GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIV, NO. IV
THURSDAY, JULY 6, 2023
LAWSUIT
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Former North County celebrates Fourth with parades, music Cal Poly student sues university, county Elijah Behringer challenges the legality of COVID mandates that led his suspension By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and the County of San Luis Obispo could be entering court as a former student has filed a civil lawsuit against the university and several administrators — including the SLO County Health Officer — for violations of his federal and state rights. Elijah Behringer is chal- Top left: The Paso Robles Fourth of July Celebration ended the day of festivities at Barney Schwartz Park with a spectacle of fireworks. (Bottom right) Youth softball team Rebels wave from their float along with lenging the university and (Top right) the California Mid-State Fair 2022 Court during the annual Fourth of July Parade in Templeton. Photos by Becca Sligh; Paso Robles photos by Brittany App county against the legality of Templeton and Paso Robles come alive with community spirit on America’s 247th Independence Day their COVID mandates that By CAMILLE DEVAUL, resulted in his suspension as a 247th Independence Day. Templeton, who then turned it be at the end of a parade. We ever. We have six announcing and BECCA SLIGH student there in January 2022. Bright and early, Templeton over to the Templeton Rotary are the people that have been booths this year, which is the Behringer, an electrical started off the celebrations with Club. This year’s parade theme working hard for months to pull most we’ve ever had. We also engineering student from San N O R T H C O U N T Y its annual free pancake break- was “United We Soar.” this parade together, partner- have a bus shuttle service, so Wendy Dow of the Temple- ing with the Paso in Templeton the parking should be the most Bernardino County, attended — Small-town America fast at the Templeton Fire Cal Poly for two years until shines and comes alive every Station. For over 40 years, the ton Rotary Club told Paso Chamber of Commerce, who under control it’s ever been. the school denied him access year on July 4, and North city has hosted its Templeton Robles Press on parade day, “I is going to be handling all the We’ve got a lot of good things to classes and university facili- County was no different this Fourth of July parade. It was am most excited to see the activities at the park today. We going on.” CONTINUED ON PAGE A7 last Tuesday on America’s started by the Kiwanis Club of Templeton Rotary float. We’ll are expecting the best turnout CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
PAGEANT
ENERGY
Meet The Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant contestants PG&E adjusts route for
The pageant features eight local contestants this year
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
NORTH COUNTY — The 53rd Miss California Mid-State Fair Pageant will open the California Mid-State Fair on Wednesday, July 19. The pageant is a favorite with fair-goers and will take place on the Frontier Stage at 6 p.m. All eight contestants from all over San Luis Obispo County will participate in four categories, an interview regarding what they would change or add to the fair, the talent portion, evening gown, and the final question of the night. Like years prior, the crowned queen will receive a $1,000 scholarship, first runner-up will receive a $500 scholarship, and second runner-up will receive a $250 scholarship. Additionally, Miss Congeniality and the highest points in all categories receive $100. Paso Robles Press asked this
NEWS
(From left) Marilyn Dahle, Shirley Horzen, Kali Stone, Julia Sanchez, Natalie Boyd, Jenna Wilshusen, Evelyn Velasquez, and Kerrigan Jensen will compete for the title of Miss California Mid-State Fair 2023. Photo by Kellee Jean Photography
year’s eight contestants some questions. Here are their answers: Shirley Horzen, 17 School graduated from/ headed to next: I will be a senior at Mission College Prep in the fall. Talent in the pageant: My talent in the pageant is CPR and how to use it. Favorite thing to do in SLO County: My favorite thing to do in North County would be
spending time with my family. Theme song for your life: “Mean” by Taylor Swift. Julia Sanchez, 17 School graduated from/ headed to next: Attending Paso Robles High School as a senior in the fall. Talent in the pageant: A bilingual poem. Favorite thing to do in SLO County: going to Pismo Beach and going to the farmers market on Thursday in downtown SLO.
CRIME
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
Theme song for your life: “Hasta La Raiz” by Natalia Lafourcade. Marilyn Dahle, 18 School graduated from/ headed to next: I just graduated from Paso Robles High School, and in the fall, I will be attending Cuesta College to study law while taking my general education classes. Talent in the pageant: I will be performing a cheer/dance routine. Favorite thing to do in SLO County: My favorite thing to do in the North County would be going to Negranti’s Creamery with my friends or riding my dirt bike out in the country. Theme song for your life: My theme song to describe my life would be “Story of My Life” by One Direction. I will always be a 1D fan. Kali Stone, 20 School graduated from/ headed to next: I graduated from Fullerton High School, and recently I moved up here to start the next chapter of my life. In the fall, I’ll be starting CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
EVENTS
contentious transmission
Citizens for a Safe Paso Robles support EIR-approved route for power lines By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
N O R T H CO U N T Y — Recently, Paso Robles Press reported on a proposed power transmission line that sparked controversy among North County residents. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is seeking approval to construct a new 70 kV transmission line
and substation, and residents were speaking out against the original proposed route for the lines. This week, Paso Robles Press received an update and statement from PG&E on the proposed project. The original story, “Transmission Line Proposal: What is it and why are residents fighting against it?” published on June 22, can be found here pasoroblespress.com/ news/transmission-line-proposal-what-is-it-and-why-areresidents-fighting-against-it/ CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
NOTICE
Printing Error in Last Week’s Newspaper By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher
Last week, during a power outage on our deadline day, we uploaded the previous week's inside pages (A3, A4, A5, and A6) to go to press with the newspaper. Due to the rush, the printer did not check the folios
before printing. We are grateful for the support and understanding of our community, and we thank you for the emails and calls alerting us to the issue. Your feedback is invaluable, and we are committed to providing accurate and timely news. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused.
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WHEAT YIELDS Projection from California Farmers | A3
SEXUAL PREDATOR Re-Committed to State Hospital | A4
TRUCK MADNESS to Close out Mid-State Fair | B1
FOURTH OF JULY Photos of North County | B8
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