Daily Briefs


Santa Barbara facing budget deficit, eyeing an increase in parking fees

By KAREN VELIE Facing a $3.8 million budget deficit, the City of Santa Barbara is discussing changes to its parking program, including raising rates and eliminating or shortening free parking periods. In just the parking program, the city anticipates a... (Continue reading)

Atascadero police searching for suspects in grocery story theft case

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The Atascadero Police Department is asking the public for help identifying a pair of men tied to a thefts at local grocery stores. Officers are investigation a string of misdemeanor thefts at Vons and Food 4 Less.... (Continue reading)

Atascadero police ask for help identifying individuals in theft case

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Atascadero police are asking for the public’s help identifying two individuals regarding an investigation into a theft case. A thief or thieves snatched products from the M & M Smoke Shop on El Camino Real on Sunday.... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara County deputies arrest wanted man after standoff

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Barbara County deputies arrested a Lompoc man for domestic violence and other offenses after a brief standoff on Tuesday. Shortly before 10 a.m., sheriff’s deputies learned that a wanted suspect, 27-year-old Eric Alexander Elijah Silva, was... (Continue reading)

Firefighters rescue a Central Coast cow stuck in the mud

By KAREN VELIE Santa Barbara County firefighters on Monday rescued a large cow stuck in the mud following a mudslide at the Dos Pueblo Ranch in Goleta. Late Monday afternoon, a rancher discovered a “Ronvey” Swiss alp cow trapped in... (Continue reading)

Man caught prowling in backyard of house near Cal Poly in SLO, video

By JOSH FRIEDMAN For the third time in a span of slightly more than half a year, a surveillance camera caught a suspect prowling in the backyard of a house near Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Early Monday morning,... (Continue reading)

Officials searching for suspect who dumped hazardous waste near Paso Robles

By KAREN VELIE Officials are asking for the public’s help finding the suspect who dumped several drums filled with hazardous waste on the side of Monterey Road near Paso Robles. On Dec. 18, San Luis Obispo County maintenance workers discovered... (Continue reading)

Early morning fire damages Arroyo Grande house

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Firefighters extinguished a blaze that damaged an Arroyo Grande house early Tuesday morning. Shortly after 4 a.m., a caller reported the blaze at 260 N. Oak Park Boulevard. Before firefighters arrived, an occupant and a pet escaped... (Continue reading)

Fire destroys outbuilding on property in rural Atascadero

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A fire destroyed an outbuilding on a residential property in rural Atascadero on Monday afternoon. At approximately 1:33 p.m., a caller reported the fire burning at 8850 Rocky Canyon Road, according to Cal Fire. Flames consumed a... (Continue reading)

Central Coast man killed in crash near Lompoc identified

  By JOSH FRIEDMAN CHP officials have identified a Central Coast man who died following a head-on collision near Lompoc Sunday afternoon. Shortly before 4 p.m., 44-year-old Nils Gustavson of Lompoc was driving a 1997 Saab sedan westbound on Highway... (Continue reading)