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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Aug 28, 1952
Page
1
Fifth and sixth graders return to Richland School 12 new rooms on the Mead campus ready for use. Superintendent M Crawford says the extra facilities create more space and ease crowding on the Richland campus. Nine new teaching positions bring staff to 75 teachers.
More than 500 teenagers are expected back in Shafter High School on September 8 as classes resume after earthquake damage. Principal Grant Jensen reports provisions for special classes for mentally handicapped children on three grade levels and a full teaching staff. An innovative staff workshop week begins with orientation for new teachers and continues with meetings to set goals and organize the year. Community figures join discussions on public outreach and school programs.
The Shafter Will Wasco Hospital Study Committee reports strong postcard poll support for a local hospital. About 1000 voters show 86.9 percent want a hospital and 88.4 percent would use it. 65.4 percent favor a district type hospital and 65.7 percent back private subscriptions. The panel plans a mid September consultation with a hospital adviser and explores a community hospital now.
The Shafter City Council empowers the newly formed Planning Commission to locate a site for a new City Hall while also seeking state earthquake relief funds. A bond issue appears favored if residents approve, but no final action was taken as the council weighs loan versus bond financing and public vote.
Workmen continue construction on the Richland School cafeteria addition while classes begin. On opening day September 8 lunch will be served, announced director Mrs Sylvia Baughman.
A careful study of the Richland campus outlines new features for the coming year. The main building will gain a centralized bell system to guide upper grade girls to and from classes, with other unspecified improvements noted as continued on Page 5.
Raisin growers in the Shafter area push rapid harvest of the 1952 crop to use remaining labor before cotton work peaks. Nearly 1000 acres of grapes, mostly for raisins, were planted in Shafter for this season. Labor shortages are noted as workers fled after earthquakes, with progress coordinated by a grower cooperative. Cotton harvest preparations involve about 28 000 acres planted, slightly down from last year, with 32 000 acres in Buttonwillow ready for cotton.
Blomquist, superintendent of the Buttonwillow Union School for two years, resigned Friday to become dean of boys at Corning Union High. Albert Lackey, formerly principal, was named to replace him. The Blomquist family will move soon. New faculty include Lawrence McClure, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Busby, and Mr. and Mrs. George Touchstone.
Thirteen year old Johnny Perkins was hurt in a rear end crash on Central Valley Highway as he rode to a vineyard. Vehicle driven by A D Koehn 71 Tulare Avenue rear ended him sending Perkins to San Joaquin Hospital where he is listed in satisfactory condition. Police say both cars were traveling south on CVH and Koehn’s car was moving slowly.
Gov Earl Warren announced James Y Camp vice president of L A Camp Co will join the 15th District Agricultural Association. He replaces Glenn O Nay of Shafter who served 12 years on the board. Camp is a Kern county agricultural leader noted for North Kern development and Shafter upbringing. Warren also announced the reappointment of Ray Jarrad of Bakersfield.
Albert Finkbeiner has been chosen by the Shafter Fire Department as coordinator of social affairs. He will be assisted by Ivan Parrett in organizing community events and departmental activities.
California cotton planters in 1953 will receive Acala 442 seed with enhanced wilt tolerance. Agronomist George Harrison assured fiber crop leaders that the new seed offers improved resistance and performance for Gren Wilt tolerant varieties.
The Kern Mosquito Abatement District will add two to three workers in the Shafter area for a intensified statewide campaign against encephalitis bearing pests. Speakers at a Shafter conference discussed cotton breeding plots, wilt control, and soil borne fungus management, with leaders from the University of California and the Station outlining defoliation, fertilizer, irrigation, and seed-tolerance strategies.
The county health department reports 173 encephalitis cases in Kern this year with five deaths. In the Shafter area five or six cases have been reported, none of which have resulted in death.
Kern Mosquito Abatement District will use a state emergency grant of 12,000 to boost urban mosquito control. The funds bolster manpower and equipment, with focus on breeding-site elimination and larval control, while residents are advised to report complaints to City Hall.
The Shafter City Planning Commission will select a site for the new City Hall and report to the council. Three council members resigned from the commission to hasten action, with three replacements appointed. Existing members and a volunteer city clerk will guide the process, aiming for a recommendation by the September 8 council meeting.
J W McGee of Bakersfield recalls the mid afternoon incident at Lerdo highway Santa Fe crossing when air brakes failed on his oil truck. He swerved into the red flashing signal to avoid a collision with the speeding Santa Fe stream liner, tearing down the signal but saving the train and himself.
Director Roy Farrell announced one more full week for public use at Richland pool this summer with weekend hours 2 to 5 p.m. through October if weather permits. Staff will work a shortened five day period next week for workshops, then the pool closes to the public except for swimming classes.
About 45 students in the Shafter High School band are set to begin rehearsals Monday morning in the band room. Band director Ernie Graf announced the first horn footing and drum pounding session follows a 9:30 a.m. Labor Day pre-school scene.
Shafter Legionnaires will join Tehachapi American Legion post Saturday night for a dance to raise funds to rebuild the veteran hall damaged by last Friday's quake. The Baker field post will host on 17th Street with proceeds to Tehachapi Disaster and Relief Fund. Music by the Muroc Air Base band.
Shafter High School principal Dr. Grant Jensen is slated to speak to the chamber of commerce about campus growth and expansion for the coming year. Bob Bann says he will describe development and the coordinated educational program pursued by teachers and students. The Kern County Fair theme is Mechanized America as the chamber seeks a community exhibit and debates a parade float.
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