Cover Story
Vote by wallet: Polarizing politics play out in the local economy as residents put their money where their values are
As a few hundred SLO County residents prepared to march through Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande in support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in early June, a few business owners were getting ready for what they feared could become violent riots. Some boarded up the windows of their businesses or closed up shop,…
Grand jury finds county public safety uninhibited by activities at Oceano Dunes
In a recently released analysis of safety conditions at the Oceano Dunes, a SLO County grand jury found that emergency response times to SLO County residents aren’t negatively impacted by emergencies at the state park. Costs, however, are a slightly different story. The 20-page report, which was submitted by the grand jury on June 16,…
Anti-ICE protest marches to Santa Maria immigration enforcement office
A group of about 25 people gathered outside of Kohl’s in Santa Maria on June 30 to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A Facebook post promoting the event said the protest aimed “to proclaim the injustices that are happening to children, mothers, and fathers across the country and in our own community.” Organized…
Santa Barbara County follows state’s recommendation, closes bars
A few days after issuing a health order that allowed personal care businesses—such as nail salons and tattoo shops—to reopen, Santa Barbara County issued another order requiring all bars to close. This order comes a day after the California Department of Public Health directed multiple counties to close bars, while recommending others, including Santa Barbara,…
Arrest made in Trevon Perry homicide case
On June 28, the Paso Robles Police Department and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office arrested Nicholas Ron, 23, of Paso Robles on suspicion of the murder of Trevon Perry, 27. According to a press release from the Paso Police Department, Perry went missing in the early hours of March 15 and his…
Young people account for many of new COVID-19 cases in SLO County
Amid a record-high week in the U.S. for new COVID-19 cases, an overwhelming majority of those in San Luis Obispo County are in residents under age 50, according to public health data. Of 66 new cases reported this week, 80 percent were in patients 50 or younger, despite that age group making up just 61…
Santa Barbara County OKs reopening of personal care services
About a week after Santa Barbara County paused its reopening efforts amid an increase in COVID-19 cases, the county announced more businesses can reopen. Over the past few weeks, the county has experienced a surge in the number of people hospitalized with the virus. On June 1, 29 county residents were in the hospital recovering…
Ribbons on city-owned trees spark a debate in Grover Beach
Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande residents put blue ribbons on city-owned trees after the active shooter incident in Paso Robles on June 10 and 11 to support the local law enforcement personnel who were injured while responding. The act sparked a ribbon back-and-forth between those supporting Blue Lives Matter and those in support of Pride…
Police versus liberals
The opinion letter from Cuesta College student Sophie Stebbins is a perfect example of what today’s college students look like (“Right to protest,” June 4): kids brainwashed by liberal college teachers or professors. Like so many, actually too many, young people today, she is anti-authority and anti-law enforcement. She does not understand that blocking roads…
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark
What’s it rated? Unknown When? Begins June 28 Where’s it showing? HBO Based on the bestselling book by the late Michelle McNamara, I’ll be Gone in the Dark is an upcoming six-part HBO series chronicling the decades-long crime spree, investigation, and eventual capture of the Golden State Killer. McNamara tragically passed before Joseph DeAngelo was…
Stop and think before you respond
Too many times in response to seeing or hearing “Black Lives Matter,” we hear “All Lives Matter.” If those who so vehemently and critically react with this comeback would just stop for a second and think about the lead-up to all this, maybe they wouldn’t feel so left out in this plea to be noticed.…
Local law enforcement works hand in hand with mental health service providers, but funding for the program is complicated
During public comment at the Paso Robles City Council meeting on June 16, Alexis Nocerino questioned the council’s funding decisions for the Paso Robles Police Department. “Why are so many taxpayer dollars pointing toward law enforcement agencies? … As an institution they clearly lack the proper training and knowledge of how to protect and serve,…
Losing Carrizo
By an accident of geography, one of the most important natural habitat areas in the state is located in San Luis Obispo County. The Carrizo Plain, the last large fragment of California’s grasslands, preserved pretty much as they were circa 1850, is our most significant terrestrial environmental feature and an irreplaceable natural treasure. As the…
Church removes Serra statue from Mission Plaza—for its protection
When images and videos emerged on June 22 of men wheeling away the statue of Junipero Serra from San Luis Obispo Mission Plaza, activists who’ve long called for the sculpture’s removal rejoiced. Mayor Heidi Harmon applauded the church on Instagram that day, writing, “It appears that they have proactively taken down the sculpture, … so…
Over it!
