Local assemblywoman supports marine sanctuary

Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) wrote a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expressing her support for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

In the letter, she urged NOAA to reconsider their preferred alternative that excludes the ocean waters off Morro Bay and Cayucos from protection.

In the letter, she said, "Protecting ocean health off of California's coast is urgent, and our approach must be comprehensive - including both conservation and climate action. Therefore, I applaud NOAA's proposed expansion to the south along the Gaviota coast. However, I urge you to forgo the proposed exclusion of ecologically and culturally rich ocean and coastline areas of Morro Bay and Cayucos that would leave those areas unprotected.

"Morro Bay is my home. It's where my husband and I raised two children. It's where I taught in public schools and served on the city council. First peoples who see the ocean as sacred have lived here for millennia. Additionally Morro Bay is a fishing village and a place where hundreds of thousands of people visit every year for its natural beauty. Our economy is dependent on the ocean and its sea life. Our collective ability to thrive hinges on our ocean's health."

She emphasized the need for a unified sanctuary along the entire Central Coast. The letter was submitted before the October 25, 2023 comment deadline.

Morro Bay man found guilty of sex acts with children

A San Luis Obispo County jury found Morro Bay resident Elderjairus Stomtomas Belen (33) guilty of 11 felony counts of engaging in sex acts with a child under the age of 14. 

The jury also found that the crimes involved multiple victims.

At trial, jurors heard evidence that between November 2013 and December 2018 Belen engaged in a series of sex acts with the two survivors beginning when they were under the age of ten. Belen was between the ages of 23 and 28 when he committed the crimes.

San Simeon pier closed after pylons break away

California State Parks closed the San Simeon Pier earlier this month after discovering that two of the three long support pylons were missing during a follow-up inspection. 

The pier has historical significance, built in 1957 and extended in 1969, and has been under State Parks' control since 1971.

Part of the pier had already been closed to the public since 2021 due to structural issues. The current plan is to replace about 50 piles, 20% of the cross beams, the curb rail, railing, and the decking. 

A water line and hydrant will also be added. The timeline for reopening and the estimated repair costs have not been provided at this time. The closure remains in effect until safety concerns are addressed.

Renters to pay less for security deposits after July 1

California renters will be on the hook for a lot less money when it comes to a security deposit for new housing agreements. 

A recently signed California law, Assembly Bill 12, will bring significant changes to security deposit requirements for landlords in the state. Under this new legislation, security deposits for renters can no longer exceed one month's rent. This move is part of an effort to address the rising costs of housing and make rental units more affordable for residents.

Previously, landlords in California could charge renters a maximum of three months' rent as a security deposit, potentially totaling a substantial amount. With the enactment of this law, landlords will be limited to charging a security deposit equivalent to just one month's rent, considerably reducing the upfront financial burden on tenants.

However, some renters express concerns that landlords might respond to this change by increasing monthly rent rates more frequently, affecting those on fixed incomes who struggle to keep up with rising living costs.

First confirmed case of locally-aqcquired West Nile Virus reported in SLO County

The Public Health Department has recently confirmed two cases of West Nile virus in residents of San Luis Obispo County, including one case that was acquired locally. 

This is the first confirmed case of a person becoming infected with West Nile virus here in SLO County. In prior cases, residents became infected while traveling to other areas where the virus is more widespread.

Health officials emphasized this news does not highlight a major risk to the public but rather a moment to focus on awareness and prevention of West Nile virus, which is relatively common in much of the U.S.

“We want our community to be aware that West Nile virus has spread here in SLO County, but it does not appear to be spreading widely and the risk to the public remains very low. Together, we can take simple steps to prevent further spread, like protecting against mosquito bites and keeping an eye out for sources of standing water that make it easy for mosquitoes to breed,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, County Health Officer.

Water main fixes will slow Main Street traffic this week

A water main break in Cambria on October 10 will undergo repair starting Tuesday, slowing traffic on parts of Main Street.

In an online update to Cambria residents, Cambria Community Services District general manager Matthew McElhenie outlined the multi-day construction schedule and partial road closures along Main Street this week.

Day One - Tuesday, October 17:

• South Bound Lane of Main Street will be closed from 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Excavation begins to install one 10” Valve at the 90* elbow to energize the entire distribution system, except for the forty feet of transmission line perpendicularly crossing Main Street.

Day Two - Wednesday, October 18:

• North Bound Lanes of Main Street will be closed at 7:00 a.m. - TBD.
• Excavation begins to install one 10” Valve at the just repaired connection on Main. This installation replaces the 10” Tee and Valve, connecting the current system to newly relocated transmission lines. While the connection is being performed, trenching and preparation for the new line crossing Main St. occurs.

Day Two - Wednesday, October 18:

• 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. Overnight Main Street distribution system partially shut down for tie-in. The areas previously affected by the isolation for the leak will be the same locations affected by the repair.

Day Three & Four - Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20:

• Main Street surface restoration.

Anti-semitic flyers distributed in Los Osos and Pismo Beach

An organization propagating antisemitic content, in its ongoing campaign lasting over a year, targeted neighborhoods in Los Osos and Pismo Beach this week. This time, the group altered its approach.

In a manner reminiscent of previous flyers found in Grover Beach, Paso Robles, and San Luis Obispo, the latest materials prominently feature a Nazi symbol and direct readers to the California Blackshirts' Telegram channel, where they identify themselves as a pro-white activist group boasting 165 subscribers, according to CalCoast News.

While earlier versions contained the phrase "A call to action," the new flyers state, "Diversity is not our strength."

These fliers were distributed on Sunday in Los Osos and repeated in Pismo Beach on Wednesday.