GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XXIV
THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021
EDUCATION
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
CALIFORNIA MID-STATE FAIR
A New CMSF Queen is Crowned
School Board Addresses Mask Mandates Parents voice overwhelming support in-person to “set kids free” By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) held a special School Board of Trustees Meeting on Thursday, Jul. 22, at 11 a.m. The purpose of the meeting was to share information regarding the current restrictions which will be placed on children who plan on returning to in-person schooling next month. Public comment was also heard in the form of in-person audience members and letters sent in from parents. Open session began with the pledge of allegiance and a moment of silence. Next, board President George Shoemaker announced that there was nothing to report from closed session. He then explained the purpose of the meeting, which was to present an informational item and allow oral communication from the public. The board voted in favor to move for oral communications 7-0. Superintendent Tom Butler then gave his report in which he praised the summer school program, provided an update on the “good progress” being made on both the removal of the B building and on the tennis courts. The Trustees approved the minutes from the meeting on Jun. 29 in a 7-0 vote and then moved on to administrative business regarding the revision of the AUSD plan for the reopening of schools in response to COVID-19. Superintendent Butler reiterated that today’s meeting was meant to be informational only and that at some point prior to the start of school, at a future board meeting, “the board will need to consider voting and approving a plan just like the one that’s here today.” “One of the elements that I’ve been sharing,” Butler said, “is that the trustees...and our staff—we’re the educational agency for this district, and our backgrounds are in education. Clearly, we’re not the public health office. I want to make sure that there’s some clarity there... and so that agency in the state of California that’s responsible for the health of the citizens in our state is the California Department of Public Health, and then they will branch down into the county departments of public health. That’s where you hear the mandates on the mask come from.” CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
AWARDS
Contenders anxiously await the final results of the Miss CMSF Pageant, from left to right: Hailey Frederick, Dana Rasmussen, Yvette Fiorentino, Gillian Umphenour, Shelby Degnan, Elizabeth Umphenour. Photo by Patrick Patton
Historic “COVID Court” reign comes to an end By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — Eight young women contended in the California Mid-State Fair (CMSF) Pageant on Wednesday, Jul. 21. After showcasing her unique talent of speed-painting, modeling a glittering emerald evening dress, and answering a final ques-
tion, 21-year-old Yvette Fiorentino of Arroyo Grande was officially crowned as the 2021 CMSF Queen. “I’m overly thrilled and excited!” said Fiorentino. “I actually had to stop myself from crying on stage. It’s been a long time in the making—four years working at this—and I am just so thrilled, and I honestly feel like I couldn’t have followed up a better Queen. Mikaila Ciampi was amazing, and I just hope I can live up to what she did for this pageant and the Mid-State Fair.”
Fiorentino is attending Cuesta College, and her hobbies and interests include painting and horseback riding. She’s involved with the Woods Humane Society, a board member of the Portuguese Holy Spirit Society, a regular contributor to Vitalant, and a support assistant for RISE. Her awards and achievements include becoming 2019 Miss Congeniality, creating blankets for PAWS, and becoming a Veterinary Judge for FFA. Five words that describe her are outgoing, hard-working, compassionate, adventurous,
LADY IN PURPLE
Local singer/songwriter Callie Twisselman (center) opened for country rock stars Big & Rich at the California Mid-State Fair. Photos by Patrick Patton
Big & Rich: For the Love of Country
