Daily Briefs


Mystery military device spurs evacuation of Solvang

Between 500 and 700 homes and business in Solvang faced evacuation orders Wednesday after an unknown military device appeared in the city’s business district. [KSBY] The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possibly explosive device, described... (Continue reading)

Supervisor candidates tussle in Nipomo

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Caren Ray is warning voters about big money donors, Lynn Compton is making no bones about being Republican and Mike Byrd is facing a charge of unethical behavior for offering an opinion during a debate. Those revelations... (Continue reading)

Californians divided on water shortage solutions

Nearly nine out of 10 Californians say the state is suffering from a “serious water shortage,” according to a statewide Field Poll of 1,000 registered voters. However, residents are deeply divided on how to solve the dilemma. [MercuryNews] The deepest... (Continue reading)

Former Capps aide facing 20 years to life

A former Lois Capps aide who is accused of causing a deadly collision in Santa Barbara is facing 20 years to life in prison after agreeing to a plea deal with prosecutors. [KSBY] Raymond Morua, a former district staffer for... (Continue reading)

Body found in San Simeon tent identified

The San Luis Obispo County coroner has identified the body of a man found last month in a San Simeon tent as 58-year-old Brian Joseph Edward Boyer. Death investigators identified Boyer using dental records because his body had significantly decomposed... (Continue reading)

Central Coast fish thieves arrested

Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens arrested two Santa Barbara County men Sunday for allegedly stealing from other fishermen and commercial fish markets to resell in Hollywood. The two licensed fishermen, John Wilson, 53, of Santa Ynez and Kai Griffin,... (Continue reading)

Carjacker credited with vandalism spur in Arroyo Grande

On Friday morning, one or more vandals in Arroyo Grande targeted 19 vehicles, punctured 42 tires and broke a bus window, an outdoor wall display case and a classroom window. The damage totaled more than $7,000. All of the vandalism... (Continue reading)

Puppy snatched from adoption event in SLO

A thief nabbed a four-month-old puppy Saturday from an adoption event in front of Petco in San Luis Obispo. [Tribune] Nonprofit Laton Animal Rescue and Care holds adoptions in front of Petco in the 200 block of Madonna Road on... (Continue reading)

Cartel hit man cops to nine murders in California

A Mexican drug cartel hit man confessed last week to killing more than 30 people, nine of whom he murdered in California. [LA Times] Jose Manuel Martinez, 51, allegedly told investigators in Alabama that he has worked for a Mexican... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria man accused of kidnapping own child

Santa Maria police arrested a man Sunday for kidnapping his two-month-old baby and threatening the mother with a knife. [KSBY] Arthur Weston, 25, entered a home in the 2200 block of South Broadway around 9 a.m. and held a knife... (Continue reading)