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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXI, NO. XXXVII
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
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AUSD board sees concepts for future multipurpose room Campus library, kitchen could also get makeovers By MIKE CHALDU michael@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — In its regular meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Atascadero Unified School District Board of Trustees got to see what a multipurpose room (MPR) could look like on the Atascadero High School campus, and how AHS’s current library and kitchen could be worked in with that. The item was the first to be heard during the board’s Study Session, the concept that new Superintendent Dr. Tom On Sept. 6, Paso Robles Professional Firefighters Local 4148 hosted the Paso Robles 9/11 Stair Climb, which paid tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including the Bennett introduced last month, 343 New York City firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice. Photo by Trisha Butcher courtesy of Paso Robles Professional Firefighters Local 4148 where trustees discuss topics in a round-table format during the second meeting of each month. Tracy Ellis-Weit was absent from the meeting. Third annual memorial event draws first responders and residents together, raising over $6,000 for burn survivor AUSD Director of Support camp while paying tribute to the lives lost on Sept. 11 Services Brant Loyd made the NORTH COUNTY — The sound of Participants climbed the equivalent sacrifice of the nearly 3,000 people who participated, raising more than $6,000 to presentation, along with Kathboots hitting concrete echoed through the of 110 stories inside the Paso Robles lost their lives onSept. 11, 2001, including benefit the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foun- ryn Hicks of the RRM Design Paso Robles Event Center on Saturday, Event Center grandstands, symbolizing the 343 firefighters who climbed those dation and its signature program, Champ Group. Assistant Superintendent Sept. 6, as dozens of community members the height of the World Trade Center towers and never came back down,” said Camp. The free, weeklong camp is held for Business Services Kendyl and first responders joined together for towers. Firefighters in full gear carried event organizer Dustin Virgil, firefighter each summer in Sanger for children ages Darnell reminded the board that the Third Annual Paso Robles 9/11 heavy hoses, recreating the load their paramedic for Paso Robles Fire Depart- 5–17 who have survived burn injuries. this was just an informational Memorial Stair Climb. Hosted by the brothers and sisters bore on that fateful ment. “As a department, as a local commu- Each year, about 150 campers spend a meeting to get feedback on the Paso Robles Professional Firefighters morning in 2001. Others carried lanyards, nity, we look at it as an opportunity to week fishing, canoeing, practicing archery, firm’s concepts, and the district Local 4148, the event paid tribute to the each bearing the name, photograph, and come together each year to ensure that and building confidence in a supportive would have to wait for another nearly 3,000 lives lost in the September assignment of a fallen first responder. their legacy is never forgotten.” community of survivors. consultant’s report on the proj11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including the “It’s a tribute for 9/11, this year being The Stair Climb is more than a memoAfter covering event expenses, orga- ect moving forward to see what 343 New York City firefighters who made the 24th year since that day. [The] stair rial — it is also a fundraiser with a purpose. nizers estimate they will be able to send decision the board would make. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 the ultimate sacrifice. climb is about honoring the courage and This year, approximately 60 climbers “Atascadero High School currently lacks an indoor, air-conditioned, multipurpose space,” Loyd said in starting the der rights, while protesters rallied item. “This has come up often Hundreds gather at nearby, denouncing his views as over the past several years, and Paso Robles City Park inflammatory. Counter-events challenge is we have no suitable in vigil, celebrating also emerged, including Queer venue for large gatherings, no Joy by the Cal Poly Drag Club, place for students to have lunch, Kirk’s legacy of free along with demonstrations orga- and inadequate kitchen facilities speech, faith, and nized by Young Democratic to meet the board’s desire for youth activism, just Socialists of America, Students more scratch cooking.” days