SLO County COVID hospitalizations at all time high, 9 new deaths
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County health officials announced a grim milestone on Friday, the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations are at an all time high with 67 hospitalized. The virus surge continues also with an all-time high of 649 average daily cases and nine new deaths reported on Friday....
Morro Bay City Council adopts resolution supporting reproductive rights
By KAREN VELIE The Morro Bay City Council voted 4-1 on Tuesday to adopt a resolution supporting reproductive rights. Councilman Heller dissented arguing the resolution was politically motivated. The council brought forth the resolution in response to a restrictive Texas law that bans abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy....
Arsonist suspected of setting fire at resort in Avila Beach
By KAREN VELIE Investigators are trying to identify the person who started an arson fire at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort & Spa in Avila Beach on Jan. 20. Shortly after midnight, a video camera captured a car driving onto the resort with the headlights turned off, a person in the...
Is San Luis Obispo’s downtown losing its allure?
By KAREN VELIE For years, travel writers have produced glowing reviews of San Luis Obispo’s downtown, at times referred to as the best downtown in the country. But that was before reduced parking, roadway reconfigurations and store closures. A recent San Francisco Chronicle article titled, “Anything’s better than empty: This...
Assailants rob and beat victims in Paso Robles
By KAREN VELIE Paso Robles police on Wednesday arrested two alleged gang members who assaulted and robbed several people a week earlier. On Jan. 14, a caller reported that several victims were assaulted on the 2800 block of Park Street. Officers determined suspects Efren Soto-Acuna, 18, and Andres Juniro Esquivel-Zavala,...
SLO County cities get failing grades for tobacco control
By KAREN VELIE Most San Luis Obispo County cities earned failing grades for their tobacco control measures, including allowing the sale of flavored tobacco products, according to a report by the American Lung Association. In recent years, local lawmakers have taken steps to control tobacco use, like mandating non-smoking outdoor...
Judge in the SLO County redistricting lawsuit disqualified himself
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo Superiors Court Judge Hernaldo Baltodano disqualified himself on Tuesday from hearing a lawsuit challenging SLO County’s redistricting map. Erica Baltodano, the judge’s wife, represents SLO County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg on the Civil Service Commission. Erica Baltodano is also the chair of the board of...
