March, 2015

Don’t make a stink in SLO

The San Luis Obispo City Council majority plans to ban foul odors that creep across property lines. [New Times] Mayor Jan Marx, Councilman John Ashbaugh and Councilwoman Carlyn Christianson voted in favor of the proposed “odor nuisance” ordinance at Tuesday’s... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles murder suspect pleads not guilty

A Paso Robles man said he acted in self-defense when he shot and killed an “intruder” Saturday morning. Thomas Yanaga, 52, plead not guilty to murder and an enhancement for causing great bodily injury with a firearm on Wednesday. His... (Continue reading)

Atascadero mayoral runner-up arrested

Atascadero police arrested a recent mayoral candidate late Tuesday night on DUI and hit-and-run charges. [Tribune] Charles John Scovell II, 36, garnered 40 percent of the vote in last year’s Atascadero mayoral election. On Tuesday night, Scovell allegedly crashed his... (Continue reading)

Adam Hill attempts to stifle public comment

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill accused Coalition of Labor, Agriculture and Business (COLAB) spokesman Mike Brown of bringing “bloviating foolishness” to meetings of the board of supervisors. Hill made the remark while calling for a public hearing on... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo dentist cited for safety violations

By KAREN VELIE The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed penalties totaling $8,100 against a San Luis Obispo dentist the state agency said failed to protect its workers and patients from blood borne pathogens and to properly... (Continue reading)

California judges must steer clear of the Boy Scouts

The California Supreme Court has ruled that state court judges may no longer belong to the Boy Scouts of America. [NPR] An existing law bans judges from belonging to groups that discriminate based on sexual orientation. The Supreme Court ruling... (Continue reading)

SLO County to cut down on prosecuting prostitutes

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office plans to, by in large, stop prosecuting prostitutes. [Tribune] Prosecutors have announced that they no longer view prostitutes as criminals. Rather they are victims of exploitation or forced labor. Instead of prosecuting... (Continue reading)

One Los Osos well is in danger, not the entire basin

OPINION By JULIE TACKER Henny Penny (aka Chicken Little) once said, “The sky is falling; the sky is falling.” The phrase has become a common idiom indicating a hysterical or mistaken belief that disaster is imminent. The front page special... (Continue reading)

EXCLUSIVE: Woman details fatal Paso Robles shooting

By KAREN VELIE A woman who lived at the Paso Robles home where a man was shot and killed Saturday morning said the alleged murderer smirked as he loaded a clip into his gun and called for his victim to... (Continue reading)

Chinese immigrant gets posthumous California law license

The California Supreme Court posthumously granted a law license to a Chinese immigrant on Monday. [Mercury News] California denied Hong Yen Chang a license to practice law nearly 125 years ago. Chang graduated Columbia Law School and received a license... (Continue reading)