GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXII, NO. XX
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
FUTURE FARMERS
Success For Local FFA Students At National Convention
Left: THS graduate Jessica Welcher and AHS graduates Jonathan and Mikayla traveled to Indianapolis to receive their American Degrees. Right: (Left to Right) THS FFA students Shane Brennan and John Paul Schmidt won first and second place at this years JB Dewar Tractor Restoration Competition at the CMSF. Contributed photos
Shane Brennan named Reserve Champion for Delo National Tractor Restoration Program By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.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 workmanship, 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 Chalm-
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ers Model B. Annika Jenson of Santa Margarita took home third place with her 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 CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
BUSINESS
North County Spooky Halloween Employee Shortage in The North County Festivities Huge Success San Luis Obispo County ranks 8th lowest unemployment rate in California
From “Trunk or Treat” to “Trick or Treat on Entrada,” among other events, the community came out to celebrate the holiday spirit
By CHRISTIANNA MARKS For the Paso Robles Press
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
By HAYLEY MATTSON hayley@pasoroblespress.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 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
VIGIL
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 asking for registered dental assistants, just dental assistants. If you’re registered, you can do a lot more than just a dental assistant,” says Patty McCall, the receptionist at Dr. Unemployment rates have been CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
dropping yet job openings are not being filled. Photo by Camille DeVaul
GOVERNMENT
City Council Discuss Changing Meeting Times
PRPD and the PR Recruiting Station held Trunk or Treats and Atascadero held their “Trick or Treat on Entrada” over the Halloween weekend. Contributed photo
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 full of costume contests for the kids, groups, and pets, along with live music, a hay maze, 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!”
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GOVERNMENT
CONTINUED ON PAGE A13
Paso Robles Diversity Panel to host Town Hall Unity Workshop By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles City Council has changed to hybrid meetings on Nov. 2. The public now has the option to participate virtually or
HALLOWEEN FUN
in person. For those attending in person, the Council Chamber will be at limited capacity to allow for compliance with the social distancing recommendations of the state and county health departments. Masks will be required for all individuals in the Council Chamber. Council later discussed modifying the City Council regular meeting time.
Staff introduced a recommendation to amend “Section 2.04.010 to read in pertinent part “on the dates and times set by resolution of the city council” rather than “at the hour of 6:30 p.m.” After this ordinance is adopted, the City Council may set its regular meetings by resolution, rather than a new ordinance.” CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
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“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
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