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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Jan 27, 1955
Page
1
The Shafter Wasco Irrigation District approves a 10 250 000 distribution system vote sweeping aside earlier attempts to dissolve the district. The decision promises stability and a bright long term future for Shafter Wasco and surrounding Central Valley agriculture.
Residents are asked to keep porchlights burning Tuesday night from 7 to 9 as Shafter hosts the first March of Mothers. Gaylord Fox funds the polio drive and invites Women’s Club and Junior Women members to support families aiding the campaign led by Mrs. Dorothy Eckmann and Mrs. Shirley Bell. The event, moved from January due to conflicts, aims to boost public awareness and donations.
Official totals from the Shafter Wasco Irrigation District election list 1095 yes and 40 no after canvass. Four absentee ballots were counted, increasing the yes tally. Approving the measure secures future water supply via access to the Friant Kern canal for Shafter and Wasco residents.
The Shafter chamber of commerce merchants committee will convene Friday at 6 p.m. at the Shafter Mercantile Store to discuss double dollar value promotions planned for next month, chaired by Herb Howell. All merchants are urged to attend.
A Southern Pacific San Joaquin Daylight passenger train struck a loaded truck stranded on Highway 99, 12 miles north of Bakersfield. One hundred forty northbound passengers were detained for two hours. No injuries were reported.
The chamber will move from the medical building to Office No. 3 in the Kirsch enmann building at 422 James Street. Secretary-manager Don Knowles says the change takes effect February 1.
The Cotton n Potato Festival steering committee resumed meetings under new chair Knowles. A hardtop Oldsmobile convertible will be given away as part of festival promotions after merchants submitted models and a majority selected the car. The board will meet Monday at Lee's Drive Inn ahead of the May festival.
Al Finkbeiner was installed president of the Shafter Volunteer Firemen's Association at the Memorial Hall banquet. Officers installed include Bill Banks secretary Wes Gorsching and Russ St. Mars captains Nick Johnson assistant fire chief. A rib roast dinner for 42 firemen and guests was prepared by Sylvia Baughmann with entertainment by Lionel Nightengale and dancing to conclude the evening.
Mussatti shared four points from his study at the annual chamber dinner. He noted population growth nearing three million annually nationwide and California adding about eight thousand people weekly. He warned against stagnation and predicted 1955 would bring progress as the economy evolves. He cited late 1954 inventory liquidations totaling about six billion dollars that could aid a rebound in 1955.
The Shafter Kiwanis club celebrated its 17th birthday with past presidents honored. Mitch Batson, Bakersfield Kiwanis secretary, spoke as the former leaders each gave a one minute review of their terms since 1938. The event also marked Kiwanis International’s 40th anniversary.
The Shafter Press expands circulation to Buttonwillow and seeks a local courier to cover the area. Applications for a Buttonwillow correspondent are invited and a delivery rider with a bicycle or motor scooter is needed for Thursday afternoons. Telephone Shafter 4421 for details.
In thick fog early Thursday two cars collided in front of Minter Village on Lerde Highway. Vito Nicholas Rotondo, 32, of Bakersfield, Bank of America employee, and Ruth Holt, 19, of Strathmore, sustained extensive cuts and bruises and were hospitalized. Rotondo, cited for passing without sufficient clearance, allegedly tried to pass a string of vehicles on the foggy road, thinking it was a four lane divided highway.
Kern county health department holds annual canine clinics in Shafter offering vaccination and license for 2.50 to all dogs. First clinic at Myrick's grocery Saturday 9:30 to 10:30. next week at Smith Corner service station 9 to 11 and Shafter Fire department noon to 5. Dr W C Buss notes joint sponsorship by health department and county veterinarians and urges owners to participate to reduce stray dogs.
Shafter merchants plan to use $2 bills to promote home shopping during a city wide double dollar day sale. A batch of 3000 notes arrived at Bank of America with notices tied to each bill calling attention to weekend sales beginning February 11 and continuing weekly.
Laying of water pipes in two blocks of the Manuel tract has been completed. Jack Harris, superintendent of streets, announced this week that new pipes will be two more blocks laid in the area.
Hubert and Frankie Kirkpatrick who lost their home in a recent fire received 105 gifts at a Veterans Memorial hall shower in their small town. Neighbors donated clothes, furniture, and household goods, some without names, showing strong community support as Hubert coping with blindness and unemployment expresses gratitude and pride in local care.
The city agreed with Harvey Weinberger to remove excess water from the Weinberger tract by purchasing two acres opposite the area for a drainage sump. City pays 1000 per acre and Weinberger gets option to repurchase if drainage use ends. The plan eases flooding at Los Angeles and Rodriguez streets, with a survey to precede sump work.
Trustees Loren Voth of Division Two and J J Peters Jr of Division Three face no opposition in the February 2 election. Polling places are Wasco Fire Station for Division Two voters and Shafter Wasco Ginning Co for Division Three. Voting hours run from 2 to 6 PM.
Fire department reported a palm tree burned down Monday at the intersection of Bender and Fresno streets. The cause remains undetermined as investigators assess the scene.
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