GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIV, NO. XLVI
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
Paso teachers prepare for campus move
Trustees approve Jennifer Loftus as next superintendent
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
A group attends the Kick-Off Party for Wine 4 Paws on April 20 at Cal Coast Beer Company. Photo provided by Hayseed and Housdon
Wine 4 Paws supports Woods Humane Society through North County wineries Kick-Off Party held by Hayseed and Housdon raises over $10,000 for Wine 4 Paws this year By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — Wineries all over North County embraced the sunny weather while supporting Woods Humane Society for the annual
Wine 4 Paws fundraiser. This year, the weekend-long event started on April 19 with their first “Bark after Dark” in Downtown Paso Robles. “While we have not yet finalized the total amount fundraised, Wine 4 Paws was another incredible event and such a huge support to Woods Humane Society,” said Woods Humane Society Director of
Development Jamie Relth of this year’s event. “We are once again wowed by this community, and just so grateful.” The fundraiser, founded by Sarah Tomasetti, benefits Woods Humane Society, a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless animals since 1955. During Wine 4 Paws, participating businesses donate 10 percent of their sales to Woods
Humane. Woods cares for over 3,000 cats and dogs each year at both their San Luis Obispo and Atascadero facilities. It also works with other rescue organizations in the area by offering a low-cost spay and neuter clinic and taking in animals from other shelters. They are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to animals in need CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
PASO ROBLES — Trustees voted to officially approve Jennifer Loftus to serve as the new superintendent for Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD). During the Tuesday, April 16 meeting, Loftus signed her agreement accompanied by her family. Board President Nathan Williams welcomed Loftus: “ We have brought back one of our own, former Bearcat and one who has family within our neighborhoods, within the Paso Robles district.” Loftus was chosen after an extensive search to replace current Superintendent Curt Dubost, who will be retiring. She will officially begin her position on July 1. “I am absolutely thrilled to be standing here as your new incoming superintendent,” said Loftus who thanked the board, staff, and teachers at the district, and parents and students. “One of the things that makes Paso Robles such a unique special place is our rich diversity,” added Loftus. “I see that as our strength and I am committed to ensuring
that every student regardless of background has the support and resources needed to succeed.” Loftus has a 26-year career in education, serving in many roles such as assistant principal, principal, director of administrative services, director of teaching & learning/ interim assistant superintendent, adjunct professor, a state consultant in early childhood services, and most recently, as the executive director of educational services of the Santa Maria Bonita School District. The board unanimously approved for Loftus to serve as the district’s next superintendent. Trustees also discussed a timeline for the school moves. In January, the district made the decision to close the Georgia Brown Elementary School campus for the 202425 school year. The decision came after it was decided that the campus was not safe for students to attend. In February, trustees approved to move the Georgia Brown Elementary School Dual Immersion (DI) Program to the Daniel Lewis Middle School (LMS) and seventh- and eighth-graders to the Flamson Middle School (FMS). A week-by-week moving schedule has been set in motion. Staff has been CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Local high schools bring their versions of big Broadway hits to the North County
And you can see them this weekend before they close
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
Visitors walk through City Park during a recent evening past the lighted trees. City workers installed lights on 21 trees in the park, and they will stay up until November, when they will be replaced by holiday lights. Photo by Camille DeVaul
Year-round lights illuminate Downtown City Park
Lighting includes 21 trees and was inspired by fireflies
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — After a successful and cheerful holiday season with the City Park lit up with new and improved light showcase, the city has worked to bring year-round lights to
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Paso Robles City Park. “The vision for the yearround lighting is to mimic the sense of wonder created by the 2023 holiday lighting display, but in a completely different way,” explained Public Works Director Freda Berman. The Cit y Park holiday lighting was done in partnership with the Paso Robles Downtown Main CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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NORTH COUNTY — Templeton and Paso Robles high schools are both in the middle of their Spring musical runs. Paso Robles Press was in the audience of both of their shows opening weekend, and a completely delightful experience was had at both productions. Paso Robles High School (PRHS) is currently in the midst of its run of the teen edition of “Chicago.” The much-loved musical is set in the 1920s and delves into the idea of the celebrity of crime and is a satire on the justice system. The musical originally opened on Broadway in 1975, and was revived in 1996 and has stayed ever since. The production’s run makes it the record holder for longest-run-
The cast of the teen edition of Chicago performs “Me and My Baby.” Photo by Christianna Marks.
ning revival and American musical on Broadway. The teen version keeps all the angst we know and love, but edits out things that might not be appropriate for younger audiences and also transposes keys of some of the songs. That being said, it doesn’t shy away from much of the original content, including Bob
Fosse’s choreography. “I wanted to make sure the choreography of Bob Fosse was something the students were exposed to,” said drama teacher and director Marcy Goodnow of why she picked the production. “I also really liked how the teen edition was put together. It is respectful to the original script
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and takes out any references that could offend younger actors and audiences.” There were 84 students that made up the cast and crew of PRHS’s “Chicago,” and each and every one brought their talent to the stage, whether it was behind the scenes or front and center on stage. The cast
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BEER RUN MAN SENTENCED COMEDIAN ANDRES FUSILIER Vehicle Manslaughter | A3 Announced for CMSF | A4 Supports Templeton REC | B1 Athlete of the Week | B8
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