2014

Beating described in Paso Robles murder trial

A hired assailant who was allegedly paid to rough up a man on behalf of a jealous lover testified Wednesday in the trial of a Paso Robles woman charged with murder. [Tribune] Maria del Carmen Granados Fajardo, 50, is accused... (Continue reading)

Five Cities Fire Authority should reconsider hiring Lieberman

OPINION By JULIE TACKER In light of the change in political winds in the South County it would be prudent for the Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA) to suspend its hiring process for a new fire chief. In spite of... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande’s mayor elect wants lawsuit abandoned

By KAREN VELIE Amid mounting legal costs, incoming Arroyo Grande Mayor Jim Hill asked the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District Board to immediately cease and desist legal action against the state. Two weeks ago, the sanitation district board... (Continue reading)

Six arrested at high school fight in Santa Maria

A lunchtime cat fight between two female students at Righetti High School in Santa Maria led to multiple brawls, six arrests and the lockdown of a nearby school Wednesday. [KEYT] Around 12:30 p.m., two female students began fighting in Righetti’s... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande manager on paid administrative leave

By DANIEL BLACKBURN The Arroyo Grande City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to place embattled Arroyo Grande City Manager Steve Adams on paid administrative leave after reviewing an investigation into an alleged sex scandal. The order takes place immediately, and Adams... (Continue reading)

Pismo Beach mayoral challenger vying for recount

A recount may be in order for the Pismo Beach mayoral race, which incumbent Shelly Higginbotham won by a margin of just two votes. Challenger Kevin Kreowski is vying for a recount, and a supporter of his has mounted an... (Continue reading)

Woman claims seizure, not intoxication, in Pismo Beach arrest

A Grover Beach woman has taken to crowdfunding to prove her innocence and convince live an online audiences that Pismo Beach police wrongfully arrested and assaulted her. [Tribune] Andrea Nicole Hansen, 32, says officers mistook her suffering several seizures for... (Continue reading)

Are potential jurors afraid of reprisal?

Santa Barbara County Superior Court has summoned 1,400 potential jurors for a Santa Maria torture-murder trial, but approximately 1,000 of those summoned did not show up to court. [KSBY] Jury selection began Monday in the trial of six defendants charged... (Continue reading)

A bitter Ferrara lashes out at Hill

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Outgoing Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara is not going quietly into the night — he leveled a nasty and personal attack at write-in victor Jim Hill in comments to the Santa Maria Times Tuesday. “Mr. Hill did... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo collision victim identified

The California Highway Patrol has identified an 86-year-old Los Osos man who died in a head-on collision Monday in San Luis Obispo as James Grant Snider. Shortly after 2 p.m., Jane Ann Upton, 52, of San Luis Obispo was driving... (Continue reading)