after his shocking Loyd emphasized the designs for Quality Education, and Gala Pride and Diversity. Undeterred, were early-stage concepts and death Kirk pressed forward, answer- not final plans. By HAYLEY MATTSON ing questions with his trademark Hicks introduced herself and Publisher, Editor in Cheif mix of statistics, scripture, and told the trustees she has been an NORTH COUNTY — On sharp wit — leaving a lasting architect and project manager Saturday morning, hundreds of impression on young conserva- specializing in educational facillocals gathered together at Paso ities. tives close to home. “It’s so fun to be able to work Robles City Park, waving AmerThe tragedy that claimed his ican flags and wearing Freedom life struck while he was doing with our local school districts,” what he loved — and what she said. “I enjoy planning these T-shirts, just three days after a defined him. On Wednesday, projects that I know friends and single gunshot rocked the nation Sept. 10, beneath clear Utah neighbors of mine, and their kids, with the assassination of Charskies, Kirk was 20 minutes will be using, and to have that lie Kirk. The 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder and into the kickoff of his “Ameri- impact on our local communiconservative free speech advocan Comeback Tour” at UVU’s ties.” cate was fatally shot 20 minutes Randall Jordan (left), chairman of the Republican Party of San Luis Obispo County, and San Luis Obispo County District Sorensen Student Center courtHicks went on to submit three into a speech at Utah Valley Attorney Dan Dow, pose next to a photo of conservative free speech advocate Charlie Kirk during a vigil at Paso Robles City yard. Between 2,000 and 3,000 different options for the board to Park on Saturday, Sept. 13. Kirk was assassinated by a gunman during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University on University on Wednesday, Sept. Wednesday, Sept. 10. Photo by Rick Evans\ATN people filled the Orem campus, consider, and the probable costs 10. The political assassination 45 miles south of Salt Lake of each project. Option 1 is putting the MPR sent shockwaves through the Randall Jordan, chairman of time fixture in North County hoping he’d make it. Thinking City. Wearing his trademark country, and the world, leaving the Republican Party of San politics with headquarters in he’s gotta make it.” “Freedom” T-shirt, he had just in the current outdoor eating communities like ours grap- Luis Obispo County, spoke both Atascadero and Arroyo For many, Kirk was more tossed branded hats to a cheer- space on campus, and renovatpling with grief and fear. At with emotion in his voice as Grande, recounted the raw shock than a national figure — he ing crowd and posted on X: ing the current kitchen and snack the vigil, speakers from the San he explained the urgency of that rippled through his home was a familiar presence. Just “WE. ARE. SO. BACK. Utah bar; the current library, which is 2 Luis Obispo County Republican the gathering. “Someone had when news broke. His wife, more 18 months earlier, on March 7, Valley University is FIRED UP feet from the project site, would Party, local pastors, a City Coun- to do this,” he said, describing plugged into the networks than 2024, he appeared at Cal Poly’s and READY.” Moments later, remain unchanged. Hicks esticil member, and a Paso Robles why the party acted so quickly he, learned of Kirk’s death during Dexter Lawn for a “Prove Me while answering a question on mated the construction cost at High School graduate, among to organize the event. “Charlie a Zoom call for another group Wrong” debate table hosted mass shootings and mental $7.4 million to $8.5 million. others, took the stage, united Kirk meant so much to us — to — 30 minutes before President by the campus Turning Point health reforms — urging dataOption 2 is demolishing the in resolve: Kirk’s death was not my wife and me, to everyone in Trump’s announcement hit USA chapter. The event drew driven solutions over what he current snack bar and eating area, the end of his fight for truth and our central committee. We were national airwaves. “It was just hundreds: supporters applaud- called knee-jerk gun control — with a new MPR and kitchen, freedom, but a rallying cry for its devastated. We had to come out devastating,” Jordan said. “We ing his unfiltered stances on free the crack of a rifle split the air. both connected, to replace it. and honor him.” Jordan, a long- kept listening and listening, speech, abortion, and transgencontinuation. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Paso Robles stair climb honors 9/11 heroes
Community unites after political assassination of Charlie Kirk
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