Daily Briefs


Maricopa traffic cops will back off of motorists

Motorists driving through Maricopa can breathe a little easier now that the police department has revamped its policy for citing traffic violations. The town of 1,200 in western Kern County had turned into a trap of sorts where in the... (Continue reading)

Former ECOSLO director will face jury trial

Morgan Rafferty, accused of embezzling funds from two nonprofit organizations, will stand trial in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Sept. 6, more than two years after being charged for grand theft. [The Tribune] Rafferty, 48, is accused of taking... (Continue reading)

Redistricting Commission approves final draft maps

The California Citizens Redistricting Commission approved the final drafts of the state’s controversial new district maps today, setting off what many expect to be a flurry of lawsuits over the next two weeks. [CaliforniaWatch] The commission now has until Aug.... (Continue reading)

Hiker missing near Lake Nacimiento

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies say they are searching for a 22-year-old man who went missing while hiking with friends near Lake Nacimiento on Saturday afternoon. [KSBY] Wearing red shorts and no shirt, the man was last seen heading... (Continue reading)

Missing Shandon man found and arrested

A man reported missing from Shandon has been located and arrested, said the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies said Rodolfo Contreras, 32, had been missing for two days. He was last seen at his home on Peaceful Valley... (Continue reading)

Pharmacist says Weisenberg was not under the influence

Santa Maria pharmacist Neemah Yamin-Esfandiary testified Thursday that Kaylee Weisenberg, who is accused of killing California Highway Patrol Officer Bret Oswald in a June 27, 2010 crash on South Rive Road outside of Paso Robles, was not under the influence... (Continue reading)

Lois Capps running for reelection

Congresswoman Lois Capps announced on Friday, after the adoption of final congressional district lines by the California Redistricting Commission, that she plans to run for reelection. “I am pleased to announce that I will be running for election to the... (Continue reading)

SLO man arrested for felony DUI

Police arrested a San Luis Obispo man Thursday for allegedly driving drunk and injuring a pedestrian. Jeffrey Stein, 29, was driving his pickup truck eastbound on Cerro Romauldo when he struck a parked car, police said. A man loading packages... (Continue reading)

Feds raid Sanger pot farm, destroy thousands of plants

Thousands of marijuana plants were seized and destroyed, and at least 50 workers arrested as federal agents and Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies raided a giant pot plantation near Sanger on Thursday. [Fresno Bee] The pot-growing operation had observation towers, neatly... (Continue reading)

Ken Hampian managing city of Bell

When the scandal struck city of Bell first advertised for a new city manager its reputation was so tarnished, no one applied. Nevertheless, former San Luis Obispo City Manager Ken Hampian is stepping up to the challenge, temporarily and for... (Continue reading)