Today’s top stories: ‘Dark money,’ $465K storm settlement and a school lockdown
From a school lockdown in Atascadero to a nearly half-million-dollar storm settlement, here are the top stories from The Tribune this week. Coverage spans business closures, public safety, local politics and entertainment across San Luis Obispo County.
Here are key takeaways:
• Store closing: Athleta is closing its downtown San Luis Obispo location at 879 Higuera St. after nearly seven years. The Gap Inc.-owned athleisure brand posted closing sale signs, and a new tenant is already lined up to move in when the store shuts down in May.
• School lockdown: Monterey Road Elementary School in Atascadero went on lockdown Wednesday after police received a report of an unidentified individual wearing a mask on campus. Officers swept the school and found no one matching the description; the lockdown was lifted at around 12:47 p.m. with no injuries reported.
• New substation: SLO County approved a $14.4 million contract to build a new sheriff’s substation in Nipomo at the intersection of West Tefft Street and Carillo Street. Crews are expected to break ground in 2027 with the building operational by 2028.
• ‘Dark money’ accusation: District 4 supervisor candidate Adam Verdin accused a newly formed group, the South County Coalition, of pushing “dark money” into the race after it spent thousands supporting incumbent Jimmy Paulding without initially listing contributors. The coalition later filed contributor names, calling the delay “an oversight.”
• Film festival: The San Luis Obispo International Film Festival runs April 23-28 with an encore weekend May 1-3, screening more than 100 movies. Highlights include awards for Haley Joel Osment and Britt Lower and the West Coast premiere of a documentary about tennis champion Billie Jean King.
• Board of Equalization race: Six candidates are running for the District 2 seat on California’s Board of Equalization, which oversees property tax assessment practices across 19 counties including San Luis Obispo County. Incumbent Democrat Sally Lieber faces challengers from both parties.
• Storm settlement: Atascadero’s insurer paid $465,000 to the Spiller family after a jury found the city bore half the responsibility for storm damage that destroyed their home in 2023. The family lost their home when heavy rainfall eroded Graves Creek’s bank, threatening the foundation.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.
This story was originally published April 22, 2026 at 6:11 PM with the headline "Today’s top stories: ‘Dark money,’ $465K storm settlement and a school lockdown."