This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
This newspaper page contains 15 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Jul 12, 1956
Page
1
City assessor Johnston reports 15 housing classes and new criteria based on size quality and age. Overall city value increases from 4.93 million to 5.26 million, with 161k of the rise from new construction and the rest from revaluing real property within the city.
The Los Angeles City school system faces a 1956 57 budget after council action in a special session cutting the tax levy by 10 cents. The tax rate is set at 90 cents per 100 dollars of assessed valuation, down from 1.00, with officials delaying final budget figures for cross checks.
The council explains the new assessed valuations aim to realign taxes rather than raise them. City finishes with about 125000 over 5 million assessed value and 15 million market value. Richland school transport costs total around 35900 annually including oil and salaries. Only 142 dogs licensed so far. vaccination planned by county. Local volunteer observer corps at the South Labor camp seeks cooler for relief. Tax rate next year near 1.95 with 445000 library funds from local taxes and 270000 from state ADA funds. Administrative and teaching salaries total 461000, up 40000 from 1955 budget.
A Security in Shafter representative headed by Harry A. Rose will staff the county building assembly room July 17 from 9 30 a m to noon. The session urges residents to review their social security accounts every three or four years to ensure earnings are counted correctly for old age and survivors insurance.
Brown of Brown & Bryant, a prominent farm supply figure, is a Rotary member and well known in business and farming circles. Handel, from a long farming line, leads agricultural interests and Lions Club as former charter president. Assemblyman Kelly, an insurer and developer, belongs to Elks Shriners and Rotary, with three adult children. Orvin Mettler, VP of Mettler and Sons, is a leading farmer and potato adviser to California, with one child. Neuman heads Robert Neuman & Sons as a pioneer farming family member. Continued on Page 7.
Twenty one swimmers from Shafter High School join the Rio Bravo tournament entries as the county schedules eight district meets before July 22. First and second place finishers advance to the county finals July 27 at the Rio Bravo school pool near Shafter. Shafter competes against Rio Bravo and Buttonwillow at Rio Bravo pool on July 21 at 9 a.m.
A fire caused about 80 dollars in damages Monday afternoon at the Bender platform. Investigators say a discarded cigarette started the blaze, which burned a hole through the platform.
The page details a Kali temple sacrifice with a goat slain to remit sin. It notes Hindu caste groups, dress, unsanitary garments, and temple courtyards for offerings and currency exchange. The observer mentions Ganges water, the priest, and women seeking spiritual aid amid ritual practices.
The county health department will hold rabies vaccination clinics for dogs next Tuesday in Shafter. From 1 to 2 p.m. at Smiths Corner Service Station and from 6 to 5 p.m. at the county department, dogs will be vaccinated and license tags issued for 1956 for $2.50. Health official Dr. William Buss notes a nationwide dog to person ratio and urges residents to protect pets and neighbors from rabies.
The Shafter summer recreation bands will present their first formal concert at the city park at 8 p.m. Friday July 20. Roy Farrell, director of recreation, said musicians are split into elementary and high school student groups plus adults. Both groups have practiced on Tuesdays.
The rainy season in Shafter ends per the United States Experimental station. Shafter logged 4.8 inches, below 1954-66 totals and the nine year average, while Bakersfield averages 6.05 inches. The heaviest Shafter year since 1947 was 1951 52 with 8.48 inches. the lightest was 3.20 inches in 1947-48.
The Kern County sheriff’s budget for 1956 57 adds seven deputies with two assigned to Shafter. Nelson joined in December 1954 and Willis, a rookie, completed schooling last week. They will reside in Shafter under Sgt Finlay Osw and receive training from Lt William Purdie. Until now investigations around Shafter were handled by Constable Blake Witcher.
A public utility survey reports the average digging depth to reach water in the Shafter area at 150 feet, down from 1953 by 40 feet and 55 feet in six years. Records trace levels from 29 feet in 1921 to 60 in 1930 and 67 in 1940, with 150 feet in 1956, while some farmers operate pumps at shallower depths.
A polio clinic will be held Friday July 20 from 1 to 2 pm in the county building at Buttonwillow. Readiness includes children from Maple, Rio Bravo, Shafter and nearby districts for first third and booster doses.
Losses from 14 fires in the first half of 1956 totaled about $1500 in Shafter. This compares with $3750 from 16 fires in the same period last year. Chief reason for the drop is the absence of structural fires, per Ed F. Bender, volunteer fire department engineer.
We want people to find what they are looking for at NewspaperArchive. We are confident that we have the newspapers that will increase the value of your family history or other historical research. With our 7-day free trial, you can view the documents you find for free.
People find the most success using advanced search. Try plugging in keywords, names, dates, and locations, and get matched with results from the entire collection of newspapers at NewspaperArchive!
You can also successfully find newspapers by these browse options. Explore our archives on your own!
Browse by location and discover newspapers from all across the world.
Browse by date and find publications for a specific day or era.
Browse old newspaper publications to find specific newspapers.