Cover Story
Stalled out: Cambria’s CSD is trying to overcome almost a decade of failing to get a permanent permit for its water facility
Getting a straight answer about the future of Cambria’s water situation isn’t easy. That’s, in part, thanks to the town’s water reclamation facility, which has yet to be permanently permitted after being built in 2014 under an emergency permit; doesn’t produce water for residents; and is plagued by a rocky history. “It’s like a labyrinth…
Sugar
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Apple TV Plus Created by writer Mark Protosevich (The Cell, I Am Legend), this neo noir mystery follows LA private detective John Sugar (Colin Farrell), who’s hired to find Olivia Siegel (Sydney Chandler), granddaughter of legendary Hollywood producer Jonathan Siegel (James Cromwell). As Sugar continues his…
New Oceano CSD general manager promises to improve relations
Dysfunctional meetings could be a thing of the past for the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) as a newly hired general manager looks to turn things around for the divided board. Starting June 10, Peter J. Brown will join the Oceano community, leaving his current position as public works director for the city of Belmont…
With California facing a $68 billion deficit, Gov. Newsom looks to cut funding to foster care services
Certain foster care services are on the chopping block as California faces an ominous $68 billion deficit in 2024-25 and the governor looks for places to save money. Some of those proposed cuts include at least three child welfare programs that serve foster youth, including the Housing Navigators Program under the Department of Housing and…
John Belsher and Ryan Wright must pay $3.6 million in fraud ruling
A San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge recently issued a tentative ruling requiring real estate and land use attorney John Belsher and his co-partner of the controversial development company PB Companies, disgraced former executive Ryan Wright, to pay millions of dollars to two clients for allegedly breaching fiduciary duty and fraud. Those two clients…
Arroyo Grande OKs domestic well despite recommended denial
An almost two-year battle between Arroyo Grande and future resident Michael Harris over drilling a domestic water well on his property came to an end after the City Council ignored staff’s advice to deny it. Since October 2022, city staff has recommended that the council deny Harris a well permit because it was both feasible…
SLO City Council poised for public nuisance hearing on July 2
The city of San Luis Obispo is preparing to deal with two potential sites of public nuisance left vacant for almost a decade. On July 2, the SLO City Council will conduct a public hearing on whether two single family residences at the crossing of Casa Street and Murray Avenue disturb the peace for neighbors.…
Habitat for Humanity, Templeton Glass build playhouse for families in need
Unlike Rome, Habitat for Humanity San Luis Obispo County and Templeton Glass built their joint playhouse for underserved families in a day. Even though Templeton Glass assembled the beach hut-themed playhouse over six hours at its Paso Robles location on May 23, it took months of planning to get to the quick-build stage. “I want…
Speaking truth to hysteria
The world is unsafe for transgender kids all over the United States. Even in California, which has set itself up as a sanctuary state for trans families escaping violence in other states, there is considerable anti-trans sentiment and legislative efforts, particularly targeting our trans youth. San Luis Obispo prides itself on its progressive reputation, but…
The Great American Melodrama’s Pirates of Pismo-A-Go-Go is a hilarious adaptation of The Pirates of Penzance
Gangs and surf Pirates of Pismo-A-Go-Go is showing at The Great American Melodrama through July 6 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 6 p.m. For more information, visit americanmelodrama.com. The age-old battle that young people must face—exploring the freedom of adulthood or remaining…
A response to ‘Unity must prevail’ (May 23)
When I served on the SLO City Council, there were various controversial projects that did not receive unanimous votes. After one such vote, I attended the annual local American Institute of Architects Christmas party where an architect who worked on that project got in my face and berated me for not supporting it. I said,…
Grammy Award-winner Molly Tuttle headlines opening night of the Live Oak Music Fest
You’d be hard-pressed to find a songwriter who can weave a richer, denser narrative tapestry than Molly Tuttle. Her songs are so detailed, her characters so well drawn, you feel transported into another world. Take “El Dorado,” which chronicles the 1848 California gold rush. The driving tune from her new album City of Gold is…
Why must unity prevail?
This is in response to the rant in the May 23 New Times, “Unity must prevail” about the SLO County Board of Supervisors’ approval of the massive Dana Reserve development in Nipomo. First, why must unity prevail? Surely it is possible for our five supervisors to respectfully differ with one another over a development as…
Yes Cocktail Co. of Paso is making a splash in the beverage industry with awards, expansion, and more
Lift your spirits Yes Cocktail Co., located at 2915 Union Road in Paso Robles, is open Tuesday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit yescocktailco.com and follow the company on Instagram and Facebook @yescocktailco. For Yes Cocktail Co. founders and theater buffs Lauren Butler…
The REACT Alliance’s arguments against wind helps fossil fuel
Yes, it is semantics and spin, and the fossil fuel industry and groups like the Charles Koch Foundation must be delighted to have people like Mandy Davis and the REACT Alliance parroting the propaganda they have been feeding them (“Semantics and spin,” May 23). A recent piece in New Times (“Environmental justice,” April 11) also…
Cambria Writers Group hosts upcoming poetry readings at Studios on the Park
Local poets from the Cambria Writers Group will lead an afternoon of poetry readings at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles on Sunday, June 9, from 2 to 3 p.m. Admission to attend the program, open to the public, is free. For more info on the event and other upcoming offerings at Studios on…
Shredder needs to go back to kindergarten
This is in response to The Shredder’s May 16 column, “Perplexing parking.” The vast majority of downtown businesses in Paso Robles never asked for paid parking. There were a couple that were in favor of paid parking because they apparently resented the fact that employees were taking up spaces right in front of their businesses.…
Community Foundation of SLO County sponsors free blues dance in Santa Maria
The Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club hosts its Keeping It Blue Dance, with live music from the Riptide Big Band, at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria on Sunday, June 9, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The ensemble’s frequent accompanying vocalist duo Bob Nations and Mitch Latting will be joined by special…
More dollars than sense
At the end of the piece titled “EVs are practical” (May 16), the author states, ” … and they can help save the environment at the same time.” I wonder if Charles Linquist stopped to consider the damage to the environment caused by manufacturing two vehicles stacked in his driveway, or the solar panels he…
Furiosa is an epic spectacle worthy of an epic franchise
FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full priceWhere’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Park, Palm, Stadium 10 George Miller (all the Mad Max movies, The Witches of Eastwick, Happy Feet) directs this new installment in the Mad Max franchise, a sequel to Mad Max:…
Parachute party
Peter J. Brown from Belmont must know what he’s getting himself into. He’s probably taken a peek at past Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) board meetings and read the news coverage about all the dysfunction that hangs over it like a cloud of effervescent dog doodoo. And he’s about to step in it as the…
The Beauty Queen Killer: 9 Days of Terror
What’s it rated? Not rated When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Hulu Survivor Tina Marie Risico brings audiences into the nine days she spent with serial killer Chris Wilder after he kidnapped her and used her as a ploy to lure other victims. Wilder got away with a lot for a long time. In the days…
