GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIII, NO. XLI
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
CITY
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MEMORIAL
Vietnam War Veterans Remember Those Lost at ‘Wall that Heals’ Two Success Stories to Come from ECHO Paso Robles City’s Fourth of July Community Fireworks Celebration coming back this summer bigger and better By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The Thorndyke Business Park was (From left) Mike Madrid, Ron Mullisen, John Couch, Wayne Rice, Rob Kinnear, Rod Dykhouse, and George Marrett pose in front of the “Wall That Heals” at Madonna Meadows in San Luis Obispo. The wall, displayapproved to move forward ing the names of those who died in the Vietnam War, began its 2023 tour in San Luis Obispo. Photo by Camille DeVaul by Paso Robles City Council during the Tuesday, March 21, The wall made its first Madonna Meadows in San Washington D.C. The wall was ing the vigorous application Memorial Museum. There were over 60 sponsors meeting. The 2.6-acre project is Luis Obispo last weekend as last at the Madonna Meadows process, the county was given stop of 2023 at the located at 2701 Germaine Way, the wall’s first stop on its 2023 five years ago and the location the green light in December for the wall, including the SLO tour. is the first ever where the wall 2022 to host the wall. on the northwest corner of Madonna Meadows County Board of Supervisors, Wisteria Lane and Germaine last weekend From March 16-19, the wall has returned for a second visit. “There’s a lot of things Madonna Inn, and the Legacy Way. displayed the names of 58,281 SLO County Veteran that we had to pull together Wellness Center located in By CAMILLE DEVAUL Services Officer Morgan quickly and we were able to Nipomo. On Tuesday, March The new project consists men and women who lost their camille@pasoroblespress.com of six lots sized to allow light lives serving their country in Boyd told Paso Robles Press do that with the support of 14, the wall was escorted from industrial or commercial SAN LUIS OBISPO the Vietnam War. The wall the county was approached to the community,” said Boyd, Camp Roberts in San Miguel development. It was approved COUNTY — The “Wall That stands as a replica of the Viet- host the wall again about 18 who hosts the event alongside to the Madonna Inn. Despite CONTINUED ON PAGE A6 Heals” made its way to the nam Veterans Memorial in months ago. After complet- the Central Coast Veterans CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
COUNTY RESERVOIRS
ELECTION
Powerful Storm System Fills Lopez Lake, Threatens First Spill in 25 Years PRJUSD
Candidate Files Second Complaint Against District
San Luis Obispo County officials prepare for potential flooding as multiple reservoirs reach capacity By HAYLEY MATTSON and CAMILLE DEVAUL
Vote by Mail ballots have been sent out to residents for the PRJUSD Special Election
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — A powerful storm system has been pummeling the Central Coast once again with heavy winds and rainfall throughout the week. According to the latest figures as of Wednesday morning, Paso Robles has received 26.38 inches of rain this season, with Atascadero recording slightly more at 27.89 inches. The authorities are closely monitoring the reservoir levels in the area. Salinas has reported 107.6 inches of water in its reservoir, with Lake Lopez close behind at 98.6 inches. Lake Nacimiento presently holds 85.0 inches of water, while San Antonio and Whale Rock reservoirs report 50.0 and 100.0 inches, respectively. There are reports that Tues-
Lopez Lake is shown during the recent winter storms, which have elevated the lake from 24 percent capacity to full capacity within three months. Contributed Photo
day’s downpour may cause Lopez Lake to overflow for the first time in 25 years, according to county officials. The Office of Emergency Services has attributed the rapid increase in the lake’s water level from 24 percent capacity at the beginning of January to full capacity in less than three months to consecutive storms this year.
Lopez Lake, located near Arroyo Grande, was at 92.2 percent capacity as of last Friday afternoon, according to SLO County Public Works data. This is a significant increase from its 22 percent capacity in December and 24 percent capacity at the beginning of January. Multiple atmospheric river storms in January and March
have brought it close to spilling for the first time in more than two decades. The last time the reservoir spilled was in 1998. In its more than five decades of operation, the lake has spilled a total of 18 times. As of Friday afternoon, the water level at Lopez Lake stood at 518 feet, while the spillway level was at 522 feet,
according to Public Works data. Established in 1968, the reservoir can store a maximum of 49,388 acre-feet of water. As of Friday, it contained 45,751 acre-feet of water. In addition to providing water to residents of the Five Cities area of SLO County, Lopez Lake is also used for recreational activities
LOCAL NEWS
CRIME
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
SPORTS
WEATHER
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
PASO ROBLES — A Paso Robles Joint Unified School District trustee candidate has filed a second complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) against the district and the Paso Robles Public Educators (PRPE) union and its president, Bernadette Boddington, for violations of the State Political Reform Act. Filed March 13, this is the second complaint PRJUSD Trustee Candidate Kenney CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
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