Cover Story
Health care behind bars: Central Coast jails struggle to care for sick inmates
Kevin Lee McLaughlin woke up in the early morning hours of April 13, 2017, feeling unwell. The 60-year-old inmate had been in custody in the San Luis Obispo County Jail since late January awaiting sentencing on an assault charge. At 2:30 a.m., he saw a jail nurse for an evaluation. He complained of numbness, tingling,…
Morro Bay keeps vacation rentals capped
Morro Bay residents asked for strict regulation of vacation rentals at the April 24 City Council meeting. “I want to live in a community that welcomes and accommodates families with children,” Carol Swin said during public comment. “We wholeheartedly welcome tourists to Morro Bay … we can coexist here, just not in our residential neighborhoods.”…
Enter the cave!
Sounds a little sketchy, but I promise there’s nothing too scary in this cave. Well, unless you find the idea of fruited IPAs absolutely terrifying (which some stuffy beer purists do). Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. says phooey to all that. Beer is good. Fruit is good. Why shouldn’t the two throw on a couple of…
Private funding sought for jail mental health unit
As the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office continues its attempts to reform mental health care for jail inmates, one local nonprofit organization says it’s raising funds to help. The SLO County Sheriff’s Advisory Foundation announced that it is spearheading plans to raise $500,000 to retrofit jail facilities and to house a behavioral health unit.…
Four-story development proposed on Foothill in SLO
The same developer behind two controversial projects already under construction in San Luis Obispo is eyeing another: a four-story mixed-use project at 790 Foothill Blvd. LR Development Group, an El Segundo-based company, submitted the plans for 78 units of housing and 6,800 square feet of ground floor commercial/retail space. The project would be developed on…
Community Counseling Center celebrates 50 years, moves to new location
A cream-colored house with a lilac-colored sign sits on Marsh Street in San Luis Obispo. Aside from the sign that reads Community Counseling Center, you wouldn’t know at first glance that the little house is a safety net contributor and preventative care provider for professional affordable psychotherapy. Executive Director James Statler said the center is…
Around the horn: Candidates for District 2 county supervisor square off at Morro Bay forum
The race to represent the North Coast on the San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors pins three-term incumbent Bruce Gibson against two challengers: local business owner Jeff Eckles and attorney Patrick Sparks. An April 20 forum, hosted by the Latino Outreach Council and the League of Women Voters at the Morro Bay Vets’ Hall, marked…
Roots vs. symptoms of systemic racism
Systemic racism from businesses, schools, and police has always been problematic. Change won’t occur unless we unabashedly attack the root sources. The reverberations are substantially felt. Minorities are victimized in these situations; still, a larger portion of the victimization is given to white antagonists. They mostly equate their acts of racism with fear and ignorance.…
The SLO story
Once upon a time, there was a wonderful little city: Where the air was fresh and clean, Where there were wonderful views of nearby mountains and hills from nearly everywhere in town, Where there were beautiful mature trees shading streets and neighborhoods, Where the sound of birds and other wildlife could be heard day and…
The Shredder is deplorable
I find your comments deplorable, but I will defend to the death your right to say them. Paraphrasing comments attributed to Voltaire. The Shredder appears to believe that it is the ultimate determination of what constitutes free speech (“Oops, they did it again!” April 12). You have every right to your opinions, but to ask…
Attack the argument, not the man
I’m writing to express my disappointment with New Times for publishing the letter (“Shun the character assassins,” April 19) from Mr. Dawson, an obvious apostle of 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton’s conservative agenda. I’ve written many letters to the editor of New Times and thank you for publishing them. My letters I’ll admit have an…
Threat to liberty
Let’s just ban everything, jail everyone who disagrees, or better yet, not simply defeat the opposition, obliterate them! Such are the sentiments being expressed in print, in speech, and manifesting themselves in legislation in the Golden State. We are a divided people and, I fear, hopelessly divided. How this ends does not bode well for…
Don’t call me white
For most of my life, I have had a label that bothered me. I never thought to say anything because I figured that was the way it is. But now, in this era of sensitivity to other people’s feelings, I think it is time I said something. I AM NOT WHITE! I am an American…
Two wrongs make a right, right?
At 4:20 p.m. on 4/20, I was way too busy smoking some super dank and totally legal weed to notice that some daredevil graffiti artist had jumped over the guardrail to spray paint “Cal Poly racist hicks” on the Union Pacific Railroad bridge over Monterey Street, in SLO Town. If I had seen it, I…
Boycott the NRA
Recent arguments that the National Rifle Association (NRA) is not to blame for the mass shootings plaguing our schools and country are full of holes. How? Because whenever sensible citizens even propose the regulation of the military-style assault weapons used in these massacres, the NRA dangles its cash until just enough legislators acquiesce and block…
Social media sound off
New Times readers took to Facebook to share their thoughts about our April 19 story, “North County health clinic closed due to pressure from activists, says Planned Parenthood.”
