GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIV, NO. XLIII
THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
Supervisors agree to extend Diablo Canyon Power Plant operation Following debate between some supervisors, extension passes 3-2
Paid parking to remain on pause after city served with petition for referendum
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The fate of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) has again shifted after San Luis Obispo County Supervisors approved to extend its operation up to 20 years. The decision was made at the Tuesday, March 26, meeting with a 3-2 vote, Supervisors Jimmy Paulding and Bruce Gibson dissenting. In 2016, PG&E partnered with labor and environmental organizations on a joint proposal agreement to retire Diablo Canyon Power Plant at the end of its Nuclear Regu- Templeton CHP helped THS’s Friday Night Live with putting on this year’s Every 15 Minutes. Photo by Matt Macfarlene latory Commission operating licenses. However, when Senate Bill (SB) 846 was signed into law in September 2022, it opened a pathway for Diablo to remain open. The bill allows The program teaches drinking and driving, driving happens at an unincorpoPG&E to take all necessary students about the while high, and other forms of rated school, like THS, the actions to extend operations distracted driving. The name CHP not only helps with the perils of drinking of Unit 1 until October 2029 is based on the premise that grants but they also do the and driving and Unit 2 until October 2030 every 15 minutes, someone arresting officer portion of and provides a $1.4 billion loan dies from a distracted driving the program. When schools By CHRISTIANNA MARKS to do it. in cities like Paso Robles or christianna@pasoroblespress.com incident. During the Feb. 27 meet“We [Templeton CHP] Atascadero participate, their ing, supervisors directed staff TEMPLETON — On help provide the grant that own police officers are used to to bring back a resolution to Tuesday, March 26, and pays for the event, and we that section of the event. support the continued opera- Wednesday, March 27, oversee it and make sure that “We had about, approxition of the plant for 20 years. Templeton High School all the requirements for the mately, 800 people. That was During the March 26 (THS) participated in Every grant are met. Then we help students, faculty, commumeeting, supervisors heard 15 Minutes. The two-day coordinate everything. Like nity members, parents, and from divided members of the program, which was put on with the tow companies and stuff like that that came and public either opposing the with the help of the Temple- the helicopter and that kind attended the two-day event,” continued operation of Diablo ton CHP (California High- of stuff,” said Patrick Seebart, stated Seebart. or in favor of it. Supervisor way Patrol), teaches high public information officer for Every 15 Minutes has Dawn Ortiz-Legg read the school students about the risks the Templeton CHP Office. impacted students’ lives for CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 of unsafe driving, including When Every 15 Minutes decades and is instrumental
Council declares opposition to proposed ‘Local Roads First’ tax measure By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
Templeton High School participates in ‘Every 15 Minutes’ in showing the horrendous truths of distracted driving, with a focus on the perils of drinking and driving. Not only was the CHP involved with the program, but they worked closely with the Friday Night Live group at THS, as well as other high school students. The students who were part of Friday Night Live were the ones who planned and worked on the event. Usually, they have six months, but the Templeton crew only had three to pull it all together. Those students are also the ones who pick the other students who would
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PASO ROBLES — A new petition to suspend the Downtown Parking Ordinance was served to Paso Robles City Council at the Tuesday, April 2, meeting. Until a determination is made on if the referendum moves forward, the paid parking ordinance will remain suspended. Over 2,300 signatures were collected and presented to council on Tuesday night during public comment. Resident and part owner of Park Cinemas John Roush presented the referendum petition to council in hopes that the parking ordinance would be placed on the November ballot to be voted on by the public. “Thanks to all the amazing volunteers that worked on this effort,” said Roush. “Thanks to the thousands that exercised their right to sign this petition. And the many thousands of enthusiastic supporters who could not sign because they are not residents of the city.” On Feb. 2, the city received a cease-and-desist letter from CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
PRPD dispatcher and officer recognized with Distinguished Service Awards Sarah Afana and Juan cation, and service to the enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Valdez receive kudos community. Annually, departments Afana has worked for the for professionalism, throughout the Central Coast department for 15 years and dedication, and rotate turns choosing members is one of its communications service to community from their team to honor with training officers (CTO) and
PASO ROBLES — Two valuable members of the Paso Robles Police Department received a Distinguished Service Award from California Central Coast Cops ’N Kids (CCCCK). Dispatcher Sarah Afana and Officer Juan Valdez both received the awards based on their professionalism, dedi-
the Distinguished Service Award. This year it was PRPD’s turn to recognize some of their own. CCCCK is a nonprofit whose mission is to nurture, support, provide assistance to, and enhance the relationship between local law enforcement, the youth, and their families within the Central Coast. They strive to foster positive relationships between local law
tactical dispatcher for the San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT team. Support Services Manager Kate McKinley, who supervises dispatch and records at the department, knew immediately that she wanted to choose Afana for the award. “She is always willing to help her community,” said McKinPaso Robles Police Officer Juan Valdez (second from right) holds his Distinguished Service Award from California Central ley. “She’s very involved in all Coast Cops ‘N Kids (CCCCK). Shown with him are (from left) SLO County Sheriff’s Sgt. Retired Jeff Nichols, PRPD Cpl. Joe
CRIME
LOCAL NEWS
NORTH COUNTY NEWS
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
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Gonzales, and Cops ‘N Kids President Bruce Blair. Photo courtesy of PRPD
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