FOG BEHAVES IN PISMO, ALLOWS A BIG SHOW
SanLuisObispo.com: Local @ July 5, 2010 # Comments Off
San Luis Obispo is asked to handle South County dispatch services
SanLuisObispo.com: Local @ July 5, 2010 # Comments Off
By AnnMarie Cornejo — A request from two South County cities for San Luis Obispo to provide fire and police dispatch services will be considered by the City Council Tuesday.
The request follows a recent move by Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach and Oceano to consolidate fire services with a new Five Cities Fire Joint Powers Authority a change that takes effect July 9.
Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach police departments now share fire dispatch services for the three communities, but believe it would be more efficient if the San Luis Obispo Fire Department took over that responsibility.
Bored on the Fourth of July? No way
SanLuisObispo.com: Local @ July 5, 2010 # Comments Off
Grover Beach may phase in increased water rates
SanLuisObispo.com: Local @ July 5, 2010 # Comments Off
By Cynthia Lambert — The Grover Beach City Council will again discuss water rates tonight, but instead of a single 30 percent rate increase, customers could see the raise phased in over the next year.
City officials say the increase is needed in large part to pay for the citys share of $26 million in upgrades at the Lopez Lake reservoir.
The city, which receives 36 percent of its water supply from the lake east of Arroyo Grande, will pay the county $1.2 million this fiscal year for the upgrades.
Morro Bay fishing is back from the depths
SanLuisObispo.com: Local @ July 4, 2010 # Comments Off
By David Sneed — Dock workers at Morro Bay Fish Co. are busy unloading hundreds of black cod from the hold of the fishing vessel Black Mariah. Skipper Mark Hamerdinger caught the load about 45 miles offshore in 3,000 feet of water.
Most of the large, sleek fish will wind up as sashimi or other seafood delicacies in sushi bars in Japan where, unlike America, there is an insatiable demand for the savory fish. Fishermen say this bountiful black cod catch is helping to fuel a steady resurgence of an industry that has seen hard times in recent years.
After bottoming out in the mid-2000s, commercial fish landings have grown by about 30 percent per year for the past three years, said Jeremiah OBrien, president of the Morro Bay Commercial Fishermans Organization.
Climate change is a hot issue in San Luis Obispo County
SanLuisObispo.com: Local @ July 4, 2010 # Comments Off
By David Sneed — San Luis Obispo County is emerging as a state leader in the effort to prepare for the effects of global climate change.
Armed with $105,000 in grant money, the county, along with all seven of its cities, has embarked on a yearlong effort to understand what effects climate change will have on the county and what can be done to lessen or prepare for them.
I feel that this is one of the most important issues facing not only the country but the world, said San Luis Obispo City Councilwoman Jan Marx, one of the local leaders of the effort. We need to be clear about the possible consequences.
Harbor district can do better, grand jury says
SanLuisObispo.com: Local @ July 3, 2010 # Comments Off
By Cynthia Lambert — The Port San Luis Harbor District could be run more efficiently, the county civil grand jury concluded in a report that questioned how the district prepares its financial reports and awards contracts to concessionaires.
The report said the district could lose out on additional funding if too much sand prevents boats from launching into the water, and it raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving harbor district commissioners.
The report was titled Port San Luis: A Tarnished Jewel a title Harbor Manager Steve McGrath said doesnt reflect the districts ongoing improvements and maintenance aimed at making its facilities more accessible and its operations more transparent.
SLO County Roundup
SanLuisObispo.com: Local @ July 3, 2010 # Comments Off
Pismo Beach
Construction on the final phase of the promenade slated to start Tuesday and should be finished in December.
The $1.4 million project includes construction of a wooden boardwalk between the existing sections at the end of Main Street and Pomeroy Avenue and additional improvements to the pier plaza area, said Dwayne Chisam, Pismo Beachs public works director/city engineer.
Fourth of July happenings in the county
SanLuisObispo.com: Local @ July 3, 2010 # Comments Off
Here is a list of Fourth of July celebrations today.
Arroyo Grande. 1 p.m. Village Band concert, hot dogs, lemonade and ice cream. Rotary Bandstand, Heritage Square Park. Refreshments for sale. 473-2250.
Cambria. 10 a.m. Family fun all day, food and music, followed by fireworks at dusk. Shamel Park, 5455 Windsor Blvd.
How has the recession hurt you?
SanLuisObispo.com: Local @ July 3, 2010 # Comments Off
The recession has dealt a devastating blow to many local residents, leading to job losses, home foreclosures and depleted retirement savings.
The Tribune, together with the California HealthCare Foundation Center for Health Reporting, will publish a series of articles examining the ways in which families, including children, have been affected by the added pressures and stresses brought on by the financial meltdown. We are searching for county residents to interview for the series.
If you would like to participate, please e-mail Enterprise Editor Julie Lynem at jlynem@thetribunenews.com or senior writer Emily Bazar at ebazar@usc.edu with information about your situation and a contact phone number.