2012

SLO firefighter accused of assault placed on leave

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo city administrators placed a firefighter who was arrested for allegedly beating a man unconscious at a local pub on unpaid administrative leave several months ago, city staff confirmed while refusing to provide the exact... (Continue reading)

Man falls, body found at Paso Robles construction site

The man found dead early Wednesday morning at a construction site in Paso Robles fell 20 to 30 feet from a roof to the construction site below. Shortly before 6 a.m., a person who discovered the body of a white... (Continue reading)

Gearhart’s benefactors unveiled

An Atascadero woman and another from Texas each pledged $50,000 to keep former North County developer Kelly Gearhart out of jail. The sister of former developer Ron Hertel, Camile Tompkins, pledged to cover half of Gearhart’s bail while Tiffany George,... (Continue reading)

All steamed up over fatal oak blight

A new way has been found to battle a particularly lethal plant disease called sudden oak death, which periodically plagues this region and can cause huge financial losses. The baffling and complex disease, it has been discovered, can be eradicated... (Continue reading)

Mission Prep athletic director target of anti-gay vandalism

Two acts of vandalism that targeted the gay athletic director of Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School in San Luis Obispo are being investigated as hate crimes. [Tribune] In April 26, gay athletic director of Mission College Preparatory Catholic High... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles man dies in Templeton car crash

A 22-year-old Paso Robles man died early Wednesday morning when his car crashed into a tree on South El Pomar Rd. near Rancho Rd. in Templeton. California Highway Patrol officials said a Templeton resident heard a speeding car followed by... (Continue reading)

Hill claims red ink stains his coffers

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Adam Hill’s reelection campaign put him in debt, according to the county supervisor, but it really didn’t. Nevertheless, he’s appealing to supporters — and to more than a few folks who opposed him — for money in... (Continue reading)

Gearhart pleads not guilty to fraud

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Onetime Atascadero “Person of the Year” Kelly Gearhart pleaded not guilty to 16 charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering at his arraignment Monday at a federal court in Los Angeles. The... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria teen claims officer raped her

A former Police Explorer in Santa Maria filed a federal lawsuit on Aug. 7 against the city, members of its police department and the estate of Officer Albert Covarrubias Jr., alleging that Covarrubias used his position of authority to rape... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles city officials manipulate election?

By DANIEL BLACKBURN EDITOR’S NOTE: See both versions of City Council candidate Jim Reed’s campaign statement at the bottom of this story. Jim Reed wanted to help initiate major changes in the way Paso Robles’ government is being managed, and... (Continue reading)