The Paso Robles Press • October 21 2021

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GOOD NEWS. REAL NEWS. HOMETOWN NEWS.

SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXII, NO. XVIII

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2021

pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY

FARMS

GOVERNMENT

It’s The Great Pumpkin, North County

Paso Robles City Council Returns to In-Person Meetings Downtown parklet program extended to Jan. 31, 2022 By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.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

PASO ROBLES — The Paso Robles City Council returned to in-person meetings on Oct. 19. General public comment consisted of concerns over some deterioration of the softball fields at Barney Swartz Park on Union Road. The public complained that the concession stand was closed for a recent tournament, and the fields were poorly maintained. A staff member informed the Council the concession stand was open but is being operated differently. She also mentioned due to COVID; there is a lack of employees to maintain the fields. It was determined the issue of Barney Swartz will be agendized as an item for the next City Council meeting. Council received a quarterly financial report with amendments for fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22. The fiscal Year 2020-21 was a challenging year with the pandemic affecting many local businesses— especially the restaurant industry. The City had estimated to use $5.7 million in reserves, but instead, in April 2021, the use of reserves was estimated at approximately $2 million. The City is now looking to end the fiscal year with a $4.8 million surplus. The full quarterly report is available on the meeting’s agenda by visiting prcity.com/DocumentCenter/View/32640/ October-19-2021-City-CouncilMeeting-Agenda-Item-11PDF Council then approved the 1996 Master Property Tax Sharing Agreement to the Paso Robles Gateway Property. However, Councilman John Hamon voted no. City Council approved the Gateway Annexation Project on Jun. 16, 2020. The project encompasses 170 acres located adjacent to the southwest side of the City. It includes the phased development of a mixeduse project comprised of two hotels, three commercial centers with a total of 73,600 leasable square feet, 17 workforce apartment units, up to 80 attached single-family residential resort units, or a third hotel and approximately 98 acres of agriculture and open space areas. The City will generate $1.7 million per year from the proper-

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River “K” Pumpkin Farm is ready for your pumpkin hunting adventure. With a large corn maze, spooky cemetery, creepy house and lots of pumpkins you cut right off the vine! Photos by Hayley Mattson

From corn mazes, rows of pumpkins and apple cider slushee’s the local farms are ready for visitors By CHRISTIANNA MARKS For the Paso Robles Press

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

EVENT

PROTEST

67 Year Old Time Capsule Opened at Former Paso Robles Boys School Two Paso Robles Press newspapers were in the capsule By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.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 Facility 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 conser-

BUSINESS

Erin Westmoreland and her children protesting for freedom at the SLO County Health Department. Contributed photo

Over 250 Protest Student Vaccine Mandate at SLO Health Department Newsom states COVID vaccine will be mandatory when fully FDA approved By CAMILLE DeVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com

The first youths arrived at El Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facility on Sept. 30, 1947. Photo by Gene Richards

vation 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. Two Paso Robles Press papers were found in the capsule along

EVENT

with an edition of the Telegram-Tribune. Historical photos were also in the capsule, including one from 1947 of the first boys arriving from a correctional facility in Whittier. Additionally, dozens of business cards from State officials, including a signaCONTINUED ON PAGE A15

SMART CASE

PREP SPORTS

WEATHER

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SAN MIGUEL SAYS GOODBYE ART IN THE PARK RETURNED to Chamber of Commerce as decison is to Paso Robles For a made to dissolve | A2 Successful Weekend | A3

FLORES HEARING SET to Begin Apr. 25, 2022 as Flores’ again plead not-guilty | A5

PASO ROBLES BEARCATS beat Pioneer Valley 16-6 in Homecoming Game | A13

High 79° | Low 54°

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