Director of Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center Appointed

San Luis Obispo County

— After a nationwide recruitment, San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow announced that Jessica Yates had been selected as the Director of the Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center upon the transfer of former Director Tim Murphy to a new role with the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations.

Established in 1977 as one of only two centers at the time in California, the Victim Witness Assistance Center serves all victims of crime who reside in San Luis Obispo County.

The director oversees a staff of 21 personnel, including interns, victim advocates, witness coordinators, claims representatives, and support staff. The assistance center staff collectively assists between 10,000 to 14,000 crime victims annually, including those who are victims of physical violence, theft, and property crimes.

“We are extremely pleased with Jessica Yates’ selection as director because of her qualifications and her passionate desire to make our community safer by assisting those who have been severely impacted by crime,” Dow said. “Director Yates has instantly become a highly valued member of our District Attorney management team.”

Yates holds a master’s degree in business administration with specialization in financial management from National University, La Jolla, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Irvine.

Yates most recently worked for the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, where she served as the business systems analyst. There she led the county’s Stepping Up initiative, a national program helping to advance efforts by county governments to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders in jails. In her lead role, she collaborated with county department heads, the chief administration officer, and other county staff who comprise the executive steering committee. Yates developed and authored a comprehensive three-year strategic plan for San Luis Obispo County’s Stepping Up program.

Additionally, Yates partnered with the sheriff’s community action team to provide Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) for law enforcement and other agencies throughout San Luis Obispo County. She has conducted numerous presentations to various agencies, county, and city governments, and other stakeholders. Yates has experience researching grant opportunities, writing grant proposals, and managing budgets for awarded grants. In addition, she has several years of experience in the private sector, where she served as a marketing manager and a regional vice president with an investment services company.

“We also thank outgoing Victim Witness Director Tim Murphy for his outstanding service over the past two years,” Dow said. “Tim’s work of implementing our mass victimization advocate program, creating our courthouse dog program, and overseeing the assistance center throughout the pandemic was superb.”

Murphy assumed a new role as a senior investigator in the District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigation.

Paso Robles

Water Meter Reading Delayed Due to Weather

Due to the inclement weather, we have been experiencing as of late, the city’s meter reading company is delayed in reading your meter for the April 1 bill. As such, the April 1 bill (printed and emailed) will be delayed as well. Although the due date of the April 20 remains unchanged, no penalties will be assessed for late payments in the month of April. The city anticipates that meter readings and billing for the May 1 bill will occur as regularly scheduled. However, they will continue to monitor this situation and provide additional information as needed.

Templeton Residents Reminded of Weed Abatement Season

Now is the time to begin planning for the removal of weeds around your property. Remember, the earlier you start in the year, the easier it is to mitigate them. As soon as the weather turns warm, weeds become an extreme fire hazard not only for you but for your neighbors as well.

Remember, in California, weed abatement is almost a year-round endeavor. A good rule of thumb would be to have this work finished by the end of April. If you are an out-of-town property owner, now is the time to schedule the work to be done and verify that it has been completed before the weeds turn brown. Depending on the rainfall, fire breaks may require multiple disking or mowing to maintain their integrity throughout the summer.

All properties within the Templeton Community Services District boundaries, including yards and lots, must be cleared of all combustible vegetation, such as dead leaves, weeds, brush, and tree limbs, by May 1 and maintained through Nov. 30. Property owners are also asked to remove excess trash, wood, or other combustibles from their property that is next to their house or other structures to keep a firesafe environment.

Due to spring rains, there will be an increase in vegetation which can become a potential fire hazard as it dries. Therefore, property owners are asked to plan on multiple cuttings this year to keep grasses and weeds down to fire-safe levels.

Below are some key weed abatement requirements:

• Do not mow after 10 a.m. if the temperature exceeds 80 degrees. Mowers must be set at a maximum height of 3 inches unless conditions require a greater height.

• All equipment used for weed abatement work must be equipped with proper spark arresters, mufflers, etc.

A fire extinguisher of pressurized water or back-pump type is required on equipment for immediate accessibility and use.

Property owners are responsible for weeds from the center line of the public road and through their entire property.

Parcels that are three acres or less in size must be mowed or disked completely. Parcels 3 acres or larger must have, at a minimum, a soil firebreak around the perimeter, and cross breaks at intervals breaking each block in no greater than 1 acre (or as directed by the Fire Department). Firebreaks shall be a minimum of 30 feet in width at perimeters and cross breaks and 50 feet minimum around structures.

Downslope clearances from structures shall be a minimum of 100 feet. Clearances around and under oak trees shall be a minimum of 30 feet.

Templeton Fire and Emergency Services thanks all participants for helping to make Templeton a firesafe community.

