GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XV
EDUCATION
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2022
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COMMUNITY
Atascadero Elks Install Newest Officers for 2022-23
AUSD Recognizes Bus Driver for Life Saving Decision
Superintendent reports that COVID-19 vaccinations are not required for 2022-23 By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATA S C A D E R O — Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) met for their New Exalted Ruler Susan Marple (front row, third from left) and her corpse officers are shown at their Installation Ceremony at Atascadero Elks Lodge #2733. Contributed photo regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, April 19, Susan Marple was installed Susan Marple and her Atascadero Lodge,” as Esteemed Leading Knight; as 1st Year Trustee. Their terms at 7 p.m. following the school corpse of officers into their new Past Exalted Rulers from with Ronnie Maxwell as of office will run from April 1, installed as the new board’s 6 p.m. closed session. roles. Marple was installed at both the Atascadero Elks Esteemed Loyal Knight; Brandi 2022, to March 31, 2023. Tonya Pennington was recog- Exalted Ruler Exalted Ruler, replacing Mark Lodge and the Paso Robles Javine as Esteemed Lecturing “I’ve been a member [of Elks Lodge performed the Knight; Jerrie Dahlen as PER, the Elks] for 15 years. This Morisoli. nized as a transportation hero. By CHRISTIANNA MARKS “The Exalted Ruler oversees Installation Ceremony. Pennington, a school bus driver christianna@atascaderonews.com Secretary; Kris Pimentel as is my first year as the leader the Lodge,” said Marple of her for AUSD, was celebrated for “All the incoming officers Treasurer; Kevin Matherly as of the organization here,” her quick thinking when she ATA S C A D E R O — new position. “The operations were installed that night,” PER, Esquire; Nick Miller as continued Marple. “I’ve gone was driving the Atascadero On Saturday, April 2, the of the Lodge. It’s the leader added Marple. Chaplain; Dan Marple as Inner through, when I say the CONTINUED ON PAGE A15 Atascadero Elks Lodge #2733 of this Lodge, #2733, the Greg Heath was installed Guard; and Linda Strickland CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
KRISTIN SMART CASE
FUNDRAISER
Flores Trial to be Held in Monterey County, Court Declares A new trial date will be decided Monday, April 25, for fatherson pair arrested in death of Kristin Smart By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com Wine for Paws organizer Sarah Tomasetti, poses with pup while enjoying Wine 4 Paws lunch at Jeffrey’s Wine Country BBQ in Paso Robles. Contributed photo
Wine 4 Paws Returns for its 14th Year It’s estimated that more than $60,000 was raised for Woods Humane Society By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Wine 4 Paws was back for its 14th year on
SPORTS
April 9 and 10. With over 75 wineries and businesses participating, it’s estimated that more than $60,000 was raised for Woods Humane Society over the weekend, though final numbers won’t be available until next month. “It was another terrific Wine 4 Paws Weekend. In addition to everyone donating at least 10 percent of sales, I am amazed every year with the enthusiasm
COMMUNITY
and creativity to raise additional money, as well as our loyal supporters who head out to help the cause,” said Wine 4 Paws event organizer, Sarah Tomasetti. “Woods does so much for our community, and it was fantastic to see everyone out having a wonderful time for a great cause. Thank you to everyone who helped us raise money for Woods CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
NEWS
SAN LUIS OBISPO — A new venue location has been chosen for trial of Paul and Ruben Flores, the father-son pair arrested in the 1996 disappearance and death of Kristin Smart. The trial is moving to Monterey County and a new trial date will be determined at a pre-trial conference on Monday, April 25, at 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. After some delays, the court came to order on Wednesday, April 20, to declare the new venue location for the trial of Paul (45) and Ruben (80)
SOCIETY
Flores. The presiding judge, Craig van Rooyen, granted a change of venue of the case on March 30, saying he finds it a reasonable likelihood Paul and Ruben Flores won’t receive a fair and impartial trial in San Luis Obispo County. He added media coverage of the case over time weighed on his decision, specifically how coverage and interest in the case have increased over the years. The father and son were arrested at their homes in April 2021 in connection with the 1996 disappearance and murder of 19-year-old Cal Poly student Kristin Smart. They were arrested nearly 25 years to the date of Smart’s disappearance. Smart was last seen with Paul Flores leaving an off-campus party on Crandall Way in San Luis Obispo on May 25, 1996. Although her remains
have never been found, Smart was legally declared dead in 2002. Paul Flores is charged with Smart’s murder. His father, Ruben, is charged as an accessory after the fact, accused of helping hide Smart’s body. Paul has remained in custody at the San Luis Obispo County Jail without bail since his arrest. Ruben is currently out on bail. In court on Wednesday, Judge van Rooyen said he had spoken to the Monterey County judge to discuss which department the trial will be held in and when they will be ready to take the case, but the Monterey judge did not have that information available yet. Additionally, during the hearing, Paul’s defense lawyer Robert Sanger said he had not received discovery regarding Serological Research Institute (SERI) testing results and a CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
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