GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXVI, NO. XXVI
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2025
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
City receives update on Capital Projects City engineer outlines progress on repairs, grant-funded bridge upgrades, and upcoming 2026 infrastructure work By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
Attendees holding candles gather in a colorful Downtown Paso Robles during the Lighting Ceremony on Nov. 28. Photos by Camille DeVaul/PRP
City sparkles at 39th Annual Downtown Lighting Ceremony City park comes alive with holiday cheer as thousands gather for festive celebration By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — Downtown Paso Robles sparkled on Friday, Nov. 28, as the 39th annual Downtown Lighting Ceremony brought families, friends, and visitors together to celebrate the season.
Hosted by the Paso Robles Main Street Association and the City of Paso Robles, the event kicked off at 5:30 p.m., filling the city park with excitement, music, and the cheerful anticipation of turning on the lights. Mrs. Santa Claus and local officials greeted attendees at the downtown band-
stand. As volunteers distributed candles and songbooks, the crowd began to sing along to traditional holiday carols. At the stroke of 6 p.m., Mrs. Claus flipped the giant switch, and the Paso Robles City Park was instantly transformed. Mayor John Hamon called the event “a powerful reminder of what makes Paso
Robles such a special community.” “Seeing many thousands of families, friends, and visitors fill our downtown as the lights came on was nothing short of inspiring,” he told Paso Robles Press. “I want to thank the Paso Robles Main Street Association and our city staff for CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
PASO ROBLES — City Council received an update on current and future capital projects from Capital Projects Engineer Ditas Esperanza during the Tuesday, Dec. 2, City Council meeting. “There has been a lot of rain, so there has not been a remarkable change to the construction progress of projects,” Esperanza shared. “I thought I would take advantage of that time and update you on a big project that is coming up in the future, for which we received some good news.” Repairs have started in the downtown Marv’s Pizza parking lot. Stage one has begun with “V” gutter repairs behind Grapes and Grain to improve the alleyway and drainage. Crews are looking to have the area paved sometime next CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
TurkeymaniaeventinPasoRobles,manyparticipantsputontheirblondwigsand redbandanas(brother)tohonorthelatewrestlingiconHulkHoganandbenefitthe Paso Robles Youth Wrestling Club. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP
Thanksgiving turkey trots draw record crowds across North County David Kudija (in back) and his fellow volunteers teamed up to serve 1,500 residents in the Thanksgiving for Paso Robles event Nov. 27 at the Centennial Park Activity
Atascadero as two Turkey Trots drew record crowds. The Paso Robles Youth Wrestling Club marked a milestone Thanksgiving morning as its 20th Annual Turkey Trot: By CAMILLE DEVAUL Turkeymania drew the largest camille@pasoroblespress.com turnout in the event’s history. NORTH COUNTY — Over 80 participants arrived Thanksgiving morning brought in their Hulk Hogan best to excitement, fun, and commu- support Paso Robles High nity spirit to Paso Robles and CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Paso Robles Youth Wrestling Club and ECHO events bring community together
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Center. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP
41st annual Thanksgiving for Paso Robles serves neighbors Hundreds of volunteers serve more than 1,500 meals as organizers work to keep holiday tradition thriving By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — Now in its 41st year, Thanksgiving for Paso Robles continued its mission of bringing the community together for a free, homecooked holiday meal served with kind-
NONPROFIT
ness, dignity, and fellowship. More than 1,500 residents took a plate during this year’s celebration, held Thursday, Nov. 27, at the Centennial Park Activity Center. Guests filled the dining room to enjoy a traditional sit-down Thanksgiving feast, including turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy,
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vegetables, and all the trimmings. A to-go service followed, helping ensure that no one in the community spent the holiday without a warm meal. The annual dinner is entirely volunteer-driven, supported by hundreds of CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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TOY BANK Car Show | A3
ARRESTS Red Light Roundup | A6
REDWINGS Horse Sanctuary | A7
THS Football CIF | A8
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