Cal Poly instructor pleads not guilty to trying to have sex with a minor
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Cal Poly instructor has pleaded not guilty to contacting and arranging a meeting with a minor for sexual purposes. Last month, during an investigation into the sexual exploitation of children, SLO County Sheriff’s detectives conducted a sting operation in which they arrested 38-year-old Kevin Coulombe. Detectives...
Civic engagement and public leadership in Paso Robles
OPINION by DORIAN BAKER In a recent opinion piece reflecting on her first year on the Paso Robles City Council, Councilmember Kris Beal emphasized the importance of civic participation and described her role as a bridge between the community and City Hall. Encouraging residents to engage with local government is...
Santa Maria officers arrest three suspects for gun and drug charges
By KAREN VELIE Santa Maria police officers made multiple arrests on Friday night during proactive enforcement operations in the city. Shortly before 4:30 p.m., the gang suppression team pulled over a vehicle driven by a probationer on the 600 block of S. Broadway. During a search of the vehicle, officers...
San Luis Obispo identifies man killed by officer, releases video
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo city officials identified the man shot and killed by an officer on Feb. 28 as 69-year-old Willie Felton Foster Jr. Shortly after 4:40 p.m., several 9-1-1 callers reported a male in the 900 block of El Capitan Way who was shouting aggressively and waving...
Former SLO County Probation officer guilty of embezzlement
By KAREN VELIE A former San Luis Obispo County probation officer pleaded guilty to nine counts of felony grand theft by embezzlement after her request for mental health diversion was denied. Following 32-year-old Fallyn Sierra Rollins’ guilty plea, the court indicated a sentence of 270 days in jail if Rollins...
Oceano Cub Scouts leader charged with possession of child pornography
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County sheriff deputies arrested a Cub Scouts leader from Oceano on Thursday for possession of child pornography. On Feb. 17, deputies received a report of suspected child sexual abuse material. During the investigation, detectives identified the suspect as 46-year-old Michael Schmidt, an employee the...
Driver crashes into Paso Robles liquor store, then flees
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A driver crashed into a liquor store in Paso Robles Thursday morning and then fled the scene. Shortly before 8 a.m., a 9-1-1 caller reported a had driver hit and damaged a wall at Appy’s Liquor, located at 2816 Spring Street. The crash apparently occurred while the...
