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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CIX, NO. XLVII
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2024
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North County election results near completion 6,274 ballots left to count as local measures and City Council seats hang in the balance By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
Mid State Cruizers members are shown with the recipients of their charity donations this year. Photo by Christianna Marks/ATN
Mid State Cruizers donate $12,000 from August car show to local charities
The car club hands out $1,200 checks to 10 recipients at monthly meeting
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — On Thursday, Nov. 21, the Mid State Cruizers gave away $12,000 to local charities at their monthly meeting. The money was raised at their 33rd Annual Car Show
in August. The car club has been raising more and more money for local nonprofits every year, and this is the most they’ve ever been able to donate. “This year, due to the combined efforts of pretty much everybody in this room and all of our members, we were able to actually break last year’s record, and we actually profited $12,000 this year,” said Mid State Cruizers President Roy Barba at the beginning of the meeting. “Which is $1,000 more than last
year’s, which was great for everybody. Because of that, tonight we’ll be handing out 10 $1,200 checks to local charities.” Like in years past, the club nominated 22 local nonprofits at their September meeting and put them on the ballot for voting. The official vote took place at their October meeting, and 10 charities were chosen to receive $1,200 checks to help them with the wonderful things they do for our community. “The primary reason for our car
show is to give the money away at the end of the year,” Barba said. “That’s actually written into our bylaws, so every penny and profit that we make is donated, and it specifically states that it must be donated to local charities.” This year saw some familiar faces, with the club picking charities from years past, as well as some new nonprofits thrown into the mix. This year, the checks went to Atascadero High School Auto Shop, Honor Flight Central Coast, SLO
Dream Makers, Atascadero High School Robotics (Greybots), Jack’s Helping Hand, Woods Humane Society, Boxes for Soldiers (Helping Soldiers in the Desert), Boy Scout Troop #51, Veterans Memorial Foundation (Faces of Freedom), and the Shandon Boys & Girls Club. “It’s because of groups like you that continue to donate to us that allows us to continue to take the trip,” said Honor Flight Chairman Bear McGill of taking
NORTH COUNTY — Counting ballots is nearly at its end here in San Luis Obispo County. According to the County Clerk Reporter Elaina Cano’s ballot report on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m., there are 6,274 ballots left to process and 877 challenged ballots. The latest ballot update from the county on Nov. 23 says that 80.91% (147,748 of 182,606 votes) votes have been counted and tallied. The next, and possibly final count, is estimated to be released Wednesday, Nov. 27, by 5 p.m. which was not available at the time of printing. With results still coming in, North County races and measures are shaping up as follows: Atascadero City Council With two council seats up for grabs, Seth Peek is now in the lead with 35.16% (7,679 votes), with Mark Dariz close behind with 34.08% (7,443 votes), and then Tori Keen at 30.76% (6,717 votes). CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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School board searches for new superintendent Trustees Tracy EllisWeit and Corinne Kuhnle chosen as AUSD liaisons and spokespersons
ATASCADERO — On Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 3:30 p.m., the Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Trustees held a special board meeting where they met with Leadership Associates, whom they picked to lead the search for the district’s next superintendent at the Nov. 5 school board meeting. Treasurer Tracy Ellis-Weit was standing president at the top of the meeting as President Terri Switzer arrived late. The meeting started with Oral Communication from the Public. During the portion, community member Nicole Hider brought up concerns regarding item A:2 of Leadership Associates discussion items. The item pertains to a board liaison and spokesperson
being chosen from the trustee board. “Because a board liaison and spokesperson will be dealing directly with Leadership Associates and relaying information between them and the board, I feel it’s vital that the person appointed to this position be as neutral as possible to ensure that the information is presented in its totality and without bias,” stated Hider. “Anyone who’s actively associated with or otherwise supports special interest groups that do not champion public education, such as Moms Habitat SLO Partner Families pose in front of their new homes on Vine Street in Paso Robles for their ribbon cutting on Friday, Nov. 22. Photo Courtesy of Habitat SLO for Liberty, would likely have a personal or political agenda that might interfere with the neutrality that is desired in the role of Two-hundred and fifty ‘sweat 22, to celebrate nine newly built homes community comes together to create liaison and spokesperson.” equity’ hours were spent helping for Habitat for Humanity San Luis stability and opportunity for families,” Hider went on to say that she Obispo County (Habitat SLO) Partner said Assemblymember Dawn Addis, as to build the homes strongly recommended that the Families. Event attendees enjoyed a tour she addressed the crowd of 125 attendees. board appoint a trustee who has of the homes, heartfelt speeches, and an “Habitat for Humanity SLO is buildBy CAMILLE DEVAUL proven to be an advocate for the official ribbon cutting. ing more than homes — they’re buildcamille@atascaderonews.com district and public education. The homes, located at 2901-2917 Vine ing hope.” “For our community, you’re NORTH COUNTY — Community St. in Paso Robles, are the product of the The project broke ground in June really going to be seeing the members, family, friends, volunteers, New Home Construction program. 2023, and each are equipped with enertrustees interacting with the and representatives from local and state “The nine homes on Vine Street are gy-efficient features and furnished with government all gathered on Friday, Nov. a testament to what’s possible when a CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
COUNTY
COMMUNITY
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
Habitat for Humanity dedicates nine homes
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