County News

District Attorney Dan Dow Advocates for Necessary Funding for the FY 2026-2027 Budget
5/23/2026

DA Dow Requests Funding for Critically Needed Positions

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will hold budget hearings on June 8, 2026. DA Dan Dow has respectfully and factually advocated for Board support of his request for additional necessary funding for 5 positions. These requested positions are critically needed for doing the legally mandated work of investigating and prosecuting crime here in San Luis Obispo County.

District Attorney Charges Adult and Juvenile in Connection with July 4th Templeton Feed & Grain Fire
5/21/2026

District Attorney Charges Adult and Juvenile in Connection with July 4th Templeton Feed & Grain Fire

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's Office has filed criminal charges against an adult male and a juvenile in connection with the July 4, 2025, fire that destroyed the Templeton Feed & Grain store located at 405 South Main Street in Templeton, California.

Exterior view of the Shandon Library
5/21/2026

SLO Libraries Open Extra Hours for Summer 2026

Shandon, Shell Beach, Oceano, and San Miguel locations will offer additional days for June and July
2023 Storm Damage at Quail Creek Bridge Detour (left) and existing temporary repairs at Quail Creek Bridge (right)
5/19/2026

Construction Begins and a Detour is Scheduled on Creston Road Bridge in Paso Robles

The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works and Souza Construction, Inc., have started work on a permanent two-lane bridge on Creston Road at Quail Creek (near South El Pomar Road) to replace the existing storm-damaged bridge.

Coast with central California water next too large, steep, rolling hills.
5/15/2026

Hantavirus Updates

Risk to the public remains low as state public health officials coordinate with the CDC and other agencies.
A group of students and adults under an "Elections" sign
5/12/2026

Applications Now Open for the 2026–27 Student Elections Ambassador Program

Applications are now being accepted for SLO County's Student Elections Ambassador Program. Going into its second year, the program provides an opportunity for local high school students to gain expertise in voter registration directly from Elections Office staff so that they can engage their peers in outreach and voter education efforts.
District Attorney Dan Dow Responds to Release of First-Degree Murderer Alberto Tamez, Jr.
5/6/2026

District Attorney Dan Dow Responds to Release of First-Degree Murderer Alberto Tamez, Jr.

District Attorney Dan Dow today issued a statement in response to the release of Alberto Tamez, Jr., a convicted first-degree murderer who was granted parole on December 30, 2025. The Governor chose to take no further action on the parole decision, which was communicated to the Board on April 24, 2026.
District Attorney Issues Statement in Response to Search of Susan Flores’ Residence
5/6/2026

District Attorney Issues Statement in Response to Search of Susan Flores’ Residence

District Attorney Dan Dow issued a statement in response to today's search of Susan Flores' home in Arroyo Grande.
Booking Photo (12/19/2024) Robert Conrad Vasquez (DOB 09/24/1987) Sentenced
5/5/2026

Robert Conrad Vasquez (38) of Paso Robles Sentenced to 4 years and 4 Months in State Prison For Embezzlement

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Robert Conrad Vasquez has been sentenced to serve four years and four months in state prison following his conviction of five felony counts of grand theft, and one misdemeanor violation of possessing an assault weapon. Vasquez also admitted the thefts were related felonies and involved a taking of more than $100,000.
Banner that reads May Mental Health Month, Be Kind to Your Mind.
5/5/2026

SLO County Inspires Healing and Connection at Mental Health Month Events

The County of San Luis Obispo Behavioral Health Department is encouraging community members to open up about their mental health during May Mental Health Awareness Month.
Foggy scenery as fog sits over hills of SLO County during sunset.
5/4/2026

Local Quit Campaign Doubles Access to Proven Nicotine Quit Medicines

More than 1,000 SLO County community members connected to effective quit support as prescriptions for nicotine replacement therapy double
Voting booths in the SLO County Government Center
5/2/2026

Primary Election Voting Begins May 4th & Includes a New Early Voting Option

Mail ballots will be sent out on Monday, May 4th and drop boxes will open throughout the county by Tuesday morning. In addition, the two SLO County Elections Offices will offer a new way to vote early and in person.
A basket of fresh-caught mussels
5/1/2026

2026 Annual Mussel Quarantine Order by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

A quarantine is hereby established on all species of mussels taken for human consumption by recreational sport harvesters from the ocean shore of California. The quarantine area extends from the Oregon border south to the Mexican border, including all bays, inlets, and harbors.
Booking Photo (06/04/2022) Angel Eduardo Ramosramirez (DOB 01/26/1995) Sentenced
4/28/2026

Man Sentenced to 42 Years to Life in State Prison for Gang-Related Murder and Assault

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Angel Ramosramirez (DOB 01/26/1995) has been sentenced to 42 years to life in state prison for the 2022 gang-related murder of Daniel Diaz (20) and the 2021 knife assault on a teenager.

picture of Morro Bay HHHW Collection Facility
4/27/2026

Notice of Public Comment Period for the Morro Bay Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility Closure

The County of San Luis Obispo Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) approved the closure plan for Morro Bay Permitted Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility (PHHWCF), submitted by the operator Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA).
A bridge connects a paved road above a service road and rocky, dry, creekbed and hillsides with dense oak trees and blue skies above.
4/27/2026

Chimney Rock Road Bridge Construction Begins

The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works and Granite Construction, Inc. have started construction on a permanent two-lane bridge on Chimney Rock Road at Franklin Creek (near Fawn Lane) that will replace the existing one-lane steel bridge.

Image of Supervisor Paulding standing on the temp dirt road.
4/24/2026

Supervisor Jimmy Paulding Celebrates Opening of Cecchetti Rd Temporary Bridge in East Arroyo Grande

The temporary one-lane bridge at Cecchetti Road is now open, restoring critical access for Huasna and East Arroyo Grande communities after the original crossing was washed out in 2023. This interim solution improves traffic circulation, supports local agriculture and businesses, and enhances emergency response while the County advances a permanent replacement bridge.

Computer rendering of the upcoming Sheriff Station
4/21/2026

County Approves Contract to Build New Sheriff Substation in Nipomo Starting in 2027

$14.4 million public safety project will improve response times and field operations to Nipomo and the surrounding community. It is anticipated to be operational in 2028.

Ocean water
4/21/2026

Avoid Ocean Water Contact During and After Rainstorms

The County of San Luis Obispo Public Health Department advises the public to avoid ocean water contact during and at least three days following significant rainstorms.
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4/20/2026

Reflections on Land Use and Housing Policy 1994-2026

In recent months, I’ve spent some time looking back at various land use policy discussions and project decisions over those years and put together some notes on what I think has worked and what hasn’t.