Main Street Association Looking for Volunteers for April Event

The Paso Robles Main Street Association is looking for volunteers for the Vintage Sidecar Rendezvous, Recycled Treasures, Antique Motorcycles & Electric Vehicles event happening Saturday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information visit signupgenius.com/go/10c0945aaac2ba7ffce9-recycled#/

Atascadero

Atascadero Farmers Market

Celebrates Six-Year Anniversary

The Atascadero Farmers Market is proud to celebrate its six-year anniversary Wednesday, April 5. This weekly event has become a staple in the community, offering fresh, locally-grown produce, handmade goods, and live entertainment.

Since its inception in 2017, the market has grown in popularity, drawing in visitors from all over the Central Coast. The event takes place every Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m., and during daylight savings, the market runs from 3 to 5 p.m.

The Atascadero Farmers Market features a variety of vendors, including farmers, ranchers, and artisans. Visitors can browse through the selection of fresh produce, baked goods, honey, jams, and more. The market also offers handmade crafts, jewelry, and other unique gifts.

The Atascadero Farmers Market is a great way to support local businesses and enjoy the beautiful Central Coast weather. The market is located at the Sunken Gardens in the heart of downtown Atascadero.

For more information, please visit VisitAtascadero.com/events.

San Luis Obispo County

County Provides Former Administrative Officer with Severance Package and Non-Disparage Clause

San Luis Obispo County officials have agreed to provide former Administrative Officer Wade Horton with a severance package that includes a non-disparage clause after he announced plans to resign amid a controversial performance review. The agreement provides Horton with six months pay or $146,364, which he must accept in exchange for not taking legal action against the county. The mutual non-disparage clause is also included in the agreement.

The performance review was requested by two members of the new board majority, although the county officials are not disclosing which of the three supervisors — Bruce Gibson, Jimmy Paulding, or Dawn Ortiz Legg — made the request. Horton, as required by his position, placed the closed-session performance review on the agenda, which led Gibson and Paulding to claim that Horton voluntarily chose to put his review on the agenda.

Despite the controversial circumstances surrounding Horton’s departure, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors John Peschong praised Horton for his dedication and contributions to the county during his tenure. Horton served as the county administrator from 2017 and previously served as the public works director and the deputy director of utilities/water for the City of San Luis Obispo.

In his newsletter, Paulding acknowledged Horton’s public service and contributions as the CAO over the past five years, and he agreed to stay on until April to assist in finalizing the budget and ensuring a smooth transition to new leadership. The county will soon launch a nationwide search for a new CAO who can bring a fresh perspective to addressing the community’s challenges.

However, during the closed session employee performance review, the board was limited to discussing their expectations of the position and Horton’s performance. The Ralph M. Brown Act requires the board to discuss the state of the county organization and the resources necessary to achieve positive outcomes for the county and community in open session.

While the circumstances surrounding Horton’s resignation may be controversial, his contributions to the county during his tenure cannot be denied. The county will now move forward with finding a new CAO who can continue to lead efforts to address the challenging issues in the community.

Former Youth Pastor Arrested for Child Molestation Charges

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Detectives have arrested an Oregon man for child molestation charges that occurred in Nipomo.

In September of 2022, sheriff’s detectives received a report of a suspected ongoing child molestation that occurred in Nipomo between 2005 and 2008. The investigation revealed the suspect Jeffrey York, who at that time was a youth pastor at New Beginnings Community Church in Nipomo, had contact with a male victim and had sexually assaulted him for years.

The Sheriff’s Department reported that over the course of several months, detectives completed an investigation that led to an arrest warrant. At that time, York was believed to be living in Portland, Oregon. Detectives were in the process of arresting York in Oregon when on March 27, during a routine patrol, South Station deputies located a vehicle registered to Jeffrey York out of Portland parked in the 600 block of El Camino Real in Arroyo Grande. Deputies contacted detectives and advised them York was in Arroyo Grande.

York was arrested and booked into County Jail on two counts of oral copulation by duress, two counts of lewd acts with a child under 14 with force, and other various charges. Bail was set at $400,000.

Anyone with additional information about this case or other potential victims should contact the Sheriff’s Detective Division at (805) 781-4500.

San Luis Obispo County Takes Steps to Join Central Coast Community Energy

The San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors voted in March to begin the process of joining Central Coast Community Energy (3CE). This decision is expected to bring numerous benefits to the county and its residents, including significant cost savings on electricity bills.

According to estimates, the county will save over $1.1 million per year on its electricity bill once it joins 3CE, with residents and local businesses expected to save $26 million annually. Rates with 3CE are projected to be on average 39 percent lower than those offered by PG&E.

This cost savings comes at a crucial time for many residents and small businesses who are struggling with the rising cost of living on the Central Coast. The projected budget gap for next year is $5 million, and joining 3CE will help close this gap in future years.

