Staff picks: Top stories of 2016 

–As we approach 2017, the A-Town Daily News looks back over the last year at the stories that made a buzz. Check out our list of what we believe were the most important, talked about, wacky and shocking stories of 2016. Think we missed one? Let us know in the comment section below.

Atascadero woman arrested for keeping 44 dogs in her home

Conditions were reportedly unsanitary; many dogs needed medical care

–On Aug. 19. the San Luis Obispo County Division of Animal Services, assisted by the Atascadero Police Department and members of the Bakersfield Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals served a search warrant at 7461 Bella Vista Road in Atascadero. Atascadero resident Suzanne Sollenne, was found to be keeping over 40 dogs in unsanitary and overcrowded conditions. Additionally, a number of dogs were reported to be in need of medical care and treatment. Based on the unsanitary conditions, the lack of appropriate shelter, and the presence of several animals with untreated medical conditions, Animal Services seized all dogs on the property and Sollenne was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of felony animal cruelty. The majority of dogs were taken in and adopted out by Woods Humane Society. Sollenne avoided jail time by accepting a plea bargain that will have her complete community service, parole, and counseling. She will not be allowed to have any pets during the duration of her parole.

 

Local chef realizes dreams with budding catering business

Steven Rodriguez Sullivan started Shav’ N’ Flav catering, ‘on a shoestring’

–Steven Rodriguez Sullivan, owner of Shav N’ Flav catering, made quite a name for himself as a culinary success in the North County in 2016. Sullivan won the last three cooking contests that the city of Atascadero has hosted in a row, first with Taco Day on Traffic Way, then Tater Day on Traffic Way, and the Atascadero Tamale Festival. Although based in Paso Robles, Sullivan says around 80-percent of his business comes from Atascadero.

In May, at the time of the publishing of the business feature on the A-Town Daily News, Sullivan had hoped to purchase a food truck, and he made that dream a reality. Now, you can find Shav n’ Flav’s trailer at Tent City most days of the week, and they continue to cater to a large number of wineries and breweries in the county. Sullivan also became a Certified emergency Cal Fire food provider after he helped feed firefighters battling the Chimney fire in Lake Nacimiento at the Paso Robles Fairgrounds in August. Next on the horizon, Sullivan hopes to defend his title at the Atascadero Tamale Festival.

 

Atascadero Walmart project moves forward

Construction is scheduled to begin in or around the spring of 2017

–In August, the Atascadero City Council approved the next step of the Walmart location that is slated to be built at the corners of Del Rio and El Camino in Atascadero.

The city approved a creation of a landscape lighting district that will only impact Wal-Mart’s corporate owners. The tax levied from the district will go to cover costs such as maintenance, lighting and landscaping of the public property on the lot. The city plans to conduct the maintenance work and bill the owners annually. Estimated sales tax revenues are projected to be in the proximity of $585,000. Local construction crews, landscapers, and electricians will be used in the development.

Construction is scheduled to begin in or around the spring of 2017.

 

Fig good food opens second location at Courtney’s House

Original location on Traffic Way closed in November

–Fig Good Food owner Chris Dillow and Courtney’s House founder Carrie Sanders opened a new location for Dillow’s popular Atascadero restaurant at Courtney’s House in Templeton. Fig has begun to operate their restaurant out of the new location exclusively as of November. The restaurant is also a jobs program for young adults with developmental disabilities.

 

Car crashes into Atascadero sushi restaurant

No was was injured in the collision

–In July, a new Tesla Sedan crashed into a sushi restaurant in Atascadero, causing major damage.

The driver of the car was reportedly trying to park at Kai Lana Sushi, located on the 3000 block of El Camino Real, when they accelerated for unknown reasons and crashed into the restaurant’s kitchen. The car stopped about 3 feet into the kitchen, causing major damage, the report says.

 

Fatte’s pizza robbed at gunpoint

Man displaying handgun approached the register 

–Fatte’s Pizza at 5700 El Camino Real in Atascadero was robbed at gunpoint in November. Reports say that a man displaying a black handgun approached the register without saying anything. Employees proceeded to give the man the cash from the cash register.

 

Atascadero man rescued from burning building

Fire was in a barn with residence on second floor

–Atascadero Fire and Police responded to a residential structure fire that occurred in September in a barn with a residence on the second floor at 8600 San Gabriel in Atascadero. The building’s occupant, James Ayres, was reportedly stuck in the burning structure when he called 911, and was rescued from the flames by fire personnel. Ayres was un-injured. It appeared that the fire started outside the structure and spread to the interior, according to Atascadero Fire.

 

Atascadero water levels highest in years

Atascadero Lake glimmers half-full

According to John Neil, manager at the Atascadero Mutual Water Company. Well levels for this time of year are the highest they’ve been since 1993. That’s because Atascadero is situated west of the Rinconada Fault and benefits from an expansive basin that is fed by rainfall and the Salinas River. The water falls on the hills, runs into the river and creek channels and then fills up the aquifers.

And while last year Atascadero Lake had completely dried out in the fourth year of the drought, the lake is now at about 50-percent capacity, says Friends of the Atascadero Lake board member John Trumbull, who points out that a combination of winter rainfall and creek water imported from Atascadero Creek brought the moribund lake back to life. Also, early this summer, Friends of Atascadero Lake saw the completion of a new well thanks to some generous donations totaling $30,000, including major support from Filipponi & Thompson Drilling. The well water is necessary to offset lake evaporation, which during hotter months burns off nearly a quarter of an inch daily. Water from that well is now pumping water into Atascadero Lake from a nearby property owner just 800 feet away.