News Briefs: North San Luis Obispo County

Paso Robles

Updated Downtown Parking Program

Now in Effect

The Paso Robles Police Department would like to remind the public that the updated parking program began on Wednesday, March 1. The City Council approved the current rate structure of 2 free hours per day for everyone, with $2 per hour thereafter.

Everyone must register their license plate to begin a parking session, even to qualify for the free 2 hours. Each parking session begins by using the downtown pay stations, the Flowbird mobile application, or pay by text by sending “ParkPASO” to 727563.

Senior parking permit applications are available and accepted at the Paso Robles Police Department, City Library, Senior Center, and online at prcity.com/parking.

Parking Ambassadors will be downtown each day to answer questions on the new changes, provide education, and encourage compliance. Additional tutorials and how-to videos are being created and will be published as soon as they are available.

Incoming Storms and Flood Safety

Rainfall amounts from the anticipated “atmospheric river” events in March 2023 could be significant, which may potentially cause local flooding. City Staff has taken preemptive measures to mitigate and/or reduce the flooding potential where possible (i.e., drain cleaning, etc.) The City continues to clean the storm drains and drainage pipes throughout the year to minimize the potential for flooding.

Should you wish to make sandbags to protect private property, the City has sand available at the City Streets Yard located at 1220 Paso Robles Street

Please make sure to bring a shovel and bags.

Empty sandbags are available for purchase at the following locations:

• Burt Industrial Supply 2125 Golden Hill Road 1-805-2372471

Lowe’s 2445 Golden Hill Road 1-805-602-9051

Blake’s Hardware 1701 Riverside Avenue 1-805-238-3934

Farm Supply 2450 Ramada Drive 1-805-238-1177

For guidance on disaster preparedness (i.e., Flood Safety Checklist), please visit the City of Paso Robles Emergency Services website prcity. com/432/Disaster-Preparation

Important Emergency Contact

Information:

• Emergencies Paso Robles Police Department 911 or 805-2376464

Electrical/Power PG&E 1-800743-5002

Storm/Street/Drainage

Questions Department of Public Works 1-805-237-3861

• Stormwater Hotline 1-805-2277240 or stormwater@prcity.com

Firefighters remind the community to check smoke alarms this weekend Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services are reminding people to check their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors during the upcoming Daylight Saving Time change. Residents will set their clocks ahead by one hour on Saturday before the official change at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 12.

“It’s been a long-standing practice in fire prevention for these two tasks to go together. Check your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector when you change your clocks,” said Fire Captain John Prickett. “These days, as many clocks spring forward automatically, it is especially important for this reminder to reach every household.”

“Smoke alarms save lives,” said Prickett.

Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. More than one-third of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present. The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

If you know or suspect your smoke alarms are older than 10 years, firefighters suggest upgrading to a 10-year, sealed battery alarm. They don’t require any battery replacement throughout their lifetime. However, you are still urged to press the test button on the alarms at least once every month.

Please visit the Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services website at prcity.com/198/Fire-and-Emergency-Services for information about the department and fire safety, or call (805) 227-7560.

Atascadero

Police Investigating Armed Robbery; Still Searching for Suspect

The Atascadero Police Investigations Unit is conducting a follow-up investigation on an armed robbery that occurred Tuesday morning.

Around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, officers responded to

Wendy’s, located in the 8600 block of Curbaril Avenue, regarding a female victim who reported being robbed. The victim had arrived to work at Wendy’s and was approached by a male as she waited to go into the business. The male showed a handgun, held her at gunpoint, and stole her purse.

The suspect fled on foot north from the location. The victim was uninjured during the incident. The male is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 30 years old, with black hair, wearing a grey jacket.

The Atascadero Police Investigations Unit is conducting follow up investigation to this incident. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Atascadero Police Department at (805) 461-5051.

