GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXIV, NO. XXX
THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 2024
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
New laws debut in California
By JUDY ABEL Special to Paso Robles Press
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:
A Paso Robles mayor’s look ahead for 2024 By JOHN HAMON Paso Robles City Mayor
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s we close 2023 and turn to see a new year before us, a significant task to make Paso Robles a better place to live, work, and play for early 2024 will be planning our city’s next two-year budget. The City Council goals serve as the policy direction document for city government as well as the road map for developing and implementing the city’s biennial budget. Our current 2022-2024 budget will conclude at the end of this coming June. New discussions will begin early next year to develop, propose, and adopt a two-year budget cycle for 20242026. Below are a few City Council goals derived from public input. They are a guide for the allocation of resources through the budget and capital improvement program, which then aligns with department work plans and desired capital projects. These workplans, projects, and priorities are intended to be implemented, achieved, or constructed within the two-year budget cycle. Here are some examples that council will be using during this budget development period. Economic Development and Vitality to support local businesses, Paso Robles as a destination for the “Remote Economy,” complete the FAA licensing process and plan for a Spaceport and Tech Corridor, expand Broadband internet access and connectivity; continue strategic, long-term CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
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 and Brittany App
Paso Robles rings in the new year with a blaze “The nice part of it is park, and thousands found rain and wind soaked everyCity to unveil plans for ever yone gets together, warmth next to the bonfire. thing, so it was really diffiyear-round park lighting enjoys the community, has Last year was the first time cult to get the pallets going. in the coming months By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — 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.
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
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
Stacking the pallets was also a little different 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 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 CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
Thousands take the plunge at 44th Carlin Soulé Memorial Polar Bear Dip
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 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 Participants in the Carlin Soulé Memorial Polar Bear Dip brave the cold Pacific
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Dressed in creative costumes, participants dive into the ocean to welcome the new year in Cayucos By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
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Ocean water on Monday, Jan. 1, next to the Cayucos Pier. Photos by Rick Evans
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DR. PHILLIP KISSEL Physician of the Year | A3
COMMUNITY BAND Donates to Resilient Souls | A4
NEW YEARS Resolutions in Community | B1
BASKETBALL Tournament AHS vs PRHS | B8
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