March, 2016

Reservoir levels rising in SLO County

While reservoir levels remain low in San Luis Obispo County, they are increasing noticeably as a result of this year’s rainfall. [KSBY] Lake Nacimiento has risen 16 feet since the beginning of January. Lake General Manager Mark Sandoval said he... (Continue reading)

Salinas, like Santa Maria, rife with gang violence

Salinas and Santa Maria, two cities similar in size and demographics, are experiencing epidemics of gang violence. Both cities had record homicide totals last year. [KSBY] In 2015, there were 13 murders in Santa Maria and 40 in Salinas. There... (Continue reading)

SLO’s rental housing ordinance treads on people’s rights

OPINION by DAN CARPENTER In 2015, the majority of San Luis Obispo City Council passed a new Rental Housing Inspection Ordinance. I was one of two council members who opposed it, with the majority — Jan Marx, John Ashbaugh, and... (Continue reading)

Cal Poly reports attempted sexual assault at frat house

Cal Poly officials issued an alert to students Monday informing them of an attempted sexual assault that reportedly occurred at a fraternity house. Between midnight and 1 a.m. Sunday, a male allegedly held down a female and tried to sexually... (Continue reading)

Should California employees go to ‘anti-gay’ states?

A California assemblyman has introduced a bill that would ban state-funded travel to states that permit discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill targets a host of states that have adopted religious freedom laws. [Sac Bee] Evan Low, a Democrat... (Continue reading)

SLO County storm knocks out power, downs trees

Heavy rain and wind knocked over trees, power poles and power lines in San Luis Obispo County as an El Nino storm swept through the Central Coast over the weekend. Thousands of customers are still without power Monday morning as... (Continue reading)

Woman plunges 100 feet off Gaviota bridge

A 56-year-old woman fell 100 feet off of a railroad trestle bridge in Gaviota Sunday afternoon, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department. The woman reportedly survived with moderate to major injuries. A helicopter airlifted her to Cottage Hospital... (Continue reading)

John Ashbaugh apologizes for lashing out, again

In response to concerns by several San Luis Obispo residents about demands new development could have on the city’s dwindling water supply and overtaxed infrastructure, Councilman John Ashbaugh lashed out at his constituents. On March 2, Bob Shanbrom emailed city... (Continue reading)

Traffic accidents soar as rain hit the Central Coast

The storm that swept through the Central Coast on Saturday led to two accidents involving San Luis Obispo Fire department rescues. At about 7:30 p.m., a car crashed near the California Boulevard and Highway 101 off ramp, according to the... (Continue reading)

Cayucos firefighter convicted of rape, human trafficking

A San Luis Obispo jury has convicted former Cayucos firefighter Oscar Higueros Jr. of 25 crimes, including forcible rape and human trafficking of a minor by force or fear. The crimes stem from Higueros’s relationship with a then-17-year-old Los Osos... (Continue reading)