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French Hospital employees considering strike

The union representing employees at French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo and Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria has announced plans for a three-day strike starting 11 p.m. on June 26. [MercuryNews] Labor and management of Dignity... (Continue reading)

Shooting of Santa Maria police officer deemed justified

After Santa Maria police discovered one of their own was possibly having sex with a 17-year-old, they worked with the girl to get him to admit to the crime. When two officers, including his cousin, attempted to arrest officer Alberto... (Continue reading)

A bond for Cuesta College; not if but when

OPINION By PATRICK MULLEN and GILBERT H. STORK Last month, Cuesta College trustees were asked to consider hiring a consultant to poll whether voters would support a local bond measure on the November ballot. On June 6, the Board of... (Continue reading)

James Hurst Miller’s sentencing delayed, again

An Atascadero lender facing up to 80 years in federal prison will have a few more months of freedom after a judge delayed his sentencing for a second time. James Hurst Miller, the former president of Hurst Financial Inc., agreed... (Continue reading)

DeCou Lumber Co. in Atascadero closing after 75 years

DeCou Lumber Co. in Atascadero is going out of business after 75 years of providing building materials, paints, and hardware  to area residents. [Tribune] On June 5, the management of the family owned business filed bankruptcy noting $1 million owed... (Continue reading)

Sanitation district smacked with $1.4 million proposed fine

By KAREN VELIE Ratepayers in the communities of  Arroyo Grande, Oceano, and Grover Beach are facing increased utility bills to cover a $1,383,007 proposed fine for a raw sewage spill that occurred because of alleged mismanagement of the South San... (Continue reading)

Bungling robbers storm Holiday Inn

Two armed robbers wearing masks, hooded sweatshirts and gloves tried to rob a guest at Paso Robles’ Holiday Inn Express early Tuesday but fled before officers could respond to a flurry of 911 calls. Brazenly entering the hotel lobby at... (Continue reading)

Deportation halt may swamp state jobs

The Obama administration’s announcement Friday easing deportation of children and young adult immigrants will soon flood the already-stressed job market in California with new employment seekers. (Contra Costa Times)) As many as 350,000 of those affected by the directive are... (Continue reading)

The blues can be hazardous to health

Failing health and an early death await lonely seniors, a medical study asserts. (San Francisco Chronicle) Loneliness contributes to serious health problems, according to authors of the study, published in the University of California at San Francisco’s Archives of Internal... (Continue reading)

Wal-Mart bait and switch

OPINION By DAVID BROADWATER A day of reckoning is coming in Atascadero on the Wal-Mart/Annex project at the June 26 City Council meeting. Multi-million dollar risks to the city’s businesses and residents are on the table. This will be your last chance... (Continue reading)