San Luis Obispo County COVID cases continue steady rise, 2 new deaths
By KAREN VELIE For the third week in a row, the average number of new COVID infections in San Luis Obispo County rose slightly, according to the SLO County Health Department. SLO County reported two new deaths from the virus this week. During the same time, the number of SLO...
SLO County upstarts grab a slice of cannabis kingpin’s empire
By KAREN VELIE When San Luis Obispo picked the people who would operate three marijuana retail shops in the city, they selected Helios Dayspring and his Natural Healing Center. They also got a group of people who were behind Megan’s Organic Market and another group who applied under SLOCal Roots....
North County distillery in hot water over hand sanitizer production
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A North County distillery that joined in the emergency hand sanitizer production effort in 2020 has come under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over chemical levels in their product. Calwise Spirits, located on Ramada Drive south of Paso Robles, produced hand sanitizer early in...
Santa Barbara County reports 2 new cases of monkeypox
By KAREN VELIE The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department confirmed two new cases of monkeypox, raising the number of cases in the county to three. The monkeypox virus is spreading mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has the disease. The risk to the general public remains low,...
Firefighters extinguish residential fire in Paso Robles
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A fire damaged a house in Paso Robles Tuesday morning. A caller reported the fire burning at a home by the intersection of 18th and Chestnut streets at approximately 10:12 a.m. Paso Robles firefighters, Cal Fire personnel and Atascadero firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters managed...
Unsealed documents reveal discrepancies in Paul Flores’ story
By KAREN VELIE Unsealed court documents in the Kristin Smart murder case, including a 1996 interview with Flores, reveal the suspect’s repeated attempts to deceive investigators. Lies a judge considered when placing the case over for trial. Flores is charged with murdering Kristin Smart during an attempted rape in 1996...
Local group protests Hobby Lobby coming to SLO
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby is preparing to open a store in San Luis Obispo, a location the Gala Pride and Diversity Center is urging shoppers to boycott. Hobby Lobby is planning on opening a store at the SLO Promenade on Madonna Road. Headquartered in Oklahoma...
