GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXV, NO. XXXVI
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2025
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
Paso Robles fire chief gives insight into preparing for a possible wildfire emergency Mitigation efforts, including goat grazing and vegetation management, help reduce wildfire risks in the region By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — With the recent fires that devastated Los Angeles and the Palisades, many in the community have the same question on their mind, “What if that happens here? How would or could we respond?” Paso Robles Press sat down with the Paso Robles Fire Chief to learn more about how our city fights fires and how we prepare to stop them from happening. Could a fire like the Palisades Fire come through Paso Robles? And if it did, would we have enough water to fight it? Fire Chief Jonathan Stornetta explains that the fires in LA County had special conditions, including winds that we don’t experience here and the many factors that came into play there. “If you saw the conditions that they saw in LA, no, we would not have the water. There’s no municipality in the nation that would have the water for that,” Stornetta told CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Industry Persons of the Year Randy and Jenny Heinzen and the Dusi family, alongside family and government officials, were honored at the annual Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA) Gala held at CASS Winery. Photo by Joseph Taranto
Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance honors Randy and Jenny Heinzen as 2024 Persons of the Year Annual Gala at CASS Winery also recognizes the Dusi family’s century long legacy in Paso Robles wine country By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA) celebrated 2024 Paso Robles Wine Industry Persons of the Year, Randy and Jenny Heinzen, at their annual Gala on Thursday, Feb. 6, hosted at CASS Winery. Also honored was the Dusi family for celebrating their 100 years of farming in Paso Robles. Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance Executive Director Joel Peterson highlighted the importance of the event: “The PRWCA Annual Gala is our time to celebrate not only our Persons of the Year — Randy and Jenny Heinzen, and remarkable milestones — like the
Dusi Family farming in Paso for 100 years — but to be with each other as a community of friends, farmers, winemakers, and industry and celebrate each other. It is a truly special wine community here in Paso — it’s always a fun night to rejoice together, see old friends, make new ones, and honor those who go above and beyond.” The Heinzens, who own Vineyard Professional Services and Vineyard Professional Real Estate, were honored for their outstanding contributions to the wine industry at the gala. Jenny, broker and owner of Vineyard Professional Real Estate (VPRE), has spent over 20 years facilitating the sales of more than 50 vineyards and wineries, covering 10,000 acres. Her extensive knowledge of the Paso Robles American
Viticultural Area (AVA) and dedication to her clients had solidified her reputation as a trusted expert in vineyard and winery transactions. Randy, who took ownership of Vineyard Professional Services (VPS) in 2017, has been a leading force in vineyard management. His commitment to sustainability and technological advancements has significantly influenced the Paso Robles AVA. Additionally, he has served on multiple state and national viticultural research boards, ensuring that the industry continued to innovate and thrive. In response to receiving the honor, the Heinzens expressed their gratitude. At the gala, Jenny thanked
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Atascadero rings in 20 years of its Father and Daughter Sweetheart Dance Paso Robles
School District approves staff reductions
This year’s adorable theme was ‘Love You to the Moon and Back’ By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
Trustees clarify ag program is not being eliminated but may lose one teacher
NORTH COUNTY — Atascadero’s Father and Daughter Sweetheart Dance has become a standing tradition for many a local family, and last weekend was no exception. The Friday, Feb. 7, event, which featured primarily daughters under 12 dancing the night away with their dads, sold out early. The dance on Saturday, Feb. 8, which was for the older crowd and their fathers, sold out closer to the event’s date. Both nights were filled with joy and making more family memories. “This is our seventh year with my oldest and three years for my little one,” said father Antonio Anaya. “We can’t wait until the tickets come out. We buy them because we know it sells out
PASO ROBLES — During the Tuesday, Feb. 11, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) meeting, trustees made the difficult but necessary decision to reduce several positions throughout the district due to budget cuts. Many students, parents, and teachers came together that Fathers and their daughters take time to pose for photos at the 20th Annual Father and Daughter Sweetheart Dance. Photo by Rick Evans/ATN night to issue their support for the district ag program quick. It’s always a big big day Bella, about the dance as she said her mom had picked out day,” added Antonio. held her little sister Bailey’s for them. This year’s theme, “Love You after concerns arose that the for us.” “I really like it because it hand. “I hope it [the dance] to the Moon and Back,” was district might be eliminating makes me feel closer to my dad,” Both girls were in coordi- never ends so I can bring shared with the first official or cutting the program. said Antonio’s oldest daughter, nating pink dresses that Bella them with my grandkids one CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
NEWS
EVENTS
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
NORTH COUNTY NEWS
SPORTS
WEATHER
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TRAINING Fire Department | A3
CMSF GALLERY Father Daughter Dance | A5 311 with Iration | B1
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