Hometown News Since 1889
Good News Real News Making Communities Better Through Print. VOL. CXXX, NO. XXIX
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2020
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North County Year in Review
A Look Back at the Biggest Local News Stories of 2019 TOP 10 STORIES OF 2019
As selected by the Editorial Board of the Paso Robles Press
2019’s First Baby Born New Year’s Day
First reported in the Jan. 4 edition of the Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press: James Fazio of Atascadero and his wife, Katherine welcomed their third baby, Micah James who was born on a special day — News Year’s Day. “We are delighted to introduce our first newborn of 2019 here at Twin Cities Community Hospital. Katherine and James welcomed their baby boy at 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2019, and are happy to share this memorable moment with the community,” said Krista Deans, spokesperson for Twin Cities Community Hospital. When asked how it felt to have a New Years baby, James Fazio said, “It was awesome.”
Atascadero Disolves Parks & Rec Board
Happy New Year from the team at the Atascadero News, Paso Robles Press, Paso Robles Magazine and Colony Magazine. From left are Cami Martin, Luke Phillips, Jen Rodman, Nicholas Mattson, Brian Williams, Hayley Mattson, Jamie Self, Connor Allen, Dana McGraw, Mark Diaz, and Carmen Kessler. We all wish you the best in 2020, and thank you for your support in producing your local news. Photo by Rick Evans
Paso Regulates Short-term Rentals
First reported in the Jan. 11 edition of the Atascadero News: At their first regular meeting of the year, Jan. 8, the Atascadero City Council voted to accept a management report with a draft ordinance to abolish their Parks and Recreation Commission.
Work Begins on La Plaza Project First reported in the Jan. 8 edition of the Atascadero News: After two years on the drawing board, work started on the mixed-use commercial project in Downtown Atascadero known as La Plaza. While most locals greeted the signs of progress on the site positively, Zoe Zappas, a project manager with the Zappas family development firm Z Villages, said there was a tinge of sadness for some locals as the old Jack in the Box building was torn down. “It was vacant for a long time, but people still had a lot of memories tied up in the building,” she said, noting that people had been coming to the fenceline at the edge of the property asking for bricks and other mementos.
Masia named Roblan of the Year First reported in the Jan. 18 edition of the Paso Robles Press: The Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce announced Matt Masia as 2018 Roblan of the Year and Cava Robles RV Resort as the 2018 Beautification of the Year recipients. Both were honored at the Chamber’s Annual Gala being held Jan. 26 at the Paso Robles Inn Ballroom. pasoroblespress.com
Tamale Festival Draws Thousands First reported in the Jan. 25 edition of the Atascadero News: The City hosted its 4th Annual Tamale Festival Jan. 19 without a hitch. There were 32 tamale sellers and 80 total vendors. Unofficial attendance was estimated at 15,000 to 17,000 people, although sales records from tamale vendors may refine that number, Deputy City Manager Terrie Banish said.
PRWCA Tabs Peterson as Leader First reported in the Jan. 25 edition of the Paso Robles Press: Joel Peterson was named the new executive director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, bringing nearly 15 years of marketing experience in the beverage industry to the nonprofit, member-based association dedicated to the promotion of the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area. Peterson replaced Jennifer Porter, who stepped down at the end of 2018.
First reported in the Feb. 8 edition of the Paso Robles Press: The Paso Robles City Council took what they characterized as a “good first step” in regulating short-term rentals. None of the four councilmembers were completely satisfied with the urgency ordinance they passed, 4-0, but realized something needed to be done and expect to make changes later in the year. Councilman Steven Gregory recused himself from the agenda item due to a conflict of interest as he owns and operates vacation rentals in the city. The matter took up two hours of the entire council meeting.
Arnold Announces 2020 Campaign First reported in the Feb. 8 edition of the Atascadero News: San Luis Obispo District 5 County Supervisor Debbie Arnold announced her campaign to retain her second district seat in 2020. “I feel like I’m becoming an old hand at running these [campaigns],” she said, but added that it does take significant additional time and energy while still holding the office, “the first ballot is in just over a year and we do tend to give people a break, wind it down, around Thanksgiving and Christmas. That’s only two months to get the word out again next year.” County Libraries Drop Late Fees First reported in the Feb. 8 edition of the Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press: As of Feb. 1 no new late fees will be racking up on li-
1. Paid Parking Begins in Paso Robles 2. PRJUSD Lays Out Plan to Cut $2.1M 3. Local Homeless Numbers Increase 32 Percent 4. Paso Council Settles on STR Regulations 5. Mattsons Buy Local Newspapers 6. Joy Playground Opens 7. Donn Clickard is First-Ever Member of CSBA Hall of Fame 8. Red Panda Exhibit Opens 9. Greybots Win World Championships 10. PRWCA Tabs Peterson as New Leader brary materials due back at Atascadero and other branches of the San Luis Obispo County Library system. They’ll still charge a lost item fee after a reasonable waiting period, said Regional Librarian for the North County Jackie Kinsey, but the change comes after a period of discussion on how best to serve the community, and with the understanding that fines have never been a significant revenue source for the system. “The goal has always been to not have barriers to people’s access to library services,” she said. “Often in the past, we’ve worked with people to clear their accounts so they could come back to us.”
PRHS Principal Announces Resignation First reported in the Feb. 8 edition of the Paso Robles Press: Paso Robles High School Principal Eric Martinez announced that he would be leaving the district at the end of the school year, saying that due to personal reasons he will be moving closer to his family network.
PRJUSD Lays Out Plan to Cut $2.1M First reported in the Feb. 15 edition of the Paso Robles Press: The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District laid out its plan to cut $2.1 million from the 2019-20 budget. “This is just the first step on our road to recovery,” Chief Business Officer Brad Pawlowski said. “The list that is presented, we have focused on areas that have minimal impact to the classrooms. We continue to stay focused on protecting the core academic programs.” CONTINUED ON PAGE A4
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CAPSLO Receives Over 1,100 Gifts for Head Start Students | A8
POLAR BEAR DIP: Local Legend Lives on Through Annual Event | A9
ATHLETES OF THE DECADE: The Very Best From the Past 10 Years | B1
HOLIDAY CLASSIC: AG Boys Take Top Spot at Local Tournament | B8
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