GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. XLI
EDUCATION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
FARMS
It’s The Great Pumpkin, North County
Superintendent Addresses Parents Concerns Over Vaccine Mandate Board receives Bargaining Proposal for ‘21-‘22 from AUSD to Atascadero Teacher’s Association By PATRICK PATTON patrick@atascaderonews.com
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) held their regularly scheduled School Board of Trustees Meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. with nothing to report from closed session. Board President George Shoemaker asked everyone in attendance to put on a mask; then he asked a second time. He then asked one audience member specifically to put on a mask. The woman— who, judging from the live-stream video, appeared to be at least 10 feet away from the nearest individual— declined to put on a mask. He then asked her to wait outside until her name was called for public comment, to which she agreed. Executive Director of Technology Candy Smet and Network Coordinator Brian Miller then approached the podium to present a grant of approximately 1.5 Million dollars that will be used toward new technology and equipment, including acquiring Chrome Books for students to use at home. Student Representative Gabriela Pullen from Atascadero High School (AHS) provided a monthly update. She reported on a successful Homecoming Dance with over 700 students in attendance. In addition, the Marching Band—which has grown from 60 members last year to 74 members this year—just had a very successful Band Camp. They also performed at the Homecoming football game, the Colony Days Parade, and Pioneer Day. The Model U.N. will be attending their first conference this year virtually on Oct. 23-24 and debating ways to promote equal access to education, emphasizing humanitarian aid for women and girls in Afghanistan. AHS Choir performed the national anthem on Sept. 10 for AHS’s Patriots’ Day Assembly as well as Atascadero City’s Patriot Day Memorial on Sept. 11. They are now allowed to sing inside once again as long as they are wearing masks. The Board then recognized and accepted the donation from the Atascadero Rotary Club to Mary Reynolds, Principal of the Creston Elementary School of $1,000 and donation to the AHS physiCONTINUED ON PAGE A15
NON-PROFIT
Jack Creek Farms (left) and Chesebrough Farms (right) both family owned and operated have loads of pumpkins, organic produce and fun times for the entire family. Photos by Hayley Mattson and Christianna Marks
From corn mazes, rows of pumpkins and apple cider slushee’s the local farms are ready for visitors By CHRISTIANNA MARKS For the Atascadero News
P
umpkin patches are an Autumn favorite. A fall outing for everyone to enjoy. And the North County has a lot to offer. From farm to table pickings, to
corn mazes you can get lost in, and every- it was COVID, they [the Chesebroughs] thing in between. planted on Jun. 1, they weren’t sure if they Chesebrough Farm could even be open. So instead of doing Chesebrough Farm, located on Moss more carving pumpkins, everything up here Lane in Templeton, is Bob and Donna [near the stand], and under the barn, up off Chesebrough’s seasonal pumpkin patch the ground, is all edible,” said the Chesethat’s been in operation for over twenty broughs neighbor DeeDee. years. It features adorable scarecrows, beauChesebrough Farm is also known for tiful displays, a cute wagon station, local its pumpkin scarring, and Donna is taking goods, and up to seventy-five different vari- orders between now and the middle of July eties of pumpkins and edible squash. 2022 for October of next year. “Everything is grown here on the farm; Whether you’re looking for pie ingredithey don’t buy anything. Last year, when ents or a pre-jack-o-lantern, head to Chese-
brough Farms. Open every day, Oct. 1 thru Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jack Creek Farms
Jack Creek Farms, located off of Highway 46 West in Templeton, isn’t just a seasonal farm; it’s in operation all year round, though currently it’s packed to the brim with pumpkins. “This year, we grew about four-and-a-half acres of pumpkins. Here behind us. And my sister and I have been spending every CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
HISTORY
PROTEST
Over 250 Protest Student Vaccine Mandate at SLO Health Department
The first youths arrived at El Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facility on Sept. 30, 1947. Photo by Gene Richards
67 Year Old Time Capsule Opened at Former Paso Robles Boys School
Two Paso Robles Press newspapers were in capsule Moms For Liberty protesting for freedom at the SLO County Health Department. Contributed photo
Newsom states COVID vaccine will be mandatory when fully FDA approved By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
CALIFORNIA — On Monday, Oct. 18, parents and teachers who oppose vaccine mandates for students and teachers participated in a Statewide sit-out. Parents opposing vaccine mandates pulled their students from school on Monday. Rather than calling their child sick, parents said their child is not going to school because they oppose vaccine mandates. At 11:00 a.m. on Monday, parents met at the
EVENT
San Luis Obispo County Department of Health to show their support against the vaccine mandates for students. According to Rebekah Koznek, the vice-chair for Moms for Liberty San Luis Obispo County, over 250 people showed up at the health department. Parents left shoes lined up along the sidewalk in front of the building to represent the students who will be pulled out of school when the mandate starts. The shoes will later be donated to a local charity. On Oct. 1, California became the first state to announce a COVID vaccination mandate for schools. Governor Newsom announced the COVID vaccine would be added to the list of required vaccinations for middle and high school students once the vaccine receives full approval from the Food and
SMART CASE
CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
PREP SPORTS
By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
PASO ROBLES — On Oct. 14, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), opened a time capsule that was sealed at the former El Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facility Administration Building in 1954. The facility on Airport Road has been deactivated and vacant since 2008, and the property is about to be sold. The capsule was opened due to the upcoming sale. About 25 people were present, including DJJ Director Heather Bowlds, Psy.D., and former El Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facil-
ity Superintendent David Bacigalupo. The first youths arrived at El Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facility on Sept. 30, 1947. The facility, run by the California Youth Authority at the time, was a former Army airfield comprised of 200 acres and 40 barrack buildings and was purchased by the state for $8,000. The El Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facility served as a youth conservation camp in partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). The time capsule was removed from the brick exterior of the former boys’ school. It took about 20 minutes to cut the copper container from the building. CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
atascaderonews.com twitter.com/ @AtascaderoNews facebook.com/ @AtascaderoNews
SENSORIO GIVES BACK Supporting Children With Cancer and Santa Barbara Food Bank | A3
FREE WASTE MANAGEMENT FLORES HEARING SET Drop Week for Atascadero Customers to Begin Apr. 25, 2022 as Flores’ to dispose of extra waste | A4 again plead not-guilty | A5
ATASCADERO CROSS COUNTRY competed in the Pioneer Valley Invitational | A13
High 75° | Low 54°
SUPPORT LOCAL
JOURNALISM
5
67808 24135
e Scan her ted! ar t s t e g to
HELP YOUR BUSINESS TAKE FLIGHT!
Not only do you have the power to choose the subscription that fits your life, but when you advertise, you will broaden your reach into target markets throughout the Central Coast, from Ventura County to Monterey County!
Subscribe & Advertise with
atascaderonews.com (805) 466-2585 office@13starsmedia.com
7