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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CX, NO. XXIII
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
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City Council passes budget with ‘stability and foresight’ City OKs wastewater rate hike after nonmajority protest determined By MIKE CHALDU michael@atascaderonews.com
ATA S C A D E R O — Approving a plan that City Manager Jim Lewis called one with “stability and foresight,” the Atascadero City Council passed the city’s Operating and Capital Budget for the next two fiscal years (2025-26 and 2026-27) at the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10. In introducing the item, Lewis praised the staff in putting together the budget. “ These people worked seven days a week, countless hours, and produced a responsible and thoughtful budget,” he said. “I thank you all for your dedication and sacrifice over the last few weeks.” “We hadn’t done a theme for the budget in past years, but we decided to institute one this year: ‘Investing in our future with stability and foresight with a focus on our vision of working together to serve, build community, and enhance quality of life,’” Lewis continued. “I think this document achieves that. We CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Atascadero High School celebrates the Class of 2025 as 306 graduates are honored for their achievements, scholarships, and bright futures on Wednesday, June 4. Photos by Rick Evans/ATN
Atascadero High School celebrates the Class of 2025 306 graduates honored for achievements, scholarships, and bright futures By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — Under clear June skies and surrounded by proud families, faculty, and friends, an Atascadero High School proudly celebrated the graduation of 306 seniors on Wednesday, June 4. The evening was marked by speeches, applause, and reflection on the journey that brought students to this milestone moment.
Leading the class wereValedictorian Kieran Dolan and Salutatorian Nathan Robasciotti, both recognized for their exceptional academic achievement and leadership. The Valedictorian for the Class of 2025 is Kieran Dolan, graduating with a remarkable 4.63 GPA. Dolan has set the bar high both academically and athletically. In addition to his scholastic achievements, he broke both the league and school record in backstroke this year — remarkable accomplishments that reflect his work ethic
and drive, both in the classroom and in the pool. In the fall, Dolan will attend UC Santa Barbara to study mechanical engineering and plans to join the club triathlon team. He hopes to pursue a career that blends engineering with human biology and performance, driven by a desire to improve lives and make a meaningful impact. Some of his favorite memories have come from competing with his teammates on the swim CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Charles Paddock Zoo rebrands as Central Coast Zoo
On Thursday, June 6, the second annual Sherman’s Legacy Flight soared in honor of the 81st anniversary of D-Day, celebrating the enduring legacy of local Navy aviator Sherman Smoot with a patriotic return to Estrella Warbirds Museum. Photo by Derek Luff/ATN
Members of the Atascadero City Council (from left): Seth Peek, Susan Funk, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Dariz, Mayor Charles Bourbeau, and Zoo Director Cynthia Stringfield have a sparkling apple cider toast to the zoo’s name change to Central Coast Zoo. Photo courtesy of City of Atascadero
Atascadero’s zoo unveils new name, logo, and educational outreach while honoring founder’s legacy By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — After 70 years of educating, inspiring, and welcoming countless visitors, the Charles Paddock Zoo has unveiled a refreshed identity as the Central Coast Zoo. The announcement, which coincided with the zoo’s 70th birthday during the 22nd Annual Ice
Cream Zoofari, marks a major rebranding for Atascadero’s treasured wildlife destination. Founded in 1955 by Charles Paddock, a compassionate park ranger known for rehabilitating injured wildlife, the zoo has grown from a humble rescue effort into the only AZA-accredited zoo in San Luis Obispo County. With its most recent
COMMUNITY
accreditation extending its AZA designation for another five years, the zoo joins a prestigious group of institutions that meet the highest standards in animal care, education, and conservation — an achievement held by only 10% of zoos worldwide. The new name, Central Coast Zoo, emerged after months of CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
Paso Robles honors D-Day with Sherman’s Legacy Flight
Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber takes to the skies for second annual tribute to veterans and fallen aviator Sherman Smoot By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — On Thursday, June 6, the skies above Paso Robles were filled with remembrance and reverence as the second annual Sherman’s Legacy Flight took off in honor of D-Day’s 81st anniversary and the enduring legacy of local Navy aviator Sherman Smoot. The event, hosted by Honor Flight Central Coast, paid tribute to Smoot’s lifelong devotion to aviation and veterans. Smoot, who passed away in a plane accident in 2022, was born
SPORTS
into an aviation family in San Luis Obispo and raised at the original Paso Robles airport. His storied career took flight in 1971, eventually serving as a Navy pilot flying F-4Js from the USS Ranger during the Vietnam War. This year’s commemorative flight carried local veterans aboard Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber — a historic C-47 aircraft based at the Estrella Warbirds Museum. Although too late for the D-Day invasion in 1944, Betsy served in the 9th Air Force and later in the Berlin Airlift. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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