Personalities Archives - Page 4 of 6

Large water pipeline in Kings County raising questions, concerns

December 22, 2021

• by Lois Henry

A large water pipeline being built near Lemoore in Kings County is raising eyebrows as much for its possible uses as for the name associated with its construction — John Vidovich. The large, black pipe could be seen earlier this month being tucked into the ground along 21st Avenue just south of Highway 198 and…

Personalities

Westlands GM gets contract extension despite grower objections

December 21, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

During a contentious Westlands Water District meeting on Tuesday where growers spoke out against district leadership, board members voted 8-1 to extend General Manager Tom Birmingham’s contract another three years. As has been the district’s recent practice, the contract extension came a year before Birmingham’s contract expires. Westlands growers criticized Birmingham, expressed frustration at the…

Personalities • Rivers

New Kern River Watermaster in the wings

November 5, 2021

• by Lois Henry

It appears a new Kern River Watermaster will be chosen to replace Dana Munn, whose contract winds up at the end of this year. If he’s officially approved by all the voting members of the “river interests,” Mark Mulkay will likely become the fourth ever Kern River Watermaster. He said he’s discussed it with all…

Personalities

The face of California’s water world is changing

August 16, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

In California’s water world, long dominated almost exclusively by men, women are blazing a path — sometimes straight to the top. “I think water is changing,” said Karla Nemeth, director of California’s Department of Water Resources. “There’s more and more of an understanding that as a society and even politically, we’re not going to get…

Personalities

“Silver tsunami” could open doors to California’s top water jobs

July 6, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

Job alert: The Shafter-Wasco Irrigation District, which serves nearly 30,000 acres of farms in Kern County, is hiring a new general manager. But what exactly does the general manager of an irrigation district do? It’s a question that isn’t easily answered, even by water executives themselves. “I found it very hard to describe what I…

Personalities

Longtime Tule River Water Master Richard L. Schafer dies at 95

July 2, 2021

• by Lois Henry

Richard L. Schafer left an “indelible” imprint on water systems — and the people who run them — in the southern San Joaquin Valley over his extensive career. The longtime Tule River Water Master, who had worked with just about every agricultural water district in the area, died Thursday. He was 95. Aside from his…

Drought • Federal System • Groundwater • Personalities

Will climate change alter water rights?

May 27, 2021

• by Jesse Vad, SJV Water reporting intern

The specter of climate change isn’t just impacting weather, it could also change California water rights, according to experts who spoke at this year’s annual Water Summit put on by the Water Association of Kern County. The May 25 virtual event included a host of experts who caught attendees up on the latest information about…

Personalities • State System

New leaders named to Kern water districts

March 23, 2021

• by Lois Henry

The personnel deck of who’s who in Kern County water has shuffled recently at several agricultural water districts. The Rosedale-Rio Bravo and North Kern water storage districts both recently named new general managers. And the newly formed Westside Water Authority, made up of four different ag water districts, also brought on a new general manager….

Personalities • State System

New director appointed to Kern County Water Agency

March 15, 2021

• by Lois Henry

Longtime family farmer Laura Cattani was appointed to the board of the powerful Kern County Water Agency during a special meeting on Monday. She is the second woman to serve on the board of directors in the 60-year history of the agency. Cattani will bring much needed diversity to the board, several directors said during…

Personalities

Kern County Water Agency Director Bruce Hafenfeld dies at 73

February 10, 2021

• by Lois Henry

Bruce Allen Hafenfeld June 12, 1947 – January 19, 2021 https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bakersfield/obituary.aspx?n=bruce-hafenfeld&pid=197637854 A LIFE WELL LIVED Bruce Allen Hafenfeld was born June 12, 1947, Orange CA. to Bernard Norman Hafenfeld and Barbara Jane Crosier. He went to be in the arms of the Lord January 19, 2021 with his family by his side after losing a…

NEWS

Large water pipeline in Kings County raising questions, concerns

Westlands GM gets contract extension despite grower objections

New Kern River Watermaster in the wings

The face of California’s water world is changing

“Silver tsunami” could open doors to California’s top water jobs

Longtime Tule River Water Master Richard L. Schafer dies at 95

Will climate change alter water rights?

New leaders named to Kern water districts

New director appointed to Kern County Water Agency

Kern County Water Agency Director Bruce Hafenfeld dies at 73

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