Police searching for missing Paso Robles teen
Paso Robles police are looking for a 13-year-old girl who ran away on March 17. Siera Tharp left her father Christopher Tharp a note saying she was running away because of ongoing family...
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Author: Karen Velie
Medi-Cal records public, judge says
Public records disclosure laws were broken last year by a state agency when it refused to disclose data on Medi-Cal budget reductions, a Sacramento judge ruled this week. [Sacramento Bee] Superior Court Judge Lloyd Connolly, a...
Read MoreSLO homeless plan facing legal battle
Amid allegations of illegality, San Luis Obispo City Council members voted Tuesday to unanimously approve two portions of a homeless parking plan while agreeing to revisit the plan’s proposal to increase police actions against homeless who sleep in their cars.
Council members endorsed the implementation of a pilot program aimed at providing safe parking for a small number of homeless who sleep in their vehicles.
The pilot program permits CAPSLO to allow five cars to park overnight in the Prado Day Center parking lot without being ticketed for having homeless sleeping inside. Those allowed to park in the lot would also be required to utilize CAPSLO case management offerings.
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Oceano violates the Brown Act again
OPINION By JULIE TACKER At the Wednesday, March 14 Oceano Community Services District Board began their evening in what appears to have been a Brown Act violating St. Patrick’s Day dinner held in...
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No more methyl iodide distribution in U.S.
A years-long battle by environmentalists to halt the use of methyl iodine as a fumigant for strawberries and other crops ended abruptly when the company producing it said it would no longer deliver...
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Salinas school counselor accused of creating child porn
Police arrested a Salinas High School drug and alcohol counselor suspected of creating child porn in his office at the high school on Monday. [MercuryNews] Salinas police first arrested Gilbert...
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Teen files claim of rape against officer
The teenager who allegedly had a sexual relationship with Santa Maria police Officer Alberto Covarrubias Jr. has filed a claim against the city that alleges department officials knew about the...
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Capps on the Republican budget
STATEMENT By CONGRESSWOMAN LOIS CAPPS The House Republican budget is a disappointing, but not too surprising proposal. Instead of reforming programs that protect our most vulnerable, their plan...
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Solomon out as Paso Robles chief
By DANIEL BLACKBURN Lisa Solomon has stepped down as chief of police of Paso Robles following a tumultuous two months of relentless accusations by her own officers of sexual misconduct. An agreement...
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App to Solomon: Lovely Lisa Meter Maid
Paso Robles City Manager Jim App labeled Police Chief Lisa Solomon as “Lovely Lisa Meter Maid” in one of a number of sometimes bizarre emails between top city staff, in which App also identified himself as “P.B.G. phat bald guy.”
In his emails to key staff, App often signs off with “Don-key-ho-tee., or Word. J,” or “Danke!”
CalCoastNews requested all emails between certain city and police officials for the past six months, but received only a portion. City officials have not explained the deficiency. But several sources have told CalCoastNews that within the past several months, App ordered the city’s information technology (IT) department to delete emails older than three months.
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Will Paso Robles police chief be canned tonight?
Lisa Solomon told her officers she plans to remain the Paso Robles chief of police, a claim that appears to be up to city leaders who are slated to discuss disciplining or dismissing her at tonight’s city council meeting.
Listed as a closed session item to discuss disciplining or releasing a public employee, department insiders say the investigative report into allegations of sexual improprieties will be discussed at tonight’s meeting along with whether or not to take action on the information in the report.
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Former Cuesta College President Grace Mitchell dead at 78
Dr. Grace Mitchell, the first woman to serve as president of Cuesta College, died Monday at her home in Marin County following a lengthy illness. She was 78. Mitchell joined Cuesta in 1989 as the...
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Term limits plan moves forward
An initiative changing term limits for members of the California Legislature will go before voters in November. If the measure meets with voter approval, a politician would be allowed to serve only...
Read MoreCSU officials freeze spring enrollment
Amidst uncertain financing, California State University officials announced plans to freeze enrollment at most campuses, including Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, in the spring and possibly wait-list all fall applicants while...
Read MorePaavo Ogren named in drunk driving lawsuit
San Luis Obispo County Public Works Director Paavo Ogren is being sued for allegedly allowing his son to drive a vehicle he owned, knowing the teenager had a problem with drugs and alcohol abuse.
On June 16, Kirk Ogren drove his dad’s SUV off the road and onto the sidewalk along San Luis Drive, rolled the vehicle down a 20-foot embankment and into a creek near California Boulevard. Four teenagers were in the car and their injuries included broken bones, abrasions and large gashes.
Kirk Ogren was subsequently found guilty of felony drunk driving causing great bodily harm.
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