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Highway 1 in Big Sur reopened weeks ahead of schedule

Written on 16 Jan, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 4 comments

By KAREN VELIE For the first time in nearly three years, Highway 1 from Big Sur to San Luis Obispo County fully reopened, a month and a half ahead of schedule. “This reopening will bring much-needed relief to small businesses... (Continue reading)

Federal judge dismisses DOJ’s attempt to get California’s voter data

Written on 16 Jan, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 16 comments

By KAREN VELIE The Trump administration lost a round on Thursday when a federal judge dismissed a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit that sought an unredacted voter registration list from California. In its lawsuit filed in September, the DOJ cited laws... (Continue reading)

No anti-ICE zones for San Luis Obispo County

Written on 15 Jan, 2026 in Featured, Opinion | 32 comments

Statement from the SLO County District Attorney’s Office The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office recognizes and respects the long-standing constitutional right of individuals to peacefully protest, petition the government, and exercise free speech in public forums. These rights... (Continue reading)

Paul Flores’ hopes to overturn murder conviction dashed

Written on 14 Jan, 2026 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 3 comments

By KAREN VELIE Paul Flores’ hopes that the California Supreme Court would overturn his murder conviction were dashed Wednesday when the court denied his petition for review. A jury in 2022 found that Flores murdered Kristin Smart during an attempted... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo attorney resigns from bar amid disciplinary action

Written on 14 Jan, 2026 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 7 comments

By KAREN VELIE John Belsher, a San Luis Obispo-based attorney, resigned from the State Bar of California on Tuesday amid disciplinary proceedings. He asked to be immediately listed as inactive. Even so, his resignation isn’t effective until the State Bar... (Continue reading)

How to coexist with mountain lions

Written on 14 Jan, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 11 comments

By KAREN VELIE Amid multiple mountain lion sightings in and around San Luis Obispo, the city’s biologist provided tips on how to coexist with these majestic creatures. During the past few weeks, community members have reported seeing a mountain lion... (Continue reading)

Morro Bay hires new city manager

Written on 14 Jan, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

By KAREN VELIE The Morro Bay City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to hire John Craig as the city’s new city manager. The council agreed to pay Craig an annual salary of $240,777. In June, the council voted to terminate... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara County declares local emergency following storms

Written on 14 Jan, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 2 comments

By KAREN VELIE Santa Barbara County declared a local emergency on Tuesday following two storms that caused damage throughout the county. As a result, the county can seek state and federal disaster assistance. The back-to-back storms, with flooding and strong... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo clerk cited for selling alcohol to a minor

Written on 13 Jan, 2026 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 9 comments

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo police officers cited a clerk at a gas station for selling alcohol to a minor during a sting on Monday. Along with Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agents, police officers conducted a minor... (Continue reading)

Divisions between law enforcement and anti-ICE protestors escalate

Written on 13 Jan, 2026 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 19 comments

By KAREN VELIE The division between anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement groups in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties and supporters of law enforcement have widened following recent fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota. In response to videos of the shooting,... (Continue reading)