June, 2021

Three people injured during violent brawl in Atascadero

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Three people were injured during a violent brawl in Atascadero Thursday morning. At about 10 a.m., an altercation in which suspects utilized a knife and a baseball bat erupted in the Centennial Plaza area between Sunken Gardens... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach increases water rates on highest users

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The city of Grover Beach last month adopted changes to its water rate structure, which is expected to result in a temporary decrease in bimonthly bills for most residents. Following a city council vote on May 10,... (Continue reading)

Man arrested for Santa Barbara pawn shop heist

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A Los Angeles County coin and collectables dealer who was providing assistance to a Santa Barbara jewelry and pawn shop allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars worth of valuables from the store. Greggory A. Schneider, 45,... (Continue reading)

Misinformation and mudslinging reach new heights in Oceano

By KAREN VELIE Oceano politics descended this week from simple mudslinging to a reputation-damaging misinformation campaign, as part of an attempt to persuade people to reject a proposed second advisory council for the small beachside community. In April, seven South... (Continue reading)

Woman seeking $1.75 million after SLO County firefighter fondled breasts

By KAREN VELIE An employee of the Cal Fire station in Los Osos filed a $1.75 million claim against the department after a fire captain allegedly stuck his hand up her shirt and pulled on her nipples. The woman –... (Continue reading)

Lawsuit accuses Pismo Beach of installing dangerous slides

A pair of women are suing the city of Pismo Beach, as well as architectural and construction companies, over spinal injuries they allegedly suffered last year from using allegedly poorly built and designed slides. [Tribune] Last year, the city of... (Continue reading)

San Miguel man busted with more than a pound of cocaine

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Local and federal officers arrested a San Miguel man after allegedly finding $30,000 worth of cocaine inside his home Monday evening. At about 6:30 p.m., members of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Special Operations Unit, county... (Continue reading)

Three California men accused of kidnapping illegal immigrants for ransom

Law enforcement officials arrested three men allegedly involved in a crime ring that kidnapped at least six illegal immigrants near the Mexico border, whom they held for ransom and often refused to release after payments were made, the U.S. Department... (Continue reading)

Pismo Beach initiates water restrictions to combat drought conditions

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The city of Pismo Beach recently imposed water use restrictions to combat drought conditions. Outdoor irrigation is now prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as well as within 48 hours of rainfall. Irrigation can only occur... (Continue reading)

Feds threaten to fine Santa Maria over farm worker housing policy

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Federal housing officials have ordered the city of Santa Maria to repeal its migrant farm worker housing ordinance or face a potential fine of $400,000. In June 2019, the Santa Maria City Council adopted an ordinance that... (Continue reading)