Police arrest organized retail thieves in Santa Maria
By KAREN VELIE Santa Maria police officers arrested two people involved in an organized retail theft scheme following a theft at Target. Shortly after noon, officers responded to a reported theft at Target. The two suspects used self-checkouts to pay for low-cost items while leaving with hundreds of dollars in...
Could Los Angeles style politics invade San Luis Obispo County?
OPINION by T. KEITH GURNEE Apparently, according to San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson, it can’t happen soon enough. Gibson’s recent endorsement of Los Angeles denizen Jim Dantona to take his seat on the SLO County Board of Supervisors in 2026—and his subsequent boosting of Dantona as his legislative...
Here’s how much rain fell across SLO County in the past 24 hours
By KAREN VELIE An atmospheric river hit San Luis Obispo County on Tuesday with heavy rains, winds, flooding and power outages, which are expected through Christmas. San Luis Obispo County released rain totals for the past 24 hours. Rocky Butte in northern SLO County leads with 2.56 inches, with Lopez...
Ashlee Buzzard shot her child multiple times, left her body in Utah
By KAREN VELIE Investigators believe the mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard shot her daughter in the head multiple times before leaving the child’s body in a remote area in Utah. Deputies arrested 40-year-old Ashlee Buzzard for first degree murder on Tuesday morning. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office released...
Melodee Buzzard’s mother arrested, body found in Utah
By KAREN VELIE Santa Barbara County deputies arrested the mother of missing 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard on Tuesday morning after the child’ remains were found in Utah. It is suspected the child died in October while on a road trip with her mother Ashlee Buzzard. On Oct. 7, Ashlee Buzzard and...
Fire destroys commercial building in southern San Luis Obispo County
By KAREN VELIE A fire destroyed a commercial building north of Santa Maria in San Luis Obispo County on Tuesday morning. At 3 a.m., a 9-1-1 caller reported the fire burning on Bull Canyon Road across from Bob Woods Place. Fire crews from Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo County and...
Wind and rain headed to SLO County. How do you prepare?
By KAREN VELIE A strong atmospheric river storm is set to hit the Central Coast this afternoon. San Luis Obispo County is under a flood watch and a wind warning. Government officials ask community members to prepare now and be mindful of weather conditions, Expect up to 5 inches of...
