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Morro Bay sea otter population expands

The sea otter population in Morro Bay, which was almost decimated a decade ago, is thriving. The coastal community currently includes between 30 to 40 independent sea otters and up to 20 dependent pups. [SFGATE] Even though there are thriving... (Continue reading)

Did the county help a future Phillips 66 appeal?

By MICHAEL F. BROWN The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisor’s reasons for denying the Phillips 66 permit will provide fertile ground for a reversal of that denial in the Superior Court. Last Tuesday the Board of Supervisors denied... (Continue reading)

Man tries to sell stolen iPhone back to owner

A Santa Maria man tried to sell an iPhone stolen in San Luis Obispo back to its rightful owner. Rather than completing the transaction, the man found himself in handcuffs after mistaking an undercover police officer for the owner of... (Continue reading)

Former LA County sheriff convicted of obstructing justice

A jury has found former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca guilty of three felonies pertaining to a scheme to impede a federal investigation into corruption and civil rights abuses at county jail facilities. Baca is now facing a likely... (Continue reading)

SLO begins talks on new marijuana rules

With recreational use of marijuana now legal in California, the San Luis Obispo City Council held a special meeting Tuesday to begin talks on adjusting the city’s cannabis regulations. Currently, San Luis Obispo prohibits all commercial and industrial recreational and... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles school board row leads to censure

The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District board censured one of its members Tuesday, accusing him of a wide range of misconduct including having a conflict of interest, spreading misinformation and threatening colleagues with references to guns, bullets and a... (Continue reading)

Parolee flees Atascadero police and CHP at nearly 130 mph

Officers chased a parolee on Highway 101 Wednesday morning from Atascadero to well into Monterey County. The chase reached speeds of nearly 130 mph. At about 8:26 a.m., an Atascadero officer tried to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle... (Continue reading)

Family of man killed by police sues Santa Maria

The family of a man who was shot and killed last year by Santa Maria police officers has filed a federal lawsuit against the city, as well as its police department and five officers. Javier Gaona, 31, was armed with... (Continue reading)

Bradley woman pleads no contest in North County arson case

A Bradley woman who reportedly admitted to starting several fires in North County last year pleaded no contest to two charges on Monday. [Tribune] Debra Kay Collins is facing up to six years in prison after pleading no contest to... (Continue reading)

SLO County supervisors reject rail spur project

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 3-1 to shoot down Phillips 66’s Nipomo rail spur project. The vote brought an end to a long series of county hearings, but the dispute over the project may continue to... (Continue reading)