See inside for Holiday Coloring Page! GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXI, NO. XLIX
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2025
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ALF Food Pantry volunteers sort food and supply for its recipients. Contributed photo
ALF Food Pantry prepares for major expansion
Pantry secures a new, larger facility to meet growing demand and enhance food distribution in North County By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The ALF Food Pantry (ALF), a cornerstone of the community for 42 years, continues to meet the growing needs of local families, having distributed 700,000 pounds of groceries to 34,000 individuals in 2024 alone. One-third of those served
are children, highlighting the pantry’s vital role in supporting families throughout Atascadero and surrounding communities. Santa and the CMSF Queen’s Court were on hand Dec. 5 for the “Light Up the Downtown” Holiday Celebration at the Sunken Gardens. Photo by Rick Evans/ATN ALF, SLO Food Bank’s largest distributor, operates entirely on the dedication of more than 100 volunteers, with no paid Thousands turn out for Atascadero’s ‘Light Up the Downtown’ and Paso Robles’ 64th Annual employees. “The demand is significant, Christmas Light Parade it’s growing, and it’s not going “Light Up the Downtown” celebration along annual “Light Up the Downtown” HoliBy CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com with its second annual”Garden Lights & day Celebration, an evening city officials CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 Winter Nights” display. In Paso Robles, described as the most well-attended yet. NORTH COUNTY — The holidays Santa Claus officially came to town with Terrie Banish, the city’s director of commucontinue to bring the community together the annual Christmas Light Parade. nity services & promotions, called the event across North County this December. Last The community turned out in record “phenomenal” and praised the overwhelming weekend included Atascadero’s annual numbers on Friday, Dec. 5, for Atascadero’s CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Downtown Atascadero and Paso Robles sparkle in holiday celebrations
City Council expands illegal fireworks ordinance New policy, effective immediately, to hold social hosts responsible and increase fines to $1,000 By MIKE CHALDU michael@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — Spurred by a meeting earlier this year in which multiple residents expressed their concerns about illegal fireworks being set off, the Atascadero City Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance that could hold social hosts responsible for illegal fireworks and increase fines. The ordinance, which will take effect immediately in the city, was heard and passed by a 5-0 vote during the Tuesday, Dec. 9, meeting, the last one of the calendar year for the council. The ordinance required four votes to pass rather than a simple majority. The new ordinance was brought after the City Council meeting on July 22. During public comment in that meeting, community members expressed significant concerns about the dangers and disturbances caused by illegal fireworks within Atascadero neighborhoods. In that course,
COMMUNITY
one of them suggested a social host ordinance. Following these comments, the council reached consensus to direct staff to return with an urgency ordinance for consideration. The ordinance added a new Chapter 8 to Title 4 in the Atascadero Municipal Code, adopting a new regulation regarding social hosts who allow illegal fireworks to be used on the property they are in control of. This can include an owner of private property, a person who has the right to use property (private or public), and/or a person responsible for gathering on property (private or public). Under the new ordinance, observed violations of this ordinance could result in a $1,000 fine for each violation. Violations would be considered misdemeanors and could be prosecuted criminally in addition to, or in lieu of, administrative enforcement. Every unpermitted firework discharged would constitute a new violation of the ordinance, to a maximum CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
CRIME
Chamber celebrates community at annual Christmas Tree Auction
Event honored Jermin family, recognized ABI Engineering and Waste Connections
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
TEMPLETON — The Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Christmas Tree Auction on Thursday, Dec. 4. Returning for its second year after a small break, the event brought together residents, businesses, and nonprofit partners for an evening that celebrated resilience and generosity across North County. Interim CEO of the Chamber Robert Covarrubias addressed welcomed guests, recapping the grand opening of the new Chamber offices that opened on Main Street in Templeton earlier this year. He also encouraged local businesses to join and become active in the Chamber in Templeton.
NONPROFIT
The Jermin family — (clockwise from top left) Dylan, Rick, Stacey, Bobbie, and Tom Jr. — are shown at the Christmas Tree Auction, where they were recognized collectively as Citizen of the Year. Photo by Derek Luff/ATN
“It’s a beautiful facility. Folks in Templeton said, ‘Look, if you give us something, we could be proud of we’ll join.’ We built it. We’re waiting for people to join,” Covarrubias said. “You can only carry things in the red so long. This is the only spiel you’re going to hear tonight, business related.
Guys, if we can’t grow membership in Templeton, we won’t be able to exist in Templeton. And that is not what we want. Events like this are so important. They matter, they make a difference.” This year’s auction honored the Jermin family as Citizen of the Year, recognizing their deep
SPORTS
WEATHER
roots in Templeton and their commitment to the community following the devastating July 4 fire that destroyed the historic Templeton Feed and Grain. During the ceremony, the San Luis Obispo County Garbagemen’s Association presented the family with a $5,000 check to support efforts to rebuild the local business. Last year’s Citizen of the Year, Teresa Dellaganna, hosted the event as the emcee for the night, introducing the night’s award winners. “[The Chamber is] honoring, not just one person, they are honoring a family, a business, somebody that is very near and dear to our hearts here in Templeton,” said Dellaganna, whose great-grandfather was one of the first five customers to have an account at the Templeton Feed and Grain. She continued, “[During the] aftermath of the fire, I saw the community rally around the Jermin family, my heart was CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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