Ella Thorp Ellis recently visited her “old stomping grounds” in Oceano and Halcyon, giving a presentation in Arroyo Grande to discuss her recent book, “Dune Child.”

The Latino Outreach Council is sponsoring a debate Thursday between 3rd District incumbent county Supervisor Adam Hill and his challenger, Pismo Beach City Councilman Ed Waage.

Federal laws designed to improve access to public swimming pools and spas for people with disabilities have created a buzz among those in San Luis Obispo County who run hotels, school districts, city recreation programs and community pools.

Three people who pleaded no contest last month to criminal charges relating to a cross burning outside the bedroom window of a black teen in Arroyo Grande last year will serve time in state prison.

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District is facing considerable revenue shortfalls over the next five years and must consider raising fees to keep the agency solvent.

Members of the Los Osos 4-H dropped by Animal Services recently to donate treats for the shelter dogs, to the delight of this beagle, who looks like he’s got a pretty good idea what the kids brought for him.

Local advertising agencies recently won a total of 24 Addy Awards for “excellence in the art of advertising” on the Central Coast, according to the awards listed on the Addy website.

One of two standup paddle boarders near Morro Rock slips during an excursion Sunday. Known in Hawaii as Hoe he’e nalu, it is an emerging global sport with a Hawaiian heritage.

Rick Searcy of Oceano was cited on suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence last week after he crashed his pickup truck on Highway 101.

Youths housed at San Luis Obispo County’s juvenile hall must eat meals in their rooms, which creates mice and insect infestations, according to a report issued by the county civil grand jury.

High schools in Arroyo Grande and Cambria lead San Luis Obispo County rankings in the fourth U.S. News & World Report list of the best in the nation, according to rankings posted May 8 on www.usnews.com.

Arroyo Grande City Council. Meets Tuesday. 473-5400. Presentation of 2011 report by the Northern Cities Management Area technical group, which conducts groundwater monitoring in the northern portion of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin; third quarter budget review.

About 60 wineries showcased their red, white and rosé vintages under the shade of oak trees Saturday during 30th annual Paso Robles Wine Festival’s main event in Downtown City Park.

Unlike the vigorous storms that march across the Pacific Ocean and slam into California with all their might, stargazing sometimes can seem a little uneventful for many of us without a telescope. However, that’s about to change.

This election, like those that preceded it, is a faceoff between a candidate who believes government and its regulations continue to grow too rapidly and another who believes some regulation is necessary to halt runaway growth.

The Tribune asked candidates Debbie Arnold and Jim Patterson to answer four questions in 100 words or fewer.

With reduced overhead and a focus on commercial accounts, San Luis Paints is holding its own in Grover Beach despite some loss of market share from the San Luis Obispo closure.

Adventure racers rolled a 55-gallon drum up a hill, trudged through water and swung by rope over a creek along a wooded dirt trail Saturday during the Mud Mash X race at the Santa Margarita Ranch.

Public water providers throughout San Luis Obispo County largely rejected recommendations from a previous county civil grand jury regarding rate structures, billing and water conservation, the current grand jury said.

On Nov. 11, 1595, a Portuguese mariner serving King Phillip II of Spain made close contact with the San Luis Obispo coast. Sebastián Rodríguez Cermeño had left Manila the preceding July as captain of the galleon San Agostin. Following orders from the viceroy, Cermeño made his first landfall just north of Humboldt Bay.