GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XXXV
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021
EDUCATION
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
RECREATION
Trustees Approve Revised Budget Due to Students Leaving California Assistant Superintendent Rossi presented a four-year plan to incorporate “Ethnic Studies” By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, Sep. 7, at 7 p.m. for their regularly scheduled meeting. Trustee Terrie Switzer recognized several donations to Atascadero school. The Wonderful Company Foundation and Mr. Levi Arzola Nickles donated $1,000 to San Benito Elementary School. Smith Mechanical Electrical Plumbing donated $3,000 to Atascadero High School to be used for basketball equipment. The Chamber of Commerce donated $500 to the Atascadero High School Pool Account, the proceeds of which came from the 2019 Wine Fest. Mr. Charles Taylor donated to the Atascadero Fine Arts Academy, and PG&E matched his contribution for a donation of $280. Oral communications were opened to the public, and one letter was read from an anonymous Atascadero Family requesting that the district encourage administrators to provide as many masks as students need. This was in response to recent communications from Atascadero High School, which, according to the author of this letter, have included requests to use less of the school-provided masks. “It’s frustrating,” the letter read. “In a time where there is a battle raging about mask effectiveness, mandates, and so much more with COVID, are we really that concerned about students who are complying with the mandate using too many masks, especially when there is COVID funding?” Superintendent Tom Butler CONTINUED ON PAGE A13
TRIBUTE
Margarita Adventures offers several out-of-the-box experiences on their historic Santa Margarita Ranch. Contributed photo
Adventures in Wine Country
Non wine-related fun for the entire family
class wine region, with unique wine tasting experiences, a laid-back vibe, and unforgettable personalBy JENNIFER BRAVO ities. With more than 200 tasting of Paso Robles rooms and 40,000 vineyard acres Wine Country Alliance producing more than 40 winegrape varieties, Paso Robles Wine NORTH COUNTY — Paso Country is a very distinct area. Robles is known for being a world- Not only do we have exceptional
wineries, delectable restaurants, and stunning views, we offer so much more. We have a rich history to be explored, outdoor adventure, art, an abundance of remarkable agriculture, and numerous craft beverages that should be sampled.
outdoors! Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo County have countless activities that will keep you coming back for more. Head to Margarita Adventures for several out-of-the-box experiences on their historic Santa Margarita Outdoor Adventure Ranch. Immerse yourself in the great Take part in their Wildlife or
VIGIL
Jodry’s Parents Seeking Justice
Kayak Tours or our fave, Ziplining! Embark on six distinct zip lines that take you over valleys of oaks, mountainsides, and vineyards. Take flight and enjoy Paso from the sky with Balloons Over Paso, or hit the road with Paso Bike Tours. Ride CONTINUED ON PAGE A13
COMMUNITY
Flags Displayed in Honor Fallen Soldiers 13 flags represent the 13 service members killed By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
On Sept. 14, 2019, at around 2 p.m., Knight came to Jodry’s home and told Bill he was looking for Thomas. Bill went to get his son, who forgot he had plans with Knight to look at art in San Luis Obispo (SLO). Knight is a photographer in Atascadero who told Thomas he would help him get his art published. Two weeks prior, Knight purchased a cactus from Thomas, who grew and sold cacti from his home in Atascadero. According to Thomas’s parents, since purchasing the cactus, Knight repeatedly sent text messages to Thomas asking to hang out. Finally, Thomas agreed to go with Knight to SLO to look at art. Bill walked with Thomas to his cactus garden, where Knight proceeded to ask Bill if he was Thomas’s father. Knight then introduced himself.
PASO ROBLES — You may have noticed the 13 American Flags along Veteran’s Memorial Bridge on Niblick Rd. on Thursday, Sept. 2. The flags were put up at sunrise and taken down at sunset in an impromptu effort by a few friends that came up with the idea the night before. The group borrowed some flags from a local non-profit, non-partisan service club and contacted the Army Recruiters in Paso Robles for some help in hanging the flags. “The 13 flags represent the 13 service members killed,” explained David Phillips, “1 Army, 11 Marines, 1 Navy. We put up the flags of those service branches and hung one black ribbon on them for each service member they lost.” The date was significant in that it marked one week since the car bomb in Kabul that killed the
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Thomas Jodry (left), with his parents Mary Jane (center and Bill (right), died on Sept. 14 after a tragic incident that is still in question. Contributed photo
Sept. 14 marks two years since the 21-year-olds death By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — Sept. 14 will mark two years since the tragic death of Atascadero resident Thomas (Tommy) Jodry. To honor his memory and the second anniversary of his death, a vigil will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11, from noon to 6 p.m. Friends and the public are welcome to join Thomas’s parents at the San Luis Obispo Parking structure on the corner of Marsh and Chorro Street, the location of his death. And after two years, Thomas’s parents are still seeking justice and the truth for their son’s death. Thomas was only 21 when he fell to his death from the second floor of a downtown San Luis Obispo parking structure on Sept. 14, 2019, after spending the day with Atascadero resident David Allen Knight (56). Still, the many strange circumstances surround-
KRISTIN SMART CASE
ing Knight and their son on that fatal day in September led Bill and Mary Jane Jodry to keep fighting for answers about that night.
The Night in Question: Sept. 14, 2019
NON-PROFIT
PATRIOT’S DAY
A few friends came together and placed the flags at sunrise and took them down at sunset in an impromptu effort to honor the fallen soldiers. Photo by Patrick Patton
WEATHER
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