Stay Informed
Local News
AI-curated coverage of what matters across the Central Coast
Showing news for AtascaderoClear filter
News from Atascadero
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.
AtascaderoModest Mouse plays Avila Beach
So Modest Mouse is heading to Avila Beach, and honestly, it's a little surreal to think Isaac Brock was just a teenager when he started the band back in the early '90s. From DIY punk shows to selling out venues, that's a wild ride — and now we get to catch them right here on the Central Coast. For those of us in Atascadero, it's a nice excuse for a short drive down to the coast. Avila Beach has that laid-back vibe that pairs perfectly with a band like Modest Mouse, and it's always cool when a group with real indie cred makes a stop in our neck of the woods. New Times SLO (Atascadero) had the scoop, so keep an eye out for ticket details. Whether you've been a fan since the beginning or just know a few songs, it's worth marking the calendar.
AtascaderoMeasure A-26 would solve nothing for Grove Beach
Grover Beach neighbors, have you been following the buzz around Measure A-26? Our friends at New Times SLO (Atascadero) ran a sharp piece arguing the measure was born from frustration rather than good governance — turning what's traditionally a professional staff role, the city clerk, into an elected position. The bar to run? Be 18, live in Grover Beach, and be a registered voter. That's it. No certification, no municipal experience required. For a job that touches public records, meeting minutes, and election integrity, that's worth a raised eyebrow. Here on the Central Coast we value plain-spoken, practical government. Whether you're in Atascadero or Grover Beach, the question is the same: does this actually fix anything, or just reshuffle the deck? Worth a read before you vote.
AtascaderoCaribbean Love in SLO specializes in scalp health and styles for natural hair
If you've got natural hair and you've ever driven to the Bay Area or down to LA just to find someone who truly knows how to care for it, you already understand why Norma Pauline Humes matters. Her spot, Caribbean Love in SLO, has become a genuine destination for scalp health and natural-hair styling — so much so that one client flew in all the way from Connecticut just to sit in her chair. That's not just a nice compliment. It's a reminder that here on the Central Coast, certain services are still surprisingly hard to find, and the people who provide them quietly hold our community together. New Times SLO (Atascadero) highlighted her work, and it's worth celebrating. If you've been searching for someone who gets your texture, your routine, and your scalp, this is a name to know. Support the local businesses that make the 805 feel like home.
AtascaderoDigger is an excessive and gloomy look at climate change
Neighbors, have you caught wind of the new movie "Digger"? Our friends at New Times SLO (Atascadero) ran a piece on it, and it sounds like a heavy one. Alejandro Iñárritu, who made The Revenant and Babel, directs Tom Cruise as a loudmouth oil tycoon whose company sparks a world-threatening disaster in Greenland. It's billed as a black comedy satire, but the review calls it excessive and gloomy. Now, I know what you're thinking — what does a Hollywood climate satire have to do with us here in Atascadero? Honestly, not a whole lot on the surface. But with our own drought years, wildfire seasons, and the way the Central Coast lives close to the land, stories about environmental recklessness can hit a little closer than we'd like. If you're into big, uncomfortable, think-y films, it might be worth a look. If you'd rather keep things light on a Friday night, maybe skip it and take a walk along the Salinas River instead.
AtascaderoEast of Eden adapts John Steinbeck’s 1952 reinterpretation of Cain and Abel
If you grew up around here, you know Steinbeck isn't just a name in a textbook — his words carry the dust and salt air of the Salinas Valley, right over the hill from us. So when a new adaptation of "East of Eden" lands, it feels personal. This sweeping multigenerational drama, directed by Garth Davis and Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre and written largely by Zoe Kazan, comes closer than most to capturing the full reach of Steinbeck's 1952 novel — his retelling of Cain and Abel set in our own backyard. The buzz is making the rounds thanks to New Times SLO (Atascadero), and it's worth a look for anyone who's ever driven Highway 101 through King City and felt that landscape in their bones. This isn't just another book-to-screen project; it's our region's story, retold for a new generation. Grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and see how the valley looks through fresh eyes.
