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AtascaderoMeasures, incumbents, and a newcomer take leads in Grover Beach
Grover Beach voters are making their voices heard, and the early numbers are in. According to our friends at New Times SLO (Atascadero), incumbent Kassi Dee is leading the mayor's race while Jules Tuggle and newcomer Shilo Terek are out front for City Council. With just over 2,620 ballots counted as of Nov. 4, out of roughly 8,000 registered voters, there's still plenty of counting to do before anything's final. For those of us here in Atascadero, it's a good reminder that the decisions made by our neighbors on the South County coast ripple across the 805. Grover Beach's leadership shapes regional conversations around housing, coastal access, and the kind of growth we all navigate together along the Central Coast. So keep an eye on those updated tallies in the coming days. Local elections are where your vote carries the most weight, and Grover Beach is a perfect example of democracy happening one ballot at a time.
AtascaderoNewcomers lead two Paso Robles City Council races
Paso Robles voters are watching two City Council races where newcomers are out front — Faith Frankel leading Bill Britton for mayor, and Michael in the running for the 2nd District seat. It's the kind of shake-up that tends to ripple north along the 101, since Paso's growth, water, and downtown decisions shape the whole North County. For those of us here in Atascadero, it's worth following. Paso's leadership choices often set the tone for regional conversations about housing, traffic, and wine-country tourism — things that touch our daily commute and local economy too. New Times SLO (Atascadero) has the early numbers, but remember these counts are preliminary and can shift as ballots are tallied. Keep an eye on the final results. Whatever happens, it's a good reminder that local elections are where neighbors have the most direct say in the place we call home.
AtascaderoDemocratic Party-backed candidates are ahead in Lucia Mar elections
Looks like Lucia Mar voters have spoken — at least in the early returns. Colleen Martin, Donna Kandel, David Warren, and Anna Cordero, all backed by the local Democratic Party, are holding leads in their trustee races, according to New Times SLO (Atascadero). It's a notable shift for a school board that's seen its share of heated debate lately. For those of us here in Atascadero, school board decisions hit close to home — they shape everything from classroom curriculum to how district dollars get spent. Whether you're a parent, a grandparent, or just someone who cares about local kids, these races matter more than most folks realize. With 6,800 registered voters in the mix, every ballot counts. The final tally isn't set in stone yet, so keep an eye on the county's updates in the coming days. Either way, it's a reminder that local elections are where our voices carry the most weight.
AtascaderoLook away!
Heads up, neighbors — the latest from New Times SLO (Atascadero) is a pointed reminder that election-season noise has a way of drowning out the stuff we actually feel at the pump and the grocery store. The piece argues that when the conversation gets stuck on voter fraud claims, we stop talking about inflation, gas prices, federal overreach, government corruption, and the Middle East. Whether you lean red, blue, or somewhere in between, that's worth a pause. Here in Atascadero and across the 805, these aren't abstract debates. We're commuting to work, filling up in Paso, budgeting for groceries, and keeping an eye on the wider world. The reminder is simple: don't let the loudest talking point set your whole agenda. Vote, sure — but keep asking the questions that actually shape daily life on the Central Coast. It's a nudge to look past the noise and stay engaged with what matters locally, from city hall to your own kitchen table.
AtascaderoSLO City Council candidates contend to be voters’ top—and only—choice
SLO voters, take note: your City Council ballot is going to look a little different this year. Thanks to the city's switch to a single-vote method—part of a voting rights lawsuit settlement—you'll pick just one candidate instead of two, and the top two vote-getters will fill the open seats. It's a big shift in how our neighboring city runs its elections, and it's worth understanding even from here in Atascadero. Why does it matter to us? Because the Central Coast is interconnected—what happens in SLO's civic arena often ripples outward, from housing policy to regional planning. And as New Times SLO reports, the change has three candidates contending for voters' top—and only—choice. It's a reminder that local elections are where our voices count most directly, so whether you're in SLO or Atascadero, stay informed and show up. Keep an eye on how this new system plays out—it could inspire similar conversations in our own community down the road.
AtascaderoGrover voters participate in direct democracy
Grover Beach just showed the rest of the 805 what direct democracy actually looks like in practice. Residents there gathered signatures, got their initiatives on the ballot, and won—something that's remarkably rare nationwide. It's a reminder that the California Constitution gives us real tools to shape how our towns grow, and our neighbors to the south just proved those tools still work. Here in Atascadero, we know growth debates can get heated, and it's easy to feel like decisions happen without us. Grover's success is a good nudge to pay attention to local land-use fights and remember that signing a petition can genuinely move the needle. New Times SLO (Atascadero) has the full story, and it's worth a read for anyone who cares about who decides our community's future. Bottom line: local voices still matter, and the Central Coast keeps proving it.
