GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXVI, NO. XLIII
THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2026
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
County supervisors reject temporary roundabout on Templeton intersection Residents come out to oppose Vineyard Drive proposal, which one supervisor calls a ‘solution in search of a problem’ By MIKE CHALDU michael@pasoroblespress.com
Paso Robles Main Street’s “Hop to It” Easter Egg Activities committee (from left) Libby Ryan, Camille DeVaul, Cami Martin and Hayley Mattson pose for a photo with the Paso Robles cheerleaders during Saturday’s event.
Main Street’s ‘Hop To It’ event brings community together Families, local businesses, and volunteers come together to revive beloved Easter tradition after more than a decade By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief
PASO ROBLES — A beloved Easter tradition returned to downtown Paso Robles last Saturday, as families gathered at City Park for the “Hop To It” event, a festive celebration that blended nostalgia, community spirit, and a renewed sense of togetherness. Hosted by the Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association in partnership with Paso Robles Press/Paso Robles Magazine, the event featured an Easter egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny, and a variety of family-friendly activities. Held at the park’s Holiday House, the celebration marked the first egg hunt in City Park in more than a decade. Despite being organized in
The Paso Robles Main Street Easter Bunny poses for a photo with the California Mid-State Fair Queen Court. Photos by Derek Luff/PRP
less than three weeks, the event drew hundreds of children and families, filling the park with laughter, excitement, and springtime cheer.
“This was a ‘top secret’ event,” said Content Editor Camille DeVaul, who helped lead the organizing committee. “Because of the last-minute nature, we
kept it on the down low to prevent overwhelming crowds. It was really an experiment to see if we could bring something like this back.”
The experiment proved to be a success. More than 3,000 eggs were “hidden,” giving children the chance to participate in a classic Easter egg hunt. Families also enjoyed face painting, festive decorations, and the opportunity to take photos with the Easter Bunny. Local businesses played a key role in making the event possible. Prize sponsors included Just Baked, Paso Robles Children’s Museum, Marv’s Pizza, Spare Time Books, and Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ, all contributing to a day designed to celebrate community connection. Volunteers from the Paso Robles High School cheerleading team and members of the California Mid-State Fair Queen Court, including Princesses Amelia Olivo and Morgan Ruiz, assisted with activities and helped guide families throughout the event. Public safety agencies also joined in the celebration. The Paso Robles Police Department interacted with children waiting in line, handing out stickers and allowing them to explore patrol CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Hundreds gather in North County for ‘No Kings’ protest, part of nationwide movement Peaceful march, rally, and community gathering reflect growing civic engagement across North County By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief
ATA S C A D E R O — Hundreds of residents took to the streets of downtown Atascadero on Saturday, March 28, joining thousands across the Central Coast and millions nationwide in the latest wave of “No Kings” protests — a coordinated series of demonstrations aimed at voicing concerns over federal policies and the direction of the country. The local event, organized in CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Protesters gather along El Camino Real in front of the Sunken Garden in Atascadero during latest “No Kings” protest on Saturday, March 28. Photos by Rick Evans/PRP
EDUCATION
SPORTS
COMMUNITY
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Voices from Templeton were heard during the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, March 24, as the board rejected a proposal for a “temporary” roundabout to be built on a rural intersection in Templeton. The creation and funding of a temporary demonstration roundabout at the intersection of Vineyard Drive and Bethel Road in Templeton was put on the Consent Agenda. The purpose of the project was to measure safety performance and operations of a roundabout at the location between Vineyard Elementary School and Highway 101. The intersection, a four-way stop surrounded on all corners by private residential properties, was identified for improvements by the 2017 Templeton Circulation Study, and as a part of the 2023 Vineyard Drive Corridor Plan and identified for intersection improvements of either traffic signals or a roundabout. The Vineyard Corridor from Main Street to Highway 46 was identified as a regional safety priority location through the SLOCOG 2025 Regional Road Safety Action Plan. The item required a 4/5ths vote to pass rather than a simple majority. The project, which would have recorded and monitored collisions, injuries, traffic benefits, lessons learned, or recommendations related to future projects or strategies for improving the intersection. The “demonstration roundabout” was meant to be temporary in nature and was required to be removed after the conclusion of the project assessment, which was planned for 12 months. The item (No. 24) was one of was one of 34 placed on the Consent Agenda of items that are usually approved with a minimum of discussion or opposition. However, during Public Comment for the Consent Agenda, 10 speakers came out against the proposal, including a couple whose property sits at a corner of the intersection, and two members of the Templeton Unified School District board, speaking as nearby residents. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
WEATHER
pasoroblespress.com X.com/ @PasoRoblesPress facebook.com/ @PasoRoblesPress
TEMPLETON Campus Swap | A3
SCHEDULE North County | A7
EASTER VBC Paso | A8
High 71° | Low 36°
5
67808 24135
7