Woods Humane Society Partners with Petco Love for Free Clinic on March 18

In celebration of National Pet Vaccination Month in March, Woods Humane Society will provide free vaccinations for San Luis Obispo County pets on March 18. The free vaccines are made possible through Petco Love’s national vaccination initiative, which is providing another 1 million free pet vaccines to existing animal welfare partners, including Woods Humane Society, for family pets in need.

Parvovirus and distemper in dogs and panleukopenia in cats — the most prevalent deadly diseases affecting pets — are preventable with the simple DAPPv Canine and HCP Feline vaccines that will be offered for free at the clinic. Woods is partnering with Petco Love to make vaccines accessible and affordable for the estimated 30 percent of pet parents who do not take their pet to a veterinarian annually for preventative care.

The appointment-based Pet Vaccine Clinic for publicly owned pets will be held at Woods Humane Society’s North County campus at 2300 Ramona Road in Atascadero on Saturday, March 18, from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. In addition to the Petco Love free DAPPv Canine and HCP Feline vaccines, Woods will also offer other vaccines and services at low cost.

“We are thrilled to again be able to offer the community a free pet vaccine clinic during March’s National Pet Vaccination Month thanks to the ongoing support of Petco Love,” says Woods Interim CEO Emily L’Heureux. “These lifesaving vaccines are crucial to ensuring the health of local pets. We encour- age SLO County pet owners to take advantage of this no-cost resource and make an appointment before openings fill up.”

“It is heartbreaking when any pet suffers or dies from a disease that could have been prevented. It is further exacerbated when unvaccinated pets come into busy shelter kennels, where these deadly diseases can spread quickly, resulting in multiple deaths, skyrocketing expenses, and hindering saving pet lives,” said Petco Love President Susanne Kogut. “By creating greater awareness and making this crucial preventative care more accessible to pets not currently receiving these lifesaving vaccines, we can prevent the dangerous spread of disease.”

For more information about vaccine distribution, contact Woods Humane Society by calling (805) 543-9316, or visiting 875 Oklahoma Ave., San Luis Obispo, or 2300 Ramona Rd., Atascadero. Woods is open to the public daily from 12-5 p.m., with adoption hours from 12-4 p.m. Learn more about Petco Love’s lifesaving impact at PetcoLove.org.

City of Atascadero Preparation Tips for Upcoming Storm

The National Weather Service is forecasting that San Luis Obispo County is on track for a series of storm events on the Central Coast. The first storm is forecasted to arrive on Thursday and last through Saturday, with the heaviest rainfall expected on Friday.

The County of San Luis Obispo County Office of Emergency Services has announced that the storm will bring the potential for localized flooding, winds, power outages and strong surf conditions. During the storm, residents and visitors should avoid rivers, streams and low-lying areas as a rapid rise in water levels may occur. Pay attention to weather forecasts, emergency alerts and instructions from local officials and avoid non-essential during the storm.

The City of Atascadero is advising residents to take extra care while driving, and to watch for flooded streets, as well as for possible downed limbs and trees. Creeks are already full, so the likelihood for flooding has increased since the last storm.

Flooding and downed limbs or trees in the streets may be reported by calling the City’s Public Works Department during regular weekday business hours at 805-470-3148; or Police Dispatch at 805-461-5051 outside regular business hours. Residents should always call 911 if the

CITY SENTENCED

City Mayor Takes Step Back from Duties in Light of Serious Health Concern

During any absences, Mayor Pro-tempore John Hamon will act in Martin’s place situation is an emergency, such as a blocked road or downed power line. Be ready for possible storm related power outages by checking flashlight batteries and making sure to have plenty of non-perishable food and water on hand.

If a property owner has a culvert, drain pipe, drain inlet, etc. on their property, please clear and dispose any material (leaves, sand and other debris) that would impede the flow of storm water. This includes drainage facilities underneath private driveways. While removing the material, avoid blowing or moving the material into the street. This material can block the storm drain system and increases the risk of localized flooding. By removing the material prior to the rainstorm, property, owners help improve safety on our roadways.