Arroyo Grande oil field is a net water producer
Concerned about water supply? Keep the oil field in operation. What does oil production in San Luis Obispo County have to do with water supply? Well, our one oil field of note—the Arroyo Grande Oil Field—is a net producer of water. Approximately 500,000 gallons of highly purified water are released into Pismo Creek each day.…
Paso may join suit against state ‘ sanctuary’ law
The Paso Robles City Council will decide on May 1 whether to take action against California’s “sanctuary” law—including whether to join other cities and counties in a federal lawsuit against it—after an army of city residents shredded the law at a meeting on April 17. “We’re going to find out very soon where each of…
La Santa Cecilia brings its Latin and U.S. hybrid sound to Fremont Theater on April 27
If you want your heart broken, watch La Santa Cecilia’s video for their song “ICE El Hielo.” It’s a beautiful Spanish language ballad, and even if you’re Spanish-challenged, the video makes clear it’s about how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. immigration policies are instilling fear in undocumented workers and tearing families apart. Featuring…
‘Super Troopers 2’ doesn’t live up to its predecessor
SUPER TROOPERS 2 What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Rental What’s it worth, Glen? Rental Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Stadium 10, Park Co-writer and director Jay Chandrasekhar helms this sequel to the 2001 comedy classic from the Broken Lizard comedy crew. This time around the Vermont State Troopers are tasked with…
Atascadero High School grad returns to play Curly in Opera SLO’s rendition of ‘Oklahoma!’
Oklahoma! Opera San Luis Obispo’s production of Oklahoma! will show May 12 at 2 and 7 p.m. and May 13 at 2 p.m. at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center. Tickets range from $23 to $77. Visit operaslo.org for more information. Los Angeles Opera chorus member Gabriel Manro still remembers the first musical he ever…
Blast from the Past: Scarface
When? 1983 What’s it rated? R Where’s it available? DVD and Blu-ray, On Demand First you get the power. Then you get the money. Then you get the women. There are so many lines from Scarface I could quote directly from memory that I almost don’t even need to actually watch the film. But I…
A personal touch: The stories behind the objects in Patti Robbins’ still-life paintings
A snap shot Patti Robbins’ exhibit of still-life paintings, Passion for Color and Pattern, will be on display at the SLO Museum of Art through June 17. On May 13 the museum will host Art at High Noon with Robbins as well. Visit sloma.org for more information. Artist Patti Robbins is something of a hoarder,…
Film Listings 4/26/18 – 5/3/18
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR What’s it rated? PG-13 Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Sunset Drive-In, Bay, Park, Galaxy New Avengers: Infinity War brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their superhero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before…
Make succulent wreaths for Mother’s Day
Treat your mom to some DIY craft time on May 13 at the Mother’s Day Make a Succulent Wreath workshop at Art Center Morro Bay. The class will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will learn how easy it is to create and maintain a succulent wreath. Everything is included—locally grown succulents, wreath…
Olallieberry Festival ripens in Cambria May 5
Berry famous The Olallieberry Festival arrives May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cambria Historical Society. Expect olallieberry dishes, a kids corner, kids dessert contest, wine, beer, local food vendors, jewelry and craft booths, and live music by Jill Knight. For more information, go to cambriaolallieberryfestival.com. Life is juicy, love is juicy.…
DA warns sanitation district of Brown Act violation
The South SLO County Sanitation District’s board of directors has to re-interview candidates for its top administrative position after the first round of interviews violated the state’s open meetings laws. The three-member board voted unanimously April 18 to redo interviews with six candidates vying for a job as the district’s administrator after receiving a letter…
See Michael Hannon’s lit sculptures
Central Coast Sculptors Group presents Michael Hannon’s intriguing solo exhibition, Illuminated Sculpture, May 3 to 27 at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. Hannon has designed articulated lamps for more than 25 years. This private collection of figurative and geometric lighting has never been shared in public before. SLOMA guests are invited to write…
Chill out!
Go with the flow: Grab a mimosa or bloody mary and chill out on the coast while guitarists serenade you with sweet tunes. Sounds like a nice way to end the week, right? Acoustic Sundays are live at SeaVenture Beach Hotel in Pismo Beach (seaventurerestaurant.com), which means you should be lathering on the SPF and…
Feds’ approval of new Carrizo oil well faces appeal
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved a 6-year-old application for new oil drilling on the Carrizo Plain National Monument last month, prompting an appeal by environmental organizations claiming the federal agency skirted its environmental review obligations. The drilling proposed by E&B Natural Resources, a Bakersfield-based energy company, is set within an existing oil lease…
‘Lost in Yonkers’ on stage at SLO Rep
Step back in time to 1942 in Yonkers, New York, with SLO Repertory Theatre’s production Lost in Yonkers, showing May 4 through 20. Winner of the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this memory play is written by America’s great comic playwright, Neil Simon (The Odd Couple, The Good Doctor). Eddie Kurnitz deposits his two young…
Spring, sprang, sprung!
It won’t stay green for long: Now is the time to take that farm tour you’ve been putting off (we all know those hills will turn gold soon enough). The weather is perfect for a stroll through fragrant fields at Harmony Lavender in Atascadero (book at harmonylavender.com). Perhaps you’re looking for a cheesier experience, and…
Claim accuses county of neglect in latest inmate death
San Luis Obispo County is under fire again for its alleged role in the death of a jail inmate. The wife of Russell Hammer, a 62-year-old inmate who died in the jail in November 2017, filed a claim for damages against the county alleging that her husband suffered “horrible and inhumane treatment” that led to…
Chasing flowers: Spring didn’t grace Carrizo Plain National Monument with a super bloom, but it’s still pretty
It was dead quiet, dark, and I had to pee. “Damn,” I think. “This is not happening.” I bury my head into my pillow and close my eyes. An hour later, a cacophony of chirping wakes me up. It’s light out, but barely. I unzip my tent, put my shoes on, and step into the…
Wild fun
Cheers to the tiger: Brew at the Zoo kicks off this April 28 at the Charles Paddock Zoo in A-Town, and it promises to have teeth. You can expect a sampling of craft breweries, wine, and cider (plus, monkeys, birds, reptiles, and all the other critters housed at the facility). Attendees will receive a collectible…
