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SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XXXVI
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
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WE REMEMBER
North County Honors the Lives Lost on September 11
GOVERNMENT
San Luis Obispo County Set to Leave IWMA by November 15 Supervisors approve two grandfathered lots to proceed with building in Cambria
City of Atascadero honored the 20th Anniversary of Sept. 11 on Patriots Day with a special and patriotic evening that included Warbirds Freedom Flight flyover and patriotic music. Contributed Photos
Estrella Warbirds’ freedom flight flyover in memory of the day’s tragic events
lost twenty years ago on Sept. 11, 2001. The City of Atascadero honored Patriot’s Day by commemorating the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11 with a special and patriotic evening in which the community gathered in By HAYLEY MATTSON front of the City Hall at Sunken Gardens to hayley@atascaderonews.com honor the thousands of lives lost 20 years ago. NORTH COUNTY — On Saturday, the Estrella Warbirds’ freedom flight flew over community came together to honor the lives the City Hall in the “missing man” formation
CITY
Council Discusses Groundwater Sustainability for Atascadero Council contemplates development of new retail and dining at Sunken Gardens By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — Atascadero City Council met on Tuesday, Sept. 14, for their regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m., following a closed session with nothing to report. Regular session was called to order at 6:02 p.m., and the agenda was approved 5-0. Peter Williamson SLOCOG made a short presentation inviting the public to take the “confidence quiz” on the rideshare website and win prizes like a $250 sweepstakes, a $750 pizza oven, or a zipline adventure. Learn more at rideshare.org/ confidence Williamson also announced that Oct. 6 is “International Walk to School Day.” For questions about rideshares, contact info@rideshare. org. The Consent Calendar was approved 5-0, and City Manager Rachelle Rickard presented updates. Rickard highlighted this past Saturday’s Patriot’s Day CommemCONTINUED ON PAGE A15
BUSINESS
in memory of the day’s tragic events that took over 3000 lives. According to the City, the aircraft were three vintage military planes that are part of the Estrella Warbirds Freedom Flight team. They came from the west at a speed of 90 mph in a three-ship “V” formation, with US Army veteran pilot Bob Kelly, leading out in front of the “V.” The left-wing of the
formation was piloted by the United States Marine Corps veteran Wayne Rice; the rightwing was piloted by former Atascadero Police Chief and US Army Vietnam Huey Gunner and crew chief veteran John Couch; co-piloted by Atascadero resident and US Air Force Vietnam Veteran, George Marrett. CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
EVENT
Creston Classic Rodeo Celebrates 25 Years September 16-19 Grand Entry will pay tribute to the 13 fallen soldiers in Afghanistan By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
CRESTON — It has been a summer of rodeos, but it wouldn’t be complete without our very own Creston Classic Rodeo, which celebrates 25 years, Sept. 16 through 19. Since the 1990s, the Creston Classic Rodeo (CCR) has embodied the hometown rodeo spirit. The first CCR was held on Sept. 14 and 15 in 1996 as a fundraiser for a community center. Creston is a community known for its resiliency and can-do attitude. They have come together to build their church, school, jail, and firehouse. They maintain their own roads and are always willing to lend a hand to neighbors when they need it. The first Saturday on the first-ever CCR held a barn dance at the Loading Chute with music from Monte Mills and the Lucky Horseshoe Band. That Sunday, folks gathered for Cowboy Church led by Pastor Scott Bond. Rohrer Hay and Feed was one of CCR’s first sponsors and still supports the rodeo today. Of course, some lessons were learned from that first rodeo. They could have used some more water on the arena, but none the less it was a great event that immediately became a community tradition. Terrie Estrada, a committee member, said, “It’s a real family-oriented rodeo.” If you’ve ever been to a rodeo, then you know it is a place where patriotism is embraced
REMEMBRANCE
Since the 1990s the Creston Classic Rodeo has embodied the hometown rodeo spirit. Contributed Photo
and where the American flag shines. So it goes to say patriotism and rodeos go together like peanut butter and jelly. “We are extremely patriotic--you’ll never see a knee bend at a rodeo. Not this one, not ever,” said Estrada. The CCR always shares their love for their country, but they will take an extra step to honor the 13 fallen soldiers in Afghanistan this year. Thirteen flags will ride in for the rodeo’s grand entry, followed by singing the National Anthem and prayer. As we look back on 25 years of the CCR, we also celebrate all the accomplishments it has made in the community. The rodeo has raised funds for CATCH, which has renovated the old Station 43 Fire House into a community center.
SMART CASE UPDATE
The CCR has embodied the spirit of Creston and put it into a sport that has stood the test of time, keeps traditions of the west alive, and never forgets. Tickets are $5 each and sold at the gate. In addition, there will be apparel, food, and beverages for sale. For more information on the CCR, visit crestonclassicrodeo.org
2021 Rodeo Schedule
• Thursday 9/16 - Jackpot Team Roping/ sign up at 5:00 p.m., Rope at 6:00 p.m. • Friday 9/17 - Jackpot Barrel Race/time only at 4:00 p.m. and Race at 7:00 p.m. • Saturday 9/18 - Grand Entry at 4:00 p.m. • Sunday 9/19 - Grand Entry at 12:00 p.m.
By MELISSA GUERRA melissa@atascaderonews.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO — San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, Sept. 14, for a regularly scheduled meeting at 9 a.m. The meeting opened with public comment on the consent agenda, which focused mainly on the unhoused community in Los Osos and the initiatives to move them to the area set up on Kansas Avenue. The consent agenda was approved 5-0, with item 22 being held for further discussion. Item 22 is the Board’s intent to withdraw from the Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA), and Supervisor John Peschong requested that the item be amended so the notification of removal would be submitted on Oct. 15, making Nov. 15 the effective date of withdrawal from the IWMA. The motion passed 3-2, with Supervisors Dawn Ortiz-Legg and Bruce Gibson in opposition. Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health Officer, presented the COVID update. In the month of June, there were 163 cases, July had 698, and August had 3543. This led to the return of the mask mandate when indoors and a strong recommendation to wear masks in outdoor crowded settings as well. Currently, there are 41 people in the hospital, and those in intensive care and on ventilators are at record highs. Deaths have seen an increase as well, with zero deaths between mid-May to mid-July and 33 deaths from Jul. 12 to today, with an additional 20 pending final certificates. If the country were still following the blueprint, it would be in deep purple. Unlike the winter surge, the county is fully open, as well as our hospitals, which inputting a strain on our hospital resources. There are 60 different outbreaks being monitored, and currently, it is still only the Delta variant being seen. Borenstein also reiterated that despite many claims, masks, when worn correctly, are effective in preventing the spread of the disease.
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SPORTS
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WEATHER
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SPECS BY KAYLA Grand opening and ribbon-cutting celebration planned for Sept. 24 | A3
NEWSOM COMMEMORATES 20th Anniversary of 9/11 declaring the day as Patriot Day | A4
FORENSIC EXPERT TESTIFIES Soil Samples Test Positive for Human Blood | A5
NORTH COUNTY GIRL’S Varsity take first at Morro Bay Invite through Morro Strand State Beach | A13
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