Stay Informed
Local News
AI-curated coverage of what matters across the Central Coast
Latest News
Newbury ParkThousand Oaks council candidates face off in first election forum
If you live in Newbury Park, last week's City Council forum was worth your attention. The Greater Conejo Chamber of Commerce, Cal Lutheran and the Acorn Newspapers teamed up on Sept. 17 to put candidates on the record, and development and growth dominated the conversation — which makes sense, since the decisions coming out of Thousand Oaks City Hall shape everything from traffic on the 101 to what gets built near our neighborhoods. Our corner of the 805 often feels like its own world, but Thousand Oaks council races matter here too. Housing, zoning and growth ripple straight into Newbury Park's streets, schools and open space, and the candidates' answers now are a preview of the votes they'll take later. The Thousand Oaks Acorn (Newbury Park) has the full rundown of the forum, and with the November election less than two months out, it's a good time to start paying attention. These are the folks who'll decide what our community looks like next.
Newbury ParkCouncil signals strong support for regional homeless housing partnership
Neighbors, there's some encouraging news out of the Sept. 15 City Council meeting. Thousand Oaks leaders signaled strong support for joining Ventura County's regional effort to build supportive housing near Camarillo, with county reps asking our city to chip in $2 million toward construction. This matters here in Newbury Park, where homelessness isn't some abstract issue in another town — it's the person you see near the freeway onramp, the families quietly struggling just out of view. A regional approach means our community isn't shouldering this alone, and supportive housing with services on site tends to work better than piecemeal fixes. Nothing's final yet, and the price tag deserves real scrutiny. But as the Thousand Oaks Acorn reported, the direction is promising. Worth keeping an eye on — and worth showing up to the next meeting if this is something you care about.
Newbury ParkDetectives investigate Newbury Park deaths
Word came down this week that a Newbury Park couple was found dead at their Thousand Oaks home after a family member couldn't reach them and asked for a welfare check. Deputies got that call around 11:11 a.m. Monday, and now sheriff's detectives are investigating what happened. This is the kind of news that lands heavy in a place like ours, where neighborhoods still feel like neighborhoods and a quiet street can suddenly hold a lot of questions. We don't have answers yet, and it's worth remembering that behind every headline like this is a real family in grief. Our thanks to the Thousand Oaks Acorn (Newbury Park) for staying on it. If you or a neighbor ever goes quiet longer than usual, checking in is never a bad idea — that's just what we do around here.
Agoura HillsMajor 101 upgrade in the works
If you drive the 101 between Thousand Oaks and Ventura, you already know the drill: leave early, pray for a break in the backup, and still roll into work late. Well, there's finally some real movement on a fix. Amanda Fagan from the Ventura County Transportation Commission briefed the Thousand Oaks City Council on Sept. 15 about options for overhauling a 27-mile stretch of the 101. As The Acorn (Agoura Hills) reported, this is a decades-long project, so don't expect relief next month. But the conversation is happening, and "time reliability" is driving it. For those of us in the 805 who treat the 101 like a second home, this matters. It's the spine of the region, and it's been choking for years. Stay tuned, neighbors, and maybe, just maybe, we'll get our evenings back.
Agoura HillsProminent Old Agoura entryway signs get much needed makeover
If you've driven into Old Agoura lately, you may have noticed those rustic entryway signs looking sharper than they have in years. Back in 1989, Ron Troncatty — then president of the Old Agoura Homeowners group — dreamed up a way to put the neighborhood's character into physical form. Now 77, he still sums it up perfectly: "We're a rustic, eclectic, rural community that is first and foremost equestrian. We love our dirt, hate concrete." That's Old Agoura in a nutshell — one of the oldest residential pockets in Agoura Hills, where horse trails outrank sidewalks and nobody's in a hurry to pave paradise. The signs at the neighborhood's entrances have always been more than markers; they're a handshake, a promise that you're entering someplace that refuses to lose its soul. So when The Acorn reports those signs got a much-needed makeover, it's worth a nod. Small fix, big meaning. Here's to the dirt, the horses, and the neighbors who keep Old Agoura exactly the way it was meant to be.
Paso RoblesSchool board approves districtwide facilities master plan
Big news out of the Paso Robles school board this week — trustees approved a districtwide facilities master plan, and also took a look at Measure M spending, proposed tennis courts, and the high school science pathway. If you've got kids in PRJUSD or you're just a taxpayer around town, this is the kind of meeting that quietly shapes the next decade of our schools. The facilities master plan is essentially a roadmap: which campuses get upgrades, where money goes, and how Measure M funds get prioritized. The tennis courts and science pathway discussions matter too — they're about what our students actually get to do day to day, from PE to lab work. Thanks to the Paso Robles Daily News for keeping us posted on the details. Worth a read if you care about where our school dollars land.
Santa BarbaraTemperatures remain warm Thursday, mild for the weekend
Looks like Mother Nature is giving us one more taste of summer before fall really settles in, Santa Barbara. Thursday brings another warm one, with temps running above average across the Central Coast. That early marine layer is rolling back in for parts of our coastline and valleys this morning, but don't worry — it'll burn off quickly, leaving us with plenty of sunshine. The good news? The weekend is shaping up to be mild and calm, perfect for a stroll along the beach, a hike in the foothills, or brunch on a patio. Little to no weather drama in sight, according to KEYT News Channel 3-12. So keep the sunscreen handy today, but maybe grab a light layer for those cooler evenings. It's the kind of classic 805 weather we love — warm days, gentle nights, and no reason to cancel any outdoor plans.
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.
Grover BeachThe Wildlands Conservancy secures $42 million to preserve Diablo Canyon land
Big news for our stretch of the coast: the Wildlands Conservancy just landed $42 million from the California State Coastal Conservancy to help preserve the land around Diablo Canyon, including Wild Cherry Canyon. If you've ever driven down that way and wondered at those wide-open coastal hills, this is why it matters — that view could stay wild instead of turning into something else. As New Times SLO (Grover Beach) reported, this has been a long time coming for local conservation folks. For those of us in Grover Beach and the 805, keeping this open space means more than pretty scenery — it's habitat, it's history, and it's part of what makes living here feel different from anywhere else. Nothing's final yet, but this is a huge step. Worth keeping an eye on as the details unfold.
Santa BarbaraWhat Does an Advertised Interest Rate Actually Mean?
If you're house-hunting here on the Central Coast — whether it's a condo near the Mesa or a starter place out in Goleta — that big advertised interest rate probably caught your eye. The Santa Barbara Independent recently ran a piece worth reading: what lenders actually need from you before they can quote you a real number. Turns out that headline rate isn't the whole story. In a market like ours, where inventory is tight and prices keep stretching budgets, knowing the difference between a teaser rate and your actual rate can save you serious money. Ask questions, get a full quote, and don't let the fine print surprise you at closing. It's not the most glamorous local news, but it's the kind that protects your wallet. Worth a few minutes before you make the biggest purchase of your life.
Santa BarbaraYour Habits Are Taking You Somewhere
Here on the Central Coast, we like to think we move at our own pace — but our habits are still steering the ship, whether we notice or not. The Santa Barbara Independent recently reminded us that the small choices we repeat each day, from morning walks along the mesa to that third cup of coffee, quietly add up to the direction our lives take. That hits close to home in the 805, where so much of our well-being is tied to routine: farmers markets, sunset strolls, checking in on neighbors. If your habits are taking you somewhere, it's worth asking if that somewhere is where you actually want to land. Small shifts — a new trail, a phone-free dinner, a kinder word — can change the whole trajectory. So take a beat this week, Santa Barbara. Your future self is already on the way.
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