GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CIX, NO. XVI
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
SLOCOG potential tax measure does not move forward City manager gives overview from special City Council workshop held April 20 By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero City Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 23, at 6 p.m. The hybrid meeting was held in the City Council Chambers. During his Updates from the City Manager, Jim Lewis gave the community an update from the special City Council workshop that took place on Saturday, April 20, at 9 a.m. “The council and the executive team were working very hard on Saturday at your annual workshop, and I just kind of wanted to recap for the public some of the incredible decisions that you (the council) made. They’re exciting,” stated Lewis. At the workshop, the council reviewed its Strategic Priorities and Projects and discussed the following: • 2023-2025 Strategic Priorities and Goals (Action Plan) • Public Safety Facilities Project • Zoo Accreditation • Legislative Platform e. Community Engagement
Program • Short-term Rentals • Essentialism Evaluation and Employee Culture and Mission Statement Updates • Dial-A-Ride Program “On Saturday, they (the council) voted to move forward or directed us to move forward with new plans for Fire Station #1,” Lewis added. “They gave us the green light to move forward with demolition of Fire Station #1 and a rebuild of a roughly 18/19 square foot fire station. It’ll be very modern and will fit at the existing site. We will be renovating station #2 and also renovating the Police Department.” Citizen of the Year Jerry Tanimoto (left) accepts his award from Atascadero Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Josh Cross at the 101st Atascadero Chamber The council also approved the Annual Awards Dinner and Gala. Photo by HiFly Filmers Photo and Video Productions city to keep moving forward with being an accredited zoo by the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Charles Paddock Zoo’s application is due in September. nity dressed in their finest and tion of Chamber Executives), Business Association unified The gala was The council endorsed the city’s headed to Rava Wines in Paso Glenn Morris, was also in with our chamber,” stated plan for a community engage- seeped in Hispanic Robles to celebrate everything attendance to brag about the Atascadero Chamber Presiment program, and asked staff culture and hosted Atascadero and its chamber Atascadero Chamber taking dent and CEO Josh Cross. “At to return with a discusion on at Rava Wines have to offer the community. home a total of four awards that time, they had dropped short-term rentals and options “ Welcome to the 2024 at the W.A.C.E. awards down to just two members, By CHRISTIANNA MARKS on how to track, monitor and christianna@atascaderonews.com Atascadero Chamber of ceremony a few months and I’m proud to share that regulate them. The council will Commerce Gala. Thanks for ago, including Top Cham- they have over 50 members look at what those options ATASCADERO — The being here,” said emcee of the ber Program, Best Cham- today under the leadership of might look like at a meeting 101st Atascadero Chamber evening and president and ber Website, Best Chamber Maria Garcia. And this unifiin the future. Annual Awards Dinner and CEO of the San Luis Obispo Video, and second place cation is the inspiration for “Just a great Saturday. We Gala moved to a new loca- Chamber of Commerce Jim E-Newsletter. tonight’s theme.” were working together for tion this year. On Saturday, Dantona to kick off the event. During the gala there were “At last year’s Gala, you may about five hours, and I really April 20, starting at 5 p.m., The president and CEO of remember we were proud to dance performances that CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 400 members of the commu- W.A.C.E. (Western Associa- announce that the Hispanic CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Atascadero Chamber of Commerce celebrates community members at 101st Chamber Gala
Wine 4 Paws supports Woods Humane Society through North County wineries Kick-Off Party hosted by Hayseed and Housdon raises over $10,000 for Wine 4 Paws this year By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
Lovely weather brought people out to the seventh annual Atascadero City Wide Yard Sale on Saturday, April 20. Photo by Christianna Marks
NORTH COUNTY — Wineries all over North County embraced the sunny weather while supporting Woods Humane Society for the annual Wine 4 Paws fundraiser. This year, the weekend-long event started on April 19 with their first “Bark after Dark” in Downtown Paso Robles. “While we have not yet finalized the total amount fundraised, Wine 4 Paws was another incredible event and such a huge support to Woods Humane Society,” said Woods Humane Society Director of Development Jamie Relth of this year’s event. “We are once again wowed by this community, and just so grateful.” The fundraiser, founded
by Sarah Tomasetti, benefits Woods Humane Society, a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless animals since 1955. During Wine 4 Paws, participating businesses donate 10 percent of their sales to Woods Humane. Woods cares for over 3,000 cats and dogs each year at both their San Luis Obispo and Atascadero facilities. It also works with other rescue orga-
nizations in the area by offering a low-cost spay and neuter clinic and taking in animals from other shelters. They are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to animals in need until they can be united with a loving home. Over 80 wineries and businesses participated in this year’s fundraiser, including wine bars and businesses in
Downtown Paso Robles. Local winery Hayseed and Housdon hosted the Kick-Off Party at Cal Coast Beer Company on Saturday, April 20. Owner Ted Ross said, “We moved to Paso Robles full time in 2013 and became aware of Wine 4 Paws that very same year. Many of our favorite wineries supported Wine 4
ATASCADERO — People were out on the streets hunting for pre-owned treasures on Saturday, April 20, for the 7th Annual Atascadero Citywide Yard Sale. The bargains were flowing from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with over 120 Atascadero residents and neighborhoods participating. The weather also cooperated, and with the sun out,
CRIME
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NORTH COUNTY NEWS
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Citywide Yard Sale hits Atascadero for seventh year The streets were packed with bargain hunters (From left) Russ Hanush, Jocelyn Youman, Sarah Tomasetti, and Ted Ross celebrate Wine 4 Paws at the Kick of Party on April 19 at Cal Coast Beer Co. Photo by Peter Schroeder
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By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
cars were parked all over the windy streets, and most yard sales had a steady stream of shoppers coming and going for the whole six hours. “It ’s been good. We’ve had a lot of good traffic. Lots of people are stopping by. Able to get rid of some things. Good weather. It’s been nice,” said resident Brea Pritchett. The Citywide Yard Sale doesn’t just bring in local residents. In fact, bargain hunters have started driving in from out of the area CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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MAN SENTENCED Vehicle Manslaughter | A3
COMEDIAN Announced for CMSF | A4
BEER RUN Supports Templeton REC | B1
NORTH COUNTY Sports Roundup | B8
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