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WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020
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CLASS OF 2020
REMEMBERING KRISTIN
Local Residents Adopt Graduating Seniors
The Class of 2020 feels the love of a community through the ‘Adopt A Senior’ initiative By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@pasoroblespress.com
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nesses. Assuming we will be able to have a Pioneer Day celebration in downtown Paso, the day will be a great way to celebrate Paso Robles and support its local businesses. As our state opened stage two of reopening, police departments in every city have been handling reopening phases differently. Some are more aggressive than others. How is Paso Robles Police Department going to handle the reopening of businesses and our community altogether? Police Chief, Ty Lewis, “Today, in Paso Robles no criminal enforcement action has been taken to enforce these executive orders,” instead the police department has been taking an educational approach to helping guide busiCONTINUED ON PAGE A14
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PRHS Senior Alayna Henry (left) and adopter Sandra Stratman. Contributed photo Facebook Group “Adopt a High School Senior 2020 San Luis Obispo County.” With a “Friends” like theme for a logo and the saying “Seniors 2020, The One Where They Were Quarantined,” the group began to receive some attention. First, from friends and family and then it started to spread like wildfire. When Orosco started the group, she had no idea how many
people would jump on board and get involved. “We have retired teachers, local business, and community members adopting our seniors from all areas of the county,” she said. “It is a way we can all share our love and support. Some of these kids may be the first in their families to graduate, or go off to college, walking in your cap and gown is a big deal, and that is
why I knew I had to do something.” Orosco does not have a senior in high school, but she and her husband are very involved in the local school district by helping with non-profit organizations and PTA’s. She herself has adopted ten different seniors and will continue to do more. “The most important part of all of this is to let these kids know that
ESSENTIAL HEROES
Paso Robles Safe & Lock Find Keys to Success By NICHOLAS MATTSON nic@pasoroblespress.com PASO ROBLES — Paso Robles gained new family members in 2002, when Rick and Kathy Horlings picked up from Southern California to purchase Paso Robles Safe and Lock and transplant in North SLO County. “I was looking for a change in my career,” Rick said. “I was in the movie industry for 24 years, and at the end of my career I was traveling to states and countries selling archiving supplies, and wanted a change.” Rick and Kathy both had an entrepreneurial spirit, handed down to them by their parents. “Kathy and I grew up with parents who were always self employed,” Rick said. “As I was growing up, I worked with several contractors, and one of those was a locksmith when I was in my teens.” Rick’s history with locksmithing was a quarter-century in the past by the time he purchased CONTINUED ON PAGE A14
LOCAL NEWS
By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@pasoroblespress.com onday, May 25, Memorial Day, marked the 24 year, that local Cal Poly student Kristin Smart has been missing. Twenty-four years. Smart was 19-years old when she vanished, and despite the new developments, warrants served, and a viral podcast, we are still waiting in suspense to find out what will come of the newly found evidence. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the interest in her disappearance peaked to new heights, and amid the shelter-at home, the case continues to be on everyone’s mind. Monday evening, a “Cruise for Kristin” was formed to honor her memory. They drove through the Arroyo Grande’s Village, down Grand Avenue, through Pismo Beach on Highway 1, and ended at Smart’s memorial in Shell Beach. The group was decorated in purple, Smart’s favorite color, while local musicians played some of Smart’s favorite songs that were requested from Denise Smart, Kristin’s mom. People shared their stories of hope and love while still taking into consideration social distancing. Chris Lambert, the creator and host of the viral podcast “Your Own Backyard,” has not yet released a follow up to his episode 7, The Iceberg, that was published on January 29. However, that one was packed full of new information. Following that podcast, several warrants were served to the various homes of the Flores family. Since then, we are all still waiting to see what the outcome of those will be. In 2017, after 21 years, the Smart family decided to turn this tragedy into something that would honor their beloved daughter’s memory. The Kristin Smart Scholarship was formed to help other young women pursue their dreams in architecture and international relations, which were both passions of Smarts. In addition to those the scholarships, it also focusses on young woman that are interested in perusing a degree in law enforcement and/or forensic science. The Smart family stated on their website that they noticed that women are critically underrepresented in law enforce-
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hroughout the days of COVID, several Facebook groups have formed to offer support. Gathering individuals that are willing to be of service and assisting those in need. As the weeks went on and schools became closed indefinitely, there was a unified sense of loss for our youth that would be graduating High school. This loss ignited a fire within Regina Orosco, a parent and North County community member that lives in Atascadero. Orosco had stumbled upon a Facebook Group that was created in Southern California at her old alma mater. The group featured high school seniors from around the county that were being “adopted” by parents, teachers, community members, and local businesses. Orosco quickly looked up San Luis Obispo County, to see if we had anything like it and realized there was not. She spoke to a few friends, and the response she received was excited and supportive. So she launched the
Memorial Day Marks Kristin Smart Disappearance
SPORTS
Paso Robles Safe & Lock stands on Spring Street for more than 20 years. Contributed photo
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they are supported, and we are all behind them during this time.” As we all continue to walk through this pandemic, Orosco’s number one goal is to provide a space that offers hope and joy. “This is a hard time, there is nothing to look forward to, but in this group, it is all positive, no negative. I look forward CONTINUED ON PAGE A14
PR CITY COUNCIL
City Discusses Reopening and Downtown Parklets By CAMILLE DeVAUL For The Paso Robles Press PASO ROBLES — Tuesday, May 19, the Paso Robles City Council met virtually for another meeting. As our county moves further into stage two, we find ourselves again, navigating some uncharted waters, only this time, into a more positive direction. This year will mark the 90th Annual Pioneer Day, our community’s most significant celebration. Since the first Pioneer Day was held on October 12, 1931, the day was meant to be free for the community to enjoy. While that is still meant to be the case 90 years later, this year, for the first time, the Pioneer Day committee is asking the community to come and shop at local busi-
TODAY’S SENIOR
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GRADUATION CEREMONIES ATHLETES OF THE YEAR COVID UPDATE The latest Discover what and where for Cuesta Athletic nominees for happenings and what it Athlete of the Year | A4 the Class of 2020 | A3 means for you | A10
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Congratulations
to the 2020 graduating class!
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