ATASCADERO — The Atascadero community showed up in a big way to celebrate the life of Adrian “Bubba” Gilberto Gaona on Sunday, June 9 at Rocky Canyon Ranch. Gaona passed away on May 17. It was clear from the stories told and the tears shed at his celebration of life that his life had a huge impact on the Atascadero community as a whole.

ATASCADERO — On the warm evening of Thursday, June 6, at 6 p.m., Atascadero High School’s (AHS) graduating Class of 2024 stormed Memorial Stadium in celebration. Two hundred and sixty-one students filled up the center of the football field as their family and friends filled the bleachers on both sides of the stadium to cheer on the students in their last step to leaving high school behind and heading out into the great big world of opportunity.

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero City Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 11, at 6 p.m. The hybrid meeting was held in the City Council Chambers. Councilmember Heather Newsom attended via Zoom and due to a bad connection was absent for the second half of the meeting.

Ralph “Bud” Armand Hadford, age 94, of Reno, Nevada, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Bud was born on March 27, 1930, in Garden Grove, CA. He was the fourth child and only son of Clarence Hadford and Jeanne Anna (Armand) Hadford. He passed away at the...

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Donald Jay Avery Jr., a beloved native son of San Luis Obispo County, who was taken from us too soon in a car accident involving a drunk driver on May 15, 2024. Born on December 31, 1971, Donnie’s life was filled with love, achievement, and dedication to both family and community.

Born at San Francisco Hospital on December 9, 1988, Adrian lived in Atascadero, where he unexpectedly passed away on May 17 at his home, surrounded by loved ones. Adrian was a beloved son, brother, fiancé, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. If you knew Adrian, you know he loved sports...

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the success of the 2024 Jr. CEO Program with a graduation celebration for all students who completed the 5-week course. The graduation celebration held at The Ravine Waterpark, hosted and provided by owner Brett Butterfield, was an afternoon...

Harley Bailey, 69, of Gardnerville, NV, went to be with his Heavenly Father on May 18, 2024. Harley was born in Paso Robles, CA, on June 25, 1954, and attended Paso schools as well as West Hills College in Coalinga. While in college, he worked for Harris Feedlot on the hospital crew, where he furthered his knowledge and skills with cattle and horses. His love and involvement in the cattle industry continued throughout his life.

Donald Jay Avery Jr. was born on December 31, 1971, and passed away on May 15, 2024. A native son to San Luis Obispo County, spanning five generations. Donald was survived by his two children, Donald and Ella Avery; his former wife, Erin Avery; his three Sisters, Tess Avery, Lila Avery-Fuson, and Amber Avery-Fragione; his Nieces and Nephews, Mariah Avery, Bailey Torrey, Bella Torrey, Abigail Avery, Luke Torrey, and one Great Nephew Asher O’Keefe.

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — On Tuesday, May 21, the County of San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $7.66 million across three funding sources for affordable housing and homelessness response efforts. “The County of San Luis Obispo is committed to sustaining our homelessness response efforts while also...

SANTA MARGARITA — By the end of Santa Margarita Elementary School’s Butterfly Release Assembly on Wednesday, May 22, the Butterfly Garden and the lawn in front were not only filled with students and parents but also a beautiful array of butterflies and ladybugs. This is the second year that Garden Club Advisor Katherine Jonsson and her student officers have put on the Garden Club’s Butterfly Release Assembly, and it brought joy to the entire school campus.

Crime data listed below is for information purposes only and subject to change upon the receipt of updated information. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The data listed below is subject to change each week. Atascadero Police Department. May 20, 20204. 01:43 — Gwendolyn...

ATASCADERO — Kick-off your summer by joining the City of Atascadero’s Summer Youth Kickball League. The league will run from June 25 through July 30 and will feature two divisions based on grade. The 3rd through 5th division will meet Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. The 6th through 8th division will meet Tuesdays & Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m.

ATASCADERO — In a landmark moment, the beloved hometown band made its largest-ever donation to a fellow local nonprofit. Atascadero Senior Center was recently presented with a check for $1,530 from the Atascadero Community Band. This contribution was made possible by the support and generosity of their audience at the band’s recent musical extravaganza, “On with the Show!” — a celebration of Broadway’s finest musicals.

ATASCADERO — Crowds of patriotic residents filled the Faces of Freedom Memorial on Monday, May 27, for the Atascadero Veterans Memorial Foundation’s 16th Annual Memorial Day Celebration. The heartfelt ceremony honored and remembered those who lost their lives while serving and protecting our country. “Once again, we want...

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero City Council met for its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, May 28, at 6 p.m. The hybrid meeting was held in the City Council Chambers. During the Community Forum, seven residents, mostly city staff, addressed the council about current wages compared to the cost of living in Atascadero.

Robert F. “Bob” Brown, of Atascadero, passed away on May 8, 2024, at the age of 97. He was born October 13, 1926, in Stuart, Nebraska to A. Earl and Blanche (Johnson) Brown. He spent his childhood in Nebraska and South Dakota (where his sister Neva was born). His family lived through the Great Depression, eventually following other family members in 1941 to Los Angeles, California. He graduated from Manual Arts High School, where he was active in student government, Aeolian Club, and Sr. Glee Club, singing not only at school functions but at a monthly appearance at the L.A. Breakfast Club, which was broadcast on the radio and during war bond drives, and rallies at Pershing Square in downtown L.A. Many of the members of this club formed an off-campus club called the “Loyal Order of Riffs.” They worked on paper drives and other activities to aid the war effort. He spent much of his free time on the beaches of southern California. As a senior in high school, Bob looked forward to serving in the armed services during WWII and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, joining right after graduating high school and serving on the USS Oneida, transporting troops throughout the Pacific. He first was assigned to the Captains Gig and later promoted to Coxswain of the Gig. Later, once the war ended, he transferred to the job of Storekeeper 3rd class and had charge of ordering food for the officer’s mess and operating the ice cream room. He felt his experience in the Navy gave him the opportunity to grow up and become more self-confident and prepared him for a long career in broadcasting and advertising sales.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Benjamin (Ben) A. Brown on Saturday afternoon, May 11, 2024, in Templeton, California. Ben was born April 30, 1933, in Red House, WV, to parents Albert Miller (AM) Brown and Mary Agnes Donegan Brown. He enjoyed a wonderful childhood in Winfield, WV, where his father served as Putnam County Clerk for six terms. He graduated from Winfield High School in 1951.

Tommy Thompson was born to Dorothy (née Frazier) and Frank Thompson in Upland, California. As the baby boy in a family with two older sisters, Tommy was no stranger to having the ladies dote on him. He spent the majority of his childhood in Escondido, California, attending both Orange Glen and Escondido High Schools before graduating in 1970.

Karen Denise Renfro, 56, of Atascadero, passed away on May 9, 2024, at French Hospital in San Luis Obispo, after a long illness, surrounded by family. A loving sister and friend, Karen had a warm personality, charismatic smile, and generous heart, making her an instant friend to all who met her.