GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIII, NO. XXXI
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2023
EDUCATION
Residents Present Petition to Remove PRJUSD Trustee
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
CIVIL SUIT
WEATHER UPDATE
Storm Surge Tears Through Paso
Judge Dismisses Jodry Civil Death Suit Thomas Jodry died after falling from the Marsh Street parking structure in September 2019
Staff praised for efforts during Monday’s storm By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — Residents have started another petition for a special election for Paso Robles Joint Unified School District trustee Joel Peterson’s seat. Peterson ran unopposed for the Trustee Area 2 seat and was appointed to the position by San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano. During public comment in the Tuesday, Jan. 10, PRJUSD meeting, residents expressed concerns that Peterson was illegally appointed to the seat. They stated that rather than Peterson being appointed to the seat, there should have been an option to write in a candidate on the ballot — the November 2022 General Election ballot did not have Trustee Area 2 for PRJUSD. Resident Michael Rivera presented a petition to remove Peterson from his position as a trustee. He stated there are almost 130 signatures collected in less than one day since the collection of signatures began. Concerns first arose in October 2022 when trustees Dorian Baker and Frank Triggs discussed Peterson’s appointment. Cano told Paso Robles Press at the time that contestants had until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, to file as a write-in candidate; however, that’s only if there were more candidates than there were seats (Vote for 1 but there was more than one candidate) — because Trustee Area 2 only had one seat and one candidate, the contest is not on the ballot, pursuant to Education Code 5326 and 5328. Superintendent Curt Dubost responded to the concerns by saying, “Every member of the board sitting up here is sitting here having been legally elected to the board.” At the end of the meeting, Peterson provided his own response to his appointment to the Trustee Area 2 seat. “I did file all correct paperwork to run for the school board election. I followed the
NORTH COUNTY — The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Thomas Jodry’s parents was dismissed by a San Luis Obispo County judge on Thursday, Jan. 5. Mary Jane and Bill Jodry’s son, Thomas, 21, fatally fell from the Marsh Street parking structure in San Luis Obispo on Sept. 14, 2019. The night of Thomas’s death, he had been drinking with David Knight of Atascadero at the Frog & Peach Pub on Higuera Street. In 2020, the Jodrys filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Knight, stating they felt he was responsible for their son’s death. Knight responded by filing a motion to a summary judgment in August, citing the Californian Good Samaritan Law — no duty to rescue or assist another person who is in danger or in an emergency situation. At the Paso Robles branch of the San Luis Obispo Superior Court, Judge William Palmer ruled in Knight’s favor to dismiss the lawsuit. Mary Jane and Bill Jodry appeared at the courthouse in Paso Robles that day ready to present their case. However, 30
CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
NONPROFIT
Rainstorms rush through the North County on Monday and Tuesday leaving high waters and flooded road ways (top photo). San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies (bottom left) continue search for missing 5-year-old boy Kyle Doan (bottom right) on Tuesday. Kyle, who was swept away by raging floodwaters near San Miguel on Monday, Jan. 9. Photos by Paso Robles Press and contributed.
Paso Robles received rain and destruction throughnearly 3 inches of rain out San Luis Obispo County on Monday, Jan. 9. within 48 hours As of Wednesday, Jan. 11, the By CAMILLE DEVAUL & CHRISTIANNA MARKS
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — An atmospheric river was promised for California, and it delivered plenty of
search continues for 5-year-old Kyle Doan, who was swept away on Monday morning by raging floodwaters near San Miguel. It was reported by Cal Fire that on Monday morning, the area the car he
inhabited was trying to cross was impacted by a downed tree. A neighbor tried to help rescue those inside, and while Kyle’s mother was pulled to safety, he was unable to be rescued. The SLO County Sheriff ’s Office USAR (Underwater Search and Rescue) Team, air operations, drone team, detectives, and deputies were
deployed to search for Kyle, and after about five hours of searching on Monday, crews had to cease the search due to hazardous weather. However, with a break in the severe weather, the search was continued on Tuesday. Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis told Paso Robles CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
COMMUNITY
Run 4 Bitti and Brynn Foundation Hosts 5th Annual Running Chicken Fun Run This year’s theme was Be Nice-Say HiYa By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
ATASCADERO — The Running Chicken 10k and 5k Fun Run was back for its 5th annual year on Sunday, Jan 8. The much-loved fun run started at 9 a.m. at Lake Santa Margarita. Four hundred thirty walkers and runners registered for the race that celebrates the lives of sisters and runners Brynn and Brittni Frace. “We’re excited. Can’t believe it’s been five years that we’ve
COMMUNITY
been doing this, but the event has continued to grow, it’s got a lot of community support, and it’s really allowed us to further the mission of Brynn and Brittni’s foundation,” said their father, Warren Frace. Like last year, this year’s Running Chicken was conducted in a hybrid fashion. While many of the fun run participants headed out to Lake Santa Margarita in person, 50 people also participated virtually from all over the country. “We decided to keep virtual as an option because we know we have people from around the
NEWS
Runners and walkers start race at Running Chicken Fun Run. Photo by Rick Evans
country that want to participate. They can’t actually get out to the race course,” added Frace. The Running Chicken Fun
SPORTS
Run has something for every- More experienced runners one. The 5k, mostly flat, portion gave the 10k section a go. There of the course is set up for partic- they faced plenty of challenges, ipants of all levels and ages. CONTINUED ON PAGE A13
SECTION
pasoroblespress.com twitter.com/ @PasoRoblesPress facebook.com/ @PasoRoblesPress
SPECS BY KYLA Raises Funds for Foster Agencies | A4
STATE EMERGENCY Declared for Winter Storms in California | A5
RUNNING CHICKEN Fun Run Photo Gallery Continued | A13
High 64° | Low 46°
SUPPORT LOCAL HELP YOUR BUSINESS TAKE FLIGHT!
67808 24135
e Scan her ted! ar t s t e g to o be t
7
the Paso Roble s
s Pres
JOURNALISM
5
Subs cri
CAR SHOW Raises Funds for Toy Bank | A2
Not only do you have the power to choose the subscription that fits your life, but when you advertise, you will broaden your reach into target markets throughout the Central Coast, from Ventura County to Monterey County!
Subscribe & Advertise with
pasoroblespress.com (805) 237-6060 office@13starsmedia.com