Hometown News Since 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CIV, NO. XLIX
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020
GOVERNMENT
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EVENT
Atascadero City Council Approves Emergency Grant Program Mayor Moreno to work with local mayors and other officials to remove San Luis County from the Southern California Region By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@atascaderonews.com ATASCADERO — Due to the recent stay-at-home order put into place on Dec. 6 by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Atascadero City Council scheduled a special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 15, to discuss an emergency grant program to assist small businesses. The regional stay-at-home order was implemented in regions with less than 15 percent ICU availability and prohibited private gatherings of any size. Also, Newsom announced that all non-essential travel was restricted statewide starting on Dec. 3 until further notice. Under the new stay-at-home order, essential businesses such as grocery stores must operate at 20 CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
EDUCATION
AUSD Trustees Receive Facilities, COVID, Budget Updates District reports closing 8 classrooms since November By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District trustees, in their final meeting of 2020, were updated by the District on COVID-19, the budget going forward, and the handful of facilities projects nearing completion. In an organizational meeting before discussing the agenda, the Board acknowledged outgoing president Donn Clickard and elected CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
COMMUNITY
Vine Street in Paso Robles was again decked out for the Vine Street Victorian Showcase on Dec. 12. It will be held again on Dec. 19. Photo by Hayley Mattson
Thousands Cruise Vine Street Victorian Showcase Parade
The unsinkable spirit of North County continues to power through the cold dark nights of the 2020 winter By NICHOLAS MATTSON nic@atascaderonews.com
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s is the story of 2020, the Vine Street Victorian Showcase is no exception to trying things a little differently. A clean break from the drama of post-election debate and arguments over
the latest governor’s “orders,” the annual Paso Robles Vine Street event was lights on and drive through with familiar faces and bright, shiny places. Instead of the usual crowds of thousands of people walking up and down the 1-mile strip of Vine Street, it was a vehicle parade of several hundred cars and trucks with
cheery voices shouting season’s greetings from the windows. The usual bright spots on Vine Street were lit up with the holiday spirit up and down the strip. Ebenezer Scrooges whitelight second-floor deck was empty, however, as he joined in the parade to shout his “bah humbug” rhetoric up and down at the driv-
ers and passersby from the back of a vintage auto driven by 2018 Pioneer Day Marshal Bob Tullock, who was escorting the founder of the Showcase, Norma Moye. Also making their way up and down the strip were Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, the CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
SPORTS
Templeton’s Backer, Forniss Sign National Letters Of Intent to Play Softball By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com TEMPLETON — In front of their home field at Vineyard Elementary School, Isabella Backer and Charlotte Forniss, on Thursday, Dec. 10, signed National Letters of Intent to continue their softball careers in college. Backer signed to play at Division 1 Elon University in North Carolina while Forniss committed to Division 2 Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho. Backer has started each of her first three seasons for the Eagles and will make it a perfect 4-for-4 should the Templeton Eagles play spring sports in 2021, her senior year. Over her three years in the green and white, Backer struck fear in the heart of opposing pitchers she faced. In 50 games in her high school career, according to Maxpreps. com, Backer batted over .400 with a .409 slugging average, with 65 hits, 37 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 10 home runs, six of which she hit as a freshman. Backer also played tennis at Templeton High School but knew for a long time that softball would be her sport of the future. “Travel ball started, for me, in sixth grade, and when I
EVENT
Left, Charlotte Forniss stands in her Northwest Nazarene University jersey. Right, Isabella Backer signs her National Letter of Intent to play softball at Elon University in North Carolina. Contributed photos
knew that was the only sport I wanted to play in college,” Forniss has been a great softball player but played behind Backer stated. “We went on a college tour in ninth grade one of Templeton’s most outstanding athletes in Ashley where we visited Elon University in the Colonial Athletic Daughety, who is now pitching for Texas A&M in the League. I attended a three-day softball camp and imme- Southeastern Athletic Conference. diately connected with the coaches, players, and campus. I CONTINUED ON PAGE A15 just felt right at home.”
LOCAL NEWS
COUNTY
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WEATHER
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COUNTY’S OPERATION SANTA expects to deliver over 1,000 gifts to local children | A3
WINTER WINE AWARD winners are honored by PRWCA membership | A4
TCSD DIRECTORS APPROVE Evers Sports Park Improvement Plan and Wage Adjustments | A5
COVID-19 VACCINE ARRIVES in SLO County and officials talk about next steps | A7
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