Housing & Development · San Luis Obispo, CA
A San Luis Obispo Superior Court ruling on Sept. 29 rejected a lawsuit by the Property and Business Owners Association, clearing the Waterman Village affordable housing project to proceed. The project involves restoring the Rosa Butrón de Canet Adobe at 466 Dana St. and adding 20 tiny homes. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and continue through 2029, pending any potential appeal within the 60-day window.
Local Politics · San Luis Obispo County
San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano stated that voter registrations flagged by the Justice Department as likely noncitizens are confirmed U.S. citizens or inactive. The DOJ sent a letter to Cano's office requesting Social Security numbers for 63 individuals and instructing officials to halt ballot processing for these names. Cano argued that federal and state laws already govern voter eligibility and do not authorize setting aside ballots based on the DOJ's list. Meanwhile, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an attempt to force California election officials to set aside ballots identified by the DOJ.
Local Politics · San Luis Obispo County
PG&E paid San Luis Obispo County $8.3 million on Oct. 26, 2026, as the first of two payments to replace tax revenue lost from the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. The deal, negotiated by State Sen. John Laird and Assemblymember Dawn Addis, provides another $8.3 million in 2027. The funding supports county services, the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and the Port San Luis Harbor District. The agreement mirrors Senate Bill 931 but was not secured through the legislative process.
Public Safety · San Luis Obispo County
The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory for San Luis Obispo County beaches, in effect from 5 a.m. Sunday through 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. High tides during a King Tide event are expected to reach 7.5 to 8 feet, about 1 to 1.5 feet above astronomical predictions. Minor to moderate flooding is possible in low-lying coastal areas including beach parking lots and walkways, with moderate to significant beach erosion expected. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services urged residents to avoid flooded coastal areas and monitor local advisories.
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Local Politics · San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo recorded a record $12.28 million in transient occupancy tax revenue for the 2025-26 fiscal year, according to figures presented at an October City Council meeting. The TOT, paid by visitors staying in hotels and short-term lodging, is now the city's third-largest general fund revenue source behind property and sales taxes. Tourism manager Jacqui Clark-Charlesworth said the funds support services used by residents and visitors alike, including open space access, infrastructure improvements, and public safety. The City Council unanimously approved the Tourism Business Improvement District to continue operating for another year.
Community News · San Luis Obispo County
Conservation groups are experimenting with reintroducing sunflower sea stars to Monterey Bay kelp forests to combat sea star wasting disease and restore ecological balance. The Sunflower Star Laboratory, in partnership with several marine organizations, recently conducted trials involving enclosed pods and temporary releases of the sea stars. Separately, the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council is seeking applicants for its Indigenous Cultures Activities Panel. Applications for the panel are due by November 29.
Community brief · San Luis Obispo, CA
The Haven, a used clothing boutique operated by co-owners Veronica Tagre and Morgan Reynolds, has closed its Arroyo Grande location at The Village after running it for three years alongside a new San Luis Obispo store at 532 Higuera St. The owners said they consolidated because the SLO shop is performing well and offers roughly three times the space of the former Fred and Betty's Thrift Store building. Upcoming events at the SLO location include…
Community brief · San Luis Obispo, CA
Cal Poly Campus Dining will host its annual Pumpkin Fest on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the 1901 Marketplace on campus in San Luis Obispo. The event features its first-ever chef competition, with four Campus Dining chefs preparing pumpkin dishes for students to sample and vote on for a pumpkin-themed trophy. Additional activities include pumpkin painting, crafts, games, giveaways and photos with Tony the Tiger.
Community brief · San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo record store Boo Boo Records is selling extra tickets to the Pinhead Gunpowder concert at Fremont Theatre on November 8. The East Bay punk band, fronted by Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong, sold out its show in ten minutes when tickets first went on sale. The band sent additional tickets to Boo Boo Records for local customers. As of October 26, tickets are available in-store on a first-come, first-served basis with a limit…
Nearby · Public Safety · Arroyo Grande, CA
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office is actively searching for 86-year-old Michael Inglis, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease and dementia. He was last seen at 1 p.m. on Monday, October 26, in the 1700 block of Chesapeake Place in rural Arroyo Grande. The Sheriff's Search and Rescue unit is conducting the search. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 805-781-4550.
Nearby · Public Safety · San Luis Obispo County
A shark reportedly struck a kayak near Leffingwell Landing in San Luis Obispo County on Monday morning, knocking the fisherman into the water. The man swam to shore uninjured after his kayak took on water from punctures caused by the impact. The Cambria Fire Department recovered the equipment and advised beachgoers to exercise caution in the area. A CSU Long Beach Shark Lab expert reviewed photos of the damage and recommended posting warning signs at the beach.
