News across San Luis Obispo County
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 17Two longtime Arroyo Grande residents vie for the mayor’s seat
November’s election will determine a new mayor in Arroyo Grande for the first time since 2018. After eight years in the seat, Mayor Caren Ray Russom chose not to run for reelection, making way for fresh leadership. Russom’s preferred candidate, commercial property manager and…
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 17After more than a decade, Cambria’s drought project gets coastal approval
For an emergency water project, Cambria’s Water Reclamation Facility has spent a remarkably long time waiting. Built during a severe drought in 2014, the facility has since been studied, redesigned, challenged, and subjected to regulatory review as Cambria wrestled with how to…
City of Arroyo Grande
Published September 12Halcyon Complete Streets Project Update
An update has been posted to the Halcyon Complete Streets Project webpage.
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 10Arroyo 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…
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 10New 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…
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 10Witnesses 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…
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 10New 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…
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 10The 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…
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 10The 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…
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 10Grover 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…
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 10What 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…
New Times San Luis Obispo
Published September 10Coastal 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…