GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXV, NO. IV
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
Three incumbents vying for District 1 City Council seat Deadline to return completed nomination papers for the Nov. 5 General Election is Aug. 9 By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — We are now four months away from the General Election on Nov. 5, and some candidates in Paso Robles have thrown their hats in the ring for City Council. There are three council member seats up for grabs this November: • City Council Member District 1 for a partial term of two years • City Council Member District 3 for a full term of four years • City Council Member District 4 for a full term of four years Find the district map here: prcity.com/DocumentCenter/ View/34109/District-Map—2022-2032-PDF Currently vying for the District 1 seat are three candidates: Kris Beal, Sharon Roden, and Linda George. Roden currently holds this seat and was officially sworn in to serve the District 1 seat during the Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2023, City Council meeting. On Sept. 7, 2023, the council appointed Councilman John Hamon to fill the mayoral vacancy created by the passing of Mayor Steve Martin. As a result of Hamon’s appointment as mayor, the District 1 council seat was immediately vacated. At the same meeting, CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Dick Woodland is the 2024 Paso Robles Pioneer Day Marshal. Photo by Derek Luff
Paso Robles Pioneer Day announces 2024 royalty
July 4, 1776; America’s Independence Day Reflection on why we come together and what America means to each of us
T
By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher
oday, we take part in a wide range of activities to commemorate our nation’s independence. Beneath the canopy of laughter, joy, and radiant sunshine lies a deeper significance — the reflection on why we come together and what America means to each of us, proudly draped in the colors of red, white, and blue. The foundation of our Fourth of July customs can be traced back to the 18th century and the profound narrative of the American Revolution. Amidst the turmoil of conflict, the Continental Congress boldly proclaimed independence on July 2, 1776. Merely two days later, amidst fervent deliberation and discourse, 56 delegates from the 13 colonies ratified the Declaration of Independence, a monumental manuscript penned by the youthful Thomas Jefferson at the age of 33, shaping the fate of a burgeoning nation. Among these delegates, ages spanned from the youngest, Thomas Lynch Jr. and Rutledge, Edward at 26, to the eldest, Benjamin Franklin at 70. The identities of the signers remained undisclosed until early 1777, when Congress permitted the publication of an
official version bearing their names. On Jan. 18, 1777, printer Mary Katherine Goddard’s rendition in Baltimore, at the behest of the delegates, bore the signatures authenticated by John Hancock, affirming their desire to memorialize their commitment for posterity. The Revolutionary War broke out in 1775 due to escalating tensions between Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government representing the British crown. The conflict was sparked by confrontations between British troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord in April 1775. By the following summer, a full-scale war for independence was underway. France’s entry into the conflict in 1778 transformed it into an international struggle. With French assistance, the Continental Army compelled the British to surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781, effectively securing American independence, which was formally recognized in the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The roots of the conflict trace back over a decade before its outbreak. The French and Indian War (1756-1763) expanded British territories but burdened the colonies with unpopular taxes. Colonists protested against taxation without representation and demanded equal rights as British subjects. In response, delegates including George Washington, John and CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Marshal Dick Woodland and Queen Bonnie Cary Thorndyke to reign over 94th annual Pioneer Day Parade By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Pioneer Day committee has announced the 2024 Pioneer Day Royalty as Marshal Dick Woodland and Queen Bonnie (Cary) Thorndyke. The 94th annual Pioneer Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12, but the start of the Pioneer Day events are just around the corner. Since the first Pioneer Day in 1931, a Grand Marshal and Queen have been chosen from families who have settled in our area to reign over the celebration. Woodland was named the 2023 Roblan of the Year by the Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce. His love for cars was CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Meet six of this year’s Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant contestants Part one: This year, 11 girls are vying for the prestigious role
Movie I could watch over and over: “Dirty Dancing”
Hailey Terrell, 17 School graduated from/headed to next: In the fall, I will be a senior at Atascadero High School.
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY — The Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant will return for its 54th year on Wednesday, July 17, which also happens to be opening day for the California Mid-State Fair. The pageant, always a crowdpleaser, will unfold on the Frontier Stage at 6 p.m. All 11 contestants will participate in an interview asking what they would change or add to make the fair a better experience, their talent, evening gown, and a final question regarding their fair proposal. This year, there are new scholarship amounts. The crowned queen will receive $2,500, while first runner-up will receive $1,000, and second runner-up will receive $500. In addition, Miss Congeniality will receive $250, and the winners of the interview and talent sections will receive $100. Paso Robles Press asked this year’s contestants
COUNTY
Talent: I will be doing a speech on the care and management of a dairy goat herd. The name of my talent is, “All Things Goaty.”
This year’s Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant contests are (from left) Chelsea Hoyt, Hailey Terrell, Bailey Van Huss, Ashlee Holt, Neelan Adams, Samatha Hoffman, Logan Rutherford, Megan Pagnini, Emily McNeal, Kiana Keogh, and Venessa Pinedo. Photo provided by the Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant.
Favorite thing about the fair: Since I was 5 years old, I have shown both small and large animals at the California Mid-State Fair. I started off showing my rabbit, named Jewels, but soon moved my way up to showing sheep, goats, and swine at the fair. Each year I look forward to showing my hard work that I have put into my market animals with others.
Talent: Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” in American Movie I could watch over and over: A movie that I could watch over and over is “SecretarSign Language Neelan Adams, 17 iat.” Not only does this movie demonstrate School graduated from: Designs School of Favorite thing about the fair: Looking at the that is doesn’t matter where you come from, Home Arts Exhibits Cosmetology CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 a few questions. Here are their answers:
NEWS
NORTH COUNTY NEWS
EVENTS
WEATHER
pasoroblespress.com X.com/ @PasoRoblesPress facebook.com/ @PasoRoblesPress
CANNABIS TAX Increase Halted | A3
VEGETATION FIRE Caballo Place | A4
GOLF TOURNAMENT Must! Charities | B1
JULY Events this Month | B8
High 107° | Low 61°
5
67808 24135
7