Additional Articles

• Deadline approaching for Cal Fire grants to reduce fire threat and improve forest health

  SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced the availability of up to $ 155 million for Fire Prevention and Forest Health projects. Cal Fire is soliciting applications for projects that will help prevent catastrophic wildfires and restore forest health while also sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Cal Fire’s Fire Prevention Grants Program will provide funding for local projects that address the risk of wildfire and reduce wildfire potential to communities in, and adjacent to, forested areas. Qualified activities include hazardous fuel reduction, fire planning, and fire prevention education with an emphasis on improving public health and safety.

  1 day ago

• Learning through Lynda.com offered at local county libraries

  COUNTY —All County of San Luis Obispo Public Libraries are now offering cardholders free access to online educational courses from Lynda.com. Now owned by LinkedIn, Lynda.com has been the leading provider of online learning content for 20 years. The service has more than 12,000 courses, ranging from computer programming to project management including instruction on various computer software, programming languages, and business topics. The video courses are taught by industry experts and are designed for any skill level. Lynda.com also offers more than 50 different learning paths to help users stay ahead in their current job or change careers.

  1 day ago

• Wilshire Community Services is looking for RSVP volunteers

  COUNTY —Wilshire Community Services trains volunteers to assist isolated older adults all over San Luis Obispo County, but they are currently experiencing a shortage of volunteers in North County areas. Would you be willing to provide some simple daily activities such as friendly visits, transportation help, groceries, and errands, or pet walking?

  2 weeks ago

• Fire breaks out in Atascadero residence

  ATASCADERO — A fire Wednesday, Nov. 14, evening displaced people from a Sycamore Road residence, the Atascadero Fire Department reported. At 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 14, the call came in that there was a structure on fire on Sycamore Road. At approximately 4:51 p.m. units arrived on scene and found a single story, metal structure, converted into a residential unit, ablaze. The metal structure, wood fence, an automobile, and vegetation caught on fire too per officials.

  2 weeks ago

• Templeton students are invited to compete in a T-shirt design contest

  TEMPLETON — Templeton Recreation is inviting local students to compete in a T-shirt design contest. The winning drawing will become the 2018 logo for this year’s Jingle All the Way 5K Fun Run and Walk on Saturday, Dec. 8. All designs must be completed by a resident of Templeton or student of Templeton schools who are under the age of 18. Submissions will be accepted through Tuesday, Nov. 20, with the winner being announced Tuesday, Nov. 27.

  3 weeks ago

• RTA awarded $6.2M DOT grant for new facility

  SAN LUIS OBISPO — The San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) received a $6.285 million grant on Sept. 25 to help fund the construction of a new administration and bus maintenance facility. “I am very appreciative of the partnerships that it took to procure the land for the new administration and maintenance facility, and this project would never have happened without the support of SLOCOG, CAPSLO and the City and County of San Luis Obispo,” said Geoff Straw, Executive Director of RTA. “This grant is a significant step forward in developing a long term solution for the RTA’s needs.” The grant comes as a result of the Federal Transit Administration Buses & Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program, which makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities. The FTA received 255 applications for this grant and SLORTA received the largest amount in the State of California.

  1 month ago

• Weed abatement funds examined

  The weed abatement actions typically cost $37,000 in staff time, not counting the $24,000 spent on noticing and inspection before crews are needed, Rickard said. The report prepared by the City’s Fire and Emergency Services staff notes that the Fire Marshal conducts an initial weed inspection during the month of April of the approximately 11,188 parcels within the City, with notices then mailed to those deemed a potential threat.

  1 month ago

• Fire threatens homes on Creston Road Sunday

  CRESTON — Several small fires broke out in the afternoon along Creston Road on Sunday, Sept. 2, according to Cal Fire San Luis Obispo. One of the fires at Creston and Neal Springs Road threatened houses and homes had to be evacuated. One vacant and abandoned home was fully involved in the blaze and destroyed, according to Chris Elms with Cal Fire SLO. “Engine companies were very quick to mitigate the threat to the houses,” Elms said. The fire was contained later in the evening before 8 p.m. and evacuated residents from the area were let allowed back into the home.

  3 months ago

• Recovery program seeking home in North County

  A home for victims of human trafficking is looking for a permanent location in North County.

  3 months ago

• Atascadero name spikes after wedding

  Atascadero’s best and worst kept secret saw the town’s name popping up in international tabloids and spiking in Google search alerts Wednesday, Aug. 29 as news broke that singer-songwriter Neil Young and actress Daryl Hannah held a “secret wedding” involving a reception in the City the weekend before.

