Paso Robles Press • June 25, 2020

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Hometown News Since 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXI, NO. II

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020

EDUCATION

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PASO ROBLES POLICE DEPARTMENT

GOVERNMENT

Community Rides to Thank PRPD

PRJUSD Approves 20-21 School Budget

Paso Robles to Consider Adding Sales Tax Measure on Ballot

Also, District enters first phase of athletic practice By CAMILLE DeVAUL brian@pasoroblespress.com

Locals cruise down Spring Street on Saturday, July 20, to show support for local law enforcement following the two-day manhunt a week ago. Photo by Trisha Butcher

PASO ROBLES — Paso Robles Joint Unified School District trustees met on Tuesday, June 23. The District approved its budget for the upcoming school year but stressed that it would change and outlined the plan for fall sports resuming. The District accepted two donations from some local businesses. Glenair Inc donated $150 to PRHS to support its track and field program. Additionally, Robert Skelton of Servpro Morro Bay to King City is giving proactive COVID-19 cleaning between PRJUSD graduation ceremonies. A budget for the 2020-2021 school year was approved based on the May revisions. The 2020-2021 budget was proposed to the board at the June 9 meeting and included reductions of nearly $2 million. More cuts will likely need to be made, the District said. One to be discussed is a 2.5% reduction in salary. This can be done by adding a total of 5 furlough days or a 2.5% reduction in salary for certificated staff. It was stressed that the budget would change based on what state legislation and the governor agreed on this past week. The District is waiting on more details and then will present changes to trustees. Once the governor signs the state budget, the District has 45 days to revise its budget. There will be a special meeting held in July to discuss the newly revised budget. A copy of the 2020-2021 Financial Budget Report and summary can is on pasoschools.org under the Board Meeting Agenda tab. The District approved to enter a Professional Services Agreement with Babette Decou for a second year. Decou provides services in grant writing, CONTINUED ON PAGE A15

LOCAL NEWS

Staff expected to present information to Council on July 9

Community shows appreciation for work done during search for shooter By CONNOR ALLEN connor@pasoroblespress.com

S

aturday evening, Paso Robles streets were taken over for two hours by a car cruise in support of local law enforcement in response to their work in the active-shooter situation Downtown the morning of Wednesday,

June 10, and ended with four officers injured. “I approached the City about doing a rally,” cruise organizer Trisha Butcher told The Paso Robles Press. “I did a rally for the firefighters back when the chimney fire happened. It was a great way to show appreciation for all the firefighters that were out there. Things like that just

can’t be permitted right now. So this was just our way to show them en masse, safe numbers, how much we love them and appreciate them.” Most of the vehicles cruising were draped in either American and Thin Blue Line Flags or some combina-

The real answer is that Keith just wanted to create something that gave people a sense of normalcy for an hour or two while also helping out local communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “When they talk about high-risk individuals, I am who they are talking about, and

PASO ROBLES — City of Paso Robles staff broached adding a sales tax measure on the November ballot during its budget presentation to City Council on Tuesday, June 16. Due to the drop in revenue from the COVID-19 stay-home restrictions that forced many businesses to close for up to two months, the City dipped into its reserves and made other reductions to fill a projected $13 million shortfall in the 2020-21 budget. “Given the challenges outlined, which have been exacerbated by COVID-19, in order to continue to provide City services at the level that the community expects, the City and its taxpayers must explore all potential solutions,” City staff stated referring to the potential for a sales tax measure during its budget report Tuesday evening. City Manager Tom Frutchey said adding a tax measure to the November ballot was not a given. However, it was something to be explored and brought back for additional discussion at the Council’s meeting on July 9. Frutchey said the last opportunity the Council would have to decide at a regular meeting is July 21 to have it added to the ballot. Aug. 7 is the last possible day for measures to be added and then appear on the Nov. 3 ballot. “The purpose of the meeting on July 9 is to bring you preliminary information,” Frutchey said to the Council. “Give you the chance to ask us any questions and bring back all the necessary information so you can make your

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PASO STRONG CAR CRUISE

Cruise Nights Takes to the Streets

Facebook group parades Downtown to raise money for local charities By CONNOR ALLEN connor@pasoroblespress.com PASO ROBLES — If you have found yourself downtown, in a North County city, on a Friday night, around dusk the last few months, you probably stumbled upon what seemed like an impromptu car show, but it was much more than that. At the beginning of April, Paso Robles resident Scott Keith started the Facebook page “Paso Strong Car Cruise.”Three months later, that page is up to nearly 2,000 likes and draws the attention of motorheads who are already depressed at the canceling local car shows. While many of those in the community were aware of the cruise nights, almost none knew its origin and the message behind popular Friday night activity. The idea started near the end of March when the county was in the early parts of quarantine when Keith received a Facebook message about a cruise night in downtown San Luis Obispo since all the stores were closed. Following a few different cruises in

LOCAL NEWS

Classic cars cruise North County communities for fun and to raise money for local charities. Photo by Rick Evans

SLO, Keith decided to take the initiative and make a cruise page in North County, where old, cool, cars are a way of life, and it spread like wildfire. Some in the community assumed the car cruises were created as a way to rebel against the stay-at-home orders. Some wondered if this was something that had been happening for years with little attention.

NONPROFIT

By BRIAN WILLIAMS brian@pasoroblespress.com

SENIORS

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WEATHER

twitter.com/ @PasoRoblesPress facebook.com/ @PasoRoblesPress

SALINAS VALLEY FAIR crowns 2020 THS graduate Ashley Rosilez Queen | A3

DINING IN THE PARK now at your service in Paso’s Downtown City Park | A4

ECHO receives COVID-

19 funding for increasinf response services | A5

RETIREMENT PLANS have

not been foiled by COVID, just reassessed | A13

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Thank you,

to our teachers, nurses, and frontline workers.

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