2016

Bakersfield police officer facing life in prison for drug trafficking

A former detective with the Bakersfield Police Department pleaded guilty today to trafficking methamphetamine, acting United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. Patrick Mara, 36, faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. While Mara... (Continue reading)

Rocker David Crosby agrees to $3 million settlement

By KAREN VELIE David Crosby agreed to pay a $3 million settlement following the April filing of a suit that alleged the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame singer was intoxicated when he crashed into a jogger last year, according to court... (Continue reading)

Man stabbed in Santa Maria

Police officers found a man with a stab wound to his torso in the middle of a Santa Maria street Saturday night. The man survived. [KSBY] Around 10 p.m., the Santa Maria Police Department received a report of suspicious activity... (Continue reading)

Police transparency bill dies in California Legislature

As multiple police scandals swirl around Northern California, including an Oakland sex scandal that has infected several Bay Area agencies, there is little hope citizens and journalists in the state will obtain access to officer personnel records. A bill that... (Continue reading)

SLO house fire sweeps across street

A house fire that is believed to have been started by a barbecue blew across a San Luis Obispo street Sunday and knocked down power lines. One person suffered burns in the blaze, and the fire left multiple residents displaced.... (Continue reading)

Third Oakland police chief out amid sex and race scandals

Amid sex and race scandals, Oakland’s third chief of police was fired or resigned in just eight days as an investigation into officer misdeeds leads to more revelations. Last year, Oakland police officer Brendan O’Brien committed suicide and left a... (Continue reading)

Sherpa Fire burns 7,648 acres, 45% contained

The Sherpa Fire in Santa Barbara County is 45 percent contained at 7,648 acres. On Friday night, a lack of “sundowner” winds helped firefighters increase containment. Nevertheless, firefighters worry that the “sundowner” winds, which rush down the mountains in 40... (Continue reading)

Police officer killed at Oceano Dunes

  A Sanger Police Department officer was killed in an off-roading accident at the Oceano Dunes on Friday morning. Shortly after 3 a.m., officer Rodney Jones was traveling in a dune buggy type vehicle at a high rate of speed when... (Continue reading)

4 arrested for drugs at Paso Robles hotel

Paso Robles police arrested four people Thursday after discovering heroin and methamphetamine at the Motel 6 on Black Oak Drive. Following up on a tip of suspicious activity at the motel, officers questioned Kay Marie Signorelli, 29, of Morro Bay... (Continue reading)

Military units find large marijuana grow

Camp San Luis Obispo military units discovered a field of 7,406 marijuana plants while performing training exercises near the border of their property and the Los Padres National Forest on Wednesday. Military personnel then contacted the San Luis Obispo County... (Continue reading)