Cover Story
Deal with the devil: PG&E must pay $43 million for 2021 Diablo Canyon outage, but ratepayers may be saddled with future costs
Four years after an alleged mismanaged forced outage of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, the California Public Utilities Commission ordered Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to return $43.2 million in replacement power costs paid by ratepayers. “The first disallowance is for forced outage four at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, which PG&E failed to prevent…
You can dress up the offshore wind industry as being good for California, but it’s still industrialization of our ports
Now don’t misunderstand me … I love piggies (especially the little baby oinkers) as much as anyone, but you have to admit, the phrase “you can put lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig” is really apropos when it comes to the offshore wind industry and its efforts to bamboozle the public into…
The streets of SLO
Traffic and transportation experts of San Luis Obispo have discovered numerous ways to upgrade streetwear, signage, and maneuverability. But so much more could be done. In addition to the many “humps” drivers happily encounter, could we consider adding taller humps and call them bumps? To further the concept of street gauntlets, perhaps roads could be…
Democrats are oblivious to the optics of their antics
A recurring gag in the old Peanuts comic strip had Lucy holding a football and asking Charlie Brown to kick it. And every time he tried, she would trick him and pull the ball away at the last second. And after Charlie Brown resolved that he would never fall for that trick again, she would…
Dis-agree-ments
Most of the time, when I flip a light switch, I don’t give it a second thought. I certainly don’t think about Diablo Canyon Power Plant out there on our coastline, splitting atoms and heating water and turning turbines that generate the power that makes my light switch work. Unless, of course, Diablo is in…
Cal Poly’s Strawberry Center shares research with farmers during July field day
Grow yourself The California Strawberry Center is located on Cal Poly’s campus. Find out more about the program by visiting strawberry.calpoly.edu. Learn about the California Strawberry Commission at californiastrawberries.com. In eight years, the cost of growing strawberries in California has increased by 40 percent. In 2016, farmers spent about $62,000 per acre of the red…
Nashville singer-songwriters Amalia Fleming and Charlie McNeal play The Siren on Aug. 2
Nashville. Music City. Capital of the music industry. For a lot of musicians, the draw of Nashville is irresistible, which is why it’s a town packed full of amazing singers, songwriters, and musicians. Trying to rise to the top in this sea of talent requires deep commitment, and two of our own are living in…
The Fantastic Four: First Steps is a study in retro idealism
THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS What’s it rated? PG-13What’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full priceWhere’s it showing? Bay (starts Aug. 22), Colony, Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10, Sunset Drive-In Matt Shakman (Cut Bank) directs this reboot of the Fantastic Four franchise about four superheroes—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman…
Netflix miniseries Untamed follows a National Parks Service agent investigating a brutal death
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Netflix National Parks are beautiful, but all hold deadly secrets. Entire podcast series are based on true stories of missing people, murder, and nefarious acts that happen within park borders. Kyle Turner (Eric Bana) is a troubled man, prone to drink and anger. It takes a…
Potential tsunami from Russia earthquake misses SLO County
A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake east of Russia’s Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky triggered tsunami advisories for the California, Oregon, and Washington coasts. The July 29 earthquake off the coast of Russia was the largest in the world since the 2011 magnitude 9 earthquake in Tohoku, Japan. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, at the location of this earthquake,…
Apple TV’s Stick follows a washed-up pro golfer as he grooms a promising kid for a pro career
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2025 Where’s it showing? Apple TV+ Created by Dan Keller (Machine Gun Preacher, Ford v Ferrari), this engaging comedy TV series puts Owen Wilson center stage as Pryce Cahill, a pro golfer reduced to golf lessons and selling golf clubs. He and his old caddy, Mitts (Marc Maron), also occasionally…
Cayucos residents push SLO County to open a local bridge to golf carts as transportation trends change
For being 50-feet long, Cabrillo Bridge has created miles of issues as local transportation methods evolve in Cayucos. The bridge, just between the Cayucos-Morro Bay Cemetery and water treatment plant, was built in 1987 with the intention of providing pedestrians and bike riders a safe route from the north end of town to the south.…
Paso Robles police are investigating metal spikes puncturing drivers’ tires
Since mid-June, metal spikes have riddled the streets of Paso Robles. According to Paso Robles City Police Sgt. Steve Boyett, the department has received at least 40 reports of tire damage over the past six weeks after motorists found caltrops, or metal spikes, lodged in their car tires after driving on local roads. “This seems…
San Miguel CSD discusses for a second time dissolving its services to the county
Dissolving the San Miguel Community Services District (CSD) was a hot topic once again at its most recent meeting , three months after board members previously claimed they wouldn’t speak any further about the matter. According to the meeting’s agenda, board members John Green and Owen Davis proposed that the board revisit the topic on…
Fine art photographer Arthur Tress presents Sons and Lovers at Gala through Aug. 31
See the show Fine art photographer Arthur Tress presents Sons and Lovers, a collection of 16 black and white photos at the Gala Pride and Diversity Center through August. A reception is scheduled for Art After Dark on Friday, Aug. 1 (5 to 8 p.m.). Gala is located at 1060 Palm St., SLO. For more…
Righetti retorts with lawsuit against SLO for causing landslides in open space area
The Righetti company shot back at the city of San Luis Obispo’s claims of triggering landslides in the Righetti Hill open space with a lawsuit of its own. In May, Righetti NC LLC sued the city for damages, alleging that two landslides that took place in 2019 and 2023 happened because the city neglected to…
Corazón Café issues an open call for staged photo submissions for SLOscapes
Corazón Café has another fun community photography show cooked up called SLOscapes: Local Portraits Matching SLO Scenes—and anyone can submit photos to hang on the café’s walls in September. “The show’s theme focuses on portraits where the subject blends into their background—whether that’s through color, pattern, texture, or visual storytelling,” organizer Sara McGrath announced. “Portraits…
Paso Robles High School grad receives first-generation scholarship to attend Cal Poly
During his first year of high school, Erid Garcia and his older sister would catch the 6 a.m. bus from San Miguel to Paso Robles each morning, then they’d walk another hour to Paso Robles High School. “Due to financial problems, there was no way to have adequate transportation,” Garcia said. “That kind of just…
Studios on the Park presents The Arts Around Us: Tango Lessons for Life on Aug. 3
According to physician, dancer, and author Jeannette Potts, the partnered social dance, the tango, imparts many lessons including improved listening, communication, and leadership. On Sunday, Aug. 3 (2:30 to 3:30 p.m.), in the Atrium of Paso’s Studios on the Park, she will host a salon that “will feature musical performances, song, and dance, as well…
