GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIV, NO. L
THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2024
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Honor Flight brings over 80 veterans to D.C.
Wine lovers enjoy their drinks at the 41st Paso Wine Fest, which took place May 16-19. The event included a Grand Tasting on May 18, as well as a “Masters of Fire” cooking competition for the foodies in the crowd. Photos Courtesy of PRWCA and Acacia Productions
Daou Vineyards Executive Chef Spencer Johnson wins inaugural ‘Master of Fire’
Five local chefs compete for the title, kicking off the 41st annual Paso Wine Fest Creston Village Senior Living residents who attended the May Honor Flight were (from left) Jim Sims, Troy Waddle, Michelle Reed, and George Cobb. Photo provided by Creston Village Senior Living
Record number of women veterans with over 50 years of collective service were on the flight
at the Santa Maria Airport after they took their “Tour of Honor” in Washington, D.C., courtesy of Honor Flight Central Coast (Honor Flight). Over 80 veterans made this trip to the nation’s capital, most of which had By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com served during the Korean and Vietnam wars. NORTH COUNTY — Honor Flight Chairman Veterans were welcomed Bear McGill told The Paso home on Wednesday, May 15, Robles Press, “Our [Honor
Paso Robles City Council allocates over $300,000 to local organizations
Hispanic Business Association advised to enhance structure for future consideration
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles City Council directed staff to proceed with contracts providing funds to three local organizations and directed a fourth to work with staff to refine their proposal. Over $300,000 was promised to the three organizations during the Tuesday, May 21, City Council meeting. The Paso Robles Main Street Association (Main Street), Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA), Paso Robles and Templeton Chamber of Commerce (PRTCC), and the Hispanic Business Association (HBA) all made proposals to council to be included in their proposed budget for Fiscal Years (FY) 2024-25 and 2025-26. Prior to the Tuesday meeting, the proposed budget included a $110,000 contribution to Main Street (total of $220,000 for the next two FY); $85,000 to
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the PRWCA ($170,000 for the next two FY); and $95,0000 per FY to the PRTCC ($190,000 for the next two FY). All three organizations have an established history with the city to receive funds. Following the PRWCA’s presentation, Mayor John Hamon was enthusiastic to include the organization in the budget. “You guys are fantastic, and I think you are a big part of what Paso Robles has become because of your organization,” he said. Council made a decision to alter staff ’s recommendations for contributions to the organizations and landed on the following distribution of funds: • Main Street: $117,000 per FY for downtown promotion and events • PRTCC: $115,000 per FY for the upcoming Visitor Center • PRWCA: $85,000 per FY for marketing and workforce development However, this was the HBA’s first time requesting a contribution from the city. They requested $150,000 over a two-year period
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LOCAL NEWS
Flight’s] goal is to find as many veterans as we can and give them a free trip back to Washington D.C. so they can see the memorials that were built in their honor.” Honor F light Central Coast of California is a nonprofit dedicated to honoring our nation’s veterans by taking them to Washington D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials. The
nonprofit places a focus on providing this opportunity to veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The trips are typically arranged at no cost to the veterans, with funding provided through donations and sponsorships. “Tours of Honor” are made twice a year from the Central Coast, one in the Spring and CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
MADISON ESTEVES Rookie of the Year
By MIRA HONEYCUTT
PASO ROBLES — As a kick-off to the 41st annual Paso Wine Fest, celebrity chef Tyler Florence turned up the heat and brought his live-fire cookout challenge for five Paso chefs selected by his team in collaboration with Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA). Swirls of smoke filled the grounds as Paso chefs went rib-to-rib vying for the local title of “Masters of Fire” at the Paso Robles Event Center on
MEGAN HEALY Student Support Services Employee of the Year
Friday, the night before the wine festival’s Grand Tasting on May 18. “I think I’m having the barbecue dream of my life,” said author, chef and restaurateur Florence on stage, greeting a crowd of some 350 foodies. The Friday cookout which was a rollout for his “Masters of Fire Experience,” was filmed by a Food Network crew as a pilot for the potential “Master of Fire” TV series. “We’re super excited for the wine fest,” exclaimed Joel Peterson, executive director of PRWCA. Florence and his team approached PRWCA just a few months before the fest on CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
AUDRA CARR Administrator of the Year
Local educators honored as Employees of the Year Certificated and classified staff recognized for exceptional contributions to the PRJUSD
PASO ROBLES — Five individuals were honored on Tuesday, May 7, at the annual Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) Employee of the Year Celebration. Winners of the awards meet several requirements and
are voted for at site and district levels. This year’s winners are: • Administrator of the Year is Audra Carr • Certificated Employee of the Year is Kristin Ring • Classified Employee of the Year is Jose Cisneros • Rookie of the Year is Madison Esteves • Student Support Services Employee of the Year is Megan Healy “These people are what makes Paso Robles Joint Unified School District so amazing,” said Assistant Superintendent
Shauna Ames said of this year’s winners. “Our school staff is made up of incredible individuals who daily go above and beyond and this staff is always there for each other.” Employees of the Year meet a specific criteria for both certificated and classified staff. To become and Employee of the Year, certificated staff must create a supportive learning environment, integrate writing and technology, value diversity, collaborate using data, and connect the classroom with the community. For classified staff, they must exhibit outstanding
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By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
achievements, fulfill district guiding principles, demonstrate core values, support academic excellence, and engage in community involvement. PRJUSD Board President Nathan Williams told Paso Robles Press about the awards, “It is too easy and too often that we get caught up in the daily grind and our focus is often on the latest issue being pressed or more importantly, the next thing scheduled in our day to day lives. In turn we can take for granted the things that are truly more important than we often see CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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CHAD NICHOLSON New Undersheriff | A3
CONTROL BURN Camp Roberts | A7
PIONEER DAY Event Dates Announced | B1
BEARCAT BASEBALL Athlete of the Week | B8
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