GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXVI, NO. XLVI
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
SLO County Supervisor John Peschong (left) and District Attorney Dan Dow are shown at a crime victims advocacy event April 15 at the Katcho Achadjian Government Center In San Luis Obispo. Screenshot
Annual advocacy event calls for stronger voice for crime victims
County leaders and advocates gather to honor survivors, highlight victims’ rights during Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness Month By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Community leaders, advocates, and residents gathered on Wednesday, April 15, at the Katcho Achadjian Government Center to recognize Crime Victims’ Rights Awareness Month during the annual advocacy event hosted by the District Attorney’s Office Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center. Held in conjunction with
Atown Skate Park founder Kevin Campion announces the champions at Saturday’s “Scoot Jam,” where local rider Eva Alhadeff (center) took first place in her division. Now in its 11th year and organized under the Scoot USA brand, the competition showcased standout talent, with Alhadeff rising above a male-dominated field after pushing beyond her comfort zone. Photo courtesy of Luana Alhadeff
‘Scoot Jam’ Scooter championship ‘draws National Crime Victims’ Rights regional and local talent to Atown Skate Park Week (April 19-25), the event served as both a tribute to survivors and a call to action, emphasizing this year’s national theme: “Listen. Act. Advocate.” The gathering featured remarks from several guest speakers, including Morro Bay Police Chief Amy Watkins, CASA Executive Director Marina Bernheimer, and CASA Advocate Marabeth Middleton. Attendees also included local law enforcement partners, San CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Annual event doubles as national qualifier, showcasing youth skill and discipline in Atascadero By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief
NORTH COUNTY — Riders from across California and beyond gathered at ‘Scoot Jam’ on Saturday, April 18, for the park’s annual scooter championship, an event that continues to grow in both scale and significance. Now in its 11th year, the competition — known as
“Scoot Jam” and organized under the Scoot USA brand — brought together beginners, intermediate riders, and elite competitors for a full day of high-energy runs, technical tricks, and community connection. The event also served as a qualifying stop for a national scooter championship, elevating the level of competition and drawing participants from across the
Specs by Kyla’s visionary move to El Camino Real
evaluated each run based on difficulty, execution, and overall use of the course, requiring riders to balance creativity, speed, and consistency under pressure. Participants traveled from as far as Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, and North Carolina, underscoring the event ’s growing reputation and the limited number of similar CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
City Council advances plan to transform Larry Moore Park
How Skinner is redefining style, community, and connection in downtown Atascadero
New design adds youth sports fields, expanded amenities, and addresses neighborhood concerns By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief
ATASCADERO — On one of the most prominent corners in downtown Atascadero, a fresh energy is taking shape — one defined not just by design, but by vision in every sense of the word. For Kyla Skinner, owner of Specs by Kyla, the move into a new, more expansive space marks both a milestone and the culmination of five years of steady, intentional growth. What began as a modest, word-of-mouth business has evolved into one of the city’s most distinctive retail experiences, rooted in authenticity, creativity, and community connection. Skinner said the decision to relocate was driven by necessity as much as opportunity. “We were definitely outgrowing our previous space,” Skinner said. “It felt like an eyewear party at times — fun, but crowded.” That growth did not happen
western United States. “This is about more than just a contest,” said park founder Kevin Campion. “It’s about giving kids a place to learn discipline, perform in front of an audience, and push themselves to improve.” Competitors were given 45-second timed runs to navigate the park’s features, linking together lines of tricks across ramps, rails, and bowls. Judges
Specs by Kyla owner/operator Kyla Skinner is shown inside her business’ new home at 5915 El Camino Real. Photo by Hayley Mattson/PRP
overnight. Built almost entirely through personal referrals, Specs by Kyla has developed a loyal customer base that values not just the product, but the experience behind it. Clients often leave with more than eyewear — they leave with a sense of individuality that becomes part of their identity. “When someone is wearing really unique eyewear, they get compliments everywhere they go,” Skinner said. “They’re
COMMUNITY
excited to tell people where they got their glasses.” That kind of organic promotion has helped propel the business forward, allowing Skinner to expand thoughtfully while maintaining the core values that define her brand. Rather than rushing growth, she focused on reinvesting in the business, building a stable foundation that could support long-term success. Now, in the new location at 5915 El Camino Real,
CRIME
that vision has come to life. The shop itself reflects Skinner’s creative evolution. What was once a stark office space has been transformed into a lightfilled, welcoming retail environment that blends historic character with modern design. “It was a slow build,” Skinner said. “We didn’t know what was behind the walls at first.” As renovations progressed, layers of drywall revealed unexCONTINUED ON PAGE A2
SPORTS
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles City Council met on Tuesday, April 21, for a regularly scheduled meeting, where members reviewed plans for significant improvements to Larry Moore Park. Located at 155 Riverbank Lane, Larry Moore Park was originally developed in the 1980s as part of the Riverbank neighborhood. At the time, it was funded and maintained through the city’s Landscape and Lighting Maintenance District, supported by assessments from local residents. However, over the years, those revenues failed to keep pace with rising maintenance costs, leading to deteriorating conditions and the eventual closure of the park’s restroom and playground. In 2016, the city transitioned the park into its broader park system, removing it from the
maintenance district. Following that change, improvements were made, including the installation of a new playground and the reopening of restroom facilities. Still, city officials and community members recognized the park’s potential for more use. During outreach to the community, the city proposed adding lighted youth baseball and softball fields, a multiuse turf area for soccer, and improved parking. While some residents supported the idea, others raised concerns about increased traffic, safety, and neighborhood impacts. After the 2024 sale of a portion of Pioneer Park, the city allocated proceeds, along with Parks and Recreation Facilities Development Fees, to fund design and environmental analysis. In May 2025, the council unanimously directed staff to continue pursuing long-term CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
WEATHER
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