Paso Robles tightens retrofitting
Still digging out from the fiscal debris of December's quake, Paso Robles City Council members voted Tuesday to accelerate retrofit requirements for 38 downtown structures that might collapse in another temblor.
The new schedule gives building owners only about 30 months to complete the work necessary to protect employees and customers in the event of another quake.
Paso Robles officials in 1992 set an eight-year slate for retrofit, but before the 2000 deadline, the council stretched that schedule to 2008.
The Dec. 22 earthquake also shook city officials into a new mood, and now, despite some merchant opposition, retrofit must be completed by Dec. 31, 2006.
The council's vote on the matter was 4-1, with Duane
Picanco dissenting. He said the abbreviated deadline caused him some concern,
but that he was as worried about safety as his fellow council
members.
Prison term given for stabbing death
A homeless man pled no contest to second-degree murder in a Mardi Gras 2003 stabbing in San Luis Obispo and now will have a permanent roof over his head - state prison.
Robert Bowers, 41, entered his plea Tuesday in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court and was sentenced to 16 years behind bars. By his plea, Bowers avoided a possible life sentence as a previous violent offender.
Bowers stabbed Merle Laguna, 73, in March in front of Sandy's Deli-Liquor on Higuera Street as numerous witnesses looked on.
The stabbing stemmed from an altercation Bowers
had had earlier that day with the
victim's son.
Private Nacimiento road bagged by county
County supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday to take by eminent domain a private road in the Oak Shores development despite pleas from homeowners.
Supervisor Peg Pinard cast the lone dissenting vote, suggesting the decision to condemn the road for a right-of-way favored a developer at the expense of the private road owners.
County planners alleged the condemnation was necessary
to acquire emergency access
easements to the road.
A large residential and commercial development with 325 homes is being planned for the shoreline area at "Tract 2162."
If supervisors had decided not to take the road, they would be forced by state law to waive requirements to developers to provide an alternative exit route for future new residents.
Oak Shores resident Janice Meyer said that traffic and other environmental problems will occur if the private road is used, with 3,000 more vehicles using the narrow road on a regular basis.
King theft suspect trial ordered
A Paso Robles woman will stand trial to confront charges she stole more than $130,000 from retired educator Kermit King.
Brandy Baker, who had been the 103-year-old King's caretaker since 2002, took the money over a three-year period. King told Judge Christopher Money he never authorized the woman's free use of an ATM card on his account, which he said he was unaware she had acquired.
Prosecutors said she took a lump sum of $81,000 and called it a gift. King said he did not give her any gift.
Baker's next court date is June 9. She has pled not guilty. ³
What's News was compiled by News Editor Daniel Blackburn from local and other news sources.
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