Cover Story
W.T.F.: Morro Bay weighs cost and citizen input as it decides where to put a new wastewater treatment facility
A large “for sale” sign is staked into the ground beside Highway 41 at the entrance to the Righetti Ranch, a 253-acre property in the Morro Valley along the edge of Morro Bay. Two ranch gates bound by a locked chain bar access down the driveway that leads to an old barn, a few houses,…
Paso Robles woman charged in fatal December DUI crash
A 23-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter and other felony counts in connection with a deadly drunk driving crash that occurred in Paso Robles on Dec. 16, 2015. The SLO County District Attorney officially charged the woman, Lauren A. Alderete of Paso Robles, with felony counts of intoxicated manslaughter, drunk driving, and driving with…
Race for 24th congressional seat sees spike in media buys, attack ads
Things were destined to get dirty in the 24th Congressional District race. A hotly contested battle is underway as nine candidates vie for the open seat that will be vacated by U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara), who’s held the position for two decades. Now, as California’s much-anticipated June 7 primary election comes barreling forward,…
SLO County hospitals face a choice in state’s end of life options act
When a bill allowing terminally ill Californians access to life-ending medication was signed into law last year, supporters lauded it as a landmark step in allowing patients the right to die with dignity. But with the law set to go into effect in June, questions about individuals’ ability to access their rights under the legislation…
If you could launch a satellite into space, what would you use it for?
Elena Sullivan barista “I would look for aliens … or plants or maybe just other life forms.” Rob Movahedi student and wrestler “I’d use it to see what my family’s up to.” Spencer Seley grandfather “I’d send people to propagate across the universe.” Rachel Raynor student “I’d ride on it and fly through space.”
Waterless car wash comes to you with Clean and Green Auto Care
Waterless car wash. It’s pretty much an unbelievable concept, right? Well, it’s totally a thing, and it’s now here on the Central Coast. At the beginning of April, Jennifer Arcitio launched Clean and Green Auto Care, a mobile car wash that doesn’t use any water and comes to you. “We launched on April 1 and…
Cougars & Mustangs
As finals rapidly approach, waiting with bated breath like a dog at the end of the dinner table, it’s nice to know that students are accomplishing great things despite the enormous levels of stress heaped upon them. Take, for example, two Cal Poly teams that entered DataFest, an undergraduate statistics hackathon—not a Tron-themed Mardi Gras…
Sunny Oaks Mobile Home Park tenants hit nonprofit owner with lawsuit over Los Osos sewer hookup
In 2005, Sunny Oaks Mobile Home Park pitched a painless hookup to the soon-to-come Los Osos sewer system—with funds secured to pay for the construction—to its age-55-and-older residents. Eleven years later, that agreement has all but deteriorated, and on May 6, bitter park residents filed a lawsuit against their nonprofit landlord. Resident Owned Parks (ROP),…
SLOCOG announces funding shortfall, moves ahead on tax measure
Plans to relieve some of San Luis Obispo County’s traffic congestion may stall or shrivel up thanks to some bad news recently received by local transportation planners. The California Transportation Commission made a final decision to cut $45.1 million in funds that were scheduled for allocation to SLO County. Those funds, planned for in 2014…
Atascadero finalizes deal with Walmart for new roundabout
Atascadero is laying the pipe for the hotly contested Walmart shopping center to finally break ground—and while Walmart’s paying for some infrastructure improvements, funding for the rest is still up in the air. On May 24, the Atascadero City Council approved an agreement with Walmart that finalizes the many “off-site” infrastructure improvements that are required…
I know you are but what am I?