AtascaderoFour candidates vie for two seats on the Cambria CSD Board
Cambria's community services district board race is heating up, and it's worth paying attention even from here in Atascadero. Incumbent Debra Scott is defending her seat against Keith Hinrichsen, Michael Wolfe, and Dennis Dudzik for two four-year terms. Scott told New Times SLO (Atascadero) that she had reservations about running again, calling it "a really thankless job" amid criticism of district leadership. It's a reminder that small-district elections often carry big consequences—water, fire, parks, and the everyday services that shape a coastal town's character. Cambria may be a short drive away, but the pressures on local boards—housing, infrastructure, public trust—are familiar across the 805. If you own property or spend time in Cambria, these two seats will help steer the district's direction for years. Worth a look before ballots drop.
AtascaderoPets 2026
Election season got you wound up? This week's New Times SLO has the perfect antidote—winners of their annual pet photo contest, plus stories on the hundreds of peacocks that call See Canyon home. It's a lighthearted reminder that Atascadero is a pet-loving town, from the dogs on our trails to the cats ruling our porches. Take a break from the campaign ads and enjoy the furry, feathered, and even hoofed neighbors who make the 805 such a warm place to live. Whether you're a dog person, a cat person, or just here for the donkeys, these stories are a welcome smile. Grab a copy or check it out online—it's a nice way to connect with the community beyond the headlines.
AtascaderoAtascadero High School principal’s leave prompts retaliation allegations
If you've got a kid at Atascadero High or you're a Greyhound alum, you've probably been hearing the buzz this week. Principal Nikki Baca was placed on administrative leave on Oct. 15, and by the Oct. 20 school board meeting, students, teachers, and staff were packed in demanding to know why — and some are alleging district leaders retaliated against her. Libby Madding, who leads ACE Academy, has stepped in as interim principal. This one hits close to home. Atascadero is a town where the high school is the heartbeat — Friday night lights, graduation walks down the hill, teachers who know your family by name. When leadership changes happen suddenly and without clear answers, it rattles more than just the campus. New Times SLO has been following the story closely, and we'll keep an eye on what the district says next. For now, parents are left with questions and a community that deserves transparency. If you've got thoughts or info, the school board meetings are open to the public — and in a town like ours, showing up matters.
AtascaderoSLO County attempts rebound after PG&E’s power shutoff
That story out of Nipomo about a neighbor's goodwill saving a life during the PG&E shutoff hit close to home. Here in Atascadero, we know the PSPS drill all too well — the generators, the ice runs, the check-ins on folks who live alone. It's a good reminder that while we wait for the grid to get smarter, we're each other's backup plan. New Times SLO reported on the county's rebound efforts, and it's worth a read. But the real takeaway is local: know your neighbors, especially the older ones. If you're heading out of town, swap numbers. If you've got power, offer a charge. That's how the 805 gets through fire season — not just with infrastructure, but with each other. Stay safe, Atascadero. And check on somebody today.
AtascaderoMenus – Fall/Winter 2026-27
Fall is officially in the air, and you know what that means around here — menus are turning over. New Times SLO (Atascadero) just dropped its Fall/Winter 2026-27 menu roundup, and it's the kind of post worth scrolling through with a cup of coffee before you plan your next night out. Here in Atascadero, we're lucky to sit right in the middle of the 805's food map — close enough to San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles that a seasonal menu change feels like a little invitation to explore. Cooler weather means heartier plates, warmer spices, and the return of dishes that just taste better when the evenings get crisp. So keep an eye out for what your favorite local spots are rolling out this season. It's a small thing, but seasonal menus are one of the ways our region's food culture stays fresh and fun. Grab a friend, try something new, and enjoy the flavors of fall on the Central Coast.
AtascaderoAnimals reworks a well-tread kidnapping thriller
Movie night on the Central Coast just got a little more interesting. Ben Affleck is back in the director's chair with Animals, a kidnapping thriller he co-wrote and stars in alongside Kerry Washington. The setup feels familiar—a politician's son goes missing, a $7 million ransom, a couple with secrets—but Affleck has a knack for finding the tension in ordinary people pushed to the edge. New Times SLO flagged this one for Atascadero readers, and honestly, it's the kind of film that pairs well with a quiet evening after a long week. It's not exactly a feel-good pick, but if you like your thrillers smart and a little messy, it might be worth the drive to the theater. We've all seen kidnapping movies before, so the real question is whether Affleck brings something new to the table. Early word says he mostly does—just not enough to reinvent the genre.
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