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Bees are fish, California appellate court rules

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Bees can be classified as fish in accordance with California law, a state appellate court ruled on Tuesday. The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) does not include insects as a type of endangered species. However, the California... (Continue reading)

SLO County Covid cases up 37%, two new deaths

By KAREN VELIE COVID infections have risen 37% during the past week in San Luis Obispo County, which appears to show the rise in new infections slowing, according to data from the SLO County Health Department. New reported cases increased... (Continue reading)

Man accused of attempted kidnapping, assault in SLO

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo police officers arrested a 34-year-old man on Tuesday morning on charges of attempted kidnapping, assault and public intoxication, according to police. At about 9:30 a.m., a citizen observed William Francis acting aggressive towards a... (Continue reading)

Vote for the better Bruce for SLO County District 2

OPINION by T. KEITH GURNEE With less than two weeks to go in the race for San Luis Obispo County supervisor of District 2, it’s looking like quite the horse race. Bruce Gibson, who is seeking his fifth term as... (Continue reading)

Lompoc official arrested in Cambria for domestic violence

By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Lompoc Fire Chief Alicia Welch in Cambria Sunday evening on a felony domestic violence charge. Following her arrest, Welch, 55, was booked in the SLO County Jail at 11:42 p.m.,... (Continue reading)

Students vandalize Santa Barbara High School during senior prank

By KAREN VELIE Dozens of school-aged children caused significant damage to Santa Barbara High School on Monday evening in what officers are describing as a “senior prank gone wrong.” At about 10:30 p.m., callers reported hearing loud noises and breaking... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo man dies after falling off cliff at Pirate’s Cove

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A man died after falling off a cliff at Pirate’s Cove late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Officials have identified the victim as San Luis Obispo man Troy Hathaway, 28. Hathaway fell at about midnight while... (Continue reading)

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo brings back mask mandate

By Ben Di Guglielmo Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo reinstated its indoor mask mandate on Tuesday for all staff, students, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, according to an announcement from Anthony Knight, executive director of public safety. The... (Continue reading)

Jimmy Paulding’s campaign consultant’s ploy backfires

By KAREN VELIE A Jimmy Paulding campaign consultant’s attempt to disparage San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Lynn Compton for blocking her on Facebook appears to have backfired, with locals condemning the Paulding campaign. “If this is the kind of campaign... (Continue reading)

SLO County gas prices soar, find the lowest cost

By KAREN VELIE Gas prices spiked this week, as many San Luis Obispo County drivers increased their travel over the Memorial Day weekend. During the past week, the average price of gas increased six cents to $6.33 a gallon, according... (Continue reading)