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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. X
THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021
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ART & FILM
EDUCATION
Brittany App Debuts Her First Film:
‘Where There Once Was Water’ Board of Trustees Receive Updates on AHS, ACE, and Paloma Creek High School campus B-Building scheduled to be demolished By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com
shine through the Chicken Run event that carries their namesake, and although the participants were not allowed to gather all together for a day full of miles and smiles,
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero School Board of Trustees came together on Tuesday to review the AUSD Citizens’ Bond Oversight annual report, approve architectural services to bring down the B-Building, and to get an update on AHS, Paloma Creek and Ace Academy. Atascadero High School Principal Dan Andrus and Paloma Creek High School Principal Chris Baloh opened the meeting to talk about their school sites as part of rotational informational meetings for the Trustees that began earlier this year. “The big news at Atascadero High School is that students are back,” Andrus said. “566 students returned last week, which is about half of our students, and they are here in-person for about half of the day.” Andrus updated the Trustees on what has returned in-person, including instruction and events and clubs such as the athletics, the Greybots, FFA, Model UN and Mock Rock. He provided updates on the facilities, graduation rate (which was at 98.1 percent in the 2019-2020 school year), and the many career pathways offered at the high school. After answering a few questions from the Trustees, Andrus also
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Local photographer Brittany App debuted her first film, “Where There Once Was Water,” at this years San Luis Obispo Virtual Film Festival on Mar. 14. App directed and produced the film, which took five years to complete. READ FULL STORY ON PAGE A13
FUNDRAISER
COMPETITION
3rd Annual Virtual Chicken Run a Success Amid the Pandemic
Run 4 Bitti and Brynn Foundation offers scholarships for high school track and cross country athletes Atascadero High School Freshman Carly Dabbs . Contributed photo
Atascadero’s Carly Dabbs Takes First In SLO Sectional Speaking Competition By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com ATASCADERO — The SLO Sectional FFA Creed Competition was held on Wednesday, Feb. 24, via Zoom due to the COVID-19 pandemic and won by Atascadero High School freshman Carly Dabbs. Dabbs will be joined at the Regional competition in April by fellow Greyhound Kensington Witt, who placed fifth overall, and Mackenzy Tucker, who placed eighth out of around 40 competitors. In the competition, which is only for freshmen in high school, students must memorize and recite the five-paragraph FFA Creed to a panel of judges and answer three random questions about agriculture and all things FFA. The students are given four minutes, and the CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
SPORTS
By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com
T
he Annual Brynn and Brittni Frace Memorial Running Chicken Fun Run Fundraiser was a success in its third year even though it was forced to operate virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual race has historically been held through the hills of Santa Margarita Lake, where the participants celebrate the spirit and love of running that Brynn and “Bitti” shared during their lives. This year from Jan. 3 through the 31st,
The Running Chicken 2021 set up a finish line for runners to pose at after completing their own course. Contributed photo
runners could share that same spirit from the location of their choosing. Brynn and Brittni were more than running enthusiasts — they were life enthusiasts. The light they carried with them wherever they went continues to
GOVERNMENT
Supervisors Vote on Groundwater Management Staffing Needs The Board of Supervisors addresses housing needs and water issues facing the county
The consent agenda was passed unanimously, 5-0, before the Board went on to the other items, starting with the COVID-19 update from County Health Advisor Penny Borenstein. By MELISSA MATTSON Borenstein mentioned the one-year melissa@atascaderonews.com mark for the county from our first case SAN LUIS OBISPO — The County a year ago on Mar. 14. Currently, there Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, are nine people in the hospital, which Mar. 16, for a regularly scheduled meet- is the first time the county has been ing. in single digits since November 2020.
COMMUNITY
COVID-19 UPDATE
Vaccinations have nearly reached 12,000 individuals and have been opened up to more employment sectors, including anyone in childcare, emergency services, food and agriculture, public transit, and residents of congregate care settings. Additionally, any private individuals ages 16-65 who have underlying health conditions can now also sign up for the vaccination. Borenstein recapped the update on
WEEKLY FEATURE
the allowances in the red tier, including live music and youth sports, at 20 percent capacity. Wineries and breweries may now serve outdoor, without serving a meal, but must schedule by reservations and be limited to 90 minutes. Following Borenstein was a presentation by Guy Savage on the America Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which is what CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
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WEATHER
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SPORTS BACK IN FULL SWING with more to come as football, baseball and softball make their return | A3
FAMILY RESOURCES CENTER SLO COUNTY VACCINE of Atascadero expands the services they Task Force expands eligibility as CDPH offer thanks to expansion award | A4 grants graduation planning | A5
BRITTANY APP DEBUTS her first film at the San Luis Obispo Film Festival | A13
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