The Paso Robles Press • August 19, 2021

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GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.

SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXII, NO. IX

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021

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AGRICULTURE

Farmers and Ranchers Await Water Curtailment Orders Largest Water Cut-Offs in California History Continues By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com

CALIFORNIA — On Aug. 3, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) voted 5-0 to follow through with an emergency curtailment order, eliminating the 2021 surface water supply to agriculture for the majority of the State. The order is now the largest water cut-off in California history, with over 5,700 water rights holders affected with roughly 12,500 water rights from north of Lake Shasta to Fresno. Specifically, the order prohibits water rights holders from diverting surface water for farming or agricultural use. The SWRCB voted to curtail water from

By MELISSA GUERRA melissa@pasoroblespress.com

City Park was filled with booths, tents, and potential employees. From wineries, hotels, and restaurants to technology and manufacturing, over 80 businesses represented a variety of industries and offered positions from entry to executive levels. Now more than ever, employers are interested in investing in future employees, providing training, and looking into alternative working environments such as flexible hours or working from home. Response to the event was overwhelmingly positive, according to a survey sent to all businesses that were in attendance. When asked how many potential job seekers they met during the event, over 80 percent had spoken with anywhere from 9-20+ individuals, and 100 percent had

TEMPLETON — The Templeton Community Service District held a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. for closed session and 7 p.m. for open session, with nothing to report on closed session. Director Debra Logan made a motion to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Director Wayne Petersen, and the motion was passed 5-0. The first item of business was the award of the engineering contract for the Evers Sports Park improvement. This was presented by Melissa Johnson, which explained how the design costs came in above the originally estimated 10 percent. In order to compare proposals, the costs were separated by construction costs, bids, and other items to compare accurately. After review, it was suggested that the MIG proposal be the one accepted. Discussion on the topic addresses the increased costs of construction in general and how those aspects could be responsible for the higher-than-expected bids. Director Geoff English moved approval of staff ’s recommendations approving the contract to MIG, which was approved 5-0. The next item was the update on the wastewater discharge source control and to consider directing staff to bring back an Ordinance modifying the District regulations and penalties for non-compliance. Tina Mayer presented the topic, which addressed the current penalties, which all focused on major violations, and introduced a new penalty process in which minor violations could have systems of recourse. Debra Logan recommended that the Board come back with the appropriate ordinance at a later date. The goal of the program is education and compliance, not to make money off penalties. Customers showing good faith efforts to be compliant within the time frame would not be penalized for being unable to achieve the results within the set time frame. The General Manager, Jeff Briltz, gave his report, which touched on the fire and emergency management committee meeting coming up next Wednesday, which would

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farmers on the basis that there is not enough water flow for endangered fish and preserve water flows for drinking water. Particularly, the agency’s officials said river flows must be maintained to prevent saltwater from the Pacific from contaminating the Delta.

PASO ROBLES — On Aug. 17, the Paso Robles City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting. Paso Robles City Council started the meeting by officially appointing Ty Lewis as the

Official curtailment orders were meant Those along the Russian River in Northern to be sent out and implemented two weeks California are no strangers to it. following the vote. However, no notices have However, no order has ever affected this yet been received. many farmers and included pre-1914 approOf course, this is not the first time a curtailment order has been put into action. CONTINUED ON PAGE A15

INSTALLATION

Atascadero Monolith Rebuilt After Vandalism

City Council Appoints PRPD Police Chief Ty Lewis as City Manager By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com

City’s new city manager. Lewis was chosen out of 67 applicants for the position. His first day as city manager will be Aug. 22. Lewis has served as the Chief of the Paso Robles Police Department since 2018 and was hired by the City on Mar. 31, 2002, as a police officer, sergeant, and later a commander. An in-depth feature article on Lewis will follow. Later in the meeting, a member of the public requested to remove CONTINUED ON PAGE A15

GoFundMe campaign raised $1065 of $4500 goal

started by Melissa Kenney on Monday afternoon. In the description, Kenney explained, “I am the wife of one of the artists that built the Monolith on Pine Mountain in Atascadero, California. The reason for this GoFundMe is due to an act of vandalism for a second time. The monolith was stolen on Dec. 3, as seen here on YouTube. The artists and several of their friends rallied together and put it back up, but it was destroyed late last night on Aug. 15...” The campaign has raised $1065 or the $4500 goal as of Wednesday, Aug. 18. Kenney went on to explain, “The artists who built this monument did so out of the Atascadero monolith restored,

By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@pasoroblespress.com

ATASCADERO — On Monday, Aug. 16, reports came in that the giant steel “monolith” at the summit of Pine Mountain had been vandalized. Local resident Raymond Johnson stated that he was hiking the mountain that morning and noticed that the monolith was vandalized; just a bit later, a team of guys arrived and were replacing and welding it back together again. A “Go Fund Me” campaign to help repair the monolith was

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thanks the team of artist who originally created it. Photos by Raymond Johnson

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Connecting Our Employers with Qualified Job Seekers Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce Co-Hosts a City-Wide Job Fair By GINA FITZPATRICK CEO, Executive Director Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce

I

n this day and age, there is one thing that’s certain, employers are seeking qualified and motivated employees, and Paso Robles is no exception! To fill that need, your Chamber combined forces with Paso Robles Main Street Association, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, and the City of Paso Robles to connect job seekers with businesses that are hiring during our first combined city-wide Job Fair. On Jul. 13, from 9 to 11 a.m., the Downtown

COMMUNITY

TCSD Discusses the Wastewater Discharge Program New penalty fees will be added to address smaller violations

CITY

The Downtown Paso parklet program will be brought back for discussion at the next meeting

GOVERNMENT

BUSINESS

EDUCATION

SUPERIOR COURT

WEATHER

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WITNESS TESTIFIES Paul Flores Confessed to Burying Kristin Smart in Huasna | A13

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