Cover Story
What’s in a score?
“We believe and no doubt always will that San Luis Obispo County is a unique place in which to live, that it has a rich and vibrant past, a fun-filled present, and a bright future. “We also believe those of us fortunate enough to live here need a publication that truly reflects the special lifestyle,…
Major interest
Limbo, according to some religious beliefs, is on the border of hell. It’s where virtuous but unbaptized souls go to wait, a region of oblivion. Bob Rucker, with New Times since 1998, used that term “limbo” to describe the last year and three months at the paper. Not quite hell, but certainly not heaven. Since…
Fast Facts
Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center has been given the green light by the city of SLO to begin construction of a five-story parking structure and 45,000 square feet of medical offices. The office building will stand on top of the current parking lot at Sierra Vista. A spokesman for the hospital, Ron Yukelson, identified a…
Letters
You’re a moron for standing up for developersJason Setser’s rant (“Developers don’t deserve demonization,” Aug. 10) about what nice guys developers are alleges: “Developers don’t write the laws we do.” Say what? Has Setser never heard of Dalidio Ranch? This sneaky attempt to get SLO County’s biggest megamall approved by voters is 100 percent developer-written…
Atascadero leaders allegedly pressured businessman to pave way for Wal-Mart
Over the past few months, Atascadero City Manager Wade McKinney has repeatedly denied his involvement in promoting the construction of a Super Wal-Mart at the north end of town. However, a recent investigation by New Times uncovered that McKinney may have worked hand-in-hand with Atascadero Fire Chief Kurt Stone to pressure a local business owner…
Pot seizure decision appealed
“There’s over a hundred years of case law that says the state courts have no business enforcing federal code,” argued Lou Koory, attorney to an Arroyo Grande man demanding that cops return his 20.4 grams of medical marijuana. Grover Beach police seized Kenneth Parson’s medicinal stash during a routine traffic stop. The patient was later…
Hot stuff
Miss Oddette Howard knows barbecue she learned the secrets of sauce and smoke in her grandmother’s own Creole kitchen. From humble roots comes Miss Oddette’s “No Joke” and “Special Report” barbecue sauces. The formula for a great sauce, as Miss Oddette will tell you, is a # balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a…
Here’s to the big zero
I was all set to write a snide, smug reminiscence in honor of New Times’ arbitrary anniversary celebration. So we’re officially some multiple of 10. Yeehaw. I’ve never understood why round numbers get everybody all excited, why a series of digits ending in 5 makes people put on funny hats and throw confetti, or one…
Twenty and proud, say it loud!
Remember when you turned 20? You thought you knew everything. You had all the answers to solve the world’s problems. Your parents were clearly clueless. If only those “in charge” would listen to you! Ah, 20. Doing the hubris-watoosi. New Times is now 20, and my, doesn’t it feel smug and know-it-all-y. Ask it anything…
Injured worker claims harassment
In recent years, workers’ compensation insurance administrators have jumped on the anti-fraud bandwagon and mounted aggressive campaigns to cut costs by uncovering fraudulent claims. The downside to this action is that truly injured employees can be subjected to years of harassment. One such worker seems to be an Atascadero School District employee who, according to…
