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SLO County’s district map selection process exposes political divide

By KAREN VELIE After months of debate and mudslinging, San Luis Obispo County has a new political map that makes major changes to the supervisorial districts. Supervisors voted 3-2 on Tuesday to adopt the Patten map, with supervisors Bruce Gibson... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo homicide victim and suspect identified

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Police have identified the 64-year-old man who was killed near Megan’s Organic Market on Higuera Street last month as San Luis Obispo transient Rick Fowler. Shortly before 5 p.m. on Nov. 20, a 911 caller reported need... (Continue reading)

Truck driver who killed SLO bicyclist charged with manslaughter

By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo County prosecutors charged a truck driver with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter for hitting and killing a bicyclist in SLO earlier this year. [Tribune] Shortly after 7 a.m. on June 25, 61-year-old Salvador Cortez of SLO... (Continue reading)

SLO County reports seven new COVID-19 deaths

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County reported seven new COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, while new case rates remain primarily unchanged with a moderate daily average of 36. Those who succumbed to the virus during the past week range in... (Continue reading)

Regulators in hot water again over the Oceano Dunes

By KAREN VELIE For more than a decade, San Luis Obispo County’s Air Pollution Control District has claimed that 100% of the dust particles blowing on the Nipomo Mesa are the result of off-roading at the Oceano Dunes. It is... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles robbery suspect nabbed following carjacking

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Paso Robles police captured a suspect in a recent armed robbery after he allegedly carjacking a vehicle on Sunday evening, leading to his arrest Monday morning. At about 8 p.m. on Sunday, 29-year-old Richard Garcia approached a... (Continue reading)

Diver who drowned off the coast near Gaviota identified

By KAREN VELIE The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office identified the diver whose body was found off the coast near Gaviota on Saturday as Terry Gummerman, 54, of Santa Maria. At about 3 a.m., Gummerman went diving for lobster just... (Continue reading)

Driver kills pedestrian in Santa Maria

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A driver struck and killed a pedestrian in Santa Maria Saturday evening. Shortly before 7 p.m., the driver hit the pedestrian near the intersection of McCleland Street and Alvin Avenue. Officers arrived at the scene and found... (Continue reading)

San Simeon CSD considers protecting manager from financial liability

By KAREN VELIE The San Simeon Community Services District Board will consider indemnifying its district manager, shortly after the state discovered the community could seek reimbursement for funds spent under an illegally executed agreement. Currently under an investigation by San... (Continue reading)

Debris fire ignites vegetation in Grover Beach

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Debris caught on fire in Grover Beach Sunday morning, and the blaze spread into adjacent vegetation. At about 7 a.m., a caller reported the fire buring in the 1100 block of Farroll Road, according to the Five... (Continue reading)