CHP Makes More Than 1,100 DUI Arrests Holiday Weekend
The California Highway Patrol followed a statewide Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) over the three-day Memorial Day weekend. During the 78-hour holiday enforcement effort, CHP officers made 1,106 arrests for driving under the influence, which is an average of an arrest every four minutes. Sadly, 42 people were killed in crashes on California’s roads during the MEP. Among the 17 vehicle occupants who were killed in a crash within CHP jurisdiction, eight were not wearing a seat belt.
Statewide Statistics
• Over 1,350 arrests, with over 1,100 being DUI-related.
• Nearly 32,000 traffic citations issued, including over 19,000 for excessive speed
• Over 800 citations for drivers exceeding 100 miles per hour.
• Nearly 1,850 seatbelt violations cited.
• Over 2,000 distracted driving citations issued.
League of Women Voters to Discuss Redistricting
Join the SLO League of Women Voters on June 17 at 12 p.m. to learn about the future of redistricting of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors district boundaries.
On January 16, 2024, the County Board of Supervisors voted to have County staff work with Senator John Laird to sponsor a bill (SB 977) to establish an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission for future redrawing of Supervisorial district boundaries. SB 977 is currently moving through the State legislative process.
In this Lunch with the League webinar a panel of presenters will cover the movement to form CRCs, specifics of SB 977 as currently drafted, and the lessons learned from Santa Barbara County’s Independent Redistricting Commission in 2021.
Online via Zoom | Registration required at lwvslo.org.
The moderator is Leslie Brown, chair, LWV SLOCO Government Policy Committee. Panelists include: Bruce Gibson, District 2 SLO County Supervisor: Michael Latner, professor of political science, Cal Poly; and Megan Turley, past vice-chair, Santa Barbara County Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission
Registration is required. The Zoom link will be sent in an email after registration. Register at lwvslo.org
Addis Local Choice & Safety Bill Advances
A bill by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) to affirm local-decision making on oil and gas operations has passed the Assembly. Assembly Bill 3233 reinforces the authority of local governments across California to regulate or prohibit oil and gas operations, bolstering efforts to protect community health and the environment.
“I’m thrilled that the Local Environmental Choice and Safety Act (AB 3233) passed the Assembly and keeps moving forward,” said Addis. “This bill reflects our commitment to empowering local governments to take decisive action to protect the wellbeing of our communities. By upholding local choice, we are affirming local jurisdictions and their right to defend the places we call home. I look forward to working with the Senate to ensure AB 3233 heads to the Governor’s Desk.”
Sponsored by the Center for Biological Diversity, AB 3233 is supported by a diverse coalition of environmental advocates, healthcare workers, and local governments, including the County of Santa Cruz. Earlier this month, Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles approved a resolution in support of the legislation.
The bill now moves to the State Senate where it awaits referral to a policy committee.
Ranger Services Temporarily Closed at Popular Trail
Attention Cerro San Luis Hikers — The City of San Luis Obispo’s Ranger Service will temporarily close the main trail out of the Marsh Street trailhead at Cerro San Luis for maintenance and repairs. This closure is anticipated to be in place for a couple of weeks as of June 3.
During the closure, SLO Ranger Service staff will use heavy machinery to repair uneven trail surfaces, remove rocks, and prevent future erosion by improving drainage. To ensure continued access is available to the mountain, a detour via the Lemon Grove Loop will be available during most of the construction period.
This closure is a part of a larger maintenance project planned to maintain and improve the trail system within Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve. Ranger staff have been working on maintenance and improvement projects on Carriage Road and Lemon Grove Loop since April and more improvements are planned once this temporary closure is complete. Staff anticipate all work to be completed by the end of summer.
Trail users are encouraged to regularly check the Ranger’s webpage at slorangers.org for the latest updates on trail closures.
SLO Continues Homeless Efforts
SLO County Supervisors recently heard a progress report on the County’s Five-Year Plan to Reduce Homelessness. And there was good news. The recent point-in-time count showed the County is making progress in its efforts to reduce homelessness. It showed the number of homeless in our County dropped from just under 1500 to under 1200.
In the effort to continue the quest to reduce homelessness by 50% in five years the board also approved funding for a list of local homeless service providers who work as partners with the County in the effort, and approved plans to move forward with the Welcome Home Village.
The Village will consist of a total of 80 housing units with 34 offering interim housing to those now living in encampments along the Bob Jones Trail, and 46 more permanent supportive housing units for those who successfully move through the interim housing program. The Village will be built on the County’s health campus off Johnson Avenue at Bishop St.
Supervisors also approved funding from Senate Bill 1090 funds for a new Homekey transitional housing project in San Luis Obispo, and accept a Crisis Care Mobile Unit grant to expand mobile crisis services within the county.
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