You’re opaque!” “No, you’re opaque!” On May 24, the Arroyo Grande City Council voted to make it mandatory that all members and the city manager, attorney, and clerk are copied on any correspondence by any other member—especially the mayor—if said correspondence is sent on official city letterhead or in a member’s official capacity … because…
Arroyo Grande passes new policy in wake of FTC letter controversy
A divided Arroyo Grande City Council voted 3-2 in favor of a new communications policy that would require members to keep each other in the loop when sending out official correspondence. The new policy, passed at a May 24 meeting, comes after a prolonged controversy caused by Mayor Jim Hill, who sent a letter to…
Scout’s Tangerine Farmers’ Market Soda and Halter Ranch’s 2015 Rose
Tangerine Dream is a German electronic music group founded in 1967 by Edgar Froese. I am not speaking of this tangerine dream when I talk about Scout’s tangerine dream of a farmers’ market soda (sorry, all you prog rockers out there). The next time you’re parched and have an extra wad of dough, you must…
Sporty spice
Wondering what to give your dads and grads? Hold on to your wine glasses, because Margarita Adventures in beautiful Santa Margarita has opened a new epic tandem zip line dubbed the Double Barrel! The side-by-side swish through the air travels 2,800 feet across oak-studded terrain (plus it’s got bragging rights as the longest, fastest, and…
One Templeton grower’s journey from city life to olive oil bliss culminates at The Groves on 41
The whisper of the wild. It’s a hot, urgent feeling that wells up in your throat; that tugs at the heart and cannot be denied. It’s the primal urge that lures one away from comfortable circumstances and into the exhilarating unknown—into the dust and dirt of rural life. “I was attracted to the prospect of…
Make your political support about nuclear energy
In a startling new study, scientists linked gas extraction in the Bakken Shale formation in the Dakotas to a 2 percent uptick in the atmosphere of the green house gas ethane contained in natural gas. When burned, natural gas also leaves tiny particles of soot small enough to enter deep into our lungs when we…
I’m a Democrat and I’m ashamed of my party
I’ve considered myself a staunch liberal as long as I can remember. However, for the first time, I’m truly ashamed of my own party. Living in San Luis Obispo for more than 20 years, I’ve gotten to know Katcho Achadjian quite well. First and foremost, Katcho is a community man. He’s helped countless families, including…
Sanctuaries are good for the environment and economy
I believe that Congresswoman Lois Capps’ strong endorsement of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary ensures its eventual approval. The waters off the Central Coast deserve protection for many reasons. They contain a blend of northern and southern ocean currents, wind, animals, and plants that make the area ideal for studying climate change. Research projects…
Dear Cayucos residents, I’m voting ‘no’ on Measure C-16
Ballot Measure C-16 is on the June 7 ballot. If approved, Measure C-16 raises your special tax again for the Cayucos Fire Protection District. Measure C-16 states that the rate will be $125 per unit or $500 per household, and the sample ballot also states that this tax can be raised each year based on…
The best political resume for Congress
For too long, the Central Coast has been represented in Congress by Lois Capps. During this time, there has been a bias toward Santa Barbara and neglect toward the needs of rural Santa Barbara County, Northern Santa Barbara County, and SLO County. Voters in our district now have an opportunity to reimagine our voice in…
Do it today
Did you catch page three of The Tribune the other day? There were three stories “above the fold.” • A mass shooting in Ohio, eight dead (“there was blood all over”). • A mass shooting in Georgia, five people dead. • Two officers shot, suspect dead in Arizona. The key thing about this isn’t what’s…
Buddy Guy carries on the Chicago blues legacy at the 23rd annual Avila Beach Blues Festival on May 29th
Grab your beach chairs, big hats, and sunscreen because it’s the beginning of festival season, and one of the year’s most loved happens this Sunday, May 29, at Avila Beach Resort. This year marks the 23rd annual Avila Beach Blues Festival, put on by Otter Productions Inc., (2 p.m.; all ages; tickets at Vallitix outlets…
Blast from the Past: The Terror
What’s it rated? PG. Filmed on leftover sets from The Raven (1963) and The Haunted Palace (1963) as well as in Big Sur, The Terror stars Jack Nicholson in one of his early roles and Boris Karloff in one of his later. Though its direction is credited to schlock king Roger Corman, who shot the…
Clubs 5/26/16 – 6/2/16
Goin’ South THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Rd., Shell Beach, 773-5000, cliffsresort.com. F. MCLINTOCKS SALOON: Two locations: 750 Mattie Rd. in Pismo Beach and 133 Bridge St. in Arroyo Grande. 773-1892 or mclintocks.com. Live music at the Pismo Beach location every Fri. and Sat. from 6-9pm. Tennessee Jimmy Harrell and Doc Stoltey play on…
It’s a process: Paso ArtFest’s quick draw event showcases art in the making
At 22 years old, Ken Christensen wasn’t sure exactly where he wanted life to go. So he dropped out of college and traveled to Jamaica where he met an art student from Boston painting watercolor pictures. Christensen, who’d always had a knack for all things creative, was fascinated. When his new friend left to return…
There is only a brief time left to enter this year’s 55 Fiction contest
Briefs are better than boxers, depending on whom you talk to. And if you’re talking to us, we like things brief. We admire brevity as a character trait. As in: Keep it short. Don’t question it. Just get to writing. You only have until June 6 to enter this year’s annual New Times 55 Fiction…
‘Code: Debugging the Gender Gap’ will screen at Spanos
Depending on how the upcoming presidential election goes, a woman could be sworn in as commander-in-chief for the first time. And yet, an ever-present glass ceiling still looms above the career paths of most women. The documentary Code: Debugging the Gender Gap is showing at Cal Poly’s Spanos Theatre on May 31. It explores the…
Flying high: It’s double the fun with a tandem zip line at Margarita Adventures
Are you scared?” It’s a fair question to ask someone who’s about to ride a tandem 2,800 foot long zip line that’s 160 feet up in the air at its peak. It’s also not particularly helpful. “A little,” I yell back over the roaring wind at my guide Brittany. It’s a sunny day in Santa…
Local poet Michael McLaughlin releases new book, ‘Countless Cinemas’
Listen to an interview with Michael McLaughlin, including readings of two poems from ‘Countless Cinemas.’ Words flow in simple, neat little packages on the pages of local poet Michael McLaughlin’s new book. The stanzas appear simple, but each line’s place is carefully poised in each verse. The opening piece in Countless Cinemas is mysteriously devoid…