AtascaderoSLO firefighters’ union files unfair practice charge against city
Heads up, neighbors — the San Luis Obispo firefighters' union has filed an unfair practice charge with the state, saying the city and City Attorney Christine Dietrick slapped an unlawful gag order on them. The complaint, filed Aug. 31, claims that violates the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, the law governing labor talks in California cities. Why should Atascadero care? Because this isn't just an SLO issue. Every Central Coast city — ours included — operates under the same rules, and how this plays out could shape how much our own first responders can say when they're worried about staffing, safety, or how taxpayer money gets spent. Firefighters are the folks we trust when things go sideways; quieting them isn't a great look. We'll be watching how PERB rules. New Times SLO (Atascadero) has the full story, and we'll keep you posted on what it means for the 805.
AtascaderoSan Miguel receives $1 million in federal funding for new Emergency Operations Center
Good news for our North County neighbors: San Miguel just landed over $1 million in federal funding for a brand-new Emergency Operations Center. Rep. Jimmy Panetta made the announcement on Sept. 29 alongside San Miguel Fire Chief Scott Young and Assemblymember Dawn Addis, and honestly, this couldn't come at a better time. As San Miguel keeps growing, having a dedicated hub for emergency response isn't just a nice-to-have — it's essential. When fires, floods, or quakes hit our stretch of the 805, every minute and every coordinated resource counts. This center means faster, smarter responses that protect families from San Miguel all the way down to Atascadero. It's always encouraging to see federal dollars flowing into our small Central Coast communities. Thanks to New Times SLO (Atascadero) for keeping us in the loop on this one.
AtascaderoPismo Beach City Council adopts new resolution to rename park after Brown Act cure and correct request
Pismo Beach leaders met Sept. 29 to take a second run at renaming South Palisades Park after sitting Councilmember Mary Ann Reiss, approving the resolution 4-0 with Reiss abstaining. The redo came after a Brown Act cure-and-correct request, meaning the council had to fix a procedural hiccup from its earlier vote. Same outcome, cleaner process. We know these do-overs well here in Atascadero — when a board gets the process wrong, the fix is a fresh vote, not a fight. New Times SLO (Atacadero's own) flagged the special meeting, and honestly, it's a good reminder that even small civic gestures have rules behind them. Naming a park for a sitting councilmember is a rare honor, and doing it by the book matters. Whether you drive down to Pismo or just follow 805 politics, the lesson holds: procedure protects the outcome.
AtascaderoAutumn Arts Annual 2026
Summer's still lingering here in Atascadero, but the calendar says fall, and New Times SLO (Atascadero) has rolled out its Autumn Arts Annual 2026 to prove it. If you've been waiting for an excuse to get out of the house and into something creative, this is your sign — exhibitions, performances, and all the seasonal happenings landing across the Central Coast. There's something special about autumn around here. The crowds thin out, the light turns golden over the North County, and our local galleries and venues finally get room to breathe. Whether you're a longtime Atascadero arts supporter or just curious about what's happening down the road, this roundup is worth a look. So grab a jacket — eventually — and go support the makers and organizers who keep our corner of the 805 interesting. Full details are over at New Times SLO.
AtascaderoAtascadero council race draws four candidates for two seats
Atascadero folks, we've got a real race on our hands this November. Four candidates — incumbent Susan Funk, Emily Baranek, Mike Avila, and self-described outsider Ian Denchasy — are competing for two seats on the City Council, with Councilmember Heather Newsom stepping away. That's a big shift for a council that's been fairly steady in recent years. Housing and jobs are the headline issues, which won't surprise anyone who's watched rents climb and young families struggle to stay in North County. These are the decisions that shape what gets built, what gets approved, and what our town looks like a decade from now. Meanwhile, Mayor Charles Bourbeau runs unopposed for another two-year term. New Times SLO has the full candidate rundown, so do your homework before ballots arrive. Local elections are where your vote counts the most — this one's worth showing up for.
AtascaderoSLO City Council refines confidentiality policy for elected officials
Our neighbors in SLO just tightened up the rules on keeping city business confidential, and it's worth a nod from those of us up here in Atascadero. The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution at its Sept. 15 meeting revising its policies and procedures manual, adding two specific guidelines on handling confidential information. This comes after Mayor Erica Stewart shared a confidential SLO County grand jury report—a reminder that even well-meaning officials can slip up. Why does it matter to us? Because transparency and trust in local government aren't just SLO issues. Every city on the Central Coast, including ours, benefits when elected leaders set clear expectations. It's a quiet but meaningful step toward accountability. New Times SLO (Atascadero) reported the story, and it's a good conversation starter for our own council. Small procedural changes can prevent big headaches down the road.
Have a News Tip?
Know about something happening in your community? We are always looking for local stories that matter to the 805.
Share a Story