County Roundup

Piedras Blancas

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Lois Capps to preserve the historic Piedras Blancas Light Station received Senate approval Thursday.

The measure would add the 130-year-old lighthouse and the 18 acres on which it sits to the Bureau of Land Management’s National Landscape Conservation System, where it would be preserved as an “outstanding natural area.”

The House passed the Santa Barbara Democrat’s bill a year ago. In the Senate, Capps’ legislation was added to a larger public lands bill that will go back to the House as early as next week for final consideration before the package is sent to the White House for President Bush to sign.

“This is an important part of helping to ensure the lasting protection of the Big Sur coastline,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said in a prepared statement announcing the Senate action.

—David Whitney

Oceano

The Oceano Community Services District board has approved a rule change that allows a new board president to be voted in at any meeting during the year.

Board member Bill Bookout proposed the change for consideration at Wednesday’s meeting. He and board members Pamela Dean and Vern Dahl voted in favor of the change, with board President Jim Hill and board member Barbara Mann opposing.

Now the board’s sitting president or vice president can be voted out with a minimum 3-2 majority.

The proposal comes less than a month after the adoption of a new rule of order to rotate the president and vice president seats. That rule, adopted March 12, states that the board member who has served the longest and hasn’t previously been president would become the new president at the end of each year. The next senior-most board member then would take the vice president seat.

Residents of Oceano elect board members for four-year terms. The president’s responsibilities include moderating meetings and speaking on behalf of the board in public forums. The president’s vote holds the same weight as other board members.

—Nick Wilson

Paso Robles

An update on the state budget situation and how it will affect Paso Robles schools is set to be held at the district offices at 5:30 p. m. April 21.

The information will be presented by Superintendent Kathy McNamara, who is set to discuss possible cutbacks to services because of the state budget situation.

The district offices are at 800 Niblick Road in Paso Robles.

—Leah Etling

San Luis Obispo

The San Luis Obispo High School Latin Club won second place among 26 small schools at the 53rd annual California Junior Classical League Convention.

The competition included academic events (tests in Latin vocabulary, mottos and Roman history), artistic events (sculpture, mosaics, painting and drama) and athletic events (including chariot racing). Forty-four schools were represented at the event. San Luis Obispo High School sent 32 delegates.

The San Luis Obispo High School team that won first place in the chariot race included Kiele Argente, Marissa Bych, Alessa Moscoso, Jordan Chesnut and driver Daniel Phillips.

For more information about the competition and winners, visit the California Junior Classical League Web site at www.cajcl.org . —Sally Connell