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SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIII, NO. XXIX
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
HAPPY NEW YEAR
North County Year in Review 2022
A look back at the biggest local news stories of
TOP STORIES OF 2022
Looking back on 2022 with Paso Robles City Mayor
1.
2. Kristin Smart Murder Trial Starts at the Case’s Beginning in 1996 3. Living Full Throttle: Remembering Aviator Sherman Smoot
A year-end review of the accomplishments and growth of our community
4. Paso Students Protest Mask Mandates 5. Effective Immediately: Mask Choice for Paso Schools
By STEVE MARTIN
The year 2022 was a time for looking forward. After two years of dealing with the burden of COVID infections and their impacts on public health, city services, and civil discourse, we anticipated hopefully that this would be a year of physical, psychological, and financial healing. It was a time to remember what is “normal.” The new vaccines provided confidence that we would once again travel, visit, and enjoy each other’s company. The question which remained was “how realistic are our hopes?” While much of the world struggled through the effects of Russia’s cruel war with Ukraine and political divisions in our own nation deepened, our city pulled together to maintain and enhance quality of life for our citizens. Visitors, held at bay by COVID restrictions, returned. We saw record-breaking revenues across all major tax sources (e.g., sales, property, TOT, business licenses). From FY’s 20-21 to 21-22, property tax realized a 5.1 percent increase to $12.3 million; sales tax, a 14.2 percent increase to $20.4 million; and TOT, a huge 37.4 percent increase, to $9.8 million. In total, General Fund tax revenue increased by 14.4 percent year over year, from $41.7 million to $47.6 million. These funds, along with recovery assets from state and federal government, enabled us to continue our mission to fulfill our primary goals: public safety, street repairs, and economic development. Public safety progress included a new incentive program to attract police officers to bolster our law enforcement team, the initiation of CONTINUED ON PAGE A11
COMMUNITY
Paul Flores Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder of Kristin Smart
6. Paso Robles Man Finds Volcanic Rock 7. Paso Robles Gathers to Dedicate Norma Alley Archway 8. SLO County Sheriff’s Host First Rodeo 9. Jim Wiemann: Remembering the ‘Voice of Paso’ On Tuesday, Oct. 18, San Luis Obispo District Attorney Dan Dow (middle), San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson (left of Dow), held a press conference at the Monterey County Courthouse following the guilty verdict that came in for Paul Flores in the murder of Kristin Smart. Contributed Photo
4th Annual Chicken Run On Saturday, Jan. 15, locals and tour- Paso Robles Police Department Returns In Person To Remember ists headed to Atascadero’s Sunken Introduces New Police Chief Frace Sisters Gardens to celebrate their love of ta- Published Jan. 20 males. Around 10,000 people attended the 6th Annual Tamale Festival, which has become an Atascadero staple. Not even on-and-off-rain could affect the turnout.
Published Jan. 6
Close to 300 runners and walkers showed up for the 4th annual Running Chicken 10K and 5K to celebrate the lives of “Bitti” and Brynn Frace on Sunday, Jan. 2. The Chicken Run returned to Lake Santa Margarita after Odyssey World Cafe Welcomes New Owners a virtual run last year. Published Jan. 20 Now, after a quarter-century, the cafe’s owners are embarking on a new Odyssey in their lives, turning the restaurant over to long-time Odyssey chef Carmelo and his wife, Anna Rodriguez.
Almost four months after losing Ty Lewis as chief of Police to his new position as City Manager, Paso Robles Police Department (PRPD) has a new Chief in town — Damian Nord.
Paso Robles Celebrates MLK with Unity Walk
Published Feb. 4
If there was a cause in Paso Robles that needed volunteers or awareness to be brought to people’s attention, chances are Bill Pluma was involved. At the age of 81, Bill passed away at his home on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, in Paso Robles.
WWII Veteran Harold Lowe Passes at 102
Published Jan. 20
Close to 100 people gathered in the Paso Robles City Park on Monday, Jan. 18 at Noon to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a Unity Walk around the downtown area.
Paso Robles Remembers Bill Pluma
Published Feb. 4
On Sunday, Jan. 30, Santa Margarita native and WWII veteran Harold Lowe passed away at 102 years old. He has been laid to rest at Reis Mortuary, and a graveside service was held at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park in February.
Thousands of People Attend Atascadero’s 6th Annual Tamale Festival Published Jan. 20
NONPROFIT
10. Brett Butterfield Named Roblan of the Year
CONTINUED ON PAGE A3
PERSPECTIVE
COMICS
SECTION
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YEAR REVIEW Continued Top Stories from 2022 | A4
BARBIE BUTZ REDWINGS HORSE Sanctuary Looks Back on Shares Recipes for New Years | A6 2022 | A5
WITTY JOKES To Feed Your Sense of Humor | A10
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