Cover Story
Mission accomplished: After years of rallying for the Nipomo Skate Park, advocates like the Slater family are finally able to ride it
Typically the first to roll out their boards at any skate park, childhood friends Wyatt Russell and Owen Slater took a step back on May 6 to admire the joyous scene at the Nipomo Skate Park. Dozens of locals of all ages zipped around the 10,000 square feet of concrete peppered with quarter pipes, stairs,…
Swept under the rug?
Considering all its controversies over the years, you’d think the SLO County Sheriff’s Office would be on its best behavior, but nah. Four months ago, 5-year-old Kyle Doan was swept away by floodwaters near San Miguel, and according to reporting in The Tribune, his parents—Brian and Lindsy Doan—believe the sheriff isn’t doing enough to find…
Public hearings for massive Nipomo housing development delayed
The historically large Dana Reserve housing development in Nipomo continues to grind through San Luis Obispo County’s planning process—albeit six months behind schedule. SLO County has yet to release a final environmental impact report (EIR) for the 1,289-unit project between Tefft Street and Willow Road, causing community activists to wonder when that’ll happen and what’s…
FEMA gave SLO County residents more than $11 million for flood relief
Correction: An earlier version of this story misrepresented the total funds that San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County residents received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). New Times miscalculated the data that FEMA provided in response to a Freedom and Information Act request for the number of people in SLO and Santa Barbara…
Morro Bay receives federal dollars for pier, needs funds to fix harbor
One of Morro Bay’s most important piers will soon be able to begin construction on much-needed repairs after receiving $1.5 million in federal funding. However, Harbor Director Ted Schiafone told New Times that this funding is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to solutions for Morro Bay’s harbor infrastructure needs. “This funding…
DA won’t file charges against AG teacher arrested for classroom incident
A Mesa Middle School teacher arrested last month for allegedly injuring a student in her classroom will not be charged with a crime, the SLO County District Attorney’s Office announced on May 10. Sarah Watts, an eighth grade math teacher, was arrested on the Arroyo Grande campus on April 25, hours after she allegedly caused…
The annual Atascadero Tamale Festival returned for the seventh time after winter storm delay
Tamale watch The annual Atascadero Tamale Festival usually takes place in the middle of January at Sunken Gardens near City Hall on 6505 El Camino Real. Keep up with next year’s event at atascaderotamalefest.com. The Atascadero Tamale Festival promised to be my warm beacon of light in the middle of a very bleak and wet…
Arroyo Grande’s noncompliant homestays receive legal status
The Arroyo Grande City Council granted amnesty to a group of short-term rental owners, much to the relief of a group of community members who were concerned about the future of local homestays. “If they were operating and we never heard about it, I don’t think it matters if it’s 100 feet, 200 feet, or…
Rockabilly legends Shaun Young featuring Dave Stuckey play The Siren on May 11
As portmanteaus go, “rockabilly” is definitely my favorite, followed closely by “brunch.” Mm … brunch. There’s something about the rock and hillbilly mashup that speaks to me. It feels like a hayride, a barn dance, and a tug off a jug of moonshine all rolled into one. Carl Perkins, Johnny Burnette, Jerry Lee Lewis—these guys…
Atascadero City Council appoints Jim Lewis as new city manager
Starting July 1, Atascadero will have a new city manager after Rachelle Rickard announced her retirement in early March, capping 26 years with the city. The council unanimously approved the appointment of former Pismo Beach City Manager Jim Lewis at the May 9 meeting, citing his dedication to the city as a resident for almost…
Cuesta receives national awards for production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Bringing it back Visit cuesta.edu to find out when the award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will make its fall return. For more information on the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the programs it helps celebrate, visit kennedy-center.org. When bree valle heard that the production her students…
Correction
• In New Times’ annual Best Of SLO County Readers Poll, which came out on May 4, we misidentified the social media handles for Megan’s Organic Market. Find the Best Cannabis Dispensary @sayhighmom on Instagram and at facebook.com/sayhighMOM. We regret the error. Δ
Gallery at Marina Square showcases three artists in May exhibitions
The first day of May marked the grand opening of three new exhibitions at Gallery at Marina Square in Morro Bay. A joint reception for the gallery’s featured artists of the month—watercolor painter Ardella Swanberg, fiber and leather crafts artist Kristina Albion, and acrylic painter Hema Sukumar—will be held on Saturday, May 13, from 3…
SLO Rugby Club wins first division title in decades, advances to nationals
A success story in the making, the San Luis Obispo Rugby Club just won its first divisional title in 20 years. The SLO men’s team beat Belmont Shore in Long Beach on April 22 to win the Southern California Rugby Football Union Division II championship and clinch an invitation to a national tournament in Las…
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a funny, action-packed blast
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10, Sunset Drive-In Writer-director James Gunn (Slither, Super, The Suicide Squad) helms this third go-round with our band of misfit heroes now living on Knowhere…
Paso Robles and Atascadero begin the challenge of equalizing the internet provider playing field
Make your voice heard To see if you qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program, visit slocity.org/living/neighborhood/broadband. Take part in ending the digital divide across all of San Luis Obispo County by taking a survey digital survey to help inform the future of county broadband plans at s.surveyplanet.com/ngi8odxg or visit slocog.org/programs/special-studies-services-projects/broadband. The cities of Atascadero and…
Finding Michael
What’s it rated? Not rated When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Hulu A testament to a brother’s love, Finding Michael follows Spencer Matthews as he attempts to bring home the body of his older brother, Michael, who died after summiting Everest 23 years ago as a 22-year-old. Estimates say about two-thirds of the 300 climbers who…
Champions
What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Peacock and Redbox Bobby Farrelly (There’s Something About Mary; Me, Myself & Irene; Shallow Hal), in his solo directorial debut, directs Woody Harrelson as Marcus Marakovich, a former minor league basketball assistant coach who after an altercation with head coach Phil Perretti (Ernie Hudson) was fired,…
Celebrate the essential power of choice this Mother’s Day
This Mother’s Day, we reflect on our great privilege as mothers, and the essential power of choice in becoming one. Our children are our worlds, our reasons why. They humble us, challenge us, and make us grateful every day. And we could not be the mothers we are today if it were not for our…
My take on creating better housing in SLO
According to the latest Pew Research Center data, nearly 40 percent of adults in the U.S. are now unpartnered and mostly live alone. Hence, three- to four-story, smaller housing units/condos with elevators (for retirees) would be ideal for downtown SLO—as long as a Trader Joe’s were close by! And if needed, occupants could purchase a…
We can’t afford to keep Diablo Canyon open
As a citizen of San Luis Obispo County, a property owner, a parent, grandparent of family here since 1972, I have grave concerns about the safety or lack of it of Diablo Canyon Power Plant located on multiple earthquake faults. For years now we have been assured by PG&E that there’s nothing to worry about.…
SLO County’s decision to close its safe parking site was predictable
The Safe Parking Site on Oklahoma Avenue for housing the homeless has predictably failed, and the county is now wondering what to do about the squalid encampment and its residents. As SLO County Homeless Services Manager Joe Dzvonik admitted to New Times (“No more vacancy,” March 9), “It isn’t working.” The program is “no longer…
