2021

Person of interest in Kristin Smart disappearance arrested on a weapons charge

Paul Flores, the lone suspect in the Kristin Smart disappearance case, was arrested on a weapons charge on Thursday. Los Angeles police officers arrested Flores in Rancho Palos Verdes on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm.... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach man pleads guilty in grisly murder case

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Grover Beach man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter last month in a murder case stemming from the killing of a man whose remains were found on a Nipomo golf course. Benjamin Mersai, 34, was the third... (Continue reading)

SLO County establishments cited by ABC for coronavirus violations

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has issued citations to a local brewery and winery for violating state coronavirus health orders. [Tribune] ABC cited Santa Maria Brewing Co. locations in both Atascadero and Nipomo, as... (Continue reading)

Alleged drug dealer arrested in Atascadero

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Narcotics investigators arrested a known drug dealer in Atascadero last week and found a stash of substances worth more than $10,000 inside his hotel room, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. On Feb. 4,... (Continue reading)

SLO County is now vaccinating people 65 and above

San Luis Obispo County is now allowing residents 65 and older to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, health officials announced Wednesday. Residents can book appointments at ReadySLO for vaccine clinics in San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Arroyo Grande. Local... (Continue reading)

California fast tracking cannabis business licenses for refugees

By KAREN VELIE As part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to support diversity, the California Bureau of Cannabis Control is expediting marijuana business licenses for refugees and asylum seekers, while some citizens spend years navigating the bureaucratic system. Signed by... (Continue reading)

Workers find human remains near Atascadero home

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A contractor doing remodeling work found human remains on the property of an Atascadero home on Tuesday. [KSBY] It is believed they are likely Native American remains. Workers dug up the remains on a property on Acacia... (Continue reading)

Gang members murder college students attempting to sell pot in Goleta

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Two Santa Barbara gang members are accused of shooting and killing a pair of 19-year-old college students who were attempting to sell marijuana in Goleta. Prosecutors have charged the gang members with two counts of murder each... (Continue reading)

COVID-19 cases drop in SLO County, almost 40,000 vaccinations given

While the number of vaccines administered in San Luis Obispo County increases, daily new cases are on the decline. Residents have received more than 37,000 vaccine doses through the county and CDC partnerships with pharmacies. Residents over 75 can book... (Continue reading)

SLO County supervisors ask state to stop threatening businesses with closure

San Luis Obispo County supervisors Debbie Arnold and John Peschong sent a letter Monday to Gov. Gavin Newsom asking that the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control stop threatening to close local restaurants, bars and wineries for violating COVID-19 regulations unless... (Continue reading)