Daily Briefs


Steer doused with lighter fuel, set on fire

Paso Robles police are trying to figure out who doused a 5-month-old steer with lighter fluid before setting the cow on fire at the Paso Robles High School agriculture barn between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. The owner of the... (Continue reading)

Phony audiologist pleads no contest

A man who falsely claimed to be an audiologist pleaded no contest Monday to felony charges of grand theft and insurance fraud. [KSBY] Aaron Marquis, 46, faces up to a year in jail and five years probation. His wife and... (Continue reading)

Cattle theft on the rise in California

Cattle have become a popular commodity among thieves in California. [Sacramento Bee] In 2012, cattle owners reported 1,317 stolen or missing cows. The total of stolen or missing cows increased by 22 percent since the beginning of the recession. “It’s... (Continue reading)

Search warrants lead to drugs and arrests in Paso Robles

Paso Robles police found drugs and a stolen shotgun while executing three search warrants that led to the arrests of six suspects Saturday morning. During the investigation, officers seized 9 grams of heroin, 1.5 pounds of marijuana, 2.4 grams of... (Continue reading)

Psychiatrists fleeing Atascadero State Hospital

Atascadero State Hospital is admitting fewer patients due to a shortage of psychiatrists. [Tribune] A total of 22.5 psychiatrists are currently on staff, marking a 33.7 percent reduction since September 2012. Last month, ASH reduced the number of patients it... (Continue reading)

Jealousy over a woman fueled Oceano fatal fight

A fatal fight in Ocean last summer was prompted by jealousy over a woman who was dating the victim, according to court documents. [Tribune] On the night of June 21, Joseph Munoz encountered a man whose girlfriend he had been... (Continue reading)

Lowest rainfall in 143 years

Droopy trees, smelly lakes and wilted flowers blanket San Luis Obispo County as a result of the lowest rainfall experienced in 143 years. The county is slipping further into drought with 3.5 inches of rainfall between January and October marking... (Continue reading)

Man overdoses on heroin in Paso Robles pub

Two San Luis Obispo County probation officers assisted a man they found not breathing because of a heroin overdose in a bathroom at the Downtown Brew in Paso Robles. Officers Jason Hendrix and Christine Carlton were in Paso Robles doing... (Continue reading)

Smoker shows gun in ASH parking lot

A man showed a gun in the parking lot of Atascadero State Hospital Wednesday after an ASH employee asked him to stop smoking. [KSBY] ASH police officers arrested Fredrick Hamilton, 36, for exhibiting a firearm, bringing a weapon onto prison... (Continue reading)

Formerly jailed attorney fails to lower Moriarty’s bail

Santa Maria attorney Scott Whitenack, who met Grover Beach financier Al Moriarty in San Luis Obispo County Jail, failed in his bid Thursday to reduce Moriarty’s $5 million bail. San Luis Obispo County law enforcement officers arrested Whitenack three times... (Continue reading)