GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXI, NO. XL
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025
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AUSD reports decrease in enrollment for 2025-26 school year Board approves hiring of additional legal team, ‘piggyback’ bid for furniture, among other items in short meeting By MIKE CHALDU michael@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees took care of a few items during a brief 58-minute meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Among those items was a report from Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Kendyl Darnell on the district’s updated enrollment for the current school year, which has decreased from the 2024-25 school year. Darnell reported the enrollment of 4,275 students over the district’s 14 campuses and programs, which was 82 less than the 4,357 reported in October 2024. Darnell noted that AUSD budgeted for a decrease of 19 students, so the decline was 63 students “over budget.” Also notable, according to Darnell, was that AUSD had its lowest kindergarten enrollment in eight years, since Darnell started tracking the enrollment, she said. Measuring by percentage of births in CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Valley Fresh Market co-owners Greg and Teresa King, and David and Jennifer West pose with Atascadero City Councilmembers and other city and store leaders during the opening of the city’s new grocery store in the still-under-construction Del Rio Road Project. Photo courtesy of Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
Valley Fresh Market opens doors in Atascadero Family-owned grocery store celebrates grand opening with ribbon-cutting ceremony, emphasizing community, quality, and hometown values By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY — A new locally owned grocery store has joined Atascadero’s business community, as Valley Fresh Market officially opened its doors with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Oct. 3. The event, hosted by the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, drew city officials, community members, and local
shoppers eager to welcome the family-owned market to town. The husband-and-wife team of Greg and Teresa King, together with their partners David and Jennifer West of Ojai, have opened the new market at the corner of El Camino Real and Del Rio Road. With more than 75 years of combined experience in the grocery industry, the two families partnered with Clint Pearce, president of Madonna Enterprises, LLC, to bring Valley Fresh
Market to Atascadero. “Our grand opening was a longawaited and incredible moment for us,” King said. “We’ve loved the positive feedback so far and are absolutely thrilled to be serving the North County community.” Greg King has been in the grocery business since 1984, starting as a box boy and working his way through the ranks of several major brand grocers. After helping open the Albertson’s in Paso
Robles in the 1990s, King shifted his focus to independently owned markets, joining El Rancho Market in Solvang and later co-founding California Fresh Markets in Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo. With Teresa King representing the eighth generation of her family in North County, the couple has deep roots in the area. With a desire for continued growth and community-focused business, Greg CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Paso Robles & Templeton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Gina Fitzpatrick is shown at the 2020 Paso Robles Chamber Gala. Paso Robles Press file photo
Paso Robles & Templeton Chamber announces leadership transition
Justin Davis (left), Class of 1989 and a star in football, track, and wrestling, was inducted into the Paso Robles High School Hall of Fame on Oct. 3. Photos by Rick Evans/ATN
Paso Robles honors Bearcat legends during Hall of Fame night
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
Templeton dominates Santa Maria 56-0, extending their winning streak and showcasing a powerful offense By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — Paso Robles High School’s Hall of Fame Week was on full display Friday, Oct. 3, as alumni, students, and fans gathered to honor some of the school’s most accomplished athletes. At halftime of the Bearcats’ football game against Arroyo
Grande, the 2025 Hall of Fame induction ceremony recognized the 1974 CIF Champion Football Team and three standout Bearcat alumni: Karen McConnell, Justin Davis, and Jerry Shreeves. The induction brought together generations of Bearcats, sharing stories, memories, and the spirit of Paso Robles
NEWS
athletics. Karen McConnell, Class of 1986, earned 10 varsity letters in volleyball, basketball, and track and field, was a multi-time all-league honoree, and played volleyball at Cuesta College and Eastern Montana College. Justin Davis, Class of 1989, excelled in football, track, and wrestling, placing fourth at CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
CRIME
President and CEO Gina Fitzpatrick steps down after a decade of service; Board Chair Rob Covarrubias to assume interim leadership
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles & Templeton Chamber of Commerce has announced a leadership transition following the resignation of President and CEO Gina Fitzpatrick after 10 years of dedicated service. To ensure a smooth transition, current Board Chair Rob Covarrubias will step down from his role as chair and assume interim leadership responsibilities. “Gina’s dedication to our community has been integral to the Chamber’s success,” stated Covarrubias, outgoing board chair and
BUSINESS
incoming interim CEO. “Her commitment to fostering meaningful connections and strategic partnerships has strengthened the region’s economic foundation and preserved the values that distinguish Paso Robles and Templeton. We are grateful for her service and wish her continued success in her future endeavors.” Paso Robles Press spoke with Fitzpatrick about her decision to open a new career chapter. “This decision has not come easily. It’s only in preparing to leave that I’ve come to fully appreciate how much the Chamber has meant to me,” she said. “The Chamber became more than just a professional home; it has been a true passion and an incredible privilege.” Born and raised in San Luis Obispo County, Fitzpatrick is a fifth-generation Paso Roblan whose deep love for her hometown guides everything she does. Certified in economic development, she remained dedicated to CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
WEATHER
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