GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XLIII
EDUCATION
AUSD Board Continues to Address Parents Concerns
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
FUTURE FARMERS
Success For Local FFA Students at National Convention
Atascadero High School Model United Nations student delegation presented highlights of the program By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) held their regularly scheduled School Board of Trustees Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. with one item to report from closed session. The Board approved the expulsion of an anonymous student in a 6-0 vote. Trustee Terri Switzer was absent from the meeting. Members of the Atascadero High School (AHS) Model United Nations (U.N.) delegation gave a presentation highlighting the Model U.N. program. If COVID-related restrictions are lifted by springtime, AHS Model U.N. delegation would like to attend the Model United Nations National High School Conference in New York City from Saturday, Mar. 19 through Sunday, Mar. 27. They have raised $3500 so far for this trip, and they have a variety of upcoming fundraisers that will help them get there. The students were asked to come up to pose for a photograph and were instructed by board members to stand next to each other and remove their masks for the picture. Immediately after that, the mood changed as President Shoemaker asked a member of the public— later identified as Britney Baker—to either put on a mask or to leave the room multiple times. Baker eventually complied. President Shoemaker then asked another couple to put their masks on as well. The woman—later identified as Stacy Emack—asked why the rules were changing and why she was being segregated. She also stated that she had a medical exemption. President Shoemaker advised that an accommodation had been made for her to watch in another room. There was a long back and forth after which President Shoemaker temporarily adjourned the meeting, and the live feed was cut. When the live feed resumed, the couple was absent from the room and not addressed further. Sheomaker called the meeting back to order and opened public comment. The first speaker was Emack, who was speaking virtually from the adjacent room. Emack CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
VIGIL
Left: Shandon FFA Chapter with their Advisors. Right: National Tractor Restoration competitors (From left to right) John Paul Schmidt (Templeton), Annika Ernstrom (San Luis Obispo), Cameron McEntire (Atascadero), Annika Jensen (Pozo), Shane Brennan (Templeton). Contributed photos
Shane Brennan named Reserve Champion for Delo National Tractor Restoration Program By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY — Over the Halloween weekend, local FFA students traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, for the 94th Annual National FFA Convention.
The Central Coast continuously makes its mark in the Delo National Tractor Restoration Program, and this year is no different. Shane Brennan and John Paul Schmidt of Templeton, and Cameron McEntire of Atascadero placed in the top twelve finalists for the National program. Brennan took home Reserve Champion, and McEntire’s tractor was the Fan-Favorite Runner Up. Additionally, Annika Enstrom of San Luis Obispo, tractor was
the Grand Champion. She also earned Best Photo. Finalists for the National Program are chosen from tractor restoration competitions across the Nation. San Luis Obispo County students were chosen from the JB Dewar Tractor Restoration Program at the California Mid-State Fair. Each year, JB Dewar and Chevron Delo reward young students who have restored an antique tractor by providing them with a platform to share their workman-
ship, along with the distribution of scholarships. JB Dewar mentors and advises students, teaching them business skills, teamwork, project management, budgeting, planning, and marketing lessons in their restoration process. This year, Brennan and Schmidt took home first and second place at the fair. Brennan restored a 1952 Farmall Super AV and Schmidt a 1940 Allis Chalmers Model B. Annika Jenson of Santa Margarita took home third place with her
HOLIDAY
1964 Massey Ferguson 135. All five local tractor students traveled to Indianapolis to receive their awards and to attend the National FFA Convention. Shandon FFA advisor Deanna Morton was presented with an Honorary American Degree at the convention. The Honorary American FFA Degree is the highest degree bestowed upon an individual by the National FFA Organization. It CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
BUSINESS
Employee Shortage in the North County San Luis Obispo County ranks 8th lowest unemployment rate in California By CHRISTIANNA MARKS For the Atascadero News
PRPD and the PR Recruiting Station held Trunk or Treats and Atascadero held their “Trick or Treat on Entrada” over the Halloween weekend. Contributed Photos
North County Spooky Halloween Festivities Huge Success From “Trunk or Treat” to “Trick or Treat on Entrada,” among other events, the community came out to celebrate the holiday spirit By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY — After 20 months of living through the pandemic, the North County kiddos were ready to come out for Halloween this year and “Trick or Treat” their hearts out, and the community was
HOLIDAY
ready for them! The Paso Robles Police Department, along with the Paso Robles Army Recruiting Station, held a Trunk or Treat in the parking lot of the Recruiting Station, and it was a big hit! Hundreds gathered for face painting carnival games and a haunted Army tent. The free-family event was open to everyone and even included a best Halloween costume contest and best-decorated car contest! One child dressed as a police officer ran by, saying, “this is the best!” In Atascadero, the community came out for “Trick or Treat on Entrada,” where the downtown businesses set up a spooky night
GOVERNMENT
full of costume contests for the kids, groups, and pets, along with live music, a hay maze, and lots of candy! Hundreds of children with their parents participated in all the festivities, and many were overheard saying how much they enjoyed seeing the kids smiling faces once again! Roxy Bragg, the owner of Indigo Clothing on Entrada, shared, “Holy Moly!! Trick or Treat on Entrada was an amazing turnout! Thank you to all the businesses who participated and made this rally for Atascadero happen!”
NORTH COUNTY — Help wanted signs have been popping up all over The North County. In the windows of businesses, online, and even on the radio. The explosion of these ads indicates that there are plenty of jobs in the county, and yet, the jobs aren’t being filled. The Dentist Office of Dr. Rick Wearda in Templeton has been running an ad looking for a Dental Assistant for over a month. They had a total of three responses, and in the end, they hired back a previous employee to fill the role full-time. “So basically, there’s been very little interest [in the position]. There are two pages of dentists looking for dental assistants on Craigslist right now. And a lot of them aren’t even
CONTINUED ON PAGE A13
CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
HALLOWEEN FUN
WEATHER
atascaderonews.com twitter.com/ @AtascaderoNews facebook.com/ @AtascaderoNews
“HARP TO HEART” Dave Harper taught and coached at Templeton HS for 20 years | A3
THANKSGIVING FOR PASO Returns In-Person for 37th Anniversary | A4
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Unable to Come to Consensus on Cannabis Project | A5
PICTURE COLLAGE OF THE North County’s Spooky Halloween Festivities | A13
High 76° | Low 47°
5
67808 24135
7