  3 months ago

• SB 10: Reaction to bail reform

  California Gov. Jerry Brown signed on Tuesday, Aug. 28, sweeping legislation, in the works for several years, to eliminate cash bail in the state. Set to take effect in a little over a year, October 2019, Senate Bill 10, which passed with a California Senate vote of 26-12 on Aug. 21 bred unusual bedfellows in opposition.

  3 months ago

• Templeton Library Association hosting book giveaway Sept. 1, 2 and 8

  The public is invited to attend a book giveaway on Saturday, Sept. 1, Sunday, Sept. 2 and Saturday, Sept. 8 at the Book Room Annex located at 65 S. Main St., Ste. 102 (kitty-corner from Templeton Donuts).

  3 months ago

• CalVet Tuition Fee waived for eligible veteran dependents

  SACRAMENTO — California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) offers a College Fee Waiver Program for eligible veteran dependents. The CalVet College Tuition Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents benefit waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus.

  4 months ago

• Local programs and agencies are looking for help

  COUNTY — Put your life experience to work with Senior Volunteer Services and Central Coast Community Volunteers. Join many seniors, age 50 and over, who are taking the time to help improve the lives of others. SVS and CCCV can match your talents and interests with community needs. Call SVS at 805-544-8740 for information on any of the following opportunities.

  4 months ago

• FDA issues voluntary recalls of Ritz, Goldfish and other products

  WASHINGTON — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working with Mondelēz International, Inc., Pepperidge Farm Inc. and Flowers Foods, Inc. and have initiated voluntarily recalls of certain products due to a potential risk that one of the ingredients may have been contaminated with Salmonella. Recalled foods include a variety of Mondelēz’s Ritz cheese sandwiches and Ritz Bits cheese products, certain Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish, and Flowers Foods’ Swiss Rolls sold under various brand names. Additional information about each specific recall is available on the FDA website at fda.gov/safety/recalls/. The FDA recommends people discard or return any recalled product to the store where it was purchased.

  4 months ago

• Council looks to extend mayor term

  ATASCADERO — The mayor of Atascadero just can’t get enough done in two years according to three City Council members and current mayor Tom O’Malley, who spoke on the subject during a meeting Tuesday. At the end of the discussion the Council voted unanimously to pose the question to voters on the November ballot as to whether or not they’d like to see the mayor’s term extended to four years. According to O’Malley, the Council originally would select a mayor and planning commission members by a majority vote, leading to the majority dominating the direction of the Council and the City as a whole. “We used to have much-polarized politics in Atascadero, much like you’d see at the Board of Supervisors and it tended to be ‘winner take all,’” O’Malley said. “We had pendulum swings often. We’d have a majority leaning in one direction for a few years then a majority leaning another direction for a few years and we were like a yo-yo. You’d see really very little progress on major, long-term projects.”

  5 months ago

• Missed the voter registration deadline? It’s not too late.

  ATASCADERO — In prior elections,voters who missed the 15-day close of registration deadline were not qualified to vote in an upcoming election. Today, new legislation allows voters who missed the May 21 deadline to complete a Conditional Voter Registration (or Same Day Registration) process and cast their ballots at the County Elections Office up to and including Election Day. All votes will be e counted after the elections official verifies the voter’s registration and confirms the voter has not yet voted elsewhere in the current election.

  6 months ago

• Weed deadline approaching

  ATASCADERO — Fire and Emergency Services would like to remind residents that clearing weeds by June 1 is mandatory. If weeds are not cleared by June 1, a City contractor will be authorized to clear the hazardous weeds and/or refuse on un-cleared parcels. If the City contractor clears the weeds, the individual property owner will be billed at 150% of the total Contractor’s cost. Those charges will then be assessed on the individual’s property tax bill.

  6 months ago

• Senior volunteer opportunities to help the community

  NORTH COUNTY — Put your life experience to work with Senior Volunteer Service (SVS). Join with many other seniors, age 50+ and over, who are taking time to help improve the lives of others. SVS can match your talents and interests with community needs. Call SVS at (805) 544-8740 for information on any of the following opportunities.

  6 months ago

• AUSD honored as bicycle friendly

  ATASCADERO — The League of American Bicyclists recognized Atascadero Unified School District with a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Business award, joining over 1,000 visionary businesses across the country that have received the award this May. With the announcement of 114 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses today, Atascadero Unified School District joins a cutting-edge group of 1,200 current Bicycle Friendly Businesses, made up of local businesses, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies in all 50 states and Washington, DC, that are transforming the American workplace.

