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Articles from the April 2, 2020 edition


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  • Internet devices available

    Updated Apr 6, 2020

    Palm Avenue and Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools will be providing an opportunity for parents to drive through and pick up an internet device for home study Tuesday-Thursday, April 14-16, from 10:30-12:30, according Danny Arellano, principal of Thomas Jefferson. The Palm Avenue pick-up location is the cafeteria parking lot, and TJ is the bus loading zone near the gym....

  • Police want residents on SMART911

    Kern County Sheriffs Department|Updated Apr 6, 2020

    The Kern County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the community to sign up for SMART911 to enable coronavirus awareness for first responders. “Take Control, Let Us Know” campaign empowers individuals to share critical medical information for more informed emergency response As Kern County responds to the spread of the coronavirus, public safety and health officials are strongly encouraging the community to sign up for the Smart911 national safety profile registry, a free service that allows individuals and families to provi...

  • Official: Census key to funding

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    Carla Hutcherson, partnership specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, spoke to the Shafter Rotary Club at a recent meeting, telling the crowd about the importance of all Californians being counted in this year's census. "The amount of funding that we receive on a county, state and local level depends a lot on the results of the upcoming census," she said in her presentation. "We must participate in the census in order to take advantage of all the funds that are available from...

  • Editor's Note - April 2, 2020

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    It seems like there is a very fine line sometimes between preparation and panic. We are in the middle of a pandemic right now that is a perfect example. Is it crazy to be prepared for maybe an extended stay at the house? Maybe picking up a couple of extra rolls of toilet paper, or an extra bag of groceries to make sure you are covered. That seems pretty reasonable. But, if you go just a bit further down the road, there are plenty of people who seem to be preparing for...

  • Taekwondo Studio puts safety of students first

    Jamie Stewart, Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    Tigers Taekwondo, the award-winning martial arts studio with another location in Shafter, has decided to close its doors until it is safe for their students to return. Rigo Solorio, owner of the studio, said that it was a tough decision, but ultimately the safety of his students had to come first. "Some of the parents were very disappointed, but we have to think of the safety of our kids. We are talking about their health and happiness." In the beginning, some of the parents...

  • Shafter teen tests positive for COVID-19

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    The coronavirus pandemic has hit close to home with the information this week a teenager living Shafter had tested positive for COVID-19. Joel Herrera, 19, confirmed that he has tested positive for the virus last Thursday, making it necessary to be quarantined for 14 days. He is quarantined in his room, not able to make any contact with the rest of his family. According to Herrera, the rest of his family "are in perfect health." They have not been tested because they have no...

  • Note to readers

    Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    he Shafter Press and Wasco Tribune are facing the same thing our readers and advertisers are living with – big changes in the world around them. In order to best serve our communities with limited staff and limited mobility, we have combined the papers temporarily to publish the news you need and get it to you quickly. Between the print edition and our web sites – TheShafterPress.com and WascoTrib.com – our reporters and editors are working to that end every day. You can still pick up the paper at locations that remain open...

  • Wasco schools to close for year

    Toni DeRosa, Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    Schools in the Wasco Union Elementary School District will not reopen this school year, the district said in a letter to parents sent Thursday via email. More details on this story are being sought. Watch WascoTrib.com for updates....

  • Classified Ads - April 2, 2020

    Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    #1 YARD SALE SHAFTER #1 YARD SALE WASCO #2 AUTO/MOTORCYCLES FOR SALE 2005 Chrysler 300, $2,000. Clean tags, NON-OP. NEW parts, custom rims, etc. Needs work. Call 661-340-1544. Got an older car, boat or RV? Do the humane thing. Donate it to the Humane Society. Call 844-335-2616 (Cal-SCAN) DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 1-day vacation. Tax deductible, Free towing, All paperwork taken care of. Call 844-491-2884 (Cal- SCAN) #3 CAMPER/RV #4 MISC. FOR RENT #5 MISC. FOR SALE OXYGEN -- Anytime....

  • Pastor's Corner - April 2, 2020

    Pastor Pat Coyle, Menonnite Bethren Church, Shafter|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    Wow, how quickly life can change! Not that many weeks ago we heard about “COVID-19” on the news, and now we’re a part of that news. Like you, I’ve been observing a variety of reactions throughout our local area, nation and the world. In some ways it has brought out the best in many people, but in other ways the worst. I also find it interesting that this is all happening around Easter when believers in Christ celebrate the “living hope” that is found in Him due to his resurrection. Whether it’s a pandemic like the current o...

