GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIII, NO. XXXIX
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023
SMART CASE
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
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Paul Flores Sentencing Set for this Friday
City Approves Allocation for Community Development Block Grant
Court filings for a new trial will be heard at 9 a.m. that same day By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Paul Flores faces his sentencing this Friday, March 10, but first, the court will hear a set of motions that were filed with the goal of throwing out Flores’ guilty verdict. Flores, 47, had been charged with the 1996 murder and disappearance of 19-yearold Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. He was found guilty of murder in October 2022. His father, Ruben Flores, was found not guilty — by a seperate jury — of accessory after the fact. Ruben was accused of helping his son hide Kristin’s remains. Smart was a Cal Poly freshman when she was reported missing in May 1996. A 25-year investigation ensued, resulting in the 2021 arrest and prosecution of Paul and Ruben. At trial, the jury heard testimony that Kristin was last seen walking towards her dormitory with Paul Flores after leaving an off-campus party. Motions to throw out Flores’ guilty were filed with the Monterey County Superior Court on Friday, Feb. 24. His attorney, Robert Sanger, claimed the prosecution misled the jury and manipulated flawed evidence. He continues to say there was no evidence of murder as Smart’s body has never been found. While there have been many failed attempts and searches to locate her body, Smart’s family declared her dead in 2002. During the trial, it was the prosecution’s working theory that Flores killed Smart while trying to rape her after the two were seen walking together from an off-campus party on Crandall Way. Cadaver dogs handlers who searched Flores’ dorm at the time of Smart’s disappearance testified their dogs hit on Flores’ dorm for human remains. Several witnesses from the party testified seeing Flores around Smart that night. Fo l l o w i n g S m a r t ’s disappearance, Flores allegedly repeated predatorial behavior CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
LOCAL NEWS
Members of the French Hospital Medical Center Foundation and the Paso Robles Police Department pose with the check representing the amount given to the FHMC through the PRPD’s Pink Patch Project. Contributed Photo
Paso Robles Police’s Pink Patch Project Benefits Local Nonprofits Over 500 pink patches were distributed, which earned $1,660 to raise awareness of breast cancer By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — Over $1,600 was donated to local nonprofits last week by the Paso Robles Police Department and Paso Robles Police Officer’s Association (POA)
through their Pink Patch Project. POA President and Detective Elizabeth Place told Paso Robles Press that last year was the department’s first time participating in the fundraiser selling pink versions of their regularly issued uniform patch.
“It was overwhelming to see how much people were enjoying it,” said Place. The department was inspired to get involved with the project supporting breast cancer awareness as their own records clerk, Andrea Fletes, recently completed treatment for breast
cancer. Over 500 pink patches were ordered and distributed, which raised $1,660 in support to raise awareness to breast cancer and help fight against this devastating disease. Place and the POA asked Fletes to choose a nonprofit CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
WELLNESS CENTER
Officials cut the ribbon for the Shandon Joint Unified School District’s Wellness Center. Contributed Photo
‘The Great Kindness Challenge’
Kindness Challenge” earlier this year. The week was filled with proactive and positive Social Emotional Learning (SEL) activities focused on improving the school climate and By JAMES BRESCIA increasing student engagement. SLO County Superintendent One of the questions asked SHANDON — Educational during the week was, “What can agencies across the county we adults learn from our youth’s participated in the “The Great actions during the challenge?”
Over the past few years, I stressed that focusing on flexibility, patience, and kindness is a tangible example of how adults practice behaviors promoting SEL. Research teaches us that kindness benefits both the person practicing the kindness and the recipient. Harvard Business School researchers
examined happiness in 136 countries and documented that altruistic people reported higher satisfaction levels. The data indicated a positive feedback loop between kindness and joy. Researchers found that “people generally feel happier when asked to remember a time when they benefited
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Shandon Joint Unified School District’s efforts to build community and practice kindness
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
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Mayor Martin thanks community and staff for their support while he seeks treatment for health condition By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — A public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the Annual Action Plan was heard during the Tuesday, March 7, Paso Robles City Council meeting. The annual action plan allocates city funds to public improvements. Federal regulations require the city to use funds as the following: At least 70 percent of all funds must be spent on activities that benefit low-income persons, and no more than 30 percent can be spent on activities that eliminate blight No more than 15 percent of CDBG funds can be used for public service activities No more than 20 percent of CDBG funds can be used for city/county administrative uses Councilman Fred Strong explained the CDBG funds are federal funds that must be used in conjunction with federal regulations or guidelines. City staff expects the anticipated award amount of $197,484 is available to be divided among the proposed activities. Staff provided the following recommendation for the allocation of the funds: Non-public service projects: • Riverside Avenue infill sidewalk and curb ramp project: $147,546 Public services: • PSHH — Supportive Housing: $9,000 • 5CHC — Homeless Services: $6,000 • ECHO — Homeless Services: $5,000 • CAPSLO — Adult Day Care: $14,049 Administration: $15,889 CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
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COMPLAINT FILED Against PRJUSD Dismissed | A3
MAYOR MARTIN Seeking Treatment for Health Condition | A4
COMMUNITY PHOTOS FLAMSON STUDENTS From February Snow Photos Featured in Local Storm | B1 Art Gallery | B8
High 57° | Low 49°
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