Local News Roundup: Budget Cuts, Business Changes, and Space Adventures

San Luis Obispo County is in a tight spot. The county is looking at some serious budget cuts. This means some important programs, like homeless services, might take a hit. Why? Because state and federal funding has dropped. Local leaders are hoping that community partners can step in to help keep these services running. The county's budget will be talked about again at the Board of Supervisors meeting on May 20. There will be more discussions in June. The Lopez Project water system in the Five Cities area had a scare last month. E. coli was found in the water, so a boil water notice was issued. Now, the county is making safety upgrades. The State Water Resources Control Board has told the county to replace old sampling stations, fix aging infrastructure, and do more routine checks. All this needs to be done by May 30. Central Coast Kayaks in Shell Beach is getting a new owner. The business has been around since 1993 and was bought by Tom Riley in 2016. Riley is stepping back to focus on family and new business ideas. He's hopeful about the future of the kayaking company. SpaceX is gearing up for a big launch. A Falcon 9 rocket is set to take off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 6:43 a. m. The mission? To send 26 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit. After the rocket separates, SpaceX plans to land the first-stage booster on a droneship in the Pacific Ocean. This is a big deal for space exploration and internet connectivity. The Grover Beach Police Department has a new plan to tackle illegal fireworks. They want to fine property owners, renters, or hosts who let illegal fireworks happen on their property. This is even if they aren't the ones setting them off. The fines could be up to $1, 000 per violation. The money would go toward future enforcement and equipment like drones. The city council will vote on this on May 27. If it passes, the ordinance will start 30 days later. Many in the community support this move, citing safety concerns and the impact on pets. There's exciting news for travelers. Nonstop flights from San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport to Las Vegas are coming back. Alaska Airlines will start the direct route on October 4th. Tickets are already on sale. Airport officials are excited about the potential boost to tourism, business, and local travel. Both the airport and airline leaders are thrilled to reconnect the Central Coast to Las Vegas, a city known for its vibrant entertainment and business opportunities.