April, 2021

Another man injured in shooting in Santa Maria

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A gunman shot and wounded a victim in Santa Maria early Thursday morning. At about 12:30 a.m., callers reported a shooting in the 200 block of N. Depot Street, according to the Santa Maria Fire Department. Police... (Continue reading)

SLO County is now vaccinating people 16 and above

San Luis Obispo County Health Department officials announced Wednesday that residents ages 16 and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. This opens up the registry to about 54,000 additional county residents. People age 16 and above can sign... (Continue reading)

Assemblyman defending former SLO officer charged with violating COVID-19 rules

BY JOSH FRIEDMAN The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office filed criminal charges against a former San Luis Obispo police sergeant for allegedly violating coronavirus health orders, setting up a possible court battle between prosecutors and a sitting California assemblyman.... (Continue reading)

Partially clad body found in the surf at Pismo Beach

A couple strolling the beach and searching for sea shells found a dead body in the surf at Pismo Beach State Park early Wednesday morning. Shortly before 3 a.m., the couple from Maricopa decided to search for shells during low... (Continue reading)

FBI agents arrest man suspected of sending porn to Los Osos minor

BY JOSH FRIEDMAN An Indiana man who allegedly used a gaming platform last year to send lewd images to a minor in Los Osos has been arrested again, this time on federal child exploitation charges. On or before Sept. 25,... (Continue reading)

Both SLO and Santa Barbara counties remain in the red tier, for now

For at least the next two weeks, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties will remain in the red tier because of high case rates primarily among college and university students. Counties are required to have improved rates for at... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara County reopens 1975 teen murder investigation

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reopened a 45-year-old homicide case this week with hopes that rapid DNA testing can help find a murderer. On June 21, 1975, the body of 16-year-old Paul Ornelas was discovered near the railroad tracks... (Continue reading)

SLO City Council considering social media policy

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Amid allegations Mayor Heidi Harmon violated  the rights of others when she blocked people who disagree with her from commenting on her social media pages, the San Luis Obispo City Council on Tuesday will consider adopting a... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach man struck and killed on Highway 99

A 60-year-old Grover Beach man was struck and killed as he walked on Highway 99 in Modesto early Saturday morning, according to the CHP. Shortly after 2 a.m., Raymond Wallace was walking in the far right lane of the highway... (Continue reading)

SLO County supervisors open the door to water banking

(Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors recent vote to allow water banking in the county’s aquifers.) By DANIEL BLACKBURN A barely-noticed action early in March by the... (Continue reading)