Category Archives: Bay News

Business of the Month!

Ornament 16Congratulations! Business of the Month is Dutchman’s Seafood House.  Paul Van Beurden, owner/operator of Flying Dutchman Seafood House comes from a long line of family owned restaurants- since 1964! “We here at Dutchman’s strive to bring you the freshest seafood possible sourced from our hardworking local fisherman that we know and support. We strive to use seafood caught using sustainable fishing methods whenever possible. We Paul+with+fishalso strive to buy local produce and use local vendors. We own and operate our own dock ensuring the freshest and superior fish for our customers.” Thank you for supporting our local economy, Paul! Check out their menu and hours at www.dutchmanseafoodhouse.com

Teen Rescued From Sex Slavery Ring

By Neil Farrell

San Luis Obispo Police rescued a teen-aged girl from her boyfriend and three other adults who allegedly forced her into prostitution, reportedly to repay him for buying her dinner, according to news reports.
According to SLOPD Lt. John Bledsoe, the case started at 1:25 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 when police from Manteca, Calif., (near Stockton) called seeking help in finding a missing girl they said could be located at a hotel in the 1800 block of Monterey St.
“The Manteca Police Department called SLOPD to report that the 15-year-old female is being held against her will inside a room at the hotel and she may be the victim of Human Trafficking,” Lt. Bledsoe said in a news release. “Officers were advised there were suspects holding the juvenile and they were possibly armed.” Continue reading Teen Rescued From Sex Slavery Ring

126 Felonies Charged in Alleged Molestation

Cn Bergner Mug shotThe County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Nipomo girls’ softball coach for allegedly molesting an under-aged girl over several years, and the D.A. is charging him with more than 120 felony counts.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, on July 21 an 18-year-old woman contacted them claiming that she had been molested from age 12 to May of this year, more than six years.
“Detectives with the Sheriff’s Sex Crimes Unit began an immediate investigation,” said spokesman Tony Cipolla.
As a result of the investigation, detectives arrested Robert John Bergner, 51 of Nipomo for suspicion of sexual penetration of a minor under 14 with a foreign object, continuous sexual abuse of a child, oral copulation with a person under-18 and rape by force or fear. All charges are felonies and he was picked up at 1 a.m. July 22 at a home in the 900 block of Primavera Ln., Nipomo.
At a July 24 court hearing, the District Attorney’s Office hit Bergner with 126 felony counts. His bail is set at $1 million.
During the course of the investigation, Cipolla said, detectives learned that Bergner was the coach this year of an under-12 girl’s recreation league softball team in South County. The Tribune confirmed that he was a coach in the Nipomo Youth Softball League but no longer.
If anyone has any further information about this case, they are being asked to contact Sheriff’s Detectives at 781-4500.

Nature Walk in the El Moro Elfin Forest

SWAP’s next Third Saturday Nature Walk in the El Moro Elfin Forest is set for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15. What is an estuary? Why is the Morro Bay estuary important to the Elfin Forest, and vice versa? Adrienne Harris, the National Estuary Program’s executive director, and Lexie Bell, assistant director, will talk about the 48,000-acre watershed that feeds the estuary, threats to its health, and the NEP’s conservation efforts. Participants will learn how they can help to protect this vital natural resource in their every-day lives. Meet at the north end of 15th Street off Santa Ysabel Avenue in Los Osos. Don’t block mailboxes and leave pets at home. Call 528-0392 for information.

