Kristin Smart case update and supervisor, DA clash on budget. Today’s top stories
The Tribune covered a range of top stories across San Luis Obispo County on May 19, 2026, from a major development in the Kristin Smart case to a budget clash at the Board of Supervisors.
Here’s a quick digest of the day’s coverage:
- Kristin Smart search update: The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office said investigators recovered “several items considered evidentiary in nature” during a four-day search of Susan Flores’ Arroyo Grande home, though no human remains were found during excavation, according to a news release Tuesday. Soil scientists previously identified an area along the side yard producing results consistent with the possible presence of human remains.
- DA-supervisor budget clash: District Attorney Dan Dow issued a formal notice to San Luis Obispo County that he may take legal action if the fiscal year 2026-27 budget fails to fund more positions in the DA’s Office, prompting Supervisor Bruce Gibson to ask whether Dow was threatening to sue. Dow insisted it was “a legal reality,” not a threat.
- SLO woman dies fleeing charges: Kensington Forster, 50, died in Napa County after she and her partner Michael Forster fled felony burglary charges tied to the alleged theft of a $1,200 blanket and wine from a Hillstone Restaurant Group location, authorities confirmed in a case that took a strange twist. Her cause and exact date of death remain under investigation.
- Paso Robles district investigates threat rumor: The Paso Robles school district said it investigated rumors of an alleged school shooting threat that resurfaced from an old text message and circulated on social media, but administration and law enforcement found no credible threat. The district urged families to report concerns directly rather than spread unverified information online.
- Led Zeppelin tribute coming to Vina Robles: Jason Bonham, son of late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, will headline a “Led Zeppelin Evening” at Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Friday, Aug. 21, with country band Ole 60 also joining the summer lineup on Aug. 8. Tickets for both shows go on sale Thursday, May 21 at 10 a.m.
- Virtual golf opens in North County: Paso Par, the first indoor virtual golfing experience in northern San Luis Obispo County, has opened at 102 Niblick Road in Paso Robles using a Trackman simulator system with access to 400 real courses worldwide, founders Steven and Amalia Salazar told The Tribune. Drop-in sessions start at $40 per hour, with memberships beginning at $101 per month.
- Pismo car show turns 40: The Classic at Pismo Beach returns May 29-31 for its 40th anniversary, drawing more than 1,000 classic and collector cars and roughly 170,000 enthusiasts to downtown, according to event organizers. The show began in 1986 with 300 entries and an estimated 10,000 visitors.
- Free laundry for homeless launches: Nonprofit 805 Street Outreach debuted a new laundry trailer last week providing free services to homeless individuals in Morro Bay, funded by donations from the Balay Ko Foundation, founder Wendy Blacker told The Tribune. Blacker said expansion to North County communities is next on the horizon.
- AMSTRDM expands in Paso Robles: AMSTRDM Coffee House has expanded into the former Thomas Hill Organics space in downtown Paso Robles, adding a larger kitchen, courtyard dining and a growing roasting operation, owners Corey Jordan and Kate Smith announced. Chef Ryan Trimble joined as a partner and created the food menu, with brunch served 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Cal Poly baseball eyes another title: Cal Poly heads to UC Irvine as the No. 2 seed for the 2026 Big West Championships, hoping to repeat last year’s title run and earn another NCAA Tournament berth, with ace Griffin Naess set to start against No. 3 UC San Diego. Catcher Ryan Tayman is tied for the conference lead with 16 home runs and batting .357.
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.