Here’s what SLO County was talking about, April 13-19
From election drama and ballot investigations to a tragic loss in Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo County readers have a lot to say.
These five stories from April 13-19 sparked the most conversation among Tribune readers — and the comment sections are still buzzing. If you missed any of these stories, here’s your chance to catch up and weigh in:
District 4 supervisor race gets personal
SLO County Supervisor Jimmy Paulding alleged that Generation Build, a local housing advocacy organization, is expected to use its political action committee to heavily influence the District 4 race in favor of opponent Adam Verdin.
But Michael Massey, the PAC’s creator and former Generation Build leader, told The Tribune the PAC has not raised a single dollar and the South County supervisor race “was not on our radar.” Paulding stood firm, while Verdin called the attacks on his supporters “abhorrent.”
Readers had a lot to say about this one.
»» Read the story, see the comments
Conservative group demands SLO County ballots
The New California State Movement hand-delivered a letter to the SLO County Sheriff’s Office requesting all ballots from the 2024 and 2025 elections and calling for an investigation into claimed “voting irregularities.”
SLO County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano said the group presented no evidence of wrongdoing. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Grace Norris confirmed there is no active investigation. Cano reassured voters that “their ballots and their voter information is safe and secure.”
»» Read the story, see the comments
Gaea Powell changes course again in fraud case
Gaea Powell changed her mind — again — on whether to hire a lawyer for her nine-count election fraud case tied to her Arroyo Grande mayoral campaigns.
After seeking legal help Monday, she decided by Wednesday to keep representing herself in SLO County Superior Court. “I didn’t do anything wrong,” Powell told The Tribune.
»» Read the story, see the comments
88-year-old dies after being hit in Pismo Beach parking lot
An 88-year-old Arroyo Grande man died Thursday after being struck by a vehicle in the Med Plus parking lot off Oak Park Boulevard in Pismo Beach around 10:15 a.m. The driver remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation. Neither drugs nor alcohol were a factor, according to the Pismo Beach Police Department.
»» Read the story, see the comments
Opinion column on Trump and Jesus sparks debate
Columnist David Mastio’s piece on President Donald Trump posting an AI-generated image replacing Jesus’ face with his own drew a flood of reader comments. Mastio called the move “blasphemy” and said it could be “enough to shake religious conservatives out of the stupor that has led them to go along with the president for so long.”
»» Read the story, see the comments
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.
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These were the stories that got your neighbors talking.
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