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Good News Real News Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXX, NO. XXXI
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
2020 DANCING WITH OUR STARS
MARCY EBERLE SETS THE STAGE
Podcast Breaths New Life into Smart Case
An updated billboard hangs in Arroyo Grande on Branch Street, calling attention to the Kristen Smart case. Photo by Alexandra Wallace
Cal Poly student still missing 23 years later
By Hayley Mattson hayley@pasoroblespress.com
Choreographer Bob Woodard and star dancer Marcy Eberle sweep into the scene of Atascadero’s Dancing with our Stars. Photo by Cheryl Strahl Photgraphy
Rotarian raises funds for Artistry in Motion in Atascadero’s Dancing with our Stars By Grenda Ernst for the Paso Robles Press 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, 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 CONTINUED ON PAGE A11
CITY
Council Takes Steps to Allow Tattoo Parlors in City Limits Change could end 26-year ban on the business type
By LUKE PHILLIPS luke@pasoroblespress.com PASO ROBLES — Ink enthusiasts rejoice! The Paso Robles City Council took the first steps at its Jan. 7 meeting toward allowing tattoo parlors to operate in the city. The City Council voted to put a ban on tattoo parlors and the act of tattooing within the city in May of 1994 citing the lack of health regulations in the industry and concerns about the city’s image. In recent years, the Ninth Circuit Court pasoroblespress.com
of Appeals has ruled that tattooing is a form of artistic expression protected as freedom of speech under the constitution, leading the City attorney to recommend lifting the ban. The City has also received multiple requests to remove the ban from local tattoo artists, including Tyler Bly, who spoke during the public comments portion of the meeting. “I’m one of the people who requested this,” he said. “I’m a Cal Poly graduate and I’m also a tattoo artist. It’s something that I’d really like to be able to do here in the city. I certainly think it’s a very responsible
thing — you can do it responsibly, it’s not irresponsible just inherently. You probably should keep it away from schools, that makes sense, but I would urge you not to take no action on it.” Paso Robles Downtown Main Street Association representative Gina Grieb told the Council that she thinks “revisiting the ordinance is definitely in the favor of the community.” “As far as Main Street, I’d just like to encourage everyone to move forward with public workshops — find out what the CONTINUED ON PAGE A11
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 CONTINUED ON PAGE A11
COMMUNITY
Local March Celebrates MLK Day, Jan. 18 PASO ROBLES — Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Saturday, Jan. 18, as the City of Paso Robles, The Paso Robles Rec Foundation and the Paso Robles Second Baptist Church host their annual MLK Day celebration. The theme for this year’s event is “The Power of One.” The event will begin with the March for Unity. Those interested in joining the march
should gather at the corner of 21st and Gregory Streets (near the Paso Robles Events Center south gate) at 11:30 a.m. for the walk to Flamson Middle School. Free refreshments will be available for march participants. In the event of heavy rain, the march will be called off. The event proper will take place at the Flamson Middle School auditorium beginning at 1 p.m. It will include a dance CONTINUED ON PAGE A11
NEWS
SPORTS
ENTERTAINMENT
ENTERTAINMENT
WEATHER
SLO WOMEN’S MARCH Fourth Annual Event Returns Jan. 18 | A2
‘CATS GET FIRST LEAGUE WIN: Penalty Scores Lead to Overtime 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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Bankers Paul Tognazzini and Ann Hansen, with Borjon Auto Center owner, Mark Borjon
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