Daily Briefs


Gov. Brown requests federal aid for Morro Bay

Gov. Jerry Brown applied for federal disaster relief for Santa Luis Obispo County and five others affected by the March 11 tsunami that sank boats and damaged docks along the coast, he announced Wednesday. [MercuryNews] Brown’s request says the state... (Continue reading)

Two arrested in Paso Robles meth lab bust

San Luis Obispo Sheriff deputies arrested two people at a meth lab on Prairie Road is rural Paso Robles earlier today. [KCOY] Deputies serving a search warrant found one man in the meth lab located near the rear of the... (Continue reading)

Anti-hate forum set for Monday night in Arroyo Grande

A community forum in response to last month’s cross-burning incident is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Arroyo Grande. The event, “Responding to Hate and Bias in the Community” will include a panel discussion... (Continue reading)

Arrest made in torture of homeless woman

Police arrested a San Luis Obispo man earlier today for allegedly holding a homeless woman hostage, torturing and trying to kill her last week. Tommy Sherrell Ledbetter, 46, severely beat and tortured the 26-year old woman while holding her against... (Continue reading)

No more free Sunday parking in San Luis Obispo

The San Luis Obispo City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday night to begin charging for Sunday parking downtown beginning July 1. [Tribune] On a second 5-0 vote, the council also agreed to raise the price of parking in the “core” downtown... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles facing water rate hike

Paso Robles City Council continued on Tuesday night to work toward raising water rates to pay for the cities share of the recently completed Nacimiento Water Project. [Tribune] Council members voted unanimously to approve a proposal to adopt a water... (Continue reading)

Armed robber pistol whips clerk

Paso Robles Police are looking for a man who robbed a donut shop and pistol whipped an employee late Monday night. The suspect, a white man with a scarf covering his face, entered DK’s Donuts on Spring Street around 10... (Continue reading)

Weather forecast for April 5

The 1,024 millibar high over California responsible for yesterday's beautiful weather will weaken and move eastward today. A dry cold front will sweep southeastward over the Central Coast later today with cooler temperatures and coastal low clouds and fog tonight into... (Continue reading)

The Novel Experience to close

In 1989, a bibliophile in San Luis Obispo could enjoy any number of local, independently-owned bookstores downtown: Phoenix, Leon’s, Norwood’s, Gaby’s, Bookland, and the mighty Earthling (where Natural Cafe stands today). Plus Mrs. Nybak, wife of painter Arne Nybak, had... (Continue reading)

Abel Maldonado fined for nondisclosure

After a lengthy investigation, former Lt. Gov. and Central Coast state senator Abel Maldonado has agreed to pay a $28,000 fine for committing 14 campaign violations in 2004 through 2008. California campaign rules require the transparency of donors and contributors.... (Continue reading)