Daily Briefs


Man arrested for brandishing a knife in SLO

San Luis Obispo police arrested a 41-year-old man for brandishing a knife during an altercation on Monday near the intersection of Higuera and Chorro streets. Shortly after 7 p.m., an off-duty officer saw John Ensor of Bakersfield arguing with several... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo County’s new whistleblower hotline

San Luis Obispo County has implemented a whistleblower hotline for employees and the public to report financial waste fraud and abuse. [Tribune] Jim Erb, the county auditor-controller and treasurer-tax collector, said the new program will be used as a tool... (Continue reading)

Free tows on New Year’s Eve

The Paso Roble’s Police Department is reminding people of AAA’s free New Year’s Eve Tipsy Tow service for all drivers, membership not required. From 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. revelers, party hosts, bartenders and restaurant host can call (800) 222-4357... (Continue reading)

2013, driest year on record

The driest year in recorded history has left wells dried up, golden hillsides and distressed wildlife during the typically lush rainy season. In San Luis Obispo, the city received only 4.5 inches of water in 2013, with average yearly rainfall... (Continue reading)

Oceano board gives general manager vote of confidence

The Oceano Community Services District Board of Directors voted in a special closed session meeting last week to keep embattled General Manager Lonnie Curtis On Dec. 23, the board met solely to conduct an evaluation of Curtis’s performance. The performance... (Continue reading)

Inmate escapes from Lompoc Prison

An inmate escaped from a minimum security area of the federal penitentiary in Lompoc on Friday. [KSBY] Prison officials discovered that Jeffrey Kilbride, 48, was missing at around 1:30 p.m. Witnesses last saw him in a white, four-door car. Kilbride... (Continue reading)

Fireworks likely cause of Cambria fire

Fireworks caused a small hillside fire in Cambria early Tuesday morning, according to firefighting officials. [Tribune] The fire burned a forested area of about 40 square feet on a hill below the Cambria Pines Lodge before firefighters extinguished it. Fireworks... (Continue reading)

Feds seize 204 bales of marijuana from panga near San Simeon

Law enforcement officials seized 204 bales of marijuana, totaling 3,570 pounds, from a panga boat that beached north of Piedras Blancas Lighthouse and San Simeon on Monday. [Tribune] A witness spotted the smugglers late Monday afternoon and alerted the San... (Continue reading)

California Lobbying firm accused of promoting illegal contributions

A former employee of one of California’s most prominent California lobbying firm says her former employer facilitated illegal contributions to dozens of politicians — including nearly a third of the Legislature. {LATimes] In a suit filed by Rhonda Smira, she... (Continue reading)

California transgender law set to take effect

A law requiring California public schools to let transgender students use sex-segregated facilities is set to take effect Jan. 1, despite a legal challenge. [KTVU] The law will allow students identifying as transgender to use the bathrooms and locker rooms... (Continue reading)