JUDGE WESTRA PASSES AWAY

A long-time Kern County Superior Court judge has died in San Luis Obispo.The cause is determined to be natural causes as Clarence Westra, Jr. died Friday at his home in Nipomo at age 71. He served on the local bench for 25 years until his retirement in 2008. Judge Westra was noted for his sometimes contentious style with court staff and the media.

Sean Michael Lisle