2022

Nudged by seal, Santa Barbara man swims to oil rig to save his life

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A boater was facing near-certain death last month after falling out of his boat into the Santa Barbara Channel. [KABC] Scott Thompson was miles away from land and only wearing shorts and a T-shirt. It was nighttime... (Continue reading)

SLO County COVID-19 cases dropping, 10 new deaths

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County reported 10 new COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, and an increase in new cases from a daily average of 208 on Friday to 163 on Tuesday. Those who recently succumbed to the virus range... (Continue reading)

Deputies arrest arsonist in Carpenteria

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man on Monday who allegedly started a fire over the weekend in Carpinteria that caused a closure of Highway 101 both on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning. Carpinteria resident... (Continue reading)

Wrong-way driver fleeing officers on Highway 46 in Paso Robles

By KAREN VELIE A driver out of Fresno led Paso Robles police on a high-speed chase from the south side of the city to Highway 46, where he headed eastbound in a westbound lane on Monday afternoon. California Highway Patrol... (Continue reading)

San Simeon manager accuses DA of abuse of power, political motivation

By KAREN VELIE Attorneys for San Simeon Community Services District Manager Charlie Grace recently filed court documents accusing prosecutors of abuse of power in support of a political agenda. The documents also asserts Grace is innocent of all the crimes... (Continue reading)

Gov. Newsom announces gun bill modeled after Texas abortion law

By JOSH FRIEDMAN California Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced new legislation modeled after a Texas abortion law that would allow Californians to sue gun manufacturers. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Texas’s ban on most abortion services,... (Continue reading)

An ogre in Morro Bay

Editor’s Note: The following series of tales from behind the bar, “Happy Jacks Saloon: The Last Morro Bay Fisherman’s Dive,” to be posted bi-weekly includes the notes, thoughts, and opinions of an original American voice: author Dell Franklin. By DELL... (Continue reading)

Two people shot, one killed in Santa Barbara County

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Two shootings occurred overnight in separate areas of Santa Barbara County, resulting in one person dying and another being hospitalized. Shortly before11 p.m. on Friday, a gunman shot a person in the 6500 block of Del Playa... (Continue reading)

SLO County COVID-19 cases up slightly, 3 new deaths

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County reported three new COVID-19 deaths on Friday, and an increase in new cases from a daily average of 202 on Tuesday to 208 on Friday. Those who recently succumbed to the virus range... (Continue reading)

CSU chancellor resigns over mishandling of sexual harassment

By JOSH FRIEDMAN California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro resigned on Thursday amid outcry over his handling of sexual harassment allegations against a former Fresno State administrator. The CSU Board of Trustees received Castro’s resignation during a closed session hearing... (Continue reading)