County Roundup

Grover Beach

A Grover Beach man has been charged with two counts of child molestation of a relative.

Richard Anthony Gonzalez Jr. is facing two felony counts of committing a lewd act on a child and engaging in oral copulation or sexual penetration of a child under 10, according to court documents.

Gonzalez has pleaded not guilty and is free on $100,00 bail.

He is scheduled to appear in court May 22 for a pretrial hearing. Gonzalez was charged after police investigated a report that he allegedly molested a female relative at his home.

San Luis Obispo attorney Jeff Stein, who is defending Gonzalez, said Friday that the allegations are false.

“I can tell you that this will be vigorously defended and will be tried if there is no dismissal,” said Stein, who also called the case weak.

Gonzalez, a real estate agent who works in Arroyo Grande, used to coach children’s sports, according to prosecutors.

—Leslie Parrilla

Paso Robles

County health officials are asking the public to stay away from a small sewage spill in Paso Robles.

About 1,500 gallons of raw sewage leaked from a pumping station on Bella Vista Court about 8:15 p. m. Friday after a piece of equipment failed, according to city wastewater officials.

Before the spill was contained, some of the sewage leaked into a dry ravine and soaked the ground. Health officials say the incident does not cause a threat to the public, but they have posted signs and caution tape asking people to stay out of the immediate area

for about two days.

The spill was contained in about 20 minutes, officials said. No waterways were affected by the spill, which was reported by a resident.

—Leslie Parrilla

Morro Bay

A proposal to sink old ships to create reefs off the Estero Bay coast won approval from the Board of Supervisors last week.

The Ships to Reefs program enhances tourism and creates a recreational diving destination, the county wrote in a resolution supporting the proposal.

Ships to Reefs has been working with Morro Bay and the Port San Luis Harbor District, as well as the public, to find an appropriate location.

Ships to Reefs has mounted a national campaign, from Hawaii to the East Coast, to create new reefs by sinking unused ships.

—Bob Cuddy

South County

A project to build a passing lane and left-turn lane is under way on Highway 166 East near Suey Creek Road, according to Caltrans.

The passing lane will be built from a half-mile east of Thompson Avenue to Wineman Road. The left-turn lane will be built at Suey Creek Road.

Construction will take place Monday through Thursday from 8 a. m. to 4 p. m. and from 8 a. m. to 1 p. m. Friday. One-way reversing traffic control will be in place, and motorists can expect a delay of up to 10 minutes.

Caltrans expects to complete the project this summer.

“This project will make it easier to pass safely on Highway 166 and to turn left onto Suey Creek Road,” Caltrans said.

Highway 166 is a dangerous road with frequent accidents.

The contractor for the $1.2 million project is Souza Construction of San Luis Obispo.

—Bob Cuddy

Paso Robles

Quilters who wish to enter the annual quilting competition at the California Mid- State Fair can pick up their fabric at 2198 Riverside Ave.

The fabric is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Quilt entry forms and a $3 fee are due June 2, and the finished quilts must be turned in June 27 between 2 and 6 p. m.

Rules for the quilting contest are available on the fair’s Web site at www.midstatefair.com . This year’s fair will run from July 23 to Aug. 3.

—Leah Etling