Daily Briefs


Morro Bay man guilty of assaulting a federal officer

By KAREN VELIE A Morro Bay man is facing an additional 20 years in prison after he assaulted a federal correctional officer at the United States Penitentiary Atwater in Merced County Both 39-year-old Daniel Higgins of Morro Bay and 35-year-old... (Continue reading)

Central Coast elementary school teacher accused of recording children changing

By KAREN VELIE Deputies arrested a Central Coast elementary teacher on Saturday after investigators discovered he was secretly recording children, including some who were changing their clothes. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 54-year-old Steven Schapansky, a fifth and sixth... (Continue reading)

Fire burns eight acres near Santa Maria

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A fire burned eight acres on Tuesday just outside the city of Santa Maria in an area that, at least in part, is within San Luis Obispo County. Shortly after 2 p.m., a caller reported the fire... (Continue reading)

Huge power outage in south San Luis Obispo County

By KAREN VELIE More than 28,000 PG&E customers lost power in southern San Luis Obispo County on Tuesday evening. Shortly after 7 p.m., 28,152 PG&E customers lost power from Pismo Beach to the Oceano Dunes. The outage also includes Arroyo... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo police searching for man who stole copper downspouts

By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo police are asking the public for help identifying a man who allegedly stole more than $10,000 worth of copper downspouts. The suspect cut and removed the copper downspouts from 10 businesses at the Irish... (Continue reading)

Lompoc SWAT team arrests man after hours-long standoff

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Lompoc SWAT team members arrested a man following an hours-long standoff that ensued on Monday after the suspect allegedly violated a restraining order that his ex-girlfriend had obtained against him.  Shortly after 11 a.m., a female called... (Continue reading)

Vandenberg Village murder victim identified as suspect’s mother

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The suspect in the Vandenberg Village homicide over the weekend is accused of murdering her own mother, whom authorities have identified as 71-year-old Denise Ann Carter. Shortly after 7 a.m. on Saturday, a witness reported suspicious circumstances... (Continue reading)

Atascadero police seeking public’s help in solving theft at Outlaws Bar

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The Atascadero Police Department is seeking help from the public identifying the suspect in a theft that occurred at Outlaws Bar, Grill & Casino in May. Police are circulating images of a man from inside Outlaws. Officers... (Continue reading)

‘Hurricane Fire’ in San Luis Obispo County grows to 20,000 acres

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The fire that broke out Saturday morning in eastern San Luis Obispo County grew in size to an estimated 20,000 acres by Sunday morning. Shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday, callers reported the blaze burning in the Carrizo... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo police searching for alleged Rolex watch thief

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo police officers are asking for the public’s help identifying a thief who stole merchandise from B. Anthony Jewelers on Friday. The suspect entered the store on the 600 block of Higuera Street and asked... (Continue reading)