Daily Briefs


Fire destroys grocery store in Santa Maria

By KAREN VELIE Firefighters from mutiple agencies fought a two-alarm fire that destroyed a grocery store in Santa Maria on Tuesday evening. Shortly before midnight, firefighters responded a fire alarm at Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins in Santa Maria. With... (Continue reading)

Protest planned over transgender students in girls sports, bathrooms

By KAREN VELIE A group of parents of elementary through high school school students across San Luis Obispo County plan to keep their children home for one day later this month to protest transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports and... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo police seek help identifying vandal

By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo Police is seeking the public’s help identifying the vandal who damaged seven vehicles on Sunday. Early Sunday morning, security cameras captured the male suspect as he walked along Johnson Avenue appearing intoxicated. Police... (Continue reading)

Central Coast man allegedly installed faulty aircraft parts

By KAREN VELIE A Central Coast man is facing decades in prison for allegedly defrauding and endangering his customer by installing outdated and damaged aircraft parts in helicopters he serviced. Federal agents arrested Jared Michael