To help alleviate possible residential flooding situations, empty sandbags may be purchased at local hardware stores such as Home Depot and Miner’s; sand to fill your own sandbags is available at both Fire Station #1, located on the corner of Lewis Avenue and Traffic Way, and the Public Works Yard located at 8005 Gabarda Road. Please be sure to bring a shovel.

If you must travel in the wet weather, the Atascadero Police Department advises extra caution. Remember that roadways may be extra slick with any rainfall and the physics of hydroplaning happens regardless how new your vehicle or tires may be.

If your vehicle feels light and starts to hydroplane, ease off the accelerator, slow down gradually and maintain steering control without making any sudden turning movements. Inevitably, your visibility and reaction times will be reduced because of water on the windscreen, reflections off the roadway, and low light conditions. Be sure to turn on your headlights, slow down, increase your stopping distance and leave twice as much space as normally required between you and the car ahead.

The rain may impact roads and road closures. To access that information, residents can check on their zone to find closures and other information at atascadero.org/fire or aware-. zonehaven.com. Also, check the City’s Facebook Pages: @AtascaderoCity, @ AtascaderoPolice @AtascaderoFire for updated information. For more storm preparation information and locations to obtain sand and sandbags, visit ReadySLO.org.

Man Sentenced to Serve Over 400 Years in Prison

Ramirezgutierrez is sentenced for 19 counts of sexual abuse of two children and one adult on their lives. After listening to the victims’ comments and the statements made by the defense lawyer and prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Kristin Barnard, Judge van Rooyen sentenced Ramirezgutierrez to serve 435 years to life in state prison. abuse of children is reprehensible and will not be tolerated in our community.”

The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, District Attorney’s Child Abuse Interview Team, and Brentwood Police Department in Contra Costa County. The case was prosecuted by Barnard, who is assigned to the District Attorney’s Sexual Violence Unit. STAFF

PASO ROBLES — Due to a serious health concern, Paso Robles City Mayor Steve Martin will be temporarily taking a step back from his duties with the city to focus his attention on his health, family, and treatment.

On Thursday morning, March 2, the City of Paso Robles released an update on Martin to address rumors surrounding his absences from two recent City Council meetinvgs — Dec. 20, 2022, and Jan. 31, 2023.

Martin is currently receiving treatment for a serious health concern. Therefore, he has been forced to temporarily divert his time and attention away from community matters while he focuses his attention on his health, treatment, recovery and family.

While the press release says his medical prognosis is favorable, and he remains hopeful that he will only be away from his city duties through early spring. City Council and staff are supporting the mayor as he addresses his private medical concerns.

The council asks the community for compassion, dignity, and respect for Martin’s privacy while he is away.

During any absences, Mayor Pro-tempore John Hamon will act in Martin’s place.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

— District Attorney Dan Dow announced on Wednesday, March 1, that a San Luis Obispo County judge sentenced 36-yearold Daniel Ramirezgutierrez to 435 years to life in state prison for 19 counts of sexual abuse of two children and one adult. The crimes occurred in both San Luis Obispo and Contra Costa counties.

At the sentencing hearing, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Craig B. van Rooyen heard directly from the crime victims via video conference about the severe impact of the sexual abuse crimes

California sentencing law provides lengthy prison terms and life in prison for certain sex crimes committed against children. Life sentences such as this provide some protection for young children by way of deterring predators from committing these devastating crimes, punishment for the sex offender, and protection for the community at large from these predators.

“In San Luis Obispo County, we vigorously prosecute child predators and fully enforce California law to protect children - our most vulnerable citizens,” said Dow. “While this long sentence will not undo the harm done to these young people, it does send an unmistakable message that sexual

Burton Atwood Stokes, Sr., age 103 and just four weeks shy of 104, peacefully passed away at his home on February 5th, 2023, surrounded by his family. Burt is survived by his daughters Helen, Lusana, and Elaina, as well as 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Burt grew up in Grants Pass, OR, where he completed high