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Atascadero News
Officers arrest man in bar altercation involving firearm results in arrest
ATASCADERO — On March 31, at approximately 1:45 a.m., officers from the Atascadero Police Department responded to multiple reports of an altercation at the Whiskey and June Bar, located at 5950 El Camino Real. It was reported a male had confronted others, brandished a firearm, and pointed it at them before fleeing the area in a vehicle. A description of the vehicle including a license plate was provided.
Law enforcement and school district to hold active shooter training and crisis management exercise
ATASCADERO — In collaboration with the Atascadero Unified School District, the Atascadero Police and Fire Departments announce an upcoming active shooter training and crisis management exercise scheduled for Tuesday, April 2, and Friday, April 5. This training initiative will take place at Atascadero High School (AHS) during the spring break period.
Early warning system sirens to sound this Tuesday and Wednesday
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — On Tuesday and Wednesday, April 2 & 3, the Early Warning System sirens located in the Diablo Canyon Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) will undergo regularly-scheduled low volume growl tests. Each siren throughout the EPZ will be tested individually for a period of a few seconds. This is only a test and no action is requested or required on the part of the public. These required tests help emergency officials ensure the siren system is working properly should the system be needed during an emergency.
John W. Drake 1939-2024
John W. Drake, 85, passed away on March 11, 2024, in San Luis Obispo, surrounded by his family. He was born March 5, 1939, in Whitley Gardens, California, the youngest of six children to Charles and Lisle Drake. Raised in the Paso Robles area, he attended the local Phillips School and later graduated from Paso Robles High School in 1956. In his sophomore year, he met Alberta Colburn, the love of his life. They married on May 12, 1957, at St. Rose Church in Paso Robles.
Esther McILwain 1949-2024
I regretfully announce the passing of my mother, Esther McILwain, on March 18, 2024. After suffering from a stroke on December 15, she never recovered. However, as she slipped into heaven, she was surrounded by family who loved her very much. Esther is survived by her daughter, Celia; grandchildren, Noah,...
City announces summer concert series band lineup
ATASCADERO — The City of Atascadero announced the bands that have been selected for the “Saturday in the Park” Summer Concert Series. The concert series takes place at the Atascadero Lake Park Bandstand from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will include a total of eight concerts to enjoy throughout the summer.
City receives project awards for Santa Lucia Road Bridge and Via Avenue Bridge
ATASCADERO — The City of Atascadero was recently awarded both the 2023 Transportation Project of the Year ($5 million to $25 million) and Overall Project of the Year to the Via Avenue and Santa Lucia Road Bridge projects from the Central Coast Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA).
Spring Festival & Party for the Planet scheduled at Charles Paddock Zoo
ATASCADERO — Spring is here and if you are looking for fun-filled family activities during Spring Break, come check out all the fun at the Charles Paddock Zoo. Its Spring Festival has kicked off with a variety of fun things to do from baby chicks to scheduled animal feedings happening March 24 through April 7. On Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., enjoy the Zoo’s 13th annual “Party for the Planet” Earth Day Celebration.
Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno secures District 5 Supervisor seat
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The final results are in for the March 5 Presidential Primary Election and we now know who will be taking the San Luis Obispo County District 5 Supervisor seat now held by Debbie Arnold. With 56.38 percent of the vote, current Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno will serve as your next District 5 Supervisor.
StoryLabs brings new co-working space, The Co-Op, to Atascadero
Currently, three-fourths of the business’ spaces are already spoken for. ATASCADERO—On Thursday, March 21, StoryLabs’ new co-working space, The Co-Op, opened its doors and hosted the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce mixer. Atascadero News attended to get the scoop on the new business and to see how co-founders Greg Squires and Josh Berg turned the building, which used to house a furniture store and, before that, a hardware store, into a place for life and work stories to bloom.
Central Coast Craft Beer Fest brings in record-breaking crowds
ATASCADERO — The sixth annual Central Coast Craft Beer Fest (CCCBF) took over the Sunken Gardens on Saturday, March 23, from 12 to 4 p.m. Even though rain was in the forcast and made an appearance on the day, over 2,300 guests braved the spratic rainfall for a chance to taste the best adult beverages on the Central Coast.
Atascadero Chamber of Commerces second annual Jr. CEO Business Day is a big hit
ATASCADERO—On Sunday, March 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce’s Jr. CEOs took The Plaza across from Sunken Gardens for the second annual Jr. CEO Business Day. There, the youngsters showed off the businesses they worked six weeks to build while attending the Chamber’s digital program. The community came out even in the rain, and sales at the Jr. CEO’s booths were high, with some of the participants selling out of items before the day was over.
City Council moves forward with General Plan Update
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero City Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 12, at 6 p.m. The hybrid meeting was held in the City Council Chambers. The evening’s main topic of discussion was the General Plan Update Project. The project was presented by both city staff and MIG, Inc. consultants who have been working on the project.
Clerk-Recorder anticipates election certification by March 27
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano has released updated results today following the counting of the most recent set of ballots from the March 5, Presidential Primary Election. To date, 91,697 ballots have been counted. Results can be viewed here on the department’s website at slovote.com/March2024.
County sees cases of tuberculosis rise in SLO County and across the state
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The San Luis Obispo County Department fo Public Health announced that the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases in California and here in San Luis Obispo County is increasing, though numbers remain low. Ten cases of active TB were identified in SLO County in 2023, after more than a decade of case counts in the single digits. Cases of latent TB — in which the bacteria “hibernate” in the body without yet causing illness — have also increased in recent years.
Local nonprofits partner for City Farm SLO Tour for at-risk children
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County are introducing a tour of City Farm SLO to volunteer mentors and their mentees. The morning will kick off at 10 a.m. with planting seeds, transplanting seedlings, and then tasting the vegetables grown on the farm. The attendees —volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) and their mentees (“Littles”) and the Littles’ families — will have lunch after participating in the farm’s fun activities.
Eleanor R. Chasteen 1936-2024
Eleanor Raye Chasteen, 86, of Paso Robles, CA, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2024, at Danish Care Nursing Home. Born May 15, 1936, in Dallas, Texas, to Billy W. and Lillian N. Williams. Eleanor is survived by daughters Felecia Freer and Leilani Hanna, four grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She...
Dorothy A. Bennett 1939-2024
Dorothy Ann Bennett entered into eternal rest on March 7, 2024, after a wonderful 85 years of a beautiful life. Dorothy was born in Hubbard, Nebraska, and grew up in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Her best friend, Rosemary, introduced her to her future husband, L Wesley Bennett, of Elk Point, South Dakota, on a blind date on St Patrick’s Day in 1952. Both couples married, best girlfriends marrying best guy friends. They were life-long friends.
Back in the Saddle Open Horse Show benefit for the SLO County 4-H Horse Project returns
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The San Luis Obispo County 4-H youth development program’s countywide 4-H Horse Project is organizing the annual Back in the Saddle Open Horse Show as a fundraiser for the program. All breeds of horses and all riders are welcome to enter. Proceeds will directly pay for 4-H shows, clinics, and awards, with a goal of reducing or eliminating clinic and show fees for the members of 4-H horse projects in SLO County.
New way to support the ALF Food Pantry with donation program
ATASCADERO — In conjunction with Amazon’s Wish List program, ALF Food Pantry now allows donors to send food and supplies directly to its warehouse. Donors click on ALF Wish List, add their selections to their carts, and click on ALF Food Pantry as the destination. USPS delivers the items directly to the Pantry.
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