The Great Morro Bay Cactus Caper

BN MB cactus-02By Neil Farrell

It’s being called “the Great Morro Bay Cactus Caper” and some residents are upset that the City hasn’t done anything about it.
Several months ago, someone planted cactus in empty tree wells along Quintana Road. The cacti are of a variety that don’t have splines.
To some, the cacti are cute but to a growing number of people they are seen as rogue and the person or persons who planted them not much more than hooligans. It’s as if they are graffiti on the city’s urban forest landscape and some folks want them removed immediately. Continue reading The Great Morro Bay Cactus Caper

One Dead, Three Injured In Hwy 41 Crash

highway41A Templeton man was killed and several people injured in a 3-car crash Saturday on Hwy 41 just east of Morro Bay.
According to news reports, at about 2 p.m. Aug. 1, an Atascadero man was driving a Ford Fusion sedan west into town when the car drifted across the center yellow line and crashed head-on with a Mercury Grand Marquis, near the Grange Hall.
The Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash told The Tribune they didn’t know why the car crossed over the yellow line.
In the late afternoons, glare from the setting sun can be a hazard for drivers traveling west, though at 2 p.m. the sun was not likely a factor. Continue reading One Dead, Three Injured In Hwy 41 Crash

Parklet’s Future Could Be Settled Aug. 11

Parklet BEST-01By Neil Farrell

With the demonstration/experimental period for Morro Bay’s controversial parklet now passed, the City is expected to review the results of an online survey it’s been conducting for months now, weighing it against thousands of petition signatures gathered in protest over its location, and finally answering the nagging questions amongst Downtown merchants — will it stay, get moved or scrapped altogether?
The City put in the parklet — a 65-foot long and 8-foot wide, outdoor seating space that sits even with the adjacent sidewalk and takes up some parking spaces — last January as part of its “Local Economic Action Plan” or LEAP efforts. Continue reading Parklet’s Future Could Be Settled Aug. 11

Living Treasure Botso Korisheli Dies

BN Botso KorisheliBy Neil Farrell

Another of Morro Bay’s Living Treasures has died, leaving behind a musical and artistic legacy to the town he called home for some 58 years.
Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli died Monday, July 27 at his home of an apparent heart attack. He was 93.
A locally celebrated music teacher, classical pianist, sculptor, and friend to several generations of students, Botso was a beloved member of the community and was named a Chamber of Commerce Living Treasure in 2005.
He was also honored in 2014, as grand marshal of the town’s 50th Anniversary Founder’s Parade. Among his many accomplishments was the founding of the SLO County Youth Symphony, which was the starting place for numerous young people who went on to great careers with orchestras and symphonies around the world. Continue reading Living Treasure Botso Korisheli Dies

Tireless Volunteer, Country Crooner Mel Brenneise Dies

BN OBIT Mel BA long-time community volunteer, popular trolley driver and country crooner, Melvin “Mel” Andrew Brenneise died Friday, July 14, 2015 at home with his family, finally succumbing after a hard-fought battle against cancer. He was 74.
Mel was born in North Hollywood, Calif. He was an active member of his church — Calvary Lutheran in Morro Bay, a Marine, a community volunteer with the Morro Bay Police Department but locals might remember Mel best for the many years he drove the City trolley for Dial-a-Ride. He was an avid golfer and musician, blessed with a fine, classic, country music singing voice.
Mel is survived by his wife, Georgia, five children, six grandchildren, a sister, nieces, cousins, and the countless lives he touched throughout his life. A celebration of his life was held at Calvary Lutheran on Aug. 1. Mel’s friends and family are starting a memorial fund to purchase a public bench dedicated to Mel on the Embarcadero. Contributions can be made at Calvary Lutheran Church.

Samantha Susan Rocci

BN OBIT Sam RocciSamantha (Sam) Susan Rocci, born Nov. 29, 1968 in Fullerton, California to Garry William Erik Johnson and former Morro Bay City Councilwoman, Nancy Elizabeth (Pool) Johnson, passed away on July 18, 2015, after an almost year-long fight with leukemia.
Sam grew up in Diamond Bar, Calif., as a young child and then Campbell, and did a lot of traveling with her parents and twin brother and sister. In college, she spent time abroad as an exchange student in England.
She interned for Norman Minetta, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, while he was a Congressman in the House of Representatives representing the Silicon Valley area. Continue reading Samantha Susan Rocci