State plans lawsuit after second Morro Bay wind lease cancelled
Federal buyouts of offshore wind leases tied to the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area are escalating into a broader legal fight between California and the Trump administration, as state officials prepare to sue and expand investigations into multiple Central Coast wind project cancellations. Susan Callery, offshore wind coordinator for the SLO Climate Coalition, said the…
Activists call for enforcement after SLO County supervisors adopt resolution restricting ICE activity
San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution limiting the use of county-owned property for immigration enforcement activities, but critics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the second Trump administration want local leaders to go beyond symbolic action. “A resolution is not a suggestion, it is a directive,” local activist Susan Mackey…
Supervisors uphold Cambria water project, reject six appeals
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on June 16 upheld approval of Cambria’s Water Reclamation Facility coastal development permit and rejected six appeals challenging the project, keeping intact a key regulatory decision that now opens the door to potential review by the California Coastal Commission. The vote maintains county approval for a facility…
SLO Mayor Erica Stewart faces scrutiny for sharing confidential grand jury report with Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica Stewart could be in violation of the California Penal Code for sharing an unofficial copy of a confidential SLO County grand jury report. Last year, the grand jury investigation of SLO’s handling of unruly fraternity parties in residential areas found that the city’s methods weren’t effective. The investigation culminated in…
Loew blow
When in doubt, sue it out? The city of San Luis Obispo, City Manager Whitney McDonald, Assistant City Manager Scott Collins, Community Development Director Timothea Tway, and City Attorney Christine Dietrick are all being sued by former chief building official, Michael Loew, for allegedly retaliating against him after he complained about the city’s inaction regarding…
‘Politics over policy’ correctly evaluated the state of local Democratic Party
I found myself in the unusual position of largely agreeing with the editorial by Aaron Ochs (“Politics over policy”) in the June 18 edition of New Times. For those unfamiliar with Mr. Ochs’ political history in this county, he was pretty much the same as the people he is now criticizing. However, he is pretty…
New federal mail rules will prevent voters from exercising their rights
Earlier this month, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a proposed rule that would erect barriers to mail voting. The proposed amendments create unnecessary barriers to voting that could prevent eligible voters from receiving and returning their mail-in and absentee ballots and could disenfranchise eligible voters who are unable to vote in person. Under…
Local leaders should act now on the need to move South County’s water treatment plant
South County cities are worried about future water supplies—whether it’s groundwater, surface water, or conserved water. On June 16, I attended the second community workshop of the Grover Beach water supply study, which is focused on supplemental water supply alternatives. The presentation by consultants was informative and well organized with detailed information, including projections that…
Grover Beach photographer receives recognition from a national magazine’s photo contest
Trends have changed drastically since Amy Marlan posed for her high school senior portraits. She remembers wearing the same pearls and drape as the rest of the women in her class. The men put on the top half of a suit. Freeze the momentTo schedule a creative consultation with Amy Marlan Photography, visit amymarlan.com or…
San Simeon dissolution plan advances as county weighs takeover options
A long-running effort to dissolve the San Simeon Community Services District (CSD) and transfer its responsibilities to San Luis Obispo County reached a significant milestone this month, as county Public Works unveiled a draft analysis outlining the costs, challenges, and potential paths forward for the coastal community. The district first applied to the San Luis…
A lawsuit from SLO’s ex-building official alleges pattern of misbehavior from top city staff
San Luis Obispo’s former chief building official is taking top-ranking city staff and the city attorney to court over allegedly retaliating against him for his complaints about inaction and intentionally causing emotional distress. City Manager Whitney McDonald, Assistant City Manager Scott Collins, Community Development Director Timothea Tway, and City Attorney Christine Dietrick face the civil…
Brian De Palma’s brilliant Hitchcock homage, Body Double, screens on June 26 in SLO’s Palm Theatre
Brian De Palma directs this 1984 neo-noir erotic thriller about struggling actor Jake Scully (Craig Wasson), who becomes ensnared in a murder plot. With themes like obsession, voyeurism, illusion, and panic attacks, the film is an homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1950s films Rear Window, Vertigo, and Dial M for Murder. BODY DOUBLEWhat’s it rated? RWhen?…
The Four Seasons season 2 is an intelligent, adult, ensemble dramedy
The gang is back for season 2, and some high tensions and satisfactory resolutions are headed your way. If you haven’t watched season 1, first of all, get it together. Tough love? Maybe, but have you seen this cast list? Go watch it before you cannonball into season 2. THE FOUR SEASONSWhat’s it rated? TV-MAWhen?…
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed follows a divorced mom navigating blackmail and murder
Created by David Rosen (Us & Them, Citadel), this series follows divorced mom and fastidious magazine fact checker Paula Saunders (Tatiana Maslany) as she becomes involved in murder and blackmail connected to webcam boy Trevor (Brandon Flynn). (10 33-to-40-min. episodes) MAXIMUM PLEASURE GUARANTEEDWhat’s it rated? TV-MAWhat’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full…
Sign up today for Paint the Plaza Chalk Festival on Sept. 19
Downtown SLO’s inaugural Paint the Plaza Chalk Festival will happen on Saturday, Sept. 19 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and the organization is calling on sponsors and artists to start signing up now. The event is an offshoot of the long-running I Madonnari festival, itself inspired by a tradition dating to 16th century Italy, where…
Subscribers get first dibs for Cal Poly Arts’ upcoming season of shows
Cal Poly Arts announced its 2026-27 season, and it’s a humdinger with a huge variety. “We’ve created a season driven by bold imagination and artistic ambition designed to transport you, spark creativity, and bring our community together in meaningful and unforgettable ways,” Cal Poly Arts Director Molly Clark announced in this year’s brochure, available online…
Atascadero native Ephraim Scott Sommers releases another potent tome of poetry
Atascadero native and current Winthrop University associate professor of creative writing Ephraim Scott Sommers begins his new poetry collection with an epigraph, a quote by French existential Albert Camus: “One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” Preorder the bookPurchase Ephraim Scott Sommers’ new poetry collection, Diabetic Gumdrops, from The Main Street Rag Online Bookstore at mainstreetragbookstore.com/product/diabetic-gumdrops-ephraim-scott-sommers. Presale…
San Lyon will perform swing jazz at the Pismo Vets Hall on June 28
The Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Club has a terrific headliner for its upcoming concert this Sunday, June 28, at the Pismo Vets Hall: the LA-based swing jazz quartet San Lyon (jam session at 11, concert from 12:30 to 4 p.m.; all ages; $15 at my805tix.com). “San Lyon is a Los Angeles-based swing jazz quartet,”…
Tribe Coffeehouse in Arroyo Grande serves seasonal lattes, floral drinks, and a creative coffee menu
Espresso, strawberry rose, coconut, mint and guava with steamed milk, topped with strawberry dust—sounds like a potion brewing in a witch’s kitchen. But in reality, it’s a cup of coffee in Arroyo Grande. Brewed magicVisit Tribe at 1355 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande and follow the magic on Instagram @tribecoffeehouse. Visit the next makers market…
