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SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXI, NO. L
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
IN MEMORIAM
Det. Benedetti Laid to Rest After Thousands Attend Memorial Service “The world is a better place because of Luca, and he will forever be our hero.”
EDUCATION
District Held First Public Hearing for Trustee Area Scenarios High School welding class creates “Paso Strong” fundraiser for SLO Food Bank By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
San Luis Obispo Police Detective Luca Benedetti was shot and killed on May 10 after serving a search warrant. Services for the late detective were held on Thursday, May 20 at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo followed by a procession to the Paso Robles District Cemetery where he was laid to rest in a private ceremony. Photo by Camille DeVaul
By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
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n May 20, friends, family, community members, and fellow law enforcement officers gathered to honor fallen San Luis Obispo Police Department, Detective Luca Benedetti. Almost 2,000 people gathered at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo for the memorial service.
Det. Benedetti (37) was killed in the line of duty on May 10 while serving a search warrant. Rick Comstock, Atascadero Police Department (APD) chaplain, opened the service with a prayer. Newly appointed SLOPD Police Chief Rick Scott said, “Luca was an example of the best we have to offer. He was courageous. He was compassionate. He was friendly, honorable, and he was kind.”
Cheif Scott said he did not know Det. Benedetti but wished he had the chance. “He understood that at any moment everything he cared about in this world could be taken away in an instant, and yet he wore his badge, and he wore it with honor,” Chief Scott said. Comstock shared Benedetti’s life story, a story that was cut too short. As a son of two Italian immigrants, Benedetti valued his Italian roots.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Benedetti was born on Mar. 31, 1984, in San Francisco to parents Giampietro Benedetti and Rita Ginocchio Benedetti, who immigrated to the states as teenagers to make a life for themselves in a new country. Growing up, he spent summers visiting the small Italian towns his parents were born in. Benedetti’s family described him as their rock, surrounded by the sea--just like Italy. CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
IN REMEMBRANCE
25th Anniversary of Kristin Smart’s Disappearance Smart family releases a statement about their relentless determination to bring Kristin home By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
Tim Alvord awarded Roblan of the Month for his dedication to the community, schools and the students. Contributed photo
Paso Robles Chamber Honors Tim Alvord as Roblan of the Month Much-loved monthly tradition returns after a long year By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — After a year like none other, the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce announced the return of the much-loved monthly tradition of honoring one individual in the community as the Paso Robles Roblan of the Month. The first Roblan in over twelve months is Tim Alvord, the May 2021 Roblan of the Month. Another first for the Chamber after the pandemic hit California last year is in-person Chamber Membership Mixers, with the first one held at the Ravine Waterpark on Wednesday, May 26. The Ravine has been closed to the general public
SPORTS
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for over a year due to COVID-19 restrictions and are excited to re-open on May 29 and will remain open until Sept. 6. The Paso Robles Chamber shared the background of this months Roblan of the month was chosen: “Tim Alvord is a second-generation North County resident. He graduated from Atascadero High School in 1968, where he played basketball, football, and baseball. He received a Bachelor of Physical Education and a general secondary teaching degree. Alvord went on to earn a Master of Physical Education and a minor in social studies with an emphasis on psychology. After college, Alvord worked at Camp Happy Talk in Fresno before heading back to the Central Coast. He taught multiple subjects and coached several CIF Champion teams at Templeton High
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Tuesday, May 25, marked the 25th Anniversary since the day Kristin Smart went missing from the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo. Kristin’s family has released the following statement to mark the occasion: “It has been 25 years today since our daughter, Kristin, disappeared, and to mark the occasion, members of our family traveled to San Luis Obispo this past weekend to celebrate Kristin’s life. As part of our visit, we took time to thank our special friends in the SLO area who have carried Kristin in their hearts, including those in law enforcement who never gave up and continue today with steeled determination and effort to bring her home. While we were not able to meet with all the Warriors for Kristin during our short stay, we wanted them to know that their determination over the years has been so valuable in sustaining Kristin’s memory. We did have the opportunity to thank Sheriff Ian Parkinson for his relentless commitment and leadership, and we saluted all those in the San Luis Obispo County SherCONTINUED ON PAGE A15
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, May 25 at 6 p.m. following closed session. Trustees Lance Gannon and Nathan Williams were absent during the meeting. The Board started on item K3: 2021-22 Sunshine Proposal for Paso Robles Public Educators (PRPE) and PRJUSD SchoolBased on the federal and state funding. The PRPE proposed a salary schedule increase, additional and increased stipends. In addition, an increase to the District Health and Welfare Benefits and retiree benefits CAP to support the PRJUSD Guiding Principles goals to attract and retain qualified certificated employees was tabled for the next school board meeting. There were two newly appointed positions. Monica Pafumi, a PRJUSD graduate, was named Elementary Guidance Specialist for Virginia Peterson and Glen Speck. Kelly Stainbrook, a 25 year veteran of Paso Robles Schools, was named Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation. Justin Pickard updated the board on the welding department at the high school and their community service projects. Students have collaborated with local businesses PRW Steel Supply, Powder Coating USA, and Premier Ag to create 125 “Paso Strong” yard stake signs. Signs will be sold starting Tuesday, Jun. 2 at Premier Ag for $25 each. Other forms will be available for those who want to make larger donations. All proceeds will be donated to the SLO County Food Bank on behalf of Paso Robles High School Welding. Trustee Chris Bausch purchased a sign from Pickard for $100 during the meeting. During public comment, many parents asked for the school to return to full-in-person learning without a mask or vaccine mandate in the fall. No comments were made by the Board to address the topic.
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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS for the Greyhounds, Eagles, and Bearcats enter playoffs | A3
PIONEER DAYS FESTIVITIES BACKYARD JAM BENEFIT will return with parade, royalty, Bean tickets now on sale through the Paso Feed, and more! | A4 Robles Youth Arts Center | A6
LOWER STRESS when you tap into social support and cultivate human connections | A13
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