Good morning, San Luis Obispo.

Schools across the coast now ban cell phones under the Phone-Free Schools Act while SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 tonight from Vandenberg, and stores statewide have stopped offering plastic bags; additionally, Cal Poly’s Rose Parade float won an award and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital welcomed the first baby of 2026.

The Floral Parlor is debuting a memorial floral collection called Norma’s Way honoring community leader Norma Moye — who supported downtown businesses — with 50% of sales benefiting the Main Street Association Downtown Paso Robles.

Orders are open and funeral services will be held Jan. 8–9.

The Central Coast Zoo held a ribbon cutting for its new Wild Journeys Play Zoo on New Year’s Eve during its first Noon Year’s Eve celebration as Mayor Charles Bourbeau cut the ribbon while families enjoyed a festive ball drop and apple cider in light rain.

Cal Poly's student-built float 'Jungle Jumpstart' earned the Sweepstakes Award at the Jan.

1 Rose Parade in Pasadena, with animated rainforest animals repairing a robot to celebrate teamwork (first student win in nearly 80 years).

Former Templeton students known as the Twerps will gather for a book signing and story sharing on Jan.

7 at Templeton Library, 1173 S. Main St. Author Rocky Weber will read excerpts from the new book (Have You Seen a Templeton Twerp?) during the event.

The Paso Robles Art Association launches its 'Textures' exhibit today at 5 p.m. in the Studios on the Park gallery in downtown Paso Robles (author and architectural scholar Gordon L.

Fuglie will serve as guest judge and award selected artists), with over 70 artworks in varying media on view until Feb. 26.

The Paso Robles City Library is hosting its monthly book group meeting on Jan.

21 (5:30-7 p.m.) to discuss Fredrik Backman’s Beartown, available in print, large print and digital formats, with registration opening Jan. 2.

Georgia Brown Dual Immersion School's robotics teams won top awards at the Santa Maria Winter Wonderland Robotics Open on Dec.

13. The fourth-grade team earned three awards and qualified for the Southern California State Championships on March 13–14 at UC Irvine, while the junior high team received the Innovation Award.