  6 months ago

• Hwy 101 San Miguel project continues with traffic switch

  SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — A project to improve six miles of US Highway 101 from San Miguel to Camp Roberts will continue on Wednesday, May 30 with a traffic switch to allow for the reconstruction of southbound US Highway 101 from 10th Street to the intersection with San Marcos Road. Temporary striping will begin at 6:30 a.m. with the full traffic switch expected in the afternoon.

  6 months ago

• Mustang driver collides with semi

  PASO ROBLES — The driver of a 2007 Ford Mustang died in a fatal collision with a semi truck Monday, April 30 on State Route 41 north of an olive farm near Cholame. The driver has not yet been identified pending notification of next of kin.

  6 months ago

• New Behavioral Health unit set for jail

  SAN LUIS OBISPO — Sheriff Parkinson and the Sheriff’s Advisory Foundation (SAF) announced on April 25, that plans are moving forward for a new Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) at the San Luis Obispo County Jail. The BHU will provide behavioral therapy services and housing for inmates suffering from mental illness. Sheriff Parkinson met with the SAF to discuss the idea of private funding for the BHU. Parkinson has stated numerous times that this is an issue that affects the community as a whole, so it is natural to make this a community-funded facility. The SAF is in support of the project and has identified it as one of their major projects.

  7 months ago

• Board of Supervisors adopts road paving priority list for new SB 1

  SAN LUIS OBISPO — Earlier in April the Board of Supervisors took action approving the list of Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 road paving projects for submittal to the California Transportation Commission required by the Road Repair and Accountability Act, Senate Bill 1 (SB1). The road segments have been selected from the five-year asphalt overlay list of the Pavement Management Program available at www.slocounty.ca.gov.

  7 months ago

• Police conduct saturation patrols for Cinco de Mayo

  NORTH COUNTY — In the United States, the Cinco de Mayo holiday is often associated with parties and alcohol. If you’re celebrating with friends and family this weekend, remember that at the end of the night, you need to have a safe and sober ride home. Police, Sheriff and the CHP will be out in force looking for the telltale sign of impaired driving this weekend. In the rush to prepare for a night out, it’s easy to forget the most important Cinco de Mayo plan of all: designating a sober driver. Some may think they can play it by ear and wait until after the party has started to decide whether they’re “okay to drive.” By this point, it’s too late. Going out for a night of drinking without a plan for getting home safely is a recipe for disaster.

  7 months ago

• Community Unity launches in North County

  ATASCADERO — This week, the Atascadero News and Paso Robles Press, along with several area businesses, will launch an exciting new campaign designed to highlight the goods and services offered locally in north San Luis Obispo County. The year-long ‘Community Unity’ campaign will kick off with a special four-page insert in today’s paper and participating businesses will have a variety of posters, window clings, mats, pens and other fun items to show that they are participating in the campaign. The theme is “Shop, Play, Stay” and the purpose of the project is to encourage residents to support local businesses.

  7 months ago

• Caltrans improves Hwy 101 ramp at Las Tablas Rd

  SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — Caltrans will begin a project tonight to install Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps at the southbound on-ramp to US Highway 101 at Las Tablas Road in Templeton.

  7 months ago

• No criminal charges filed against Ferree

  ATASCADERO — After review of a case involving allegations of battery, involving Atascadero High School teacher Christopher Ferree, the District Attorney’s office has determined there is insufficient evidence to file criminal charges. The investigation of Mr. Ferree was initiated by the Atascadero Police Department in November of 2017, and involved Mr. Ferree’s actions while addressing a student who was disrupting class activities. The general concern was that Mr. Ferree’s physical response to the student’s conduct was excessive.

  7 months ago

• Assemblyman Cunningham praises Uber’s new App feature

  SACRAMENTO — Wednesday, Uber announced a new security feature that will allow users to contact 911 via the Uber app. Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham praised the move as a step forward since a recent incident in San Luis Obispo when an Uber driver was charged for burglarizing and sexually assaulting four young victims.

  7 months ago

• Local businesses welcome veteran to town with a car

  ATASCADERO — A Vietnam-era Air Force veteran who recently moved to Atascadero to be with family will be given a warm community welcome along with a set of keys to a practically brand-new car as a thank you for his service to our country. The car donation is from Caliber Collision and Allstate in partnership with the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides™ program which repairs and donates cars to help individuals and families rebuilding their lives.

  7 months ago

• APCD seeks input for grants

  SAN LUIS OBISPO — The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District is hosting a series of workshops to gain local community input on air protection grant funding opportunities in their areas.

