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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Jul 26, 1956
Page
1
Twenty four Shafter swimmers head to Rio Bravo Friday morning for the Kern County swim finals. The event marks the second time in a week the Rio Bravo pool hosts county recreation contests as Shafter seeks a strong showing.
Shafter residents are reminded of a polio vaccination clinic for children six months to nineteen years at the County Building in Wasco on Tuesday July 31 from 9 to 11 a.m. The event serves first second and third shots for Wasco Shafter Semitropic Lost Hills areas with a one month gap between first and second injections and the booster not earlier than seven months after the second. The federal vaccine age allocation has been raised from 14 to 19 years expanding eligibility.
A local column recalls a recent caught in the act burglary and commends the Shafter Police for catching the intruder. It notes the suspect’s plea and a reflective verse about temptation. A separate note discusses a proposed Central Valley bypass plan affecting Shafter and Wasco with no immediate action expected. The week also records Shafter’s hottest seven days in three years per the weather bureau.
Funeral services for Katharina Schnidt 85 of Shafter will be held at 9 am Saturday July 28 at Ebenezer Reformed Church. Rev Walter Grossman will officiate with interment in Shafter Cemetery. Survivors include sons Henry and Ed. daughters Elvina Lydia Ida and Annie. a brother August and sister Margaret. 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers contributions may go to a cancer fund.
Two men faced justice court on excessive speed charges after a highway race in the Shafter area costing 100 dollars per run. The Richland water show features 250 swimming students, aquatic demonstrations, and a trophy presentation for local softball leagues at 8 15 pm at the Richland pool with free admission.
Richland intermediate and upper grade students will return in September to a new library awaiting them. Genevieve Craig is named school librarian, a Fresno State College graduate with advanced library study. Construction nears completion after a sheet metal strike delayed air ducts, now ended, with shelving to follow for Shafter’s youth.
L. Standridge dies after lengthy illness in local hospital on July 23. Graveside service to be held Friday with C. R. Worsham of the Church of Christ in Tulare officiating. Survived by widow Inez Standridge of Shafter, son Leon Douglas Standridge, and mother Mrs. L. M. Standridge of Arizona. Armstrong Mortuary handling arrangements.
John Lachenmaier describes arriving in Benares from Calcutta, noting crowded six foot wide streets, cows in the thoroughfare, and widespread beggars. He explains local beliefs that dying in Benares or within 47 miles leads to heaven, with pilgrims walking or crawling the radius during March. The Ganges riverside temple scene includes bulls monkeys cobras and monkeys worshipped by crowds.
Carolina Farms defeats Builders and Painters 11-3 Wednesday night to clinch the undisputed championship of the Low Pee Wee league. Other league champions include Wood’s Shoe Store Bu Willow, Olsens in the girls league, and the undefeated American Legion team in the Pee.
Post master Eugene P. Guenther reports a $390 rise in postal receipts for the first half of 1956 compared with the prior year. Sales of stamp matter total $24,847.27 so far, up from $24,457.71 in early 1955, with year-to-date gains in both the January-March and April-June quarters.
The Shafter press office will remain closed on Saturdays until September 8, affecting weekend inquiries and public access.
Engineers set August 23 as bid opening date for the final phase of the Shafter Wasco Irrigation District system. The project covers 108 miles of pipelines and related installations with two contracts for pipes 27 to 90 inches and 24 inches or smaller, to be bid at the Reclamation Bureau office in Lindsay. Total project cost is estimated at 10.25 million dollars, with completion targeted for July 1958.
The Public Utility Commission approved an across the board rate increase for Sage Brothers Water Service serving 126 customers in South Shafter, with minimums rising from 1.25 to 2.75 and flat rates up to 1 more monthly. The increases hinge on a new well and pump plus meters for the whole community to curb water waste, given Smiths Corner's single supply and limited storage of 3500 gallons.
Fire logs record July events including a weed fire at Smith corners that damaged a telephone pole, a July 24 carport fire at Louis J. Port’s home injuring a wall, and a July 24 medical resuscitation case for patient H. Ly.
Shafter Summer Recreation Band conductor Ken Fahsbender announced two more summer concerts by the 40 member ensemble at Se county park. The senior band will perform August 10 and August 31 following an opening act three weeks apart.
Funeral services were held July 13 in Fresno for Dalphie Talbert of Fresno a former Shafter resident who died July 10 at home Burial was in Mountainview Cemetery Survivors include his widow Ola of Fresno two sons Richard and Bob of Fresno his mother Dolly of Shafter and three brothers Melvin of Shafter Dallas and Woodrow of Los Angeles
Jackie R. Worsham a 21 year old escapee from Kern Industrial farm near Cawelo gave himself up to Constable Blake Witcher saying he was tired of running He had been in hiding around the Shafter area for three months after a drunk driving conviction and will be tried on an escape charge.
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