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SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXV, NO. XIII
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
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Accusations of council campaign sign tampering met with conflicting stories at meeting Candidate Michael Rivera accuses City Councilmember Sharon Roden of removing his sign from storefront By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — There were no action items on the agenda this week for the Tuesday, Sept. 3, Paso Robles City Council meeting. With Mayor John Hamon attending virtually, council approved the consent agenda with no issues. Items including on this week’s consent agenda included: • Approval of Aug. 20, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes • Receipt of Advisory Body Minutes • Amendment to Conflict of Interest Code of the City of El Paso de Robles Pursuant to the Political Reform Act
From left: Elissa Williams, Yessenia Echevarria, and Young Won are the three finalists for the Woman of Influence North County. Photo by Hayley Mattson/PRP
The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce announces three finalists for Woman of Influence North County
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The 2024 wINC will be announced on Oct. 3 By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Atascadero’s chapter of the American Association of University Women, has announced three women as their 2024 nominees for Woman of Influence North County (wINC). This is the second year the wINC luncheon will take place, but this will officially be the fourth Woman of Influence. Over 35 women
were nominated this year before being narrowed down to the top three. The selection of the top three contenders was made with a blind vote by a committee of around 10 people. All the defining identifiers, including names, dates, and business names, were excluded from the women’s stories so that no bias could be part of the voting process. “There was a committee that got together and voted and then it was an hour discussion after we voted,” said Julie Matthews, the Chamber’s VP of membership and special projects. “These three women literally rose to the top.”
This year’s three nominees impact the community around us in huge ways, and North County wouldn’t be what it is without them. Young Won is the CEO of Angels Group Home in Paso Robles, where she provides a supportive place for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive. She started the group home after giving birth to a daughter with Down syndrome. The residential care facility gives residents the space to improve their quality of life and gain independence in a safe space. “I am very honored and surprised at
being nominated and being in the top three nominees for the wINC Recognition Award. I did what I had to do out of necessity for my daughter; my love for her and the grace of God is what has motivated me through the years,” said Won. “It has not been easy for several reasons. There was the language barrier: English is my second language, Korean being my first. Also, I had to leave all my friends in Korea when I married Vanessa’s father and came to the United States in 1996. However, God is faithful, and He eventually brought some of my friends and CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
Livestock Judging Team shines at Chico State Livestock Camp Two of the team’s first-year members scored within the top 10 individuals at the contest By PRHS FFA CHAPTER Guest Contributor
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Livestock Judging Team members recently made a significant mark at the Chico State Livestock Camp, showcasing their skills and dedication while gaining invaluable experience in the world of livestock evaluation. The camp, hosted by California State University, Chico, brought together aspiring young livestock judges from various regions to hone their skills under the guidance of experienced professionals in the field. The Paso Robles team, composed of Priscilla Utter, Briley Bowen, Liam Clark, Maddie Gardner, Reese Ponti, and Reese Raymond, was eager to participate, eager to learn, and ready to demonstrate its abilities. Throughout the camp, participants engaged in hands-on activities, includ- Members of the Paso Robles Livestock Judging Team (from left) Maddie Gardner, Reese Ponti, Reese Raymond, Briley BowCONTINUED ON PAGE A2
en, Priscilla Utter, and Liam Clark are shown at the Chico State Livestock Camp. Photo provided by PRHS FFA
COUNTY
NEWS
NORTH COUNTY NEWS
Kathy Bennet of ALF Food Pantry is shown at Street Side Ale House during the nonprofit fundraiser. Contributed Photo.
North County Restaurant Group raises $3,500 for ALF Food Pantry The group donated 10 percent of all Wednesday sales for the month By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
NORTH COUNTY — In August, The North County Restaurant Group (NCRG) and ALF Food Pantry teamed up for a month-long fundraiser that ended up raising $3,500 for the nonprofit and brought in multiple future volunteers for San Luis Obispo County’s largest all-volunteer organization.
The collaboration started when ALF Food Pantry Board Member Lynne Martin, and the NCRG Controller Tara Tedeschi, randomly met and struck up a conversation, and the rest is history. “It was actually quite serendipitous. I was at one of our establishments, Colony Sandwich Co., grabbing lunch and sat down next to Lynne and a CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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