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San Luis Obispo man arrested for robbery, assault

By KAREN VELIE Atascadero police arrested a San Luis Obispo man on Friday for allegedly assaulting and robbing a man at Stadium Park. Shortly after 1 a.m., staff at Twin Cities Community Hospital informed officers they were treating a man... (Continue reading)

Deputies searching for Carpinteria kidnapping and robbery suspects

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives are searching for a pair of suspects who allegedly kidnapped a person in Carpinteria on Tuesday, brought the victim to a bank and forced the individual to withdraw cash. At about 2:30... (Continue reading)

California air board agrees to phase out gas cars by 2035

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The California Air Resources Board voted on Thursday to mandate that, by 2035, all new cars and light trucks sold in the Golden State be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). Automakers, but not car dealers, will have to comply... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles City Council appoints Bausch to fill empty council seat

By KAREN VELIE The Paso Robles City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to appoint school board trustee Chris Bausch to fill the empty District 2 seat previous held by Maria Garcia, who resigned on Aug. 3. Bausch, a business consultant, is... (Continue reading)

Lompoc Police Department eases conceal carry permit requirements

By KAREN VELIE In response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that a good cause requirement is unconstitutional, the Lompoc Police Department has eased its requirements to obtain a conceal carry gun permit, Chief Joseph Mariani announced Thursday. In June,... (Continue reading)

Paul Flores’ alleged long history of sexually assaulting women

By KAREN VELIE For decades, women have accused Paul Flores of sexual assaults, though Wednesday was the first time an alleged victim testified about a rape in court. Flores is charged with murdering Kristin Smart during an attempted rape in... (Continue reading)

SLO County approves $25 million contract to build Templeton dispatch facility

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a $25 million contract for the construction of a dispatch facility in Templeton. Santa Maria-based Diani Building Corporation will construct the new dispatch center... (Continue reading)

Prius crashes into tractor on Highway 1 near Santa Maria

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Toyota Prius collided with a tractor on Highway 1 west of Santa Maria early Thursday morning, injuring two people and severely damaging the vehicles. Shortly before 5 a.m., the Prius crashed  into the tractor north of... (Continue reading)

Central Coast man guilty of smuggling more than 1,700 animals

By KAREN VELIE A 30-year-old Central Coast man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to smuggling more than 1,700 wild animals – including 60 reptiles found hidden in his clothes – into the United States. Jose Manuel Perez of Oxnard pleaded guilty... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles school board votes to protect gender-specific names

By KAREN VELIE The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Board voted Tuesday for a resolution requiring the district to reject any mandates attempting to replace “traditional gender-specific names.” A board member suggested the resolution after learning of a proposal... (Continue reading)