Vehicle sparked Camino Fire in rural Arroyo Grande
BY KAREN VELIE Cal Fire San Luis Obispo investigators determined a broken catalytic converter sparked the Camino Fire in the Huasna area of rural Arroyo Grande. The fire, which has burned 375 acres, is 65% contained as of Thursday morning. A vehicle’s catalytic converter can heat up to 1,200 degrees...
San Luis Obispo apartment renters have little space, research finds
By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo fairs among the worst cities in the country in the amount of personal space renters have in apartments. [Tribune] In San Luis Obispo, there are on average 2.47 renters per apartment and 1.09 rooms per renter. In terms of personal space, San Luis Obispo...
New COVID cases in SLO County continue dropping, 2 new deaths
By KAREN VELIE The number of new COVID infections in San Luis Obispo County decreased 33% during the past week, according to the SLO County Health Department. New reported cases dropped from a daily average of 109 on June 22 to 73 on June 29, with two new deaths. During...
Firefighters battle house fire in Nipomo
By KAREN VELIE Firefighters battled a fire at a home in Nipomo on Wednesday afternoon. Shortly after noon, a caller reported a home on fire on Burton Street near Sea Street. The resident was away, but his two dogs were in the home. Firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed...
Three more gang members found guilty in Santa Maria murder case
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A jury convicted three MS-13 gang members on Monday of a series of murders and other crimes committed in northern Santa Barbara County, the final verdict in a case that consisted of two separate trials. Amid a string of gang violence, murders in Santa Maria increased from...
Camino Fire burns 325 acres in rural Arroyo Grande
BY KAREN VELIE Fueled by dry and drought stressed conditions, the Camino Fire has burned 325 acres in the Huasna area of rural Arroyo Grande as of Wednesday morning. Firefighters have achieved 30% containment and report that no structures are currently threatened. “Firefighters and crews will continue fire suppression efforts,...
Pismo Beach man convicted of sexually abusing multiple children
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Pismo Beach man could face a life sentence after a jury convicted him on Tuesday of molesting three minors under the age of 14. Todd Anthony Hortillosa, 44, sexual abused the children over a nine-year period. A jury convicted Hortillosa of 10 counts of sex crimes,...
