with Santa on rooftops along with strings and strings of lights. A drive down Poso, Griffith, Broadway and 10th Place provided holiday enjoyment to bring out the anticipation of Christmas. Most decorators seem to be moving away from the use of small clear lights and are using...
District 4, we now have a vaccine that offers us hope that we can finally begin to see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, but we still have a stay-at-home order we need to follow, at least for a while, until the vaccine starts to make a difference. At the beginning of this month, Acting State Public Health Director Erica S. Pan announced a Regional Stay-at-Home Order that supersedes the state’s tier based “Blueprint for a Safer Economy.” In an effort to reduce the r...
We sing the song To be Like Jesus but it’s not easy sometimes. God is working in our lives and using circumstances to conform us into the image of Christ. It does not happen all at once. Growing into conformity can be rough. It’s not easy being like Jesus. It’s not easy being like Jesus, he was a servant. Matthew 20:28 said he came to minister and to give his life for many. The Bible says He took up him the form of a servant. Christ said I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. We must have that servant attit...
In a meeting before the district’s board meeting, Wasco Union Elementary School District Superintendent Kelly Richers said that the district doesn’t know what type of funding will be available for the 2021 school year. “If the state goes with the previous budget cut of $54 billion, the district was told in May that it could lose as many as 30 teachers,” Richers said. “On the other hand, the state was able to find $28 billion in new funding so the state will only be $26 billion in default. Which means the district could los...
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, 406 Central Ave., Shafter 93263, or e-mail it to [email protected]. Winners will be revealed here next week. LAST WEEK: Eva Craft and Frances Cagle view the prospects of the U.S. Royal Master tires at Fannin's Service Station located at Highway 46 and...
Comet came in as a stray alongside with Tiny. He is approximately a 3-month-old, male, Blue Heeler mix. He is great with staff and other dogs. He has been tested with small and large breeds. At the time it is unknown if Comet is house/crate trained. Dogs are not tested with children and cats. He is available for adoption or rescue. His Petfinder information is up to date. If this is your dog, contact the shelter as soon as possible. Everyone is welcome to adopt from our...
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Dec. 6 Joe Alvarez, 43, of Shafter, was arrested for DUI/drugs and driving with a suspended license. Dec. 8 Jessica Hernandez, 27, of Shafter, was arrested on an outside felony warrant. Dec. 10 Michell LeeAnn Anderson, 29, of Shafter, was arrested for possession of identifying information of 10 or more IDs, driving with suspended license, on a felony bench warrant, both plates required on vehicle and mud guards required. Dec. 11 Rafael Garcia, 20, of Shafter, was arrested for evading public officers, disregarding safety,...
Ongoing Holiday spirit — Wasco Parks and Recreation will be encouraging homes and businesses to decorate and #lightupWasco. They can sign up at the Rec. to be a part of the route. The community will vote for the best decorated homes and businesses. Warm clothing drive — District 4 Supervisor David Couch is collecting blankets, coats, gloves, hats, scarves and socks. Donations will benefit families in District 4. To schedule an in-person pickup, call 661- 868-3680. Utility bills — The City of Wasco reminds residents that...
Intelligent, mature and engaging are words often used to describe third-grader Jacquelyn Isabelle Silva from Maple School. Only 9 years old, Jackie displays a maturity beyond her young years. She began with a lemonade stand and with that money, purchased toiletries for residents of Golden Living and Carrington House in Shafter. "Jackie made $456.11 and asked her dad to pay up since he said he would match what she earned. She ended up with $912.22." her mother Maria Silva...
It came as no shock last week when it was announced that the annual Shafter Christmas Store had been canceled, but it was still a disappointing one for many families who had shopped online for their children in the program that allows families to buy toys for their children at discounts. This program was started a few years ago by a group of volunteers, giving families the satisfaction of buying their own presents for their kids. Toys are donated by local businesses and...
Due to the pandemic, the community is facing a holiday season filled with uncertainty and caution. Thanks to the community spirit alive and well in the city, this holiday season will still be merry and bright. Headed up by Margaret Ramirez, Shafter Healthy Start has its hands in several events this holiday season. One event is the Hams to the Needy event that will take place on Dec. 17. A number of hams were purchased with funds donated by Bank of the Sierra. In addition to...
Gilbert Alvarado, Chad Givens and Pete Espinoza were sworn into the City Council at its recent meeting. Council member Espinoza took his seat on the council, replacing outgoing council member Manuel Garcia. The next matter at hand was the selection of the position of mayor. Alvarado nominated Cesar Lopez. Givens nominated Cathy Prout. After taking a vote for the mayor’s position, Prout was unanimously selected as mayor for the next two years. Givens was selected as mayor p...
The city has received over $96,000 in Community Block Development grant funds from the Kern County Board of Supervisors to use toward covid-19 public service and facilities improvements. The project consists of personal protective equipment, sanitizing equipment, public outreach, and other measurements to provide prevention from the covid-19 virus for frontline Public Works employees and the community at large. Covid-19 response activities include new office and warehouse air...
The number of positive covid-19 tests continues to rise in Wasco and Shafter. Schools remain the same as they were prior to the most-recent closure with only those students already in school — special education, ED, students at risk and special needs students — continue to receive a limited time of their education in person. On Dec. 2, Gov. Gavin Newsom placed 41 of the 58 counties back in the most restrictive purple tier and considered placing a curfew on businesses’ hours of operation. Salons are closed. Restaurants that...
