Good News Real News
Hometown News Since 1889 CALIFORNIA
VOL. CXXX, NO. XVIII
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2019
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
Paso Sets Sights on Third Fire Station Location Council approves $3.4 million for land By MARK DIAZ mark@pasoroblespress.com
PIONEER DAY Brings the Community Together Thousands watch annual downtown parade
ABOVE: Folkloric dance group New Hope was one of the 112 entries of the 89th annual Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday in Paso Robles.
By BRIAN WILLIAMS brian@pasoroblespress.com PASO ROBLES — This hasn’t been an ordinary Paso Robles Pioneer Day for brothers Larry and Tom Moore, who were Co-Marshals. It was only the third time in the event’s 89-year history that there were Co-Marshals — the two others were Willis and Hillis Truesdale in 1938 and James and Ronald McDonald in 1942. “It’s been great. It’s such a humbling thing the honor they threw at Tom and I,” Larry Moore said
RIGHT: Paso Robles Pioneer Day Co-Marshals Tom and Larry Moore wave during the Pioneer Day Parade on Saturday. It’s only the third time that Pioneer Day has had Co-Marshals. Photos by Brian Williams
CONTINUED ON PAGE A11
Great AGventure Provides Hands-on Learning for Students Free event was held at Paso Robles Event Center
Creston Elementary students pull a weighted sled to determine how much horsepower they are producing during the Great AGventure on Oct. 9 at the Paso Robles Event Center.
By BRIAN WILLIAMS brian@pasoroblespress.com PASO ROBLES — Class was in session once again at the Great AGventure. Nearly 1,000 fourth-graders from 19 different San Luis Obispo County schools moved from station to station at the Paso Robles Event Center Wednesday morning, Oct. 9, for a one-of-a-kind, hands-on learning experience.
Photo by Brian Williams
SEE FOCUS ON AG, PAGE B10
INSIDE
SPORTS
WEEK IN PHOTOS
ENTERTAINMENT
WEATHER
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a lot located at 2930 Union Rd. for $3.425 million on the northeast end of town. The 8.5-acre parcel will be home to Paso’s third fire station as the City moves forward with its emergency services master plan. At the request of Paso Robles resident Dale Gustin, the Council pulled the purchase from the agenda’s consent calendar to be discussed publicly. Consent items are generally non-controversial determinations that do not require discussion. Instead of addressing items individually, the Council groups them to be voted on to save time. However, citizens and Council members possess the right to request items to be pulled for an open forum discussion. In repose to City Manager Tom Frutchery asking what concerns Gustin wanted to be addressed, he answered, “You said there’s a report, present it.” Assistant City Manager Sarah Johnson-Rios said the purchase saves the City $144,000 per year on lease costs and it will be the location of the backup operation center, fire training facility, city corporate yards, a police substation, and Paso’s third fire station. “As you recall, City Council adopted a response-time goal in 2001 in the Growth Management Plan required a four-minute response time in 90 percent of all emergency calls,” said Fire Chief Johnathan Stornetta. He told the Council that the department achieves the set goal only 51 percent of the time. The two major contributing factors that need to be addressed to improve response times are resources and location. Stornetta told the Council that in 2018 alone the department experienced 747 simultaneous calls when all apparatus are already engaged with an incident. When this occurs, non-Paso units respond at considerable cost to CONTINUED ON PAGE A11
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HOMECOMING WEEK: THS students celebrate school spirit | A4
SENIOR NIGHT: Paso finishes season with three straight road games | B1
PIONEER DAY: Scenes from the 89th annual parade and festivities | A5
JASON MRAZ: A night of positivity and love at Vina Robles | B4
A True Community Bank
Bankers Paul Tognazzini and Ann Hansen, with Borjon Auto Center owner, Mark Borjon
FORECAST | A9 At American Riviera Bank, we are dedicated to being a true community bank that knows and cares about our customers. We’re a bank built on relationships — with you and with our community, tailored to your specific needs.
1601 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446 (805) 296-1690 • AmericanRivieraBank.com