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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XVIX
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
IN MEMORIAM
EDUCATION
AUSD Addresses Vaccination Rumors City receives grant that will be put towards two years of summer school
San Luis Obispo County gathered together to honor Det. Luca Benedetti with a car procession from Paso Robles through Atascadero to the Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo. Photos by Camille DeVaul (left) and Rick Evans (right)
San Luis Obispo County Mourns the Loss of Fallen Officer
By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com
lost the second game, but it was discovered that there was a scoring error, and the game ended up a one-point victory for the Hounds. Following their opening two league series, the Hounds spent the two weeks sharpening their skills against some of the top
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) and its Board of Trustees met on Tuesday night, May 18, for their regularly scheduled meeting. For the second consecutive week, the AUSD staff and Board Members were joined by a group of parents stating their concerns with their children wearing masks and the apparent rumors swirling about mandatory vaccinations for the 2021-2022 school year. Earlier in the day, AUSD Superintendent Tom Butler released a statement to the parents within the school district addressing the rumors. Butler stated in his statement, “It has been brought to my attention that a rumor is being circulated regarding the COVID-19 vaccine being required for our staff and students upon return to in-person school in the fall. As I have previously stated, there are no plans, now or in the future, to require AUSD employees nor students to be vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus. To address rumors, please feel free to contact the AUSD Superintendent’s Office for the most up-to-date information at (805)462-4217.” Four parents spoke during the public comments section of the meeting and asked that a clear plan in an upcoming meeting for the 2021-2022 school year be provided, including requirements for masks and vaccines. During the Superintendent’s report, Butler addressed the parents stating, “I am proud of the Trustees and our school district staff and all of you. We have come out early with our commitment to full days, full in-person, and full class size next year. We took an early stance on not requiring vaccines. We have come out publicly multiple times, including this meeting, and that goes for our students as well as our employees.” At this time, the San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health still requires for
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Candlelight vigil held in honor of Detective Luca Benedetti
By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
O
n Friday, May 14, a candlelight vigil was held in honor of the late detective Luca Benedetti at the Mission Plaza in San Luis Obispo. The 12 year veteran of law enforcement was killed in the line of duty as a result of a shooting that occurred while officers were
serving a search warrant at an apartment on Camellia Court. Prior to the vigil, caravans from PRotect Paso and Protect SLO drove down Higuera and Osos Street. Vehicles were sporting flags and decorations in support of law enforcement. Supporters also lined the street with blue line flags, cheering the honking vehicles. Afterward, supporters walked to Mission
Plaza to pay their respects during the vigil. Former Chaplain with Atascadero Police Department (ATPD), Rick Comstock, recited a Paul Harvey narration, “Policeman.” Comstock had a chance to go on a ridealong with Benedetti when he was with ATPD. Here are some excerpts from the narration written by Harvey:
“Policeman. A Policeman is a composite of what all men are, mingling of a saint and sinner, dust and deity. What is a policeman made of ? He, of all men, is once the most needed and the most unwanted. He’s a strangely nameless creature who is ‘sir’ to his face and ‘fuzz’ to his back. CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
PREP SPORTS
TOP 30
Greyhounds Boys Basketball Off To Strong Start Special COVID spring season teams play on back-to-back, Thursdays and Fridays By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com
Atascadero High School honors Top 30 Seniors that accomplished excellence this year. Photo by Rick Evans
Atascadero High School Celebrates Top 30 Seniors prepare for graduation after another unprecedented school year By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — With graduation less than a month away, the Atascadero senior class of 2021 can officially see the light at the end of the high school tunnel. Last week, Atascadero High School (AHS) kicked off its 2021 senior high school activities with a Top 30 banquet held in Ewing Gymnasium. The Top 30 is based on a wide range of criteria, and all seniors are welcome and encouraged to apply in order to be considered. The application considers many factors and allows a space for seniors to indicate ways they have served the campus and community and provide some examples of personal growth or achieved goals.
SPORTS
“The Top 30 celebration demonstrates that, even during the limitations and difficulties of COVID, our young adults are accomplishing extraordinary things and demonstrating excellence both in and outside of school,” AHS Principal Dan Andrus told The Atascadero News.
The AHS Top 30 for 2021
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
Chloe Aiello Anna Archibald Aziz Bassil Ajai Daner Kylee Down Liam Dunsmore Noah Dunsmore Lauren Erb Owen Fang Mikenna Hove Jaedyn Imhoff Rory Kien Emma Kim
FUNDRAISER
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GOVERNMENT
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero High School (AHS) Greyhound boys’ basketball team now controls their own destiny in the Ocean League after a big win over Paso Robles on Tuesday night 62-53. The Greyhounds, who are now 7-3 and 6-1 in league, started a bit rocky this season but have now put it together and are the favorites to win the league title. The Greyhounds’ season got off to a slow start as COVID protocol, following a positive test, sidelined most of the varsity roster to start the season in Santa Maria. Despite playing most of their junior varsity team, the Hounds were able to split their first two league games on the schedule. Two weeks later, Atascadero played a pair of games against Pioneer Valley and won them both. The boys won the first game 60-53 at home and thought they
SOCIETY
AHS junior Logan Reyes gets an easy layup against Arroyo Grande. Photo by Connor Allen
WEATHER
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GREYHOUNDS, EAGLES and Bearcats continue to fight their way to victory | A3
ANNUAL VINO FOR VETS Memorial Weekend Fundraiser changes course for 2021 | A4
SLO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS recognizes young leaders with Weyhrich Scholarship | A5
MISINFORMATION and Human Trafficking – how unvetted info can be harmful | A13
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