GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CVIII, NO. LII
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
New laws debut in California
24 will affect many in 2024
By JUDY ABEL Special to Atascadero News
CALIFORNIA — A slew of new laws set to take effect in 2024 have been signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Here are 24 significant ones:
Atascadero Mayor’s Vision for 2024 A year of growth, connectivity, and community BY HEATHER MORENO Atascadero Mayor
The year 2023 brought remarkable growth, unforeseen challenges, and unprecedented opportunities to Atascadero. As your mayor, I find myself excited about the new year, eager to share my vision for 2024 — a vision that encompasses connectivity, community, and continued progress for our beloved city. Building a Connected Atascadero In recognizing that fast, dependable internet service is now a “fourth utility,” Atascadero is committed to expanding and improving our broadband infrastructure. The project underway will multiply internet speeds at a dozen city facilities by tenfold, a leap that saves taxpayers $500,000 over the next 30 years and serves as a catalyst for increased competition. In an ever-connected world, this upgrade positions Atascadero with technological advancements, ready to embrace the opportunities of the future.
The City Park Christmas tree and holiday lights overlook the scene during the New Year’s Eve Bonfire in Paso Robles on Sunday night, Dec. 31. Photos by Camille DeVaul
North County rings in the new year with a blaze City to unveil plans for year-round park lighting in the coming months
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY — The new year was welcomed with a roaring fire on Sunday night, Dec. 31, for the second annual New Year’s Eve Bonfire in Paso Robles. “The nice part of it is ever yone gets together, enjoys the community, has a great time, and we are all here in this together for New Year’s Eve. It’s wonderful,” said Paso Robles City Councilmember Steve Gregory at
the bonfire event. At the event held in City Park, the holiday lights still adorned trees throughout the park, and thousands found warmth next to the bonfire. Last year was the first time the city introduced the event. However, the rainy weather got in the way and dampened the mood. Public Works Director Freda Berman said of this year’s event, “The biggest difference for the bonfire was dry pallets. Last year the rain and wind soaked everything, so it was really difficult to get the pallets going. Stacking the pallets was also a little differ-
ent this year so we could get more air flow, but the real difference was the weather.” High stacks of pallets made for a fire that could be seen from North River Road. Public Works collected untreated pallets from local businesses who were willing to part with them. They were then stored in the maintenance yard until it was time to build the bonfire structure, according to Berman. The event began at 7 p.m. and ended at 11 p.m. with a ball drop and countdown to midnight at 9 p.m. to coincide with the East Coast countdowns. Beverages were
available for purchase from the Paso Robles Distillery Trail, California Coast Beer Co., and Sculpterra Winery. Food was available from SLO Meltdown, La Patrona, and the Central Coast Kitchen. Adam Montiel returned to emcee the event with the Lucky Devils Band on stage with live music that everyone could dance to. For the kids, face painting and glitter tattoos were also added to the festivities. Gregory told Atascadero News that there is a “rumor” the park lights will remain on for the entire year. After CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
Thousands take the plunge at 44th annual Carlin Soulé Memorial Polar Bear Dip on New Year’s Day
Dressed in creative costumes, participants dive into the ocean to Charting the Future welcome the new year We are in the final phase of in Cayucos
General Plan 2045, our guiding roadmap for the next 20 years. This comprehensive plan serves as the blueprint for how our community will develop, addressing key issues such as housing, transportation, local amenities, and the preservation of Atascadero’s unique character. The community consensus gathered during open houses earlier in the year has provided invaluable input, shaping our priorities and goals. As we delve into the details of the General Plan, I urge residents to remain engaged and take pride in the collective effort to make Atascadero an even more incredible place to live. This plan is not just a document; it is a testament to our shared commitment to building a future that honors CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
COMMUNITY
By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Dressed in their costumed best, thousands of people kicked off their new year with a chilly start. On Monday, Jan. 1, thousands met on the beach next to the Cayucos Pier and jumped into the ocean for the 44th annual Carlin Soulé Memorial Polar Bear Dip. Costumes are always encouraged at the event, and many appeared in various creations, including some oompa loompas. The dip is named after Carlin B. Soulé, a local artist, surfer, and local yokel, who, in 1979, decided to jump in the Pacific Ocean on New Year’s Day. Why exactly he decided
NEWS
Participants in the Carlin Soulé Memorial Polar Bear Dip brave the cold Pacific Ocean water on Monday, Jan. 1, next to the Cayucos Pier. Photos by Rick Evans
to take the dip is still up for debate today. Nonetheless, people come from all around the county to participate four decades later. Prior to the dip, awards are issued for various costume categories. Additionally, an award is given to the oldest
and youngest dippers of the day. People have come from as far away as Brazil, New Zealand, Ireland, and Spain, with the farthest traveler also getting a certificate. At exactly noon, dippers make the dash into the water to wash off the old and welcome
in the new — a tradition that has happened around the world for hundreds of years. Fortunately, last week’s high tide and destructive waves did not interfere with Monday’s fresh start. Commemorative shirts designed by a Cayu-
NORTH COUNTY LIFE
SPORTS
WEATHER
CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT LAWS Once again, the state minimum wage will increase to $16 per hour on Jan. 1 regardless of employer size. That’s an increase of 50 cents an hour for most workers, although some cities have higher minimum wages with a minimum hourly rate of $16.90 that went into effect July 1, 2023. The minimum wage for health-care workers will increase to $23 per hour. Workers must be employed under covered health-care facilities in California. The bill goes into effect starting June 1. Starting Jan. 1, workers with the same employer for 30 or more days within their starting year are eligible for paid sick leave. The bill will require an employee to have no less than 40 hours or five days of accrued sick leave or paid time off by the 200th calendar day of employment, or in each 12-month period. Employers must offer reproductive leave. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act also makes it unlawful to refuse a request by an employee to take up to five days upon the death of a family member. This bill would allow reproductive leave within three months of the event and will use other leave balances otherwise available to the employee. An employer may deny leave for more than one reproductive loss within 12 months. The bill will go into effect starting Jan. 1. Beginning Jan. 1, SB 731 requires an employer to provide a 30-day advance written notice before requiring remote employees to return to an in-person setting. The notice would also explain the employee’s right to remain remote as an accommodation, if applicable, to their disabilities. SB 700 bans discrimination against a job applicant based on information regarding prior use of cannabis that is learned from a criminal history. Employers will be required to give an employee written notice of the federal H-2A visa in English or Spanish, at the employee’s request. Other CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
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DR. PHILLIP KISSEL COMMUNITY BAND Physician of the Year | A3 Donates to Resilient Souls | A4
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