Good morning, San Luis Obispo.

Le Vigne Winery—located in Paso Robles—won two major awards in one week.

On June 19 it was named 2025 Winery of the Year by the Central Coast Wine Competition and on June 23 it was named Paso Robles Winery of the Year by the New York International Wine Competition, making it only the 10th winery to earn the honor in the competition’s history.

Gaea Powell, a 62-year-old San Luis Obispo County resident, faces nine election fraud charges from the 2022 and 2024 elections—she allegedly registered to vote at an Arroyo Grande address where she did not live and failed to file campaign finance reports, and her arraignment will be scheduled when she turns herself in.

The Rock Community Radio will host a fundraiser screening of the Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night on Monday, July 21 at the Bay Theatre at 464 Morro Bay Blvd. Doors open at 5 p.m.—tickets cost $15 and the event will include a costume contest, raffle and local beer and wine tasting to support the non-profit station.

The Central Coast is hosting many events this weekend as the Lompoc Flower Festival runs from Thursday through Sunday at Ryon Park, a downtown block party in Atascadero takes place today, and future events include Circus Vargas at Madonna Meadows, OrchidFest at Nipomo High School, Cambria Pride by the Sea, a Morro Bay swap meet, a car show in Arroyo Grande and concerts in San Luis Obispo with food, music & community fun on tap.

Cal Fire has stationed a CH-47 Chinook at the Paso Robles Air Attack Base to fight wildfires at night because it can drop 2,300 gallons of water and refill in 40 seconds— it bolsters the agency’s expanded aerial firefighting efforts during peak fire season.

Jim Dantona, the SLO Chamber CEO, said he will leave his post at the end of the year to run for the open District 2 seat on the county board—Bruce Gibson, who held the seat for 19 years, announced he would not run for re-election.

A national search for his replacement is now led by former board member Hillary Trout to ensure a smooth transition.

San Luis Obispo County has enacted a new ordinance that bans illegal fireworks in unincorporated areas (Oceano, Cayucos, Nipomo, Avila Beach, Shandon, Creston and Santa Margarita) to improve safety during the high-risk fire season.

The ordinance imposes a fine of $1,000 per violation and may add charges for extra response costs when dangerous fireworks are used.

Kobe Sanders, a former Cal Poly basketball player, became the first Mustang drafted to the NBA when he was chosen today at the 50th pick by the Knicks and traded to the Los Angeles Clippers—he will join the Clippers in the Las Vegas Summer League starting July 10.