By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — If you have ever shown an animal at the California Mid-State Fair (CMSF) or walked through the livestock barns, you certainly encountered a lady in purple, JoAnn Switzer. As the Fair marks its 75th anniversary with the community, it also celebrates 75 years with JoAnn Switzer. Since 1946, Switzer has been involved with the Fair in one way or another. Switzer said, “It was a start, and it’s been nothing but go forward and bigger and better.” This year, Switzer decided it was time for her to take a step back and let the next generation take over the Fair. “I’m going to be 85 in September, and I don’t want to be one of those people who needs to get out of the way. So let the next generation do it,” laughs Switzer. Her history with the Fair began when Switzer was just ten years old. She joined the Pozo 4H Club and brought a lamb to show at the first CMSF—and it was that same year that Switzer became the Fair’s first Grand Champion for lambs. Then, the following six years, she won the 4H Grand Champion Steer. Switzer recalls walking her winning steers in the Parade of Champions that would happen in the Grandstand before the rodeo would start. The Fair has changed in many ways
GOVERNMENT
CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
PERFORMANCE
JoAnn Switzer Retires From Mid-State Fair After 17 Years Switzer has participated in every Mid-State Fair since 1946
and sassy. First Runner Up was awarded to 18-yearold Cassidie Banish of San Miguel. “I’ve made my dream come true,” said Banish. “Being able to be a face of the Fair is something that is so exciting to me, and it’s just an amazing opportunity to have this spot for a year.” Second Runner Up was awarded to 23-year-old Megan Moffat of Paso Robles,
Unbridled Country Rock and Patriotism at the CMSF
JoAnnn Switzer (center in purple) cuts the welcome ribbon as the traditional start of the 75th Annual California Mid-State Fair. Photo by Brittany App
throughout its 75 (76 if you count 2020) years. When the Fair started, it was right after World War II. Switzer says supplies were low and white pants were nowhere to be seen, so show kids wore jeans and white t-shirts. Most kids will start showing animals in 4H and move into FFA once they reach high school. However, before 1969, girls weren’t allowed in FFA—something Switzer laughs about when she thinks back to her 4H days. In the early days, the Fair took place in September and focused on “country stuff,” as Switzer would say. Switzer laughs and says, “The Fair has come a long way from the horse race days and the fistfights on horseback.” People used to come to the Fair for the hometown competitions like nail driving, CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
COVID-19 UPDATE
with a heartfelt set, including songs from her new debut EP entitled Closure. The local singer, songwriter, and musician grew up on a seventh-generation grain and cattle ranch outside of Shandon and lists counBy PATRICK PATTON try legends Dolly Parton and George Strait patrick@atascaderonews.com among her influences. PASO ROBLES — American country “It felt like a dream opening for Big music duo Big & Rich performed on the & Rich,” Twisselman said after the show. Chumash Grandstand Arena at the Califor- “They are such nice guys, and they put on an nia Mid-State Fair on Friday, Jul. 24. amazing show. It felt amazing to play a live Local Artist Callie Twisselman opened for Big & Rich and pumped up the crowd CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
RODEO
California Mid-State Fair Country Rodeo Finalists Announced By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — Entries were up this year for the California Mid-State Fair Country Rodeo. The Fair saw over 140 entries. On Saturday, Jul. 24, the Country Rodeo Finals announced the All-Around Cowboy as Joe Roth. Roth said he got back into roping competitively because of his son Liam. Roth explained that he had won events
SOCIETY
before but, “Those things mean a lot more when you do it with somebody like Liam or Lane [Karney].” The All-Around Cowboy was Will Centoni, and the All-Around Cowgirls were Josie Pereira and Emerson Pereira for the match roping, match calf branding, reverse steer stopping, and cut n rope events. Dugan Kelly won the Timed Event Cowboy. CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
atascaderonews.com twitter.com/ @AtascaderoNews facebook.com/ @AtascaderoNews
CENTRAL COAST OLIVE OIL SENATOR LAIRD VISITS 20 California counties competed in the City of Atascadero who expresses International competition | A3 appreciation for SB 438 | A4
GOVERNOR NEWSOM Announces State Employee Mandates for Vaccines | A5
WORLD DAY AGAINST Human Trafficking Nationally observed on July 30 | A13
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
SATURDAYS IN THE PARK BANDSTAND
5
67808 24135
7
COMING UP: July 31st
Dulcie Taylor (Roots Rock)
August 7 th
The Jump Jax (Jump, Swing, Soul, R&B)
ATASCADERO LAKE PARK SATURDAYS 6:30-8:30 PRESENTING SPONSORS:
High 92° | Low 60°
GRIGGER & ALICE JONES
For full schedule:
VisitAtascadero.com