Good morning, San Luis Obispo.

Grover Beach police issued 12 citations for fireworks violations from July 4 to July 6 — one location received a $10,000 fine for ten violations while those cited lived in Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Santa Maria, Nipomo and Rio Linda.

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fire at the Templeton Feed and Grain building on the 400 block of South Main Street that broke out around 11:30 p.m. on July 4—detectives are asking anyone who saw dark-clothed individuals with backpacks or captured surveillance footage between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. to contact them.

Cuesta College is hosting its 41st Central Coast Writers’ Conference with early bird pricing available through July 10; the event will feature 45+ presenters (including keynote speeches by Brooke Warner and Rob Edwards) and master classes on September 26 and 27 in San Luis Obispo.

Registration is open and a teen program has also been added.

Templeton student Molly Floberg was awarded a $2,000 scholarship from Essity as part of its annual program for children of employees — she will attend Saint Mary’s College this fall — and was chosen based on her academic and community contributions.

On July 7, firefighters battled the Madre Fire in rural San Luis Obispo County that scorched 80,480 acres, destroyed an outbuilding, and left one firefighter injured.

They reached 30% containment and will close Highway 166 with multiple evacuations ordered after a call is expected on Wednesday — about 50 homes are threatened as dry vegetation, high temperatures, and sustained winds keep the fire active.

The Atascadero Police Department has joined Operation Juice Box (a national nonprofit that gives juice boxes and small nonperishable items to kids) to build trust between officers and youth.

The department is asking residents if the event should be held on a weekday or weekend and which town location would be best.

The San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau supported the new Joint Powers Authority to manage the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin under SGMA and said it would use a system that lowers fees and reviews projects based on cost and benefit—aimed at securing water for local farms.

Today, Templeton Community Services District approved up to $150K for fire response at the historic Templeton Feed and Grain site while crews begin mowing Highway 41 West from Three Bridges to Los Altos Road from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.—and the Madre Fire in eastern San Luis Obispo County has forced evacuations in 15 zones with warnings in 12 areas. A Los Angeles court ruled that holding a phone while driving violates hands-free laws, and the U.S. Postal Service will host free hiring events in Santa Maria on July 18th and in Lompoc on July 19th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.