HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY 4TH OF JULY GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXVI, NO. XI
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2025
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Community gathers in Paso Robles for fourth Juneteenth Jubilee
Juanetta Perkins (far left), one of the organizers of the Juneteenth Jubilee, speaks during the June 21 event at Paso Robles City Park. Photos courtesy of Juneteenth Paso
Celebration honors Black history with music, education, and local pride By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — On Saturday, June 21, Paso Robles City Park was alive with activity as the community gathered for the Juneteenth Jubilee. Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth,” marks the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed the last remaining enslaved African Americans that they were free — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Eman-
Members of Lumina Alliance, as well as many city, county, and state representatives, attending the ribbon-cutting for the organization’s new transitional housing site
cipation Proclamation. on Wednesday, June 25. Photo courtesy of Lumina Alliance Though the proclamation became official on Jan. 1, 1863, it could not be enforced in many Southern states still under Lumina Alliance, community leaders and supporters, marked the official Confederate control. Juneteenth partners celebrate milestone opening of its new transitional housing site for survivors of sexual assault and intimate has since become a symbol of moment for safe housing on partner violence. African American freedom and resilience, celebrated annually the Central Coast The property, donated in 2020 by longwith gatherings, parades, and time community advocates Tom and Noreen By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com cultural events. In 2021, JuneMartin, has already served as a shelter for teenth was officially recognized 24 years — offering refuge to nearly 800 as a federal holiday in the United PASO ROBLES — A bright day in Paso individuals. Now, thanks to a transformaStates. Robles, Wednesday, June 25, set the scene for tional investment from MUST! Charities, Cities across the country have a milestone celebration as Lumina Alliance the space has been thoughtfully remodeled CONTINUED ON PAGE A2 (Lumina), in partnership with community to support even more survivors and their
New transitional housing site opens families on their path toward stability and healing. Transitional Housing Manager Leydi Rios oversees Lumina’s three properties located in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Grover Beach. She started at the nonprofit three years ago as their transitional housing advocate. “It’s been a very eye-opening experience working with Lumina Alliance, especially since I’ve been able to practice more case CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
AJ Agazarm finds purpose through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
AJ Agazarm (left), a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and instructor at Gracie Barra Atascadero, competes at the recent Asian Championships in Japan. Photo courtesy of AJ Agazarm (From left) Estrella Berrelleza, JoDee Jones, Skye Davis, Sydney Jo Zandt, Ashlyn Daugherty, Morgan Ruiz, Emily Joy McNeal, Neelan Adams, and Amelia Olivo are the nine hopefuls this year for the California Mid-State Fair Queen crown. Photo by Kellee Jean Photography
Meet the contestants competing for 2025 Miss California Mid-State Fair Queen
By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor In Chief
Nine local young women showcase talent and leadership at scholarship pageant By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
NORTH COUNTY — Mark your calendars for a sparkling evening of talent and poise at the 2025 Miss California Mid-State Fair Scholarship Pageant,
FIRE
happening Wednesday, July 16, at 6 p.m. on the Frontier Stage. Free with paid Fair admission, this annual tradition crowns the next Miss CMSF Queen and Court, honoring local young women who demonstrate leadership and excellence. Winners will receive scholarship awards, with the
CRIME
Queen earning $2,500 and additional prizes recognizing congeniality, talent, and more. Meet some of this year’s 2025 Miss California Mid-State Fair Scholarship Pageant contestants:
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
Conversation about competing in Japan becomes an emotional tribute to the community of Gracie Barra
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NONPROFIT
ATASCADERO — When you step into Gracie Barra Atascadero, there’s a palpable energy — something between focus and joy, discipline and community. It’s the kind of atmosphere that comes not just from a sport, but from a lifelong calling. At the center of it all is AJ Agazarm, a seasoned
competitor, professor, and passionate advocate for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), who has brought more than two decades of experience and heart to San Luis Obispo County. “I’ve lived in SLO for just about a year now,” Agazarm says, sitting casually after a training session. “It’ll be a year on July 1.” Originally from Florida, CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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