Arroyo Grande and Atascadero support Paso Robles’ ambulance service proposal
Traction for an alternative service to San Luis Ambulance is steadily gaining steam among cities in San Luis Obispo County. Backed by all city managers and the county Fire Chiefs Association, a proposed “public-private partnership” model led by Paso Robles and involving the cities is poised to appear before the county. “[The Alliance model] allows…
New candidates join Paso Robles mayor, City Council races
Paso Robles voters now have a full slate of choices heading into the November election, with two newcomers joining the race for mayor and a returning candidate challenging the incumbent in the 1st District. Faith Frankel and Chris Rogalla have joined William Britton in the race to succeed Mayor John Hamon, who announced in April…
Witnesses say Gaea Powell didn’t rent in AG, changed address before mayoral election
Key witnesses in the election fraud case against one-time Arroyo Grande mayoral candidate Gaea Powell started taking the stand on Sept. 8, kicking off a trial process expected to last two weeks. That day, the jury heard from Powell’s former employer, a digital forensic expert who extracted data from her phones, and the San Luis…
New law allows county to consider swimming at Santa Margarita Lake
For decades, visitors to Santa Margarita Lake have been able to boat across it, paddle through it, and fish from it. They just couldn’t jump in. A new state law could change that as early as next summer, opening one of San Luis Obispo’s drinking-water reservoirs to swimming and other forms of body-contact recreation. But…
The reluctant attorney
Not to kick a gal while she’s down, but the election fraud trial of Gaea Powell is a masterclass in why no one should ever try to defend themselves over having a lawyer appointed to them. I’m starting to wonder if this resident of rural Arroyo Grande whose confidence in her own greatness started to…
The Trump administration’s forest wrecking crew
On Aug. 24, commemorating the annual observation of National Park Week, President Trump proclaimed, “My administration is committed to protecting every acre of our lands.” Four days later, it became clear that this is not true. That’s when the news broke that the Trump administration has been secretly negotiating to give a chunk of Yosemite…
Grover Beach has a great volunteer-staffed community library
I recently read the article regarding the delay of the construction of the Arroyo Grande Library (“Slow renovation at the Arroyo Grande Library leaves locals concerned about the wait,” Sept. 3). I am a library patron here in Arroyo Grande and I’m excited about the changes happening there and anxious for the day when it…
What the fight to save SLO’s theater oak made visible
There is a mature oak on Monterey Street that before this spring many people in San Luis Obispo had walked past without stopping. It stands at the edge of what will become the SLO REP performing arts theater and was caught briefly in a civic argument about how a tree and a building could share…
Coastal Color Code helps SLO County residents find their perfect shades
Scroll through Instagram reels and TikTok videos long enough, and eventually you’ll come across the curious practice of figuring out what colors look best on you. Typically, a woman seated in front of the camera has a stack of colored fabric swatches placed against her. As she flips through them, viewers may notice her complexion…
Student Guide 2026
Cal Poly may have started a little earlier this year thanks to its conversion from quarters to semesters, but we’re still putting out our Student Guide at the same time we do every year! Early September. This year, you can find stories about budget cuts impacting Cal Poly students’ ability to provide care to communities…
Cal Poly mobile health clinic fights to stay on the road
Every Tuesday, Cal Poly students used to climb aboard an aging mobile health clinic and head south to Santa Maria and Guadalupe, where they worked alongside medical professionals providing free healthcare to uninsured women. Inside the converted 1998 van, students helped with patient intake, took measurements, entered medical data, and learned firsthand what it means…
Cal Poly gives high schoolers a college preview during an explorative summer program
One way to put worried minds at ease before the unknown of college is by giving students a sneak peek into the experience. Hundreds of teenagers visited higher education campuses across the country as part of the Summer Springboard program, gaining opportunities to learn about selecting a school, academic majors, and professional life. “Immersion is…
Discover three tucked-away economical culinary gems
The only thing better than macking on inexpensive comfort food is showing off your insider knowledge about hole-in-the-wall eateries to impress your friends. It always feels good to share a meal, especially one that doesn’t break the bank and comes from an unusual location, so if you like sandos and burgers; burritos, tacos, and tortas;…
Hancock’s Fire Academy wins grant from Metallica’s workforce education program
Firefighting students at Allan Hancock College get a leg up in their training from an unexpected group of philanthropists—heavy metal legends Metallica. For the second year running, the Santa Maria community college’s Fire Academy won a grant through the Metallica Scholars Initiative, which will cover scholarships and the cost of textbooks, protective gear, and other…
Love Street Pictures hosts an open house on Sept. 19
The ’60s and ’70s were a crazy time in America. The Civil Rights Movement, the counterculture, women’s liberation—the country was changing, and so was fashion from the mod look to space age attire to flamboyant rock ’n’ roll and hippie styles. All of these changes were reflected in the pages of popular magazines and album…
Delve into creativity with the Rooted in Art lectures series
The city of San Luis Obispo’s Public Art Program and the SLO County Arts Council’s lecture series Rooted in Art continues with a talk by artist, educator, and seasoned public speaker Elizabeth Johnson on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the SLO Public Library’s Community Room (6 to 7:30 p.m.; free). “Johnson will present a slide survey…
Alphabet Rockers raises kids’ environmental awareness
Cal Poly Arts presents the Grammy Award and Emmy Award-winning group Alphabet Rockers on their Shades: Anthems for the Planet at Spanos Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 3 (11 a.m.; recommended for kids 5 and older; $23.60 at pacslo.org). They bring a “blend of hip-hop, storytelling, and community-building to the stage with … an interactive concert…
The Whisper Man draws a detective from retirement to find his kidnapped grandson
James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark, The Rule of Jenny Pen) directs this psychological crime thriller written by Ben Jacoby and Chaser Palmer based on British writer Steve Mosby’s 2019 novel written under the pseudonym Alex North. The story follows recently widowed novelist Tom Kennedy (Adam Scott), who with his young son, Jake (Acston…
Furious follows an FBI Agent tracking a female serial killer
Created by Elizabeth Meriweather (New Girl, No Strings Attached), this new series gives us what she creates best—characters and relationships in which more lies under the surface than on top. Emmy Rossum is Alice, a guarded FBI agent whose past still haunts her. Catherine (Lola Petticrew) is out for blood—particularly that of men who are…
Orchestra Novo accompanies For Heaven’s Sake on Sept. 13
Maestro Michael Nowak and Orchestra Novo will accompany the 1926 silent film For Heaven’s Sake directed by Sam Taylor (Exit Smiling, Girl Shy, Safety Last!) about millionaire J. Harold Manners (Harold Llyod), who after accidentally setting fire to a charity pushcart, makes amends by funding Brother Paul’s (Paul Weigel) Christian mission while falling for his…
Cal Poly graduate ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic plays Vina Robles Sept. 15
Sure, Cal Poly has had its share of notable graduates. Football Hall of Fame broadcaster, head coach, and player John Madden is one. Former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado is another. Let’s not forget astronauts Robert L. Gibson, Gregory Chamitoff, and Victor Glover. But come on! “Weird Al” Yankovic is the man, the myth, the…
A popular social media account reviews Central Coast bites and sips
Nearly 15,000 people on Instagram follow one of the most popular food reviewers on the Central Coast. He’s often seen in a bright orange hat and a crisp white T-shirt with the acronym “lotsj” identifying his brand. He’s Jeff San Juan, the content creator behind Life of the San Juans on social media. What had…
