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Defeated candidate files claim, demands city manager’s termination
Linda George, who ran for District 1 City Council seat, alleges racial targeting and conspiracy in election loss By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PA S O RO B LES — Following her loss in the 2024 election for the District 1 seat on Paso Robles City Council, Linda George has filed a personal injury complaint with the city. In addition to her requesting $500,000 for the claim, George is urging the city to terminate City Manager Ty Lewis. Paso Robles Press reached out to City Mayor John Hamon for comment, and he said, “The city has received a claim from Ms. George, and our legal staff is evaluating the document.” The city has not yet announced whether or not they are rejecting or accepting the claim at the time of printing this article. Paso Robles Press submitted a public records request for the complaint George filed on Monday, Dec. 9, and received it within the same day. George filed the complaint and attached “Writ of Mandate to Compel City of Paso Robles to Terminate City Manager Ty Douglas Lewis” with the City Clerk on Tuesday, Dec. 3. A “writ of mandate” (also called a“writ of mandamus”) is a court order to compel a government CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Santa and Mrs. Claus delight the crowd with their merry helpers during the 63rd Annual Christmas Light Parade in Paso Robles. Photo Courtesy of Kelly Horn
Paso Robles lights up with its 63rd Christmas parade Community comes together for festive floats, bands, and holiday cheer as Santa Claus arrives in style By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association held its 63rd Christmas Light Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7. The annual parade officially welcomed Santa Claus to town and was filled with creative floats from local organizations.
With thousands lining the streets waving to family and friends in the parade, not an empty seat was in sight along the parade route that winds up and around Spring, Park, Pine, 13th, 12th, and 11th streets. Nearly 100 floats joined in on the fun this year. “This is my 29th year as chairing the Paso Robles Christmas
Light Parade, and it has always amazed me how creative our community is, and it never fails to be in creating these beautiful floats that light up the night with Christmas magic,” Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association Executive Assistant Susanne Anshen told Paso Robles Press. This year’s parade theme was
“Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?” Floats ranged from trailers with local Paso Robles school bands to FFA students as well as some vintage cars, motorcycles, firetrucks, and of course, at the end was the big man in red along with his other half — Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus floated through Paso Robles with a freshly painted ride equipped
with some new reindeer. Elves helped guide their way assisting the couple in spreading holiday cheer. This year’s winners are as follows: Prime Awards: • Sweepstakes Award: #19 Sleigh Bells Ranch Float — Coast Pipe CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
The 2024 Holiday Decoration Award winners were (from left) Paso Robles City Mayor John Hamon, Public Works Director Freda Berman, Hotel Cheval Guest Relations Manager Dorine Monson, Silvia Smith of Great American Antiques, Just Baked owner Libby Ryan, and Dominique Lobjois with Sunshine Olive Oil. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP
Downtown businesses honored for holiday decorations
The complete cast of “Murder Mystery, Mystery Murder” poses on stage on preview night, Dec. 5, at the Paso Robles High theater. Photo by Christianna Marks
Paso Robles High School performs world premiere of ‘Murder Mystery, Mystery Murder,’ penned by local playwright Catch the thrilling laughs yourself this weekend By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles High School (PRHS) drama department is currently in the middle of their run of ”Murder Mystery, Mystery Murder.”The play is a hilarious romp in which three start-up party
planners host the murder mystery party of a lifetime while trying to get investors, and that’s just one layer to the caper! Paso Robles Press got to be in the audience on preview night, Thursday, Dec. 5, and then interviewed the drama students the next morning on what it was like to perform a world premiere of a play written for them by local playwright and PRHS substitute teacher Ben Abbott. The show was directed and
created in collaboration with their teacher, Marcy Keyser-Goodnow. “I think what was really cool about them collaborating was that, because Mr. Abbott specifically is so connected with us and our theatre company, we got a lot of time with him,” said student Libby Higgins, who played Celeste of Abbott.“He came in and asked us questions. He asked what CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Local businesses and City Park lauded for holiday decorations in annual Main Street awards By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — Six Downtown Paso Robles businesses were recognized for their holiday cheer on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Each year in December, the Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association awards Downtown businesses in different categories for their holiday decorations.
“We love the holidays and the joy that our decorations bring to both the big and little customers,” says Just Baked owner Libby Ryan who won Best Decorated Inside & Out. “It’s truly the best feeling in the world to see everyone’s faces light up when they walk in.” Great American Antiques, which is known for changing out their windows for each holiday, was again recognized for its traditional decorations. Utilizing the business’ large window facing Spring Street, employee Silvia Smith CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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