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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020
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Podcast Shines New Light on Smart Case
2020 SUPERVISOR RACE
District 5 Face-Off
An updated billboard hangs in Arroyo Grande on Branch Street, calling attention to the Kristen Smart case. Photo by Alexandra Wallace
District 5 County Supervisor candidates Debbie Arnold, left, and Ellen Beraud answer questions during a candidate’s forum at the Atascadero United Methodist Church Thursday evening. Photos by Luke Phillips
Debbie Arnold and Ellen Beraud square off in first public forum By LUKE PHILLIPS luke@atascaderonews.com ATASCADERO — Hundreds of spectators gathered at Atascadero’s United Methodist Church Thursday evening to witness a political showdown between District 5’s two-time county supervisor Debbie Arnold who is seeking election for a third term and challenger Ellen Beraud, a veteran of local politics who has served on the Atascadero Planning Commission and City Council and also served as the city’s mayor. The forum consisted of four questions posed by moderator Mike Manchak and five-minute responses from each of the candidates. From the beginning, Arnold seemed to hold the upper hand with those in attendance — throughout the proceedings, the crowd met Beraud’s responses with some under-the-breath heckles, which were, in turn, met by disapproving glances from her supporters. During her opening statement, Arnold told of tales of life growing up on a ranch and her years spent running a daycare business, cracked a couple of jokes and ran down her relatively short history as a public servant, saying that she never really expected to go into politics. Arnold joined the political arena as a legislative aide, including 12 years working for Senator Sam
Cal Poly Student Still Missing 23 Years Later By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@atascadero.com
vote, and how will it impact the people that I represent? Not everyone agrees as well all know on every issue, but I can tell you and promise you that for over seven years I’ve taken every vote seriously, I’ve done my research, and I’ve tried to do what in my heart I believe is the best thing and to take care of our families, people of all ages in the county and to keep our county vibrant.” Beraud focused on her qualifications and accomplishments during her opening statement. After moving to the area roughly 20 years ago, Beraud said she was heavily involved with school activities and local nonprofits before going on to serve on the planning commission and City Council. She spent 30 years in the health care industry, working as a dietician at Twin Cities Hospital before moving on to her current position at Atascadero State Hospital. Moderator Mike Manchak introduces the can“Our county is at a crossroads,” Beraud said. “We didates during a chamber of commerce-hostneed to be embracing opportunities, and we need ed forum at the Atascadero United Methodist to be facing challenges with the leadership to face Church Thursday. those issues. We’re facing the biggest challenges ever. Blakesly before serving two terms as the District 5 Threats to our environment, our economy and our way County Supervisor. of life and over the past nine months, I’ve heard over “It has been such an honor,” Arnold said. “I try to and over again that people feel that their voices are think every day and every time I take a vote, I try to not heard or valued and that their concerns are not CONTINUED ON PAGE A11 imagine many of you are behind me and what is my
SAN LUIS OBISPO — In May 1996, the story of a missing Cal Poly Student filled our news outlets and television screens. Kristin Smart, a 19-year-old freshman from Stockton, Calif., had vanished over the Memorial Day weekend. After endless searches, countless interviews, investigating one lead after another, the daily reminders started to lesson. Months turned into years, years turned into decades, and today, Smart has been missing longer than she was alive. 23-years later, in late September 2019, new energy was brought to the case. Chris Lambert, a Santa Maria native, started looking into Smart’s disappearance. With the lack of information he found available on the case, Lambert decided he wanted to do more and tell CONTINUED ON PAGE A11
ATASCADERO’S DANCING WITH OUR STARS
Marcy Eberle to Raise Funds for Artistry in Motion By GRENDA ERNST FOR THE ATASCADERO NEWS
ATASCADERO — Every year, Marcy Eberle creates a theme for herself, which describes and guides her path as the year unfolds. Her theme for 2020 is “Set The Stage,” an appropriate motif as Marcy steps on stage as a Community Star representing Artistry In Motion, in Dancing with Our Stars (DWOS) 2020. Marcy is not a newcomer to dancing or the stage. She began dancing at age 3 and continued with lessons and performances into her early twenties, dancing mostly with Pat Jackson’s American Dance. She was on stage,
Community Star Dancer Marcy Eberle will perform alongside dance instructor Bob Woodard to raise money for Artistry in Motion. Contributed Photo
atascaderonews.com
or more accurately, on camera, as a KSBY TV morning news anchor and KCOY evening news anchor in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Her preparation for these impressive assignments includes recognition as Broadcast Student of the Year at Cuesta College and Liberal Arts Student of the Year at Cal Poly. Marcy’s weekly KSBY program, Roots of the Vine, introduced her to Eberle Winery and its owner, Gary Eberle. Marcy transitioned from television to head the winery’s public relations program and eventually, to marry Gary and become involved in the entire operation of the winery. Gary is a towering figure in San
Luis Obispo county’s wine industry, with many local and national awards for his achievements in his field, including Wine Maker of the Year and Winery of the Year (twice). In addition to winery activities – cruises, tours, dinners, all revolving around Eberle wines – competent and gregarious Marcy is a director of the Paso Robles Rotary Club and has organized the Club’s Winemaker’s Cookoff, which has raised thousands of dollars for local scholarships. Marcy is a fifth-generation Californian, whose family settled in the area in 1876. She has two daughters, Katie and Holly, and recently welCONTINUED ON PAGE A11
NEWS
SPORTS
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
WEATHER
SLO WOMEN’S MARCH Fourth Annual Event Returns Jan. 18 | A2
HOUNDS PIN TIGERS at final home match for comeback win | B1
EXPLORING THE ENCLAVES: The Wineries of Highway 46 West | B4
HOT TAMALE! Annual Tamale Fest Brings Bold Flavors to Atascadero | B4
TODAY’S WEATHER | A8
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A True Community Bank
Bankers Paul Tognazzini and Ann Hansen, with Borjon Auto Center owner, Mark Borjon
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