Daily Briefs


Mexican Mafia-linked Central Coast gang member sentenced

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A federal judge on Thursday sentenced a high-ranking member of an Oxnard-based gang to more than 13 years in prison for attempting to secure control of drug trafficking in Ventura County, as well as for extorting money... (Continue reading)

Trash, drug use and defecation outside the SLO Train Museum

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Business owners and local residents are expressing frustration over a homeless encampment that has sprung up in the parking lot by the San Luis Obispo Train Museum. Individuals have been camping in the parking lot close to... (Continue reading)

Juror on Kristin Smart murder case talks with priest, dismissed

By KAREN VELIE The judge in the Kristin Smart murder case dismissed a juror for seeking spiritual guidance about the case from his priest, and then ordered Ruben Flores’ jury to start their deliberations over with a new juror. A... (Continue reading)

Public awaits decision in Kristin Smart murder case, acquittal or conviction

By KAREN VELIE After a five-day break, jurors in the Kristin Smart murder trial will resume deliberations on Thursday, as members of the public and the victim’s family await a verdict. Deliberations began last week, with the juries for both... (Continue reading)

Suspect in murder of elderly man in Santa Ynez captured

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The man who had been on the loose for several days following the murder of an elderly person in Santa Ynez was caught and arrested in Santa Cruz on Tuesday. Rylen Quinn Svane-Morris, 26, of Lancaster is... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara County deputy admits to sexually assaulting inmates

By KAREN VELIE A Santa Barbara County custody deputy pled guilty to charges of forced oral copulation and sexual activity with an inmate, the District Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. In Aug. 2017, Salvador Vargas, 36, was transporting a female inmate... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara man sentenced to prison for running Ponzi scheme

By KAREN VELIE A federal judge sentenced a Santa Barbara man who stole approxamtly $14 million from victims in an eight-year-long Ponzi scheme, failed to pay over $3 million in taxes and hid money in a bank accounts in Monaco... (Continue reading)

Fuel tanker crashes north of Cayucos

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A fuel tanker crashed and overturned north of Cayucos Tuesday morning, resulting in a road closure. The crash occurred at about 8:30 a.m. on Old Creek Road near Highway 46. The driver of the tanker was going... (Continue reading)

Atascadero chase ends in crash, suspect gets away

By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies are searching for a suspect who led authorities on a brief chase in Atascadero Monday night, ending with a rollover crash, yet managed to flee and evade capture. The suspect was... (Continue reading)

Morro Bay Police Chief Jody Cox retiring

By KAREN VELIE After more than 34 years in law enforcement, Morro Bay Chief of Police Jody Cox announced on Monday that he plans to retire in December. Haley has served as Morro Bay’s police chief for four years. “Jody... (Continue reading)