County News

Booking Photo (03/05/2026) Genaro Santana Avalos (DOB 07/23/1984) Guilty
10/14/2026

Jury Convicts Man Who Arranged to Meet a 15-Year-Old Girl for Sex in Sheriff's Online Child Predator Operation

District Attorney Dan Dow announces the conviction of Genaro SantanaAvalos (42) for contacting a person he believed was a 15-year-old girl online and traveling to a San Luis Obispo park to meet her for sex.
Booking Photo (01/06/2025) Vanessa Rose Noblitt (DOB 10/31/1980) Sentenced
10/14/2026

Vanessa Rose Noblitt Sentenced to 9 Years, 8 Months in State Prison for DUI Crash That Killed Cyclist Saul Goldberg

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Venessa Rose Noblitt (45) was sentenced to state prison for vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for the 2024 fatal hit and run of Avila Beach resident Saul Goldberg.

A paved road crosses a narrow bridge with guardrails and white posts, surrounded by leafless trees under a clear blue sky.
10/13/2026

Temporary Closure Scheduled to North River Road Bridge During Repair Work

PASO ROBLES--The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department will close North River Road Bridge to traffic to perform repairs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., October 27 to October 29, 2026. The bridge will be open outside of those hours.
10/12/2026

Statement Regarding Recent ICE Activity

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2026
San Luis Obispo County Partners Move to Host FREE Clean Slate Clinics on Quarterly Basis
10/8/2026

Clean Slate Clinic Moves to Rolling Quarterly Enrollment for Eligible Residents Who Have Completed Their Sentences

San Luis Obispo County Partners announced they will continue to offer free legal clinics, but will be moving to a new, expanded schedule offering services on a quarterly basis. Petitions continue to receive individual review by Probation and the District Attorney's Office before any request goes to the court.
Landscape of SLO County hills
10/8/2026

SLO County Public Health Confirms First Measles Case of 2026

Community members should check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms
A hay bale spray painted red, white, and blue is in a field.
10/6/2026

2025 Annual Crop Report Statistics Released

2025 Crop and Livestock Statistics Are In: Local Agriculture Hits a Record-Breaking $1.1 Billion in Gross Production Value, Highlighting Continued Strength and Resilience
A group attends a meeting in a wood-beamed room, facing a presenter and projection screen.
10/6/2026

Second Public Meeting for the Buckley Road Corridor Plan Scheduled

The Public is invited to the second public engagement meeting for the second phase of development for the County’s Buckley Road Corridor Plan at 5:00 p.m., October 15 at the Octagon Barn in San Luis Obispo.

Katcho Achadjian Government Center
10/2/2026

13-year Lawsuit with Steinbeck Vineyards Resolved

Santa Clara Superior Court issued its final judgment in Steinbeck Vineyards v. County of San Luis Obispo
Booking Photo (10/09/2025) Gary Lee Roberts II (DOB 12/03/1987) Guilty
10/1/2026

Jury Convicts Gary Lee Roberts II of Burglarizing Atascadero Home; District Attorney Praises Victim’s Courage

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that a San Luis Obispo County jury found Gary Lee Roberts II (DOB 12/03/1987) guilty of first-degree residential burglary and attempted first-degree residential burglary after breaking into a home in Atascadero on October 9, 2025.
Colorful tapestry.
10/1/2026

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and the Importance of Representation in Behavioral Healthcare

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, observed September 15 through October 15, the County of San Luis Obispo Department of Behavioral Health is highlighting the importance of culturally inclusive services and care for the Latino community.
AI Image of a park birdseye view. Park has large greenspace in the middle. There are parking spots with cars at the bottom part of the screen. The streets have the names on them
10/1/2026

$1.8 Million State Investment to Advance Two Major Park & Trail Projects in Nipomo

Senate pro Tem Monique Limón secures critical state funding for Jim Miller Park and a new perimeter trail at Nipomo Community Park
Asian citrus psyllid on a leaf stem
9/29/2026

The Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures Reports the Detection of an Asian Citrus Psyllid

An adult Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) was recently detected in Los Osos, prompting increased trapping, visual surveys, and response activities by state and local agricultural officials. Learn more about the detection, why ACP poses a threat to citrus, and what residents in the area can expect in the coming weeks.
A San Luis Obispo County ballot drop box
9/29/2026

SLO County Ballots Mailing Early; Official Ballot Drop Boxes to Open October 1

SLO County ballots are heading to voters earlier than expected for the November 3 General Election, with the County’s 18 official ballot drop boxes opening Thursday, October 1, so voters can securely return their ballots as soon as they’re ready. The Elections Office also announced election-season hours beginning October 5 and the October 26 opening of its satellite Elections Office in Atascadero.
Damaged roadway with an exposed drainage pipe over a flowing stream.
9/28/2026

Traffic Delays for Repairs to Salinas Avenue

Templeton – The County of San Luis Obispo Department of Public Works will be performing culvert repairs on Salinas Avenue in Templeton. During this work, the road may be inaccessible.
Workers in safety vests and hard hats install a large pipeline in a deep trench, with construction equipment and soil surrounding the work area.
9/28/2026

Salinas Pressure Pipeline Repairs Project Set to Begin

On Monday, October 5, 2026, the County of San Luis Obispo will begin work to replace two deteriorated segments of the Salinas Water Pipeline.
Booking Photo (07/27/2026) Bob Otis Sell (DOB 12/23/1971) Guilty
9/23/2026

Jury Convicts Bob Otis Sell (54) of Felony Intimate Partner Violence

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that a San Luis Obispo County jury found Bob Otis Sell (54) of Nipomo guilty of felony intimate partner violence.
Image of a clear blue sky. Standing under a gazebo that says Rotary Club of Nipomo. Some people have signs that say state volunteer jobs.
9/23/2026

We ❤ Nipomo Volunteer Day Returns October 10

Join us for the 4th annual We ❤ Nipomo volunteer day on Saturday, October 10 from 9am-noon! Choose from a variety of volunteer projects and help beautify our parks, neighborhoods, and community spaces throughout Nipomo.
Booking Photo (07/24/2025) Gaea Edde Powell (DOB 12/02/1962) Guilty
9/21/2026

Jury Convicts Arroyo Grande Mayoral Candidate of Election Fraud on All Nine Counts

District Attorney Dan Dow announces the conviction of Gaea Edde Powell on all nine charges of election fraud arising from the 2022 and 2024 Arroyo Grande mayoral election cycles.
Image of a green hill with a rock trail. There is a blue sky with clouds and more mountains in the distance.
9/21/2026

Acquisition was the first step. Now comes the work of protecting Wild Cherry Canyon

The future of Wild Cherry Canyon reached an important milestone last week as the California State Coastal Conservancy approved funding to support The Wildlands Conservancy’s acquisition of the property.