GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXV, NO. XXVIII
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
Paso Robles City Council certifies election results and swears in new members Council delays final decision on downtown employee parking program By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
One of the houses is shown off during the Vine Street Victorian Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 14. For the 38th year, people walked Vine Street to witness all the decorated Victorian homes. Photo by Camille DeVaul
Rain clears just in time for 38th annual Vine St. Victorian Showcase Crowds celebrate holiday cheer with bands, floats, snow slides, and festive Victorian decor By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The morning rain cleared just in time to welcome crowds of people to Vine Street for the 38th annual Vine Street Victorian Showcase. On Saturday, Dec. 14, Vine Street was closed to vehicles and opened itself to families from all over the Central Coast.
At 6 p.m. — just before the event truly kicked off — a procession made its way down the street. The Paso Robles High School Band marched through, followed by the Paso Robles Area Historical Society’s trolley carried City Council members and their family members. “I think it’s fun for us to be able to share the holiday cheer,” Paso Robles High School Band Director
Humberto Cera told Paso Robles Press. “It sounds kinda cheesy, but we definitely enjoy being able to bring that to the town. It makes us feel more connected as a school and as Paso Robles citizens.” The PRHS band has participated in the Vine Street procession for a number of years. This year, between 60 and 70 students participated from holding the CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
PASO ROBLES — To start its last meeting of the year on Tuesday, Dec. 17, the Paso Robles City Council declared and certified the results of the Nov. 5 General Election. As a result, council welcomed in new and re-elected councilmembers who were sworn in with the Oath of Office prior to continuing with the meeting. Treasurer Ryan Cornell, District 1 Councilmember Kris Beal, District 3 Councilmember Steve Gregory, and District 4 Councilmember Fred Strong were all sworn into office Tuesday night. While Strong and Gregory were both re-elected, Beal is serving for the first time after winning her seat against CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
PRJUSD honors outgoing trustee and welcomes new leadership Dorian Baker retires after years of service; Leo Castillo sworn in to represent Trustee Area 6 PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) recognized outgoing Trustee Dorian Baker as she officially retired, and welcomed in newly elected Leo Castillo to represent Trustee Area 6. The meeting, held on Tuesday, Dec. 17, was the last meeting of 2024. PRJUSD Superintendent Jennifer Loftus began the meeting by thanking Baker for her dedication to the district: “Tonight we honor Dorian Baker, a leader who has dedicated the past four years to advancing the success of our students and empowering our families.” Baker, a Cal Poly graduate,
was a first- and second-grade teacher at Virginia Peterson Elementary School in Paso Robles for 25 years. She retired from the district to help open Almond Acres Charter Academy in San Miguel, where she taught second grade for three years until her final teaching retirement in 2017. Loftus continued to address Baker directly saying, “Your service on this board has been guided by a clear and passionate focus. Two of which have really stood out to me: ensuring literacy by third grade and Toy Bank volunteers Dena Vertees and Deborah McPherson helped distribute toys and clothing to families in need during the Day of Giving on Saturday, Dec. 14, at the championing the rights of Paso Robles Event Center. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP parents to be active partners in their children’s education.” On Saturday, Dec. 14, Toy Bank again Loftus then presented Baker Toy Bank and Coats for Kids magic to families in need of some extra with a plaque and flowers, celebrate decades of support support during the holiday season. The was partnered with Coats for Kids of again thanking her for her for families in need organization has been able to provide SLO County for their annual Day of dedication to the district and toys and clothing to about 500 fami- Giving. Held at the Paso Robles Event By CAMILLE DEVAUL lasting impression she has left lies and 1,400 children from newborn Center, volunteers gather toys and coats camille@pasoroblespress.com to 12 years old. They specifically work to be distributed to the over 700 families behind. Baker then addressed the NORTH COUNTY — The Toy to serve low-income families from Paso who seek assistance from the nonprofits. board, staff, and community, Bank of Greater Paso Robles (Toy Robles, Shandon, San Miguel, Bradley, Coats for Kids has been helping keep Bank) celebrated 30 years of bringing and Heritage Ranch. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
CALIFORNIA
CRIME
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
Nonprofits bring warmth and joy with annual Day of Giving
NORTH COUNTY NEWS
SPORTS
WEATHER
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