What the hell is going on? Everyone is losing their damn minds. Adults are acting like toddlers, throwing temper tantrums in public. But because they’re adults, they can also multitask! They also act like teenagers, talking smack about everyone who thinks differently than them. Welcome to SLO County High School, folks, where you can yell…
Amid budget shortfalls, all SLO County cities consider tax hikes
The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone’s wallets, and with most SLO County cities already feeling major revenue losses and forecasting more to come, it’s clear that municipalities aren’t immune. Now, every city in the county is considering putting some kind of tax increase on the November ballot, a strategy that could help fill…
Jump blues and swing act MarciJean & the Belmont Kings stream live on June 28
Classy, sassy, and brassy—MarciJean & the Belmont Kings are a terrific jump blues and swinging R&B act to catch live, but the Basin Street Regulars want you to catch some great music, not the novel coronavirus, which is why they’re holding their Sunday, June 28, concert virtually on their Facebook page at 2 p.m. “In…
Here’s how SLO County’s food and drink businesses are reaching out for help as the economy starts to open back up
Resources for opening up Become a client of the Central California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Cal Poly Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) by visiting ciesbdc.com or 872 Higuera St. in SLO, calling (805) 756-5171, or emailing sbdc@calpoly.edu. If you haven’t been out to eat yet, and you can, I suggest you do…
R.A.C.E. Matters SLO demands get mixed reactions
Following the May 25 death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis and the ensuing protests against systemic racism, local nonprofit R.A.C.E. Matters SLO put forth a series of demands to SLO County and its seven cities that target police reform. The demands, which have nearly 7,000 signatures in support at press time, call…
Grover Beach considers easing ADU restrictions
Grover Beach is considering an ordinance that city staff say would make it easier for residents to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and tiny homes, an effort that staff say would increase the city’s limited affordable housing supply. At a meeting on June 22, Grover Beach City Council discussed a number of changes to the…
Morro Bay plans to temporarily close half of the Embarcadero
At its June 23 meeting, Morro Bay City Council looked into completely and partially closing the Embarcadero, as part of a larger discussion about creative ways to use public space to assist local businesses and promote public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. The council agreed to close the southbound lane to vehicles between Harbor and…
Live Oak on the Radio carried on a decades-long tradition with aplomb
This past weekend, my wife and I would normally have been camped out for the Live Oak Music Festival, spending the weekend with friends watching live music, cooking together, and ushering in summer. Thanks to the global pandemic, however, the long-running three-day festival was canceled … sort of. In a stroke of genius, local NPR…
Cuesta Grade peace sign promotes unity during tumultuous time
While a pandemic and social divisions are seemingly pushing many Americans to the brink, San Luis Obispo County resident Lyle Nighswonger has an alternative message to convey. It’s one of peace and unity, and the longtime local has a unique platform to reach thousands of people each day. Atop the Cuesta Grade, drivers on Highway…
Gala Pride and Diversity Center concludes Virtual Pride Film Festival and weekly Instagram live series
The Gala Pride and Diversity Center presents the final program of its Virtual Pride Film Festival on Thursday, June 25, with a screening of Three of Hearts: A Postmodern Family, from 6 to 8 p.m. Director and producer Susan Kaplan (Small Wonders and Music of the Heart) helmed this 2004 documentary set in New York…
SLO Botanical Garden now offers small in-person group tours by appointment
While the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden’s docent-led college and grade school tours remain suspended until further notice, the nonprofit now offers small family group tours, every day of the week except Tuesdays. Tours must be scheduled several weeks in advance, however, and donations of $2 per group member are encouraged. Knowledgeable docents take guests…
Plovers were here first
The Western snowy plovers were on the Central Coast beaches, nesting and rearing young at least 100 years before dune buggies or motorcycles were invented. A recent New Times article describes the plovers leaving their enclosure and State Parks staff trying to shoo them back (“Snowy plovers are nesting in Oceano Dunes riding areas amid…
SLO County History Center hosts weekly virtual tour of the Dallidet Adobe
The History Center of San Luis Obispo County hosts its next virtual tour of the Dallidet Adobe on Thursday, July 2, at 1 p.m. Those who wish to join the event are asked to register online in advance by noon the day of at the latest. This weekly tour is offered every Thursday afternoon, and…
An opportunity for change
We are writing in regard to recent efforts to revise local police policies, including the use of force. The #8CANTWAIT requirements are a start, but they are basic standards that don’t address the need for systemic change. In fact, many police departments across the country have already revised their policies—only to find that the violence…
Yes and no, Mr. Fonzi
Yes, Mr. Fonzi, you are right, the killings of George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks are national tragedies (“After the anger,” June 18). I was very relieved to read that you were able to reason through the reasons why—phew! And yes, Mr. Fonzi, “social engineering” and the retraining of police may not prevent all of these…
Ramy is an insightful exploration of what it means to be Muslim-American
RAMY What’s it rated? TV-MA What’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Hulu TV Ramy Youssef stars as the titular lead of the Muslim-centric dramady Ramy, now in its second season on Hulu. Ramy lives at home with his father, Farouk (Amr Waked); mother, Maysa (Hiam Abbass); and…
True leadership is never quiet
San Luis Obispo city Mayor Heidi Harmon recently used her position to address the centuries-old national shame of racism and is turning the tide toward equity in our community. As a Cal Poly professor of sociology and a researcher of social change, I find Mayor Harmon’s engagement in the current movement for transformation both timely…
Hannibal
What’s it rated? TV-14 When? 2013-2015 Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime This overlooked crime drama follows FBI criminal profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), whose ability to empathize with serial killers makes him a useful tool for his FBI handler Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) but something of a freak to everyone else. Luckily, Graham is being…
Tick, tick, tick
There’s a bomb ticking in SLO South County, and if it goes off there could be deadly consequences. To protect our public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, California’s Department of Parks and Recreation wisely temporarily closed the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA) to vehicles. Since then, there has been very little out-of-county tourism…
