Good morning, San Luis Obispo.

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County launched Together for SLO County—a Critical Response Fund—to match donor contributions with a $500,000 community match and help nonprofits facing steep funding cuts.

The campaign aims to raise $1.2 million and will begin awarding grants and support services in the fall to organizations providing food, shelter and health help.

The City of Grover Beach will host its 36th Annual Dune Run & Walk on Sept 14 with a 5K run and walk along sandy trails and wooden boardwalks.

Participants will gather at Beach Plaza at 8 a.m. and pre-registration is available online until Sept 8 – the race begins at 9 a.m.

Today, Megan’s Organic Market is preparing to offer San Luis Obispo’s first cannabis delivery service while Santa Maria warns of a scam selling fake water treatment devices and a Cal Poly student’s Lego design wins global production approval.

In other news, the Holloway Christmas Tree Farm in Nipomo is for sale—set to host its final season starting November 17—and the former Sports Authority at 1144 Chorro Street is being repurposed as the Cal Poly Mustang Shop while a new animal abuse task force will soon enforce federal laws to protect animals across the Central Coast.

Yesterday, the Walnut Fire burned over 20 acres near Sea Canyon Road and officials closed Black Walnut Road—evacuating nearby residents.

Firefighters gained control at 2 p.m.

Three Central Coast businesses are closing their doors as a long-time bakery in Arroyo Grande and two downtown favorites wind down their operations.

Chris Lossing’s Arroyo Grande Bakery will cease operations on September 27—while a women’s boutique and a local brewery have also closed, leaving behind cherished memories.

Dana Michelle Valentinebrink, 56, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to 11 felonies—including two counts of attempted murder, seven counts of arson, and four misdemeanors—from incidents that include an Aug.

5 fire on Pinto Lane in Paso Robles and related July violations.

The Paso Robles City Library will host an Intro to ChatGPT workshop on Sept 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the library conference room—registration is required due to limited space and attendees will explore live AI demonstrations and safety tips from Albert Qian.

Boots, a nine-year-old tuxedo cat weighing ten pounds (transferred from the San Luis Obispo County Animal Services Shelter a month ago), now awaits adoption at the Woods Humane Society Shelter Cattery in Atascadero where visitors can see him today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

3Ball Academy will soon begin a free multi-week youth basketball training program for students in grades three through eight at Paso Robles High School practice gym & led by coach Mike Wozniak.

Full scholarships from Justin Vineyards & Winery will cover costs to help kids build skills, teamwork, and confidence on and off the court.