Daily Briefs


Grover Beach man convicted of murder

By KAREN VELIE A San Luis Obispo County jury found Grover Beach resident Robert Koehler guilty this week of the 2018 murder of 26-year-old Kristen Marti. The San Luis Obispo woman had been missing for nearly three months when officers... (Continue reading)

SLO County changes course on federal grant awards after outcry

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Following outcry over a plan to funnel $3 million of federal funds to a group of local nonprofits that provide homeless services, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors reversed course and, on Tuesday, divvied up... (Continue reading)

Couple allegedly use stolen credit cards at 6 SLO businesses

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The San Luis Obispo Police Department is asking the public for help identifying two suspects who allegedly used stolen credit cards to make purchases at six local businesses on Tuesday. Police are circulating images from surveillance footage... (Continue reading)

Kristin Smart Podcaster again fights subpoena for records

By KAREN VELIE Paul Flores’ defense attorney has again subpoenaed a freelance journalist whose podcasts helped shine a light on the alleged 1996 murder of Kristin Smart. Chris Lambert was served a subpoena on July 10. Paul Flores’ attorney Robert... (Continue reading)

New SLO County COVID cases rising again, hospitalizations down

By KAREN VELIE The average number of new COVID infections in San Luis Obispo County rose 36% during the past week, according to the SLO County Health Department. New reported cases increased from a daily average of 68 on July... (Continue reading)

New superintendent takes the helm at Cayucos Elementary School District

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A new superintendent has taken over the reins of the Cayucos Elementary School District following the departure of the district’s previous top official, who had become the source of controversy. The Cayucos Elementary school board hired Jen... (Continue reading)

SLO County to conduct hand recount on the District 4 race

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Elections officials will conduct a recount of ballots in the District 4 SLO County supervisorial election that resulted in Arroyo Grande Councilman Jimmy Paulding unseating incumbent Supervisor Lynn Compton. Paulding defeated Compton by 639 votes. Paulding received... (Continue reading)

Predators take teen from Nipomo to Mexico, victim rescued

By JOSH FRIEDMAN An Arizona teen who was reported missing while visiting family in Nipomo has been located in Mexico, the victim of a predator who claimed on social media that he was a teenager, according to the San Luis... (Continue reading)

Drunk driver crashes into traffic light in SLO

By JOSH FRIEDMAN An allegedly intoxicated driver crashed a pickup truck into a traffic signal pole in San Luis Obispo Friday night. The collision knocked down a traffic light at the intersection of Orcutt Road and Broad Street. Officers then... (Continue reading)

Thief assaults and robs man at Downtown City Park in Paso Robles

By KAREN VELIE A thief allegedly assaulted and robbed a man at the Downtown City Park in Paso Robles late Sunday evening or early Monday morning, police said. At approximately 6:30 a.m. on Monday, a caller reported a man had... (Continue reading)