San Luis Obispo County

The Gifford Fire burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties has scorched 82,567 acres and is 7% contained as of Tuesday morning, according to Los Padres Fire. The Madre Fire burned approximately 80,779 acres and was fully contained by July 26, according to CalFire.

Evacuation orders and warnings remain in parts of SLO and Santa Barbara counties. Residents are urged to monitor for changing conditions. Hwy 166 is closed between Hwy 101 and New Cuyama.

Paso Robles police are investigating a wave of vandalism involving caltrops – small metal spikes designed to puncture tires – that have been deliberately placed on public roads. The department says it has documented more than 40 incidents since April, and a new wave of reports began this week.

The variant, called Nimbus, shares typical COVID-19 symptoms like fever and cough, but some patients have reported severely dry and cracked throats.

This week, multiple residents reported getting phone calls from someone claiming to be a police officer or lieutenant.

Starting July 9, wastewater rates in Grover Beach will go up by 17.8% each year for the next five years. That’s about $2.28 more per month for a typical single-family home.

The Gala Pride and Diversity Center is teaming up with Central Coast Pride to host events all across the county through May and June for Pridefest.

A San Luis Obispo business owner is speaking out against tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. This comes as Senate Democrats push a bill that would exempt small businesses.

San Luis Obispo County is seeking public input on a proposed Corridor Plan to improve Pier Avenue in Oceano. People can leave comments on an interactive map until the end of the business week.

Local residents requested that supervisors prioritize two SLO County bridges before other pavement and bridge projects.