LOCAL

April 11

Friends of the Earth, an advocacy group based in Berkeley and Washington D.C. working to “protect people and the planet over corporate profits,” files a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court to stop PG&E from continuing to operate Diablo Canyon Power Plant after 2025. The group is asking the court to order the utility to abide by a 2016 contract between the Friends and PG&E that the facility would close by 2025, an agreement reached in exchange for the group dropping a lawsuit over environmental and public safety concerns. A Friends of the Earth spokesperson says that ever since the NRC determined PG&E could continue operating the plant past 2025 while the relicensing process is underway, the utility has been acting as if the 2016 contract doesn’t exist.

April 2

The Cal Poly Women’s Polo Team wins the 2023 national title at the United States Polo Association Division II National Intercollegiate Championships on its home field at Central Coast Polo Club. The eight members of the team, under the coaching of USPA-certified arena polo umpire and instructor (and Cal Poly alum) Megan Judge, worked since September to prepare after earning a “wild card” slot leading up to the finals. The team defeats the University of Wisconsin 12-11 in penalty shot overtime, then Oklahoma State 10-7, and finally the University of Connecticut 9-8 to earn its first-ever national championship.

April 7

The Gala Pride and Diversity Center hosts a rally for transgender rights in downtown San Luis Obispo in front of the County Courthouse. Members of the gay and lesbian community and their allies say they are concerned about the growing number of laws across the country that target transgender people, and even though rights supporting the local transgender community seem secure, they say it’s important to remain vigilant. Gala Executive Director Dusty Colyer-Worth says that trans families are under attack from all corners and the rally supports the ability of transgender people to live their lives how they want without interference.

April 18

The SLO City Council takes action to encourage denser and more affordable housing in the city, voting unanimously to approve a Downtown Flexible Density Program, allocate funding for two Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo affordable housing projects, and adopt a resolution to work with People’s Self-Help Housing. The actions support the creation of as many as 500 studio and one-bedroom apartments in downtown SLO, a supportive and transitional housing project for up to thirty families, forty affordable units for unhoused individuals and residents at risk of homelessness, and thirty-four affordable units of one, two and three bedrooms geared toward families.

April 26

Camping at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area resumes after strong winter storms caused beach erosion, and unusually high flows from Arroyo Grande Creek closed the area in early March. California State Parks will continue to alert the public of future closures of the Arroyo Grande Creek crossing, which is closed to vehicles when the water exceeds twelve inches. They encourage visitors to check tide tables and plan to arrive and exit during low tide, as campers can get stuck on either side of the creek for up to eighteen hours at a time when the crossing is closed.