Daily Briefs


SLO police officer pleads not guilty to extortion and bribery

A San Luis Obispo Police Department narcotics officer plead not guilty to bribery and extortion charges related to allegations he manipulated others to sell drugs for him on April 15 in federal district court in Los Angeles. [NewTimes] Cory Pierce,... (Continue reading)

Orcutt woman escapes abuse charges

Criminal child abuse charges against an elderly Orcutt woman will not be refiled after a Santa Maria jury failed to reach a verdict, ending a three-year legal odyssey. (Santa Maria Times) Bertha Savoy, 74, a longtime special education teacher, had... (Continue reading)

Copelands trade San Luis Obispo properties to Atlanta firm

An Atlanta based company has purchased $100.5 million in commercial property in San Luis Obispo from the Copeland brothers in exchange for assuming $50 million in debt and for $50.5 million in ownership of Jamestown properties. Copeland properties, owned by... (Continue reading)

Gun control package progresses in California Senate

California gun control legislation, dubbed the “LIFE Act” by Democratic leaders, advanced out of the Senate Public Safety Committee Tuesday. [LA Times] The Lifesaving Intelligent Firearms Enforcement Act is a package of bills that contains several gun control provisions, including... (Continue reading)

Foes say animal bill chills free speech

California’s agriculture and cattle industries are backing a proposed state law requiring that persons taking photographs, videotapes, and other documentation depicting animal cruelty turn those materials over to authorities within 48 hours. The bill, AB343, was introduced by Assemblyman Jim... (Continue reading)

Former Cal Poly football coach on trial for beer bottle assault

A former Cal Poly and Oakland Raiders assistant coach is standing trial for his role in a 2012 bar fight in Pismo Beach that left a man with a broken nose and concussion. [Tribune] On August 4, then Cal Poly... (Continue reading)

Oceano’s general manager terminated for cause

The Oceano Community Services District Board voted Tuesday afternoon to terminate its general manager for cause. In closed session, the board voted 4-1 to terminate Geaslen’s employment, with board member Karen White dissenting from her room at a local care... (Continue reading)

Predator Karsai at home in Santa Barbara County

A sexually violent predator has been released from a state hospital and will live in northern Santa Barbara County. (Santa Maria Times) Tibor Karsai, 60, had been incarcerated at Coalinga State Hospital and now will live in a motor home... (Continue reading)

Caregivers accused of causing Atascadero grad’s death

Attorneys for the family of an Atascadero grad who died in 2010 during a struggle with her caregivers filed a civil suit that alleges her caregivers mistreated their client. [Tribune] The client, Lauren Arcady, 33, apologized during the struggle with... (Continue reading)

Woman assaulted on Cal Poly campus

Cal Poly University Police are searching for a college-aged man who assaulted a woman on campus Monday night. [KSBY] Officials say a white male, between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet, grabbed a woman walking on North Perimeter Road... (Continue reading)