Wine grape supply shrinking statewide

 California wine grape growers will be facing a significant tightening of the supply of their product over the next several years because of two factors, the sluggish economy and unusually cool weather, according to industry professionals. [SacramentoBee] Robert Smiley, dean... (Continue reading)

Environmentalist backing U.S. swordfish industry

The swordfish industry has been painted as a fleet of fishermen determined to troll the oceans with their “curtains of death,” or gill nets, in order to capture the magnificent fish at the deathly expense of migrating turtles, dolphins and... (Continue reading)

Woman murdered in SLO was middle school teacher

The woman murdered by her son in San Luis Obispo on Saturday was an eighth grade history teacher from Vandenberg Middle School. Karen Shumey, 65, was a teacher with the Lompoc Unified School District for over 20 years. Christopher Shumey,... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo man arrested for murdering his mother

A San Luis Obispo man allegedly shot and killed his mother on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at his apartment on the corner of Beach and Buchon streets. Arroyo Grande resident Karen Shumey, 65, and her son Christopher Shumey, 34, were... (Continue reading)

Los Osos woman raped by knife wielding man

A Los Osos woman told San Luis Obispo Sheriff deputies she was sexually assaulted by a man wielding a knife on Friday evening. The victim reported that while she was taking out the trash, a man approached her from behind,... (Continue reading)

Grocery workers free to strike

In a bid to speed up negotiations that have dragged on for more than eight months, officials from the United Food and Commercial Workers gave a 72-hour notice on Thursday to cancel their labor contract extension with the region’s three... (Continue reading)

Fighting firefighter faces felony trial

A San Luis Obispo Superior Court judge ruled this week that John Ryan Mason, an off-duty firefighter who brawled at a June wedding, will go to trial. Judge Michael Duffy said there is sufficient evidence for trial to proceed. Mason,... (Continue reading)

District redraw sparks Templeton discord

Templeton has become the epicenter of a protracted effort to initiate so-called “smart growth” policies in the rural community, and current plans for redrawing supervisors’ district lines “push that agenda” and are blatantly political, one outspoken resident maintains. Bill Pelfrey, an... (Continue reading)

Weekend spotlight: Avocado and Margarita Festival

By CRISTIN POWERS Forget dinner and a movie — take your date to the Fifth Annual Avocado and Margarita Festival held along the scenic Embarcadero Blvd. in Morro Bay on Saturday. Enliven your spirits and delight your palate as this... (Continue reading)

Plea agreement reached in Hurst Financial fraud case

A former Atascadero lender has agreed to plead guilty to charges of swindling as many as 1,200 investors out of more than $100 million in a fraudulent investment scheme, according to the court docket. James Hurst Miller and federal prosecutors agreed... (Continue reading)