Story and photos by Neil Farrell
Some 203 young adults marched across the stage Thursday, June 11 for graduation of the Morro Bay High School Class of 2015.
According to Principal Kyle Pruitt, who himself graduated from his first year as the lead Pirate, said 35 grads would be attending a University of California or Cal State campus; five were going to private universities; 10 to out-of-state colleges; Continue reading MBHS Graduates 203 in Class of 2015
Photos by Neil Farrell
Some 47 high schools from all over California were in town June 19-21 for the Annual Bash at the Beach, a 7-on-7 passing tournament with no pads on in a ‘non-contact’ scrimmage. Among the featured events was Saturday’s Lineman’s Challenge held on Morro Strand Beach near the North Pit parking lot. The biggest and strongest competed in various strongman events like the medicine ball kneeling shot put [using an 11-pound ball]; the double medicine ball 40-yard dash [carrying two, 20-lb balls]; a barrel roll through loose sand pushing a pair of semi truck tires and rims connected with an axle; and the tractor tire flip relay, among others.
Morro Bay officials gathered May 26 to honor and thank the late Bertha Shultz and her family for the more than $1.05 million donation she left to the fire department, allowing the purchase of a 75-foot ladder truck and vital new breathing apparatus. The one request Mrs. Shultz made was to have the truck named after her father, Henry B. Humboldt, and so the new MBFD Truck 5341, expected to be in service through 2045, was officially christened “Hefty Henry.” Photo by Neil Farrell
By Neil Farrell
The City of Morro Bay will adopt a balanced budget for Fiscal Year 2015-16, with monies being shifted from one account to another and changes made to various policies, including growing the general fund reserves past what the City’s fiscal policies call for.
Indeed, change has come to the way the City looks at the future, as this budget starts taking a somewhat different tact. Instead of looking at the projected revenues and then budgeting accordingly so-called “cash based” budgeting, City Manager David Buckingham’s first budget is in many areas based on goals and objectives established by the city council back in January.
The general fund, which covers basic services — public safety and public works — now tops $12 million in projected revenues. Add in $4.5M for water revenues, $5.7M for sewer; and $1.9M for harbor, plus various other sources of money, and the overall budget is more than $34.8M. Continue reading Balanced, New-look Budget Approved
By Neil Farrell
There may not be a fireworks show in Morro Bay this year, but the City, which is coordinating the day’s events, will celebrate Independence Day with a family picnic and music show, bike parade, skateboard race and what promises to be a pretty cool pubic art project.
Of course, in Cayucos there will still be the traditional Lion’s Club Parade up Ocean Avenue starting at 10 a.m., the sand sculpture contest (at dawn on the beach by the pier), afternoon Bingo in the vet’s hall, and capped off with fireworks at the pier at 9 p.m. The Peddler’s Fair will also be held along the creek across from the vet’s hall. Continue reading 4th of July Fun in Store
By Neil Farrell
Morro Bay’s Visitor’s Center faces an uncertain future, as City funding of the facility shrinks dramatically, even as the City is taking bids seeking a contractor to operate it. …Read the entire story in the upcoming issue of Bay News on June 26th!
She’s been a community fixture for decades in Los Osos and as she enters perhaps the twilight of her life, friends of Ann Calhoun, who have been instrumental in establishing dog parks — one of Ann’s passions — are helping her out with a big, pre-estate sale, starting at 7 a.m. Saturday, June 13 at Ann’s home, 1698 16th St. There will be unique items, special treasures, books, file cabinet, household goods, collectibles and much more. All sales will benefit the Wellness Kitchen, a fabulous group of folks who teach and make nutrient dense foods for individuals facing a life-altering illness.
50 – Now a Start
I write as a concerned 50-year resident of SLO, and a long-time advocate for local un-housed people. Homelessness (and the poor) has been around since the mid 1980’s. Up until three years ago, little was heard about the issue in SLO. Today, you can’t pick up a paper without reading something about local homelessness. Continue reading Letters to the Editor: June 11–24, 2015
A View From Harbor Street
By David Buckingham
Summer is here! And with it, tremendous opportunities, challenges, and decisions for each of us individually and for the City of Morro Bay collectively.
From parking to recreation to water meters, we are looking forward to your thoughts and concerns.
Parking
City staff continues to keep a close eye on parking especially in the Downtown Business District. To that end, we conducted another fairly scientific assessment on June 5, a sunny pre-summer Friday in Morro Bay. Continue reading Parking, Recreation and Smart Water Meters