In addition to cost savings, joining 3CE will also advance the goal of achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and promote policies that will encourage hiring local workers, more good-paying jobs, and sound environmental policy. A member from the Board of Supervisors will also be seated on the 3CE Board of Directors, giving the region a voice in important policy decisions.

Residents and businesses located in the unincorporated areas of the county will have the opportunity to benefit from 3CE’s lower rates starting in 2025.

Central Coast Creative Corps to Provide $140K Grants for 23 YearLong Art Projects

The Arts Council for Monterey County, Arts Council Santa Cruz County, the San Benito County Arts Council, the San Luis Obispo County Arts Council, the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture, and the Ventura County Arts Council have announced the Central Coast Creative Corps (CCCC) program.

The new grant opportunity is funded by the California Arts Council, which will provide $140,000 grants for 23 projects produced by working partnerships between community-based organizations, including nonprofits, government agencies or tribal governments, and local artists, creative workers, or culture bearers.

The program’s goal is to invest in artists across disciplines to collaborate with community partners for 12 months on producing a sustained outreach and engagement initiative addressing one of the following four priority areas as identified by the California Arts Council:

1. Public Health awareness messages to stop the spread of COVID-19

2. Climate Impact — public awareness of water and energy conservation, climate change, mitigation, emergency preparedness, relief, and recovery

3. Civic Engagement, including election participation

4. Social Justice and community engagement

Community partners are invited to apply for the funds and engage an artist, or individual artist collective, for a one-year project from September 2023 to August 2024.

Of the funding award, $100,000 will go directly to the artist for their work on the campaign, with $20,000 allocated for artist-community relations, supplies and materials, and other costs incurred for production and/or implementation; and $20,000 for the organization for program administration.

The grant opportunity is open to community-based organizations in the Central Coast Region (Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties). The program prioritizes communities that demonstrate the highest levels of need, as indicated by the California Healthy Places Index (HPI).

“The Central Coast has a proud history of artist-led social change. We are thrilled to offer this funding to help Central Coast communities envision artistic, creative, and innovative solutions to some of our region’s most pressing challenges,” said Sarah York Rubin, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture, which will serve as the lead administering organization for the CCCC.

Community partners who receive grants will be able to access a directory of Central Coast artists expressing interest in program participation. The searchable directory will include artists’ resumes, media or medium, years of artistic practice, geographic location, area of geographic interest, work samples, and community engagement experience. They may select an artist or artist collective from the directory, or work with an artist they may already be affiliated with. Artists can sign up to join the directory at centralcoastartists.org.

This program is shared and administered in the Central Coast region by county-designated arts agencies from all six counties. They will work cooperatively to support program administration and serve as primary partners, service providers, and communication conduits in their respective geographies. This program is part of the California Creative Corps, developed by the California Arts Council in partnership with the state Legislature. California Creative Corps is an economic and workforce recovery pilot program intended to support pandemic recovery and the environmental, civic, and social engagement of California’s most disproportionately impacted communities.

“We are so excited to work with our regional partners to support socially engaged arts projects across the Central Coast,” said Jordan Chesnut, programs director of SLO County Arts Council. “This is a really incredible opportunity.”

More information about eligibility, how community partners can apply for this grant, and upcoming information sessions that will offer guidance and address questions throughout the application period can be found on the Central Coast Creative Corps website at centralcoastcreativecorps.org/. Spanish-language assistance is available.

The deadline to apply is May 1 by 5 p.m.

S. CHIADO

1927-2023

Phyllis Spargo Chiado passed away peacefully on March 18th, 2023. She was born on October 14th, 1927, in San Luis Obispo, California.

She graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1945, received a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Chemistry from UC Berkeley in 1949, and a Master of Teaching at Stanford University in 1966. She was a High School teacher of physics and mathematics for 34 years, 27 of which were at Santa Maria High School. With grace and dignity, she set the academic bar high for her family and students, as reflected in their various professional careers.

Her generosity and commitment to student success are demonstrated by the number of scholarships she funded. She married Eugene “Chuck” Chiado at the United Methodist Church in Paso Robles on July 30th, 1950. She loved to travel and read books. She climbed Machu Picchu, rode elephants in Thailand, visited the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia, went on safari in Africa, and hiked islands in the Galapagos. She visited the Alps of Switzerland and Germany, visited friends in France, rode the train numerous times to the Pacific Northwest to visit family, and for decades hiked to the High Sierra camps in Yosemite. She was active in the Templeton Kiwanis, participating in numerous community activities, and was an ardent supporter of both Templeton and Shandon schools.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, Chuck Chiado, and is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

A service of remembrance will be held Saturday, June 10th at 10 am, Wilson Gym, Santa Maria High School. The service is open to the public.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the following:

CalRTA, Division 86, Scholarship Committee

Phyllis Chiado Scholarship

ATTN: Scholarship Treasurer PO Box 536 Templeton, CA 93465