  • Death Notices - April 2, 2020

    Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    Juan Manuel Carrillo Castellanos, 51, of Shafter, passed away March 20, 2020, in Shafter. Basham & Lara Funeral Care, Shafter. Ronald “Ronnie” D. Coble, 45, of Wasco, passed away March 26, 2020, in Wasco. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Bessie L. Hutson, 93, of Wasco, passed away March 29, 2020, in Wasco. Peters Funeral Home, Wasco. Leland Melville Jr., 70, of Bakersfield, passed away March 26, 2020, in Fresno. Peters Funeral Home, Shafter....

  • Peggy Sue Martin

    Updated Apr 3, 2020

    Peggy Sue Martin, 62, died unexpectedly in Bakersfield on March 9, 2020, with her family by her side. Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend, she was born to Alfred and Barbara Johnson on Nov. 18, 1957, in Inglewood. She grew up in McFarland, where she went to school and had fun. She married Danny Martin on March 30, 1974, and began a new life as a wife and mother in Wasco. Her joy came from spending time with her family and friends. Peggy had a...

  • Bessie Hutson

    Updated Apr 3, 2020

    Bessie Hutson was born July 12, 1926, to James and Mary Miller in Kinta, Okla. The family moved to California in 1946. She married JB Hutson in October of 1947, and they lived around the Wasco-Shafter area. They had been married less than a year when she lost her father to cancer. She always worked, but the job she enjoyed most was day care. She had two daughters of her own, and she babysat her grandchildren, giving her the best idea for the day care. Bessie lost her oldest...

  • New "business as usual" in crisis times

    Toni DeRosa, Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    “The extension of the governor’s order through the end of April doesn’t change much in terms of the city’s operations,” City Manage Daniel Ortiz said last weekend. “Our public offices such as finance/utilities, planning, City Hall, public works office and animal control are closed to the public. Local governments are exempt and must continue to provide essential services.” Gov. Gavin Newsom had issued another executive order banning the eviction of renters who are affected by COVID-19 on Friday. On that same day, the Kern...

  • Arrest Report - April 2, 2020

    Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    March 23 Jesse Abarca, 31, of Wasco, was arrested in the 700 block of H Street for trespassing. He was cited and released at the scene. Bernardo Montanez, 33, of Bakersfield, was arrested in the 1300 block of Griffith Avenue for his felony bench warrant. He was booked into the Kern County Jail. Jose Luis Perez, 43, of Wasco, was arrested in the 1900 block of Tuscany Way for giving drugs to aid in a felony, kidnapping, threatening a crime with the intent to terrorize, assault with a deadly weapon that is not a firearm,...

  • Mystery History - April 2, 2020

    Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    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: Bernice McCallum with her baking in an undated photo....

  • Community Calendar - April 2, 2020

    Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    Due to the rapidly changing environment, be aware that scheduled activities may change on a moment’s notice. Check out WascoTrib.com or TheShafterPress.com for updates, and contact event organizers for current status. Event organizers: E-mail [email protected] or call the Tribune at 661-292-5100 with changes to your activities. ANNOUNCEMENTS NEW: Libraries closed -- All Kern County Library branches are closed March 17- April 30. NEW: Event cancellations -- All group events and activities will be cancelled until f...

  • Local vet still seeing patients during crisis

    Jamie Stewart, Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020
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    The Wasco Veterinary Clinic is continuing to see patients and fill medications in the midst of a quarantine that has affected the majority of the clinic's staff. On March 19, a woman came in with her animal and had a cough. A day or two later, the customer contacted the vet clinic informing them that she had tested positive for COVID-19. All staff that had come into contact with the woman has been quarantined for 14 days. The animal clinic is not allowing people into the...

  • CARONAVIRUS HITS HOME

    Jamie Stewart, The Shafter Press|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    The coronavirus crisis dominated the discussion at a special City Council Tuesday night, with members of the public listening in by telephone or watching and listening on their computers. Items on the agenda were the threat to public services by the COVID-19 pandemic and also talks regarding labor negotiations between the city and several departments. City Manager Gabriel Gonzalez informed the council and the residents listening in that he and his staff will be working on a...

  • CARONAVIRUS HITS HOME

    Toni DeRosa, Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    As of Sunday, the COVID-19 coronavirus has arrived in Wasco. Prayer chains have become one of several means of communication during this time of self-quarantine. A member of a local church started a prayer chain for those in need of prayer. Prayers were requested for several Wasco residents that have the coronavirus. By the last day of March, four Wasco residents – two couples -- were confirmed to have the virus. Both couples asked not to be identified. The first couple b...

  • Pandemic changes life at prison

    Toni DeRosa, Wasco Tribune|Updated Apr 3, 2020

    As of Sunday, the COVID-19 coronavirus has arrived in Wasco. Prayer chains have become one of several means of communication during this time of self-quarantine. A member of a local church started a prayer chain for those in need of prayer. Prayers were requested for several Wasco residents that have the coronavirus. By the last day of March, four Wasco residents – two couples -- were confirmed to have the virus. Both couples asked not to be identified. The first couple b...

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