Local

Cal Poly is the second-best university in the nation at preparing students for aerospace jobs, according to a survey by a popular aviation magazine.

E Street Band member Clarence Clemons devotes an entire chapter to meeting with Bruce Springsteen in the North County bar in his new book, “Big Man: Real Life & Tall Tales.” Of course, it’s the “Tall Tales” part of that title that calls everything into question.

Grandmother Standing Woman is a strong believer in tradition — and of preserving it by sharing it with others. An American Indian with ties to three tribes, she has spent nearly her entire life studying the ways of her elders and now passes that knowledge on to those around her.

An evangelical group handed out 1,000 free copies of Darwin’s “The Origin of Species” at Cal Poly Wednesday morning, but there was a hitch — the group’s version included a 50-page introduction discrediting the author and promoting its version of Christianity.

A Templeton-based natural foods store and nursery is adding a second location in Atascadero and at the same time expanding to a larger location in Templeton.

Caltrans wants to prevent the possibility of aircraft radio interference and distracting lights at the proposed site of a medium-security prison adjacent to Paso Robles Municipal Airport.

Increasing clouds today will lead to rain by tonight, weather forecasters are predicting.

North County

Ever since James Thurston Judd’s great-grandfather planted grapes on his Utah ranch and started quietly making wine for the Mormon Church, farming and wine have been Judd family traditions.

California GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman says she would “skinny down the bureaucracy” if she is elected, saving 12,000 jobs a year for three years by not hiring people to replace state employees who leave.

Search for your name or your ZIP code to see if you're owed a tax refund check.

Although prominent businessman David Weyrich is facing a public auction on some of his key properties Friday, the rest of his county holdings may be safe from the auction block — for now.

Cal Poly’s proposed deal to develop an engineering program at a Saudi Arabian university has fallen through in part because of a disagreement over language in the contract.

The newly refurbished Wineman Hotel marked its grand opening Wednesday with the lighting of the newly installed, historic marquee sign on Higuera and Chorro streets.

A preliminary discussion has started on the possible renaming of Atascadero’s zoo in order to better suit the city’s budding regional tourism campaign.

SACRAMENTO — The corporate glass ceiling remains firmly in place at companies based in California, according to a study released Wednesday.

Michael LeBrun has been named the interim general manager of the Nipomo Community Services District.

Shandon

Dan De Vaul, the San Luis Obispo County rancher convicted on two charges of violating building safety and vehicle storage codes, was denied a new trial Tuesday.

A 25-year-old San Miguel man accused of involuntary manslaughter in the shooting death of his wife told a sheriff’s investigator his dog ran underneath his feet, tripping him and causing the handgun to mistakenly fire at her.