Cover Story
Trickle-down toxin: SLO County sues PFAS chemical manufacturers to recoup costs of environmental damage, including water contamination near the regional airport
San Luis Obispo County recently joined the steady stream of disgruntled groups across the nation attempting to hold major chemical companies responsible for allegedly contaminating their surroundings with toxic chemicals. Through a national, multi-district lawsuit filed in South Carolina federal court on Jan. 18, SLO County pointed its finger at a slew of big companies…
Trump and the insurrection
Some people think the U.S. Supreme Court should rule to prevent states from banning Donald Trump from their ballots. So far, at least 35 states have made formal challenges to Trump’s presidential candidacy. Currently, Colorado’s Supreme Court and Maine’s secretary of state have determined that Trump should be banned from running for office because of…
Oso Flaco Lake boardwalk closed after suspected arson
While on a morning walk around the Oso Flaco Lake on Jan. 21, SLO County resident Donna Maccarley and her family decided to head for the boardwalk and make their way to the beach. But Maccarley’s family couldn’t head past a certain point, because the boardwalk was closed and appeared to be burned. Chief Ranger…
Lost faith
I am compassionate about people and animals, believing we all have a responsibility to care for each other, especially those who are unable to care for themselves. New Times’ story “Moved around” (Jan. 18) was one I wanted to read right away. My issue after reading the article was not with the author, but with…
Correction
In the Jan. 25 story “Homeless union hits county, CAPSLO with civil rights lawsuit,” New Times misspelled homeless union attorney Anthony Prince’s name. New Times regrets the error. Δ
Art After Dark expands its scope with Black History Month events
Stay up to date For more information on Art After Dark, SLO’s monthly free self-guided art walk event—including venues, schedules, and participating artists—visit slocountyarts.org. Visit racemattersslo.org to learn more about R.A.C.E. Matters SLO events during Black History Month. What do haircuts, art galleries, drum circles, and walking all have in common? According to the San…
Studios on the Park honors local photographer at upcoming fundraiser
As part of its annual Sweet Art Fundraising Luncheon, Studios on the Park will acknowledge local photographer and community leader Celeste Hope as this year’s honoree. The luncheon will take place at Bella Terra Vineyard Estate in San Miguel on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 11:30 to 2 p.m. Hope is a professional photographer, and some…
Riptide Big Band celebrates 10th anniversary
During its first concert of 2024, the Riptide Big Band will celebrate its 10th anniversary, as the local ensemble was founded in early 2014. The celebration dance will be held on Sunday, Feb. 11, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria. Thanks to ongoing support from the Community…
Godzilla Minus One is a monster movie with heart
GODZILLA MINUS ONE What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre Takashi Yamazaki directs this monster movie set in post-World War II Japan. Ryunosuke Kamiki stars as Koichi Shikishima, a Kamikaze pilot who feigns engine trouble to avoid his duty, landing on…
American Nightmare
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Following the kidnapping of Denise Huskins in 2015, investigators and the media won’t buy her boyfriend Aaron Quinn’s story—that the two were woken in the middle of the night, drugged, and blindfolded, and Denise was taken away. This three-part docuseries on Netflix walks us through…
Kevin Can F**K Himself
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2021-2022 Where’s it showing? AMC PLUS When we started watching this series, I was at first put off. It was a throwback ’70s style sitcom about buffoonish Kevin McRoberts (Eric Peterson), a cable installer who seems to be living a charmed life, and his wife, Allison (Annie Murphy), whose life…
Logical guidelines
Looks like Darcia Stebbens is triumphant in her fight with the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s Office over the total cost of the 2nd District recount in 2022. The quibble over about $5,000 that was remaining of a more than $50,000 bill landed both in small claims court last year and in a Superior Court…
Judge rules in election recount requester’s favor for debt settlement trial
Darcia Stebbens—the San Miguel resident sued by the San Luis Obispo County-Clerk Recorder’s Office for not paying the balance stemming from her requested manual recount of the 2nd District Supervisor race—clinched victory in her trial over the bill. On Jan. 30, SLO County Superior Court Judge Rita Federman issued a written verdict on the trial…
Amid protests, Congressman Salud Carbajal talks current events, central issues in Arroyo Grande
Around 25 protesters gathered outside of U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal’s first town hall of 2024, in a packed Arroyo Grande City Hall on Jan. 22. Holding signs and chanting “cease-fire now,” the group of Palestinian supporters protested against the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and demanded that Carbajal call for a cease-fire. “This is…
Paso Robles delays downtown parking program changes
Residents who took advantage of free two-hour parking in downtown Paso Robles can enjoy it for a little longer, thanks to concerns over the legality of recent parking fee changes delaying the rollout. “The city of Paso Robles has admitted that it is ‘reviewing’ its contentious and unpopular downtown parking program,” KVEC Radio host and…
Just Baked grows to include a savory and sugary brick-and-mortar bakery in downtown Paso Robles
Sugar rush Grab sweet treats, breakfast, and coffee from Just Baked’s downtown Paso Robles bakery on 725 12th St. from Tuesday to Sunday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Enjoy their desserts at the Paso Market Walk booth, too, from Tuesday to Sunday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 1825 Spring St. Check out…
Grover Beach Police Department gets new officers, vehicles, drone program, and wellness center
The Grover Beach Police Department is upgrading its facilities, adding a drone program, and hiring more police personnel to modernize and improve working conditions. Grover Beach Police Cmdr. Jim Munro told New Times that the department felt like it was bursting at the seams and wanted to upgrade into the 21st century. In 2023 the…
The 7 Sisters Folklore Society presents Legends of Cajun and Creole Music on Feb. 4, at the Octagon Barn
My introduction to Cajun and zydeco music came in the form of a movie, The Big Easy (1986), and its amazing soundtrack that included classics like “Iko Iko” by the Dixie Cups, “Tipitina” by Professor Longhair, “Ma ‘Tit Fille” by Buckwheat Zydeco, and more. I ran that cassette tape to near death. Since then, I’ve…
Clerk-Recorder’s Office finds write-in supervisor candidate ineligible
A Grover Beach-based resident who attempted to challenge 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg in the upcoming primary via a write-in candidacy hasn’t lived in the district long enough yet to do so. But that could change in mid-February. Michelle Morrow, a musician and founder of a referral agency for senior citizens called Morrow Support, recently…
Sandi Sigurdson named SLO Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year
This year started with a shock for one longtime San Luis Obispo resident. “When I first heard I was being honored, I was gobsmacked,” Sandi Sigurdson said with a laugh. She was honored as the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year at a luncheon on Jan. 20 after nearly two decades…
Templeton Tennis Ranch changes plans from gym to swim facility after delays
The Templeton Tennis Ranch is digging down instead of building up after plans to build a gym on their property fell through due to delays. “We had plans to build something on that property for years now,” Templeton Tennis Ranch General Manager Chris Fouquet said. “Especially something that would complement our already athletics-focused philosophy.” Templeton…
