News Briefs 6-30-2022

Written by Theresa-Marie Wilson

Theresa-Maria Wilson has been a journalist covering the North Coast and South County area for over 20 years. She is also the founder of Cat Noir CC and is currently working on a novel.

July 1, 2022

Councilwoman Addis Speaks Out on Roe v. Wade

Morro Bay City Councilwoman Dawn Addis addressed the Supreme Court’s overturning of the landmark decision Roe v. Wade, which ended federal protections for the right to abortions.  

“This couldn’t be more devastating,” Addis said in a news release. “I want to let people know that we are in this together, and I am committed to action. While abortion remains available to patients on the Central Coast, and in California, we are poised to lose access across 26 plus states. These attacks will disproportionately affect communities of color and those with less economic means. We cannot be silent. Make no mistake, we are under attack.”

Addis encouraged people to make their voices and vote heard. The  Planned Parenthood Central Coast Action Fund Board Member and co-founder of the 10,000 person Women’s March in San Luis Obispo promised to do “everything I can to defend the rights of people everywhere to access care.”

On January 25, 2022 the Morro Bay City Council passed a resolution supporting Roe in a 4-1 vote. 

About the resolution Addis said, “Reproductive care is an urgent need for people in Morro Bay and across the Central Coast. The onslaught of attacks on reproductive care threatens our entire community. Even in a state that has historic protections, it’s up to us to make sure access is never rolled back.” 

Los Osos Makes List of Top 10 Coastal Small Towns

Some readers might hope it remains a secret, but Los Osos made the10Best Coastal Small Towns in the United States list by USA Today. 

“Los Osos, California seems to have it all,” said 10Best local expert Sherel Purcell noting the “small sophisticated restaurants and coffee shops” that sit on the quiet seaside offering the best views of Morro Rock to the north. “A hillside golf course overlooks a sleepy bay and the beautiful Montaña De Oro State Park.”

Travel experts and editors at 10Best initially came up with a list of 20 locations, each with a population of fewer than 25,000 people as of the last census, that was narrowed down to 10 finalists based on popular vote. 

Los Osos ranked No. 8 on the list, which included Ocean Springs, Mississippi; Bay Saint Louis – Mississippi; Georgetown, South Carolina; Rockport, Texas; Nags Head, North Carolina; Bandon, Oregon; Half Moon Bay, California; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Cape May, New Jersey.

The towns offer, “unpretentious and affordable seaside entertainment without the crowds, proving that bigger isn’t always better,” 10Best

Check out what they say about the other towns at 10best.com/awards/travel/best-coastal-small-town.

Fiber Optic Cable Install to Cause Delays

Plan for traffic delays. A project to install new fiber optic cables along South Bay Blvd. from the Morro Bay city limits to Santa Ysabel Ave. in Los Osos is underway. 

In case readers are having flashbacks to the last closure of South Bay Blvd. that seemed to go on for an eternity, San Luis Obispo County Public Works Department expects there will only be partial lane closures. Work will be located mostly in the bike lane and on the road shoulder.

“If partial closures occur, for the safety of motorists and workers, flaggers will be in place. Electronic message boards will display updated information during the project,” officials said in a news release. “Motorists are advised to adjust their travel plans in consideration of potential delays”.

The private telecommunications company, Zayo Group from Boulder, Colorado, has contracted with Leo Tidwell Excavating Corporation for the installation of new fiber optic cables. Zayo Group provides high-speed data infrastructure throughout North America and Europe.

The project has an expected completion date of October 2, 2022.

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Under Five

San Luis Obispo County children under age five will be able to get vaccine protection against COVID-19. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup have formally recommended small doses of vaccine for this age group. Until now, COVID-19 vaccination has only been available for those ages five and older.

This authorization follows large-scale clinical trials for both vaccines. The side effects seen in the trials were similar to those adults experienced during clinical trials, including arm soreness, fatigue, or fever that lasted a day or two.

“I hope this news brings comfort and relief to the parents in our community who have been trying to protect their children from COVID-19 without the layer of defense provided by a vaccine,” said Dr. Christy Mulkerin, pediatrician with the County Health Agency. “If you have questions about the vaccine, your pediatrician is a great resource for getting the answers and information you need.”

Two COVID-19 vaccine options will be available for children younger than five: one from Moderna (two doses) and one from Pfizer BioNTech (three doses). Each includes a smaller dose of the vaccines that have been provided to more than 200 million Americans. More than 10 million U.S. children ages 5-11 have received a pediatric dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Vaccine appointments for children under age five will be available from pediatricians, Public Health clinics and some pharmacies in the coming weeks as shipments of these smaller-dose vaccines arrive locally. To schedule an appointment, contact your pediatrician or visit VaccineFinder.org or MyTurn.ca.gov. 

Send your news, community and business briefs to Editor@EsteroBayNews.com. Be sure to include the who, what, why, where and when information along with a contact person.

You May Also Like…