  7 months ago

• County expands code enforcement service hours

  SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — The San Luis Obispo County Department of Planning and Building, Code Enforcement will begin weekend and holiday on-call service to the unincorporated areas of the county. Beginning on Friday May 4, residents can call (805) 788-2350 and speak directly with the on-call County Code Enforcement Officer.

  7 months ago

• Numerous Highway 101 improvements coming in April

  SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — A project to improve eight miles in both directions of US Highway 101 from San Miguel to Camp Roberts in Monterey County will continue on Wednesday, April 11 with pothole repair in the following locations: Motorists traveling southbound on US Highway 101 will be realigned onto a different section of the highway near the San Marcos Road intersection on Wednesday, April 11 and Thursday, April 12 from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Motorists traveling northbound on US Highway 101 will be realigned onto a different section of the highway near the San Marcos Road intersection on Thursday, April 12 from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. Motorists can expect delays in this area from 15 to 30 minutes. Motorists should allow extra time while traveling in this area.

  7 months ago

• State commission approves funding to Modernize Hwy. 46 at the Cholame ‘Y’

  CHOLAME — Recently the California Transportation Commission approved nearly $134 million in project funds to construct an overpass at the Cholame “Y” intersection on Highway 41/46. The deadly section of highway has been known locally as “blood alley” for years. Recently, a four-car collision involving 11 people left two dead and four with major injuries. “This section of highway is critical to our economy, but currently has a fatality rate that is three-times the state average,” said assemblyman Jordan Cunningham. “These investments will save lives.”

  7 months ago

• USDA prioritizes investments to address opioid crisis in rural America

  DAVIS — USDA Rural Development California State Director Kim Dolbow Vann highlighted key efforts by the department to address opioid misuse in rural communities on April 4. “Opioid misuse has led to a dramatic decrease in quality of life, especially in rural areas where access to resources may be more limited,” said Vann. “We are working hard to bring all of our assets to the table in partnership with local efforts to help combat this epidemic where it is needed most.”

  7 months ago

• PHP toy and book exchange

  ATASCADERO— Parent’s Helping Parents (PHP) is holding a Toy and Book Exchange from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m at the Atascadero office. The toy and book exchange is a great chance to trade out some of the gently used play things your child no longer uses and bring home something new-to-you. Who might come to this Get Connected Toy Exchange for Parents Helping Parents? A parent or caregiver of a child with speech delay, sensory issues, learning challenges, developmental delay, Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, and other disabilities. Caregivers who wish to connect with others who understand the extra challenges, may call (805) 543-3277 for more information.

  8 months ago

• County Libraries to hold food drive and forgive fines

  SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — County Public Libraries are once again celebrating National Library Week by helping to end hunger in our community. Food for Fines Week takes place April 9 to 14 at all county library branches, in partnership with the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County.

  8 months ago

• Temporary road closure

  ATASCADERO — Viejo Camino between Santa Barbara Road and Halcon Road will be closed temporarily for construction improvements beginning April 2, 2018. The road closure is tentatively scheduled to reopen before April 23, 2018 (dependent on weather delays).

  8 months ago

• City of Atascadero notifies public of road maintenance information

  ATASCADERO — Due to the recent heavy rainfall which has resulted in a number of potholes to occur throughout town, the City of Atascadero would like to share some important and timely information regarding the City’s roads. Atascadero residents are strongly encouraged to report potholes located in City maintained roadways, either by calling the Public Works Department at 805-470-3148, or by visiting the City’s website at www.atascadero.org and navigating to “I Want To”, “Report”, and then specifying the location of the pothole. During dry weather, potholes are typically repaired within a week or two of reporting the pothole to the City. Other unsafe street conditions such as street light issues and dead animals may also be reported to the City in a similar manner.

  8 months ago

• ‘Music of the Wild West’ set for May 6

  Atascadero — Enjoy familiar American Folk songs and “Music of the Wild West” at the Atascadero Community Band concert on Sunday, May 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. Concert will take place at the Atascadero Bible Church, 6225 Atascadero Ave.

  8 months ago

• Poetry and quilting exhibit in April

  Atascadero — American Traditions: Poetry and Quilting exhibit starts on April 2 at the Atascadero Library. An open invitation to the public for the reception Thursday, April 5. The reception is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and will introduce the exhibit. Light refreshments served at the reception.

  8 months ago

• Atascadero Library April programing features fun activities for all

  ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Library will be holding the upcoming programs at the library. Preschool Storytimes - scheduled on Monday and Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Stories and songs will be shared. Toddler Storytime - specifically designed for toddlers every Friday morning at 10:30 a.m. Stories, rhymes, music and finger plays will be shared. Rhyme Time Storytime- In celebration of Poetry Month, toddler time will feature poems and rhymes. Fri., April 13 at 10:30 a.m. Craft Club - Come make a fun project! Tues., April 3 at 3:30 p.m. Registration required. Ages 6 to 12. Zoo To You- Learn fun facts about animals at this Conservation Ambassador Program. Weds., April 4 at 3:30 p.m. All ages.

  8 months ago

• County, State Parks reach air mitigation agreement on dunes

  San Luis Obispo County — The San Luis Obispo Air Pollution Control District (SLO County APCD) and State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Division (OHV) have reached an agreement on a proposed mitigation approach to reduce particulate emissions at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA). The proposed mitigation approach will be heard by the SLO County APCD Hearing Board on March 21, 2018, at 9 a.m. at the San Luis Obispo City Council Chambers (990 Palm Street in San Luis Obispo).

  8 months ago

• Hearst Castle announces Spring tours

  San Simeon — Hearst Castle’s evening tours have just begun a new season. Visitors to the Castle will experience the magnificent site illuminated at night. The evening tours feature the Living History Program, which evokes the heyday of this great estate. Docents in elegant attire from the 1930s recreate a sense of the social life of William Randolph Hearst’s guests, as they socialize in the Assembly Room or other areas of the Castle. Other docents portray household staff attending to the needs of Mr. Hearst’s guests.

  8 months ago

• City’s creekside property split into three parcels

  Atascadero — The Atascadero Planning Commission took the first steps Tuesday toward bringing a business back to the creekside property in Colony Square, the former location of Atascadero City Hall, which has been vacant since 2013. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a tentative parcel map that would subdivide the parcel into three separate properties. The City would retain two of the parcels — a 9,000 square-foot area on the west side of the property that serves as the landing for the recently constructed pedestrian bridge over Atascadero Creek and a 6,000 square-foot area at the east side of the property that serves as the Atascadero Transit Center. The third parcel, a 1.82-acre area with an office building will be sold. The land and building are currently owned by the successor agency to the City Redevelopment Agency, which was dissolved by state mandate in 2012.

  9 months ago

• US highway 101 preservation treatment continues next week

  ATASCADERO — A project to place a protective overlay on US Highway 101 from the Traffic Way Undercrossing in Atascadero to the Vineyard Drive Overcrossing in Templeton will continue through next week. This project which is designed to extend the life of the pavement was suspended earlier this winter due to colder temperatures which made resurfacing the highway unsuitable.

  9 months ago

• California Valley deaths ruled murder/sucide

  CALIFORNIA VALLEY —The Coroner’s Unit of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office released the cause and manner of death of the father and son who were found deceased in their home in California Valley on Jan. 29.

  9 months ago

• Atascadero man dies after flipping convertible on Highway 101

  A two-vehicle accident on Highway 101 in Atascadero Sunday afternoon left an elderly driver dead and his passenger with major injuries.

  9 months ago

• Road work at Highway 41 and Los Altos Road resumes after rain delay

  ATASCADERO — A project to extend the left-turn lane and reconstruct the intersection of State Route 41 from west of Los Altos Road to east of Old Morro Road will resume this week following delays due to rain in the area. Motorists will encounter one-way reversing traffic control at the intersection of State Route 41 at Los Altos Road beginning Tuesday, Feb. 13 through Friday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

  9 months ago

• AUSD examines new state budget

  “Last year there was a lot of conversation and pressure regarding special ed funding and they were supposed to take the year to study it — they didn’t,” AUSD Assistant Superintendent Jackie Martin said.

  10 months ago

• Provisions of food for those in need at Santa Rosa Elementary location

  According to Kathy Peterson, a Kiwanis volunteer, her club is hoping more people find out about their food program. She said she’s seeing about 20 people showing up at the Santa Rosa parking lot each week, but they have plenty of food for more – an entire truck load of food.

  10 months ago

• Chamber chooses new board

  Templeton — Four new Templeton Chamber Board members have been announced after a recent membership vote. New board members will serve a three year term beginning in January of 2018, joining current and ongoing board members in the leadership and governing of the Chamber of Commerce.

  11 months ago

• AMS holds ribbon-cutting

  ATASCADERO — Atascadero Unified celebrated the completion of new construction and modernization of the Atascadero Middle School (formerly the junior high) by holding an official ribbon cutting ceremony last Thursday evening . New construction began in April of 2015 and was completed September of 2017.

  11 months ago