2019

Paso Robles schools locked down while alleged kidnapper arrested

By CCT STAFF Two Paso Robles schools were placed on lockdown Wednesday while officers arrested a man wanted on three felony warrants, including a charge of kidnapping. [Cal Coast Times] Initially, officers pulled over a vehicle driven by Manuel Antonio... (Continue reading)

Monterey County Jail escapees captured at the border

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The two inmates who escaped Monterey County Jail while facing gang-related murder charges were caught by the United States border patrol Tuesday night. At about 11:35 p.m., federal agents caught the fugitives attempting to enter the United... (Continue reading)

Gunman dies following Santa Maria family feud shooting

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A 56-year-old man who shot a juvenile relative of his and then shot himself Monday night has died of his injuries, according to the Santa Maria Police Department. Police have identified the alleged shooter as Ronald Enos,... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara insurance agent accused of swindling clients

By CCT STAFF California Department of Insurance detectives arrested insurance agent Mark Lynch, 40, of Santa Barbara on Tuesday for allegedly pocketing his clients’ premium payments; leaving them uninsured. Lynch collected over $72,425 in insurance premium payments from five clients.... (Continue reading)

Templeton man scammed out of about $700,000

By JOSH FRIEDMAN An elderly Templeton man is believed to have lost approximately $700,000 in a phone scam over the last few months, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. On Oct. 31, a local bank contacted the... (Continue reading)

Pismo Beach police seeking help to find missing man

By CCT STAFF The Pismo Beach Police Department is asking the public to help find a 28-year-old man who was last seen Friday in Pismo Beach. After Jacob Potter failed to arrive at work in Costa Mesa on Monday, his... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria Man shoots juvenile relative, then shoots himself

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A dispute between family members at a Santa Maria home Monday night resulted in a man shooting a juvenile relative of his and then shooting himself, according to the Santa Maria Police Department. The shooting left both... (Continue reading)

Kern County destroys $1 billion in marijuana plants disguised as hemp

By CCT STAFF The Kern County Sheriff’s Office destroyed more than 459 acres of marijuana last week, with a value of more than $1 billion. The pot plants had been cultivated under the guise of hemp. [Bakersfield.com] Even though marijuana... (Continue reading)

Armed man robs SLO phone store

BY CCT STAFF San Luis Obispo police are asking the public to help them identify an armed man who robbed a phone store on Monday afternoon. [Cal Coast Times] At about 1:35 p.m., a man armed with a gun entered... (Continue reading)

Politics, loopholes and research exempt hemp

Editor’s note: This is part two in a series about a loophole in state and county hemp regulations and those taking advantage of the lack of oversight. By KAREN VELIE Both hemp and marijuana are cannabis plants. But hemp has... (Continue reading)