County News

CDCR Photo Mark Randall Fawcett (DOB 12/02/1985) Guilty
11/13/2026

Jury Convicts California Men’s Colony Inmate of Threatening to Come to a Correctional Officer’s Home and Shoot Him

District Attorney Dan Dow announces that California Men's Colony inmate Mark Randall Fawcett was found guilty by a jury of making felony criminal threats against a correctional officer in November 2025.
Recruitment Extended: District Attorney Seeks Director for Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center, Apply by November 8, 2026.
11/10/2026

Deadline Extended: Director, Victim Witness Assistance Center

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office is recruiting a Director to lead the Christopher G. Money Victim Witness Assistance Center. Applications are being accepted through November 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
San Luis Obispo County landscape.
11/6/2026

SLO County Public Health Update on Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) Outbreak Investigation

No ongoing public health threat is identified at this time.

Second Degree Robbery — Scott Robert Davis (DOB 12/08/1984) Guilty
11/6/2026

Repeat Offender Convicted by Jury of Second Robbery After Prison and Probation Failed to Stop His Attacks on Store Workers

District Attorney Dan Dow announces that a jury convicted Scott Robert Davis of second degree robbery for using force against a Target employee who tried to stop him from leaving with stolen merchandise. It is Davis's third case since 2022 in which he threatened or used force against a store worker, and he committed this robbery while on felony probation for his first robbery.
Say their names. Rachel Newhouse and Aundria Crawford, two young women kidnapped, raped and murdered in San Luis Obispo County and Kesha Gurke, a 19-month-old girl murdered in Paso Robles.
11/5/2026

District Attorney Dan Dow reacted to Governor Newsom’s unilateral decision to commute all death sentences to life sentences

“Governor Newsom just told the families of Rachel Newhouse, Aundria Crawford, Kesha Gurke and every other innocent victim of California's 548 condemned killers that the killers' lives matter more. Juries chose justice case by case, voters chose it five times, and one outgoing governor is trying to erase it all with a pen. This is a sickening abuse of power.” – Dan Dow, District Attorney
Booking Photo (06/05/2023) Joshua Diante Murphy (DOB 07/26/1994)
11/5/2026

Court Orders Convicted Child Sex Trafficker to Pay More Than $450,000 to the Young Survivor He Exploited

District Attorney Dan Dow announces that convicted child sex trafficker, Joshua Diante Murphy has been ordered to pay $451,680 in restitution to the young woman he exploited. Murphy was sentenced in October 2025 to 14 years and 4 months in state prison and register as a sex offender for life.
Booking Photo (07/08/2024) Jose Manuel Venturagarcia Guilty
11/5/2026

Jury Convicts Man of Sexually Abusing Three Children and Raping a Woman

District Attorney Dan Dow announces the conviction of Jose Manuel Venturagarcia for years of sexual abuse against three young children and the forcible rapes of an adult woman, all of whom he knew and had access to through family and neighborhood ties.
Image of someone typing on a laptop keyboard. The person's nails are painted red. On the table next to the keyboard, there is a stethoscope
11/4/2026

Medi-Cal changes are coming. Will our SLO County neighbors be ready?

Approximately 61,000 of our county’s 282,000 residents are enrolled in Medi-Cal. Local estimates indicate that about 21,000 residents may be subject to new work and community-engagement requirements, while approximately 6,000 may be affected by a transition from managed-care coverage to Medi-Cal fee-for-service.

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11/2/2026

Clerk-Recorder Statement on Today's Announcement of Charges Related to Registration and Voting

On the eve of the November 3, 2026, General Election, the SLO County Clerk-Recorder comments on today's announcement of charges against a local voter
Annual Quarantine of Sport-Harvested Mussels Ends October 31
11/2/2026

Annual Quarantine of Sport-Harvested Mussels Ends October 31

The Annual Mussel Quarantine ended at midnight on October 31, 2026.

Election Vote By Mail Dropbox
10/30/2026

County Responds to DOJ Demand

SLO County formally responds to DOJ demand
Calm reservoir water with surrounding hills under a clear blue sky.
10/30/2026

Musty/Earthy Taste in Water No Cause for Concern

Residents that receive water from the Lopez Water Treatment Plant (WTP), including the cities of Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Oceano, Avila Beach, and Shell Beach, may notice a musty or earthy taste or odor in their drinking water. The water remains safe to drink.

Sunset over hills with fog in a valley
10/30/2026

Public Health Investigation of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli Continues

Public Health encourages precautions while enjoying Halloween
Child playing with a dinosaur toy
10/29/2026

Families Learn Together During Dinovember

County libraries offer dino-themed storytimes, crafts, a story walk, and more for Family Literacy Month
Election Integrity is Nonpartisan If you're eligible, vote by Nov. 3. Not a U.S. citizen or not eligible? Do not cast a ballot. Unlawful voting will be investigated and prosecuted.
10/29/2026

District Attorney Investigating 63 Federally Identified Registrations and Local Election Referrals; Warns That Unlawful Voting Will Be Prosecuted

District Attorney Dan Dow encourages every eligible voter to cast a ballot in the November 3, 2026, General Election, and warns that anyone who votes unlawfully will be investigated and prosecuted.
A two-lane road through wooded hills is partially closed for roadwork, with orange traffic cones directing vehicles and striped barricades displaying a no-left-turn symbol. Utility poles and overhead
10/29/2026

Expect Lane Closures on Ontario Road for Bob Jones Trailhead Parking Lot Improvements

Avila Beach – Maintenance work is currently underway at the Bob Jones Trailhead Parking Lot. Motorists can expect intermittent lane closures on Ontario Road through November 4.
A construction crew works on a dirt road alongside an agricultural field. A large white dump truck and excavator are positioned near a newly installed utility pole, while a worker stands nearby.
10/28/2026

UTILITY WORK PLANNED DURING CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOB JONES PATHWAY GAP CLOSURE PROJECT (SEGMENT 1)

COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO- Motorists can expect Lane closures with flaggers and short delays on South Higuera Street beginning Wednesday, October 28, 2026, as SoCal Gas begins installation of new gas lines within South Higuera Street, and approximately 0.5 miles north of Cloverridge Lane.

Too Dangerous for Release William Cloward (DOB 08/04/1987) Found True
10/27/2026

Jury Finds Prison Inmate Too Dangerous for Release: District Attorney Secures Commitment to State Hospital to Protect Community

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that after jury trial, William Cloward (DOB 08/04/1987) will remain in custody of Atascadero State Hospital instead of being released on parole.

A darkening sky with sun rays lighting a valley in front of shadowed hills
10/27/2026

Public Health Confirms Five Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli Cases; Local Farm Suspected as Potential Source

County investigating potential exposures between October 16 and 26
Graphic that says "Voter Update"
10/26/2026

Statement from the SLO County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters

Statement from the SLO County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters Regarding U.S. Department of Justice Demand