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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CVIII, NO. LI
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2023
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LOCAL NEWS
North County Year in Review A look back at the biggest local news stories of 2023
TOP 10 STORIES
Atascadero mayor’s retrospective on 2023
A year of growth, challenge, and community
By HEATHER MORENO Mayor of Atascadero
January 2023 started with unprecedented storms, causing havoc and flooding in Atascadero. Public Works staff worked night and day to remove debris and clear roads as we sought assistance from neighbors and public agencies. I care deeply about the safety and security of Atascadero, and it was remarkable to see our community rally with generosity and compassion. As your mayor, I’m proud to lead Atascadero through growth and adversity, grateful for the collective spirit that defines our city. Public safety Since the passage of Measure D-20 in 2020, we have worked to ensure our fire and police departments are fully staffed and well-resourced to enhance the safety and security of everyone in our community. In 2022, our dispatch staff hit a critical low of only three full-time employees, requiring the city to contract with the SLO County Sheriff ’s Office to assist in overnight dispatching. We’ve worked diligently to hire for this crucial function and today are staffed to handle dispatch 24/7. While our department experiences the same hiring challenges as other law enforcement agencies across the country, we’re committed to building up our public safety teams and continuing to work cooperatively among the fire and police departments. And this month, we were pleased to announce the appointment of Daniel B. Suttles as the new Chief of Police for Atascadero. Chief Suttles has 16 years in law enforcement, most recently as the Chief of Police for the Bear Valley Police Department in the Tehachapi area of Kern County, and CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
COMMUNITY
In August, Paso Robles City Mayor and Atascadero native Steve Martin died after a hard fought battle with cancer. Photo Courtesy of City of Paso Robles
Hundreds Attend Paso Robles 2023 New Years Celebration Published Jan. 5
The City of Paso Robles hosted its first New Year’s Eve bonfire in six years to ring in 2023 at the Paso Robles City Park.
Hounds Celebrate Championship with Parade to City Hall
Published Jan. 5
Atascadero and Atascadero High School celebrated their fall semester CIF and state champions via a parade ending at City Hall.
First Baby Born at Sierra Vista Hospital Published Jan. 5
Luca Mattias Hermosillo arrived on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, at 10:03 a.m. at Sierra Vista Medical Center.
Atascadero High School Hosts Annual Holiday
NEWS
Chicken Fun Run
Basketball Tournament, Beats Paso Robles
Published Jan. 12
1. Paso Robles mourns the passing of Mayor Steve W. Martin 2. Paul Flores Sentenced to 25 Years to Life for Murder of Kristin Smart 3. Local teen Claire Parks becomes Woman’s Park Scootering World Champion 4. Bella Otter Takes First in the U21 Women Compound Bow Division at the 2023 State Championships 5. North County Delighted as Snow Blankets Region 6. Atascadero Chamber of Commerce Hosts 100th Anniversary Awards Dinner and Gala 7. Atascadero appoints James R. Lewis as new city manager 8. Atascadero football breaks six-year losing streak against Paso Robles 9. Justice granted for Emilio Velci’s family 10. Atascadero Celebrates 50 Years of Colony Days
British Royal Air Force
The Running Chicken 10k and 5k Conducting Training Atascadero High hosted 57th Fun Run was back for its 5th annual Operations in Paso Robles Christmas Basketball Tournament, year on Sunday, Jan. 8. featuring the 8-7 Greyhounds and Published Jan. 26 15-0 Atwater High emerging as Search Efforts Continue Since the beginning of January, the for Kyle Doan British Royal Air Force (RAF) opchampions in 3-day event. Published Jan. 19 erated out of Paso Robles, conductStorm Surge Tears A week since his disappearance fol- ing training with their new military Through Paso Robles lowing a car accident, search efforts aircraft, the Airbus A400M Atlas continue to find missing 5-year-old (A400). Published Jan. 12 An atmospheric river brought rain Kyle Doan with the Sheriff ’s Dive and destruction to San Luis Obispo and Search personnel along with George Marrett: ECHO County on Monday, Jan. 9. California Highway Patrol air op- Founder, Author, Pilot, Veteran erations. Judge Dismisses Jodry Published Jan. 26 Civil Death Suit A Look into the George Marrett is an aviator, writEquality Mural Project’s Published Jan. 12 er, one of the founders of the El Camino Homeless Organization The wrongful death lawsuit filed Relationship with The by Thomas Jodry’s parents was dis- SLO County Arts Council (ECHO), and one of the earliest members of the Estrella Warbird missed by a San Luis Obispo Coun- Published Jan. 19 ty judge on Thursday, Jan. 5. Equality Mural Project decorates Museum. Atascadero with murals. Explore Run 4 Bitti and Brynn partnership with SLO County Arts Foundation Hosts 5th Council, showcasing art’s impact on Annual Running community. CONTINUED ON PAGE A3 Published Jan. 5
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