November, 2021

SLO murder suspect in jail on unrelated charges

By KAREN VELIE   A man suspected of murdering a 64-year-old man near Megan’s Organic Market on Higuera Street on Saturday is in jail on an unrelated charge. Shortly before 5 p.m., a 911 caller reported need for medical aid... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo provides free parking during holidays

By JOSH FRIEDMAN In attempt to encourage shopping in the downtown area, the San Luis Obispo City Council adopted a resolution establishing free parking in the city’s three parking structures for a total of 13 days this holiday season. Parking... (Continue reading)

Dismal graduation rates at California’s community colleges

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The vast majority of students in the California Community Colleges system are failing to graduate within four years, according to newly released data. [Inside Higher Ed] Data presented last week to the California Community Colleges Board showed,... (Continue reading)

Man murdered in San Luis Obispo Saturday evening

By KAREN VELIE A man was murdered in downtown San Luis Obispo near Megan’s Organic Market on Higuera Street on Saturday. Police officials confirmed the homicide, but gave no further details. Behind the pot shop, there is a creek and... (Continue reading)

SLO County unemployment drops, labor force slowly rebounding

By KAREN VELIE While San Luis Obispo County’s unemployment rate continues to decline, the number of residents in the workforce has not rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. Prior to the pandemic, in Jan. 2020, there were 141,300 people in the SLO... (Continue reading)

FPPC fines San Simeon official, considering further court action

By KAREN VELIE The California Fair Political Practices Commission voted Thursday to penalize San Simeon’s general manager for the “inherent harm” he did to the community by sitting on both sides of the negotiating table. In 2016, as San Simeon... (Continue reading)

Threats and altercations mar SLO County’s redistricting process

By KAREN VELIE Amid taunts and threats of lawsuits and riots, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors whittled down the number of redistricting maps on Friday. Two maps remain, one likely to get liberal support and the other... (Continue reading)

Ex-ambassador of Paso Robles winery accused of sexual misconduct

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The “godfather” of United States wine and former brand ambassador for a Paso Robles winery is set to lose his coveted title of “master sommelier” as a result of allegations that he touched women inappropriately. [SF Chronicle]... (Continue reading)

SLO County’s new COVID-19 cases surpass 30,000

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County has reported more than 30,000 new cases of COVID-19, another milestone in the ongoing pandemic. The number of SLO County residents in hospitals receiving treatment for the virus decreased slightly with 12 currently... (Continue reading)

Criminal justice professor indicted for starting California fires

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A federal grand jury on Thursday indicted a former criminal justice professor with starting four fires in Northern California within a span of three weeks during July and August. Gary Stephen Maynard, 47, of San Jose allegedly... (Continue reading)