2024

Did Atascadero councilwoman’s husband assault a 13-year-old?

By KAREN VELIE The controversy over whether or not locals should ride dirt bikes in the Salinas riverbed exploded into a criminal complaint against the husband of Atascadero City Councilwoman Susan Funk for allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old boy. Children have... (Continue reading)

Former Cal Fire SLO captain sentenced to 90 days in jail

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A judge sentenced a former San Luis Obispo County Cal Fire captain on Wednesday to 90 days in jail for a sexual battery conviction. James Peter Thomas, 59, groped a 37-year-old female coworker in 2020.  In May... (Continue reading)

Plane crashes into Santa Ynez vineyard, pilot suffers major injuries

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A small plane crashed into a Santa Ynez vineyard on Wednesday, leaving the pilot with major injuries. Shortly before 5 p.m., the single-engine plane went down on the Gainey Estate Vineyards property adjacent to Santa Ynez Airport,... (Continue reading)

Fire in California Valley burns more than 300 acres

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A fire along Highway 58 in California Valley burned more than 300 acres on Wednesday. Shortly before noon, a citizen reported the blaze burning near the 8000 block of Highway 58 in California Valley, according to Cal... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara moves forward with proposed sales tax increase

By KAREN VELIE With a looming $7.1 million budget deficit, which is likely to increase to $10 million, the Santa Barbara City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday to direct staff to create a resolution to place a sales tax increase... (Continue reading)

Pismo Beach City Council votes to raise sales tax, needs voter approval

By KAREN VELIE The Pismo Beach City Council voted 4-1 on Tuesday to place a referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot to increase the sales tax by .5% and to extend a previously approved .5% sales tax measure, which city... (Continue reading)

Bear wanders into downtown San Luis Obispo backyard

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A bear wandered into a downtown San Luis Obispo backyard Tuesday morning, before authorities tracked the animal down and relocated it. Shortly before 6 a.m., San Luis Obispo police began receiving calls about a bear near the... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles Airport: economic asset or subsidized flying club?

OPINION by BILL BORGSMILLER As the current fixed-base operator at the Paso Robles Airport, ACI Jet is providing this op-ed to give people a clear view of our perspective on the request for proposal process and anticipated next steps. I... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande man killed in crash in rural Pismo Beach

By KAREN VELIE A 26-year-old Arroyo Grande man was killed in a crash in rural Pismo Beach on Monday evening, according to the CHP. Shortly after 9 p.m., the man was driving a motorcycle westbound on Price Canyon Road near... (Continue reading)

Man arrested for setting his house on fire in Orcutt

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man for intentionally setting his house on fire in Orcutt on Monday.  Shortly after 11 a.m., a witness reported a man was breaking out the windows of a home in... (Continue reading)