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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024
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City Council approves ECHO Expansion Project Council delegates 2025 Community Development Block Grant Funds to community By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
worth of the U.S. Marine Corps. Whitworth served as an active and reserves Marine for 30 years. He was a combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam, a commanding officer throughout the world, and he has held the highest Top Secret Security clearance. He now works with veteran causes throughout the county. “One of the many awards that the Colonel received is the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraction of the U.S. Marine Reconisance Team under intense enemy fire,” stated Dow of Whitworth heroics on Feb. 5, 1970. At the beginning of his speech,
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero City Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. During the meeting, the council was presented with the Emergency Shelter Overlay Zone Amendment, also known as the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) Expansion Project. ECHO resides at 6370 Atascadero Ave., and the city adopted a specific zoning district for the area called the Emergency Shelter Overlay Zoning District. There’s also a Conditional Use Permit, and within that, there is an Operations and Management Plan. The amendment will touch on all three items. “A little history on how they got here,” said Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore. “It was 2013 that the city council adopted an ordinance to allow for the emergency shelter uses there. It was 2014 that they finally adopted an Operations and
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The Cal Poly RPTC performs the Presentation of Colors for the Atascadero Veterans Day Ceremony at the Faces of Freedom Memorial. Photos by Rick Evans/ATN
Atascadero honors local veterans at the 17th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony The ceremony happened at the Faces of Freedom Memorial By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The weather held out for the 17th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Atascadero’s Faces of Freedom Memorial before a slight mist became a steady rain as soon as the festivities ended. The ceremony started exactly at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, with the fan-favorite flyover by the Estrella Warbirds. The flyover
was quickly followed by the Cal Poly RPTC performing the Presentation of Colors, which was accompanied by Central Coast Pipes and Drums like in years past. Maria Smith and Jana Sorensen then gave a moving rendition of the national anthem, complete with intricate harmonies. They preceeded the Invocation given by Pastor Ted Mort from Atascadero Gospel Chapel. The master of ceremonies for the day, SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow, who stood in for Andy Morris this year, introduced the Armed Forces Medley. “While many realize that Veterans
Day is a day to honor our veterans, only a few are truly aware of the origination of the day,” Dow stated. “Veterans Day was formerly known as Armistice Day. It marked the end of hostilities in WWI in 1918, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, and it became a federal holiday 20 years later in 1938. We will now ask everyone to listen carefully as we play the Armed Forces Medley in recognizing all of our veterans.” Dow then recognized Blue Star Families, which have members of their families serving our country in active duty. He then introduced the large crowd to this year’s guest speaker, Col. John Whit-
Community celebrates the life and legacy of Kyndal Leah Gottfried on Saturday
Friends and family gather to honor young girl whose strength, faith, and love touched all who knew her The Wine & Dine Pour Fest attendees who were picked in a drawing to ride “Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber” during the event pose in front of the plane at the Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles. Photo by Roy Coffman
Inaugural Wine & Dine Pour Fest supports Honor Flight Central Coast California
Afternoon event was dedicated to honoring our nation’s heroes
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY — The community gathered to sip, savor, and support veterans at the inaugural Wine & Dine Pour Fest held at the Estrella Warbirds Museum on Saturday, Nov. 2.
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The afternoon was dedicated to honoring our nation’s heroes, with proceeds going to Honor Flight Central Coast California (Honor Flight), an organization that provides veterans with memorable trips to Washington, D.C. Guests who purchased a ticket by Tuesday, Oct. 1, were entered into a drawing for an exclusive flight on the historic C-47 plane, “Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber.” With a delay due to some clouds and CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY — The community came together to celebrate the life of Kyndal Leah Gottfried on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Atascadero Bible Church. Kyndal was a strong, sweet, and beautiful little girl who, at the age of 5 years old, was diagnosed with brain cancer, medulloblastoma. She was born Jan. 27, 2016, and she passed away on Oct. 8, surrounded by loved ones. On Saturday, an overflowing room at the Atascadero Bible Church held family and friends of Kyndal dressed in purple and pink. In a separate room, Kyndal’s little pink casket was there for visitors to say hello. Her pallbear-
ers were uncles Caleb Gottfried, Jordan Gottfried, Rusty Rodda, and Randy Armas. Her service began with her favorite worship songs, “Here I am to Worship” and “Waymaker.” Pastor Jeff Urke welcomed the community to begin the service.
“We’re gathered here to support and love the Gottfried family, and to love Raquel, and to say we’re with you,” he said. “We’re mourning with you, grieving the loss of Kyndal. And we’re gathered in addition to bringing honor to God who gave this little
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A photo of Kyndal Gottfried at play, and bouquets of pink and purple flowers, adorn the altar at Atascadero Bible Church during the memorial service for Kyndal on Nov. 9. Photos by Noelle Laird
girl to this family as an amazing gift. And to honor her life with memory, to honor her life with celebration and with prayer together is what we’ll do.” Throughout her entire life, Kyndal and her mother Raquel were two peas in a pod — they did everything together from watching the sunrise, looking for seashells and going on many adventures whenever possible. Kyndal was Raquel’s mini-me and contained her same stubbornness, competitiveness, and talent for anything athletic. Atascadero News has followed Kyndal’s story almost from the beginning, and you can find additional articles covering her treatment and journey at atascaderonews.com and search “Kyndal.” Throughout her treatment, Kyndal had two brain surgeries, countless rounds of chemotherapy, and proton radiation-seeking CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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