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California smugglers disguise drugs as spices, noodles

By KAREN VELIE Federal prosecutors announced on Friday they had filed charges against four California men who allegedly smuggled drugs disguised as noodles, spices and car parts to other countries. As part of a transnational drug trafficking organization, the suspects... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara County pleads guilty to oil spill offenses

  By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Barbara County’s Water Resources Division pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts related to oil discharges at the Toro Canyon Oil Water Separator. [KCOY] The discharges occurred between Jan. 2018 through July 2021 and in Jan.... (Continue reading)

Firefighters battling multiple fires in northern San Luis Obispo County

By KAREN VELIE Firefighters are battling multiple blazes in northern San Luis Obispo County from Paso Robles through rural Creston. Crews suspect a vehicle, possibly dragging a chain, is igniting the fires. Shortly before 2 p.m., a caller reported a... (Continue reading)

Atascadero appoints David Fleishman as new city attorney

By KAREN VELIE The Atascadero City Council voted Tuesday to select David Fleishman of Richards, Watson & Gershon to serve as the city’s attorney and Craig Steele as assistant city attorney. “The city is excited for the opportunity to work... (Continue reading)

Misinformation fuels discord over Paso Robles school closure

By KAREN VELIE Parents and students implored committee members not to shut down Winifred Pifer Elementary School in Paso Robles during a meeting on Thursday night. Concerns school officials said were based on rumors and not fact. In August, Paso... (Continue reading)

Man gets 25 years to life for raping, impregnating teen in Nipomo

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A San Luis Obispo County judge sentenced a man to 25 years to life in prison for raping a 17-year-old girl, whom he impregnated.  Florentino Marcelino Ramonsantiago, now 30, raped the victim on April 29, 2021 at... (Continue reading)

Officers plan DUI checkpoints in Paso Robles and Arroyo Grande

By KAREN VELIE Arroyo Grande and Paso Robles police announced separate plans to conduct DUI checkpoints in their cities at undisclosed locations on Friday evening. From 6 p.m. to 1 p.m., Paso Robles police will hold a DUI checkpoint at... (Continue reading)

Officials vote to extend life of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant

By KAREN VELIE California energy regulators voted Thursday to allow Diablo Canyon nuclear plant in Avila Beach to continue producing energy through 2030. After agreeing to shut down the nuclear power plant in 2025, PG&E received backing from both federal... (Continue reading)

SLO awards $150,000 to nonprofits for DEI programs

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The San Luis Obispo City Council last week awarded a combined total of $150,000 in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) grants to eight local nonprofits for programs the city says will contribute to a sense of belonging... (Continue reading)

Time to fire SLO High School officials who covered up misconduct

OPINION by AMBER WILKERSON As I reflect on the past 14 months, I have so many emotions. Anger, sadness, anxiousness, disbelief, and confusion. As my daughter’s story becomes public, and so many other stories related to San Luis Obispo High... (Continue reading)