Gifford Fire is 95% contained, 15 people injured
By KAREN VELIE The Gifford Fire burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties is now 95% contained. The blaze has burned 131,614 acres,destroyed five structures and injured 15 people, 12 firefighters and three civilians. There are currently 506 firefighters and other personnel battling the fire. The burn area...
Housing market prices drop nearly 10% in San Luis Obispo County
By KAREN VELIE Housing market prices dropped nearly 10% in San Luis Obispo County from July 2024 through July 2025, according to a report by Norada Real Estate Investments. Over the 12 month period, 21 counties in California saw a reduction in housing prices. Statewide, the median price for a...
Atascadero man and woman charged with sex crimes, creating child porn
By KAREN VELIE Atascadero police officers arrested a man and woman on Wednesday for allegedly committing sex crimes against a 9-year-old girl and for creating child porn. A couple at the time, 28-year-old Tristan Paul Naylor and 29-year-old Jazmyn Elain Sheetermedina allegedly sexually abused the child from Jan. 2022 through...
Missing elderly Paso Robles man found deceased
By KAREN VELIE The body of a missing 86-year-old Paso Robles man was found in his 2014 Honda Ridgeline in a ravine in rural Kern County on Thursday, according to the Paso Robles Police Department. Caltrans personnel located David Peterson’s 2014 Honda Ridgeline in a ravine near State Route 58...
Is Oceano Community Services District acting recklessly?
By JULIE TACKER Oceano is designated as a disadvantaged community. And while the Oceano Community Services District recently increases its sewer rates by 274% and its water rates by 50% over the next five years to tackle millions of dollars in deferred maintenance, it is failing to act financially responsibly....
Teen shot, seriously injured in Lompoc
By KAREN VELIE A gunman shot and seriously injured a Lompoc teenager late Tuesday evening, according to the Lompoc Police Department. Shortly after 11 p.m., multiple callers reported hearing gunshots near the intersection of East College Avenue and North G Street. Officers arrived to find a 17-year-old male lying in...
Pismo Beach was not paying property taxes, activist finds
By KAREN VELIE It appears Pismo Beach is going to be responsible for another cost associated with the controversial recycled water project Central Coast Blue – property tax bills. Activist Julie Tacker, a vocal critic of the costs associated with Central Coast Blue, discovered Pismo Beach was not paying property...
