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Newspaper
Shafter Press
Location
Shafter, California, United States of America
Date
Sep 13, 1951
Page
1
Postmaster George C. Guenther proposes a 1200 box capacity for a larger post office building. The planned facility would be situated away from the congested downtown area in Shafter, with city officials indicating a potential seven month timeline for completion.
Ray Short, post office inspector, concluded Shafter’s current James Street post office is cramped and short of boxes serving the area. He stated new quarters could be ready within seven months and would begin paperwork for a new post office building.
The Shafter Public Utility District provides water to the South Shafter Labor Camp amid a critical drought as SPUD and Kern Housing Authority negotiate continued supply. City plans extend to annex the labor camp and Edwards tract, with a required petition, protest hearing, and election. A new post office building is proposed elsewhere to serve the area, while Shafter Station may rise to first class status.
Kern County Road Commissioner Vernon Smith announced that the last 11 miles of the Central Valley Highway between Beech Avenue and Rosedale will begin in late November. The $350,000 plus project, funded by federal and state sources with $55,000 from county coffers, will let bids after November 1 and proceed to complete earthwork in winter.
Richland schools face crowded classes as enrollment reaches 1619, up 142 from last year. Four kindergarten sessions exceed 30 pupils. new classrooms under construction likely ready in spring. Cafeteria meals total over 1400 daily. lunch prices rise to 25 and 30 cents. New teachers include Ruth Benton and several Mrs./Ms. staff members.
Jimmie Faye Witcher a 17 year old Shafter High School student graces the cover of California Magazine a supplemental tabloid of the Shafter Press and 43 other state newspapers. Selected by press photographer Dick Smith she is used to showcase the cotton industry state wide.
Kern Academy in Shafter enrolls 75 pupils with eight from Wasco. Principal LaVern C. Wolcott notes most are in elementary grades and the first semester ends January 18 with two holiday breaks. Staff includes Margaret Sackett first through third grades and Mrs. John Baerg four through six with her husband stationed in Brazil. George Wister leads seventh and eighth grades after two years at Monterey Bay Academy. Wolcott, born in Ohio, oversees the program.
Viola Ramirez, a Shafter candidate, secured fifth place in the Mexican Independence Day queen contest at the Fairgrounds. Ramirez, previously the 1950 Richland PTA carnival queen, lost to the Wasco candidate and earned a princess title in the celebration.
An attendance of at least 300 agriculturalists for George Harrison Day on Oct 30 was assured as farm mechanization officials and the celebration committee aligned events. The mechanization field day at the United States Cotton Station will occur in the morning, followed by the George Harrison Day barbecue and program. The Shafter Young Farmers organize the barbecue with H W Pat Kelly arranging speakers.
The Em H Mettler Company on Shafter Avenue may soon join the city and Public Utility District to address sewage needs. Officials indicated steps are being taken this week to annex to both entities.
Cotton harvest in the Shafter area is expanding rapidly with gins moving to around the clock operation. Many gins plan 24 hour shifts as the season lengthens due to increased acreage. Labor camps, both private and government, fill with farm workers drawn to the cotton harvest. Many laborers from the Mexican colony have returned from farm work. In other areas, the report notes continuing activity.
Shafter High School football coach Dan Bledsoe and C C Dusty Rhoads begin selecting the 1951 Generals from 30 candidates. With three lettermen returning and three holdovers, they plan to rebuild a new squad while noting last season's Wasco 60 to 0 defeat and a league title loss to Corcoran.
Nearly 80 candidates vie for spots on the 1951 Fresno State College team with Shafter High's Paul Cato leading backfield talent. Fred Houston and Keith Mixon also in the mix, though Mixon is sidelined by a broken nose. Colonels coach Turk Eliades and Dick Heber project strong depth and continuity from returning lettermen.
A Shafter-Wasco hospital investigating committee plans a visit to Avenal to study its 24 bed district hospital built for 350000 dollars. They aim to replicate the program locally, discussing cost and funding with civic leaders and outlining emergency to general use.
Frances Carolyn Hasty a 34 year old native of Shafter died after a lingering illness. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Bernard E. Andrews delivering the eulogy. Interment followed at Greenlawn Cemetery. Armstrong Mortuary in charge. She was the wife of Richland School principal Fred Hasty and had taught art and sewing at Buttonwillow and Maple Schools. She attended UCLA and Bakersfield Junior College and taught before marrying Marion Hess in 1941. She was active in the First Baptist Church and Kern River Baptist Association serving as Women's Missionary Society president and superintendent of the junior Sunday School.
City Clerk Frank Shaw reported August construction value at 37160 dollars. The primary permit was issued to Clarence Neuman for a new home on Acacia Street. A second permit was issued to Eime a Harder for work on another residence.
A preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. September 26 in Bakersfield for Chest ley Powell 55 charged with murder in the shooting death of Julius Cantrell 55 at Shafter on September 1. Powell’s arraignment occurred this week with lawyer Barney Gil representing him and C J McGovern as the prosecutor. The hearing will determine if there is probable cause to bind Powell over to Superior Court. The case stems from an argument over insurance compensation involving Cantrell’s wife Mary who signed the murder complaint.
Raymond G. Massey, 25, paid a $125 fine after appearing before Judge Frank Shaw for drunk driving. The judge imposed the penalty and noted the consequence.
Shafter city council weighed a plan to create a youth center offering after school and weekend activities for teens from Shafter High School. Councilman George H Grundy and Police Chief John Reily discussed supervision and broad club support, but no decision was reached.
Shafter police and firemen announce their annual benefit dance at Memorial Hall from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Proceeds will aid department sick funds and general insurance. Firemen also purchase $25 bonds for newborn babies of members' wives per Chief Albert Finkbeiner. Chief Joyane and Fire Chief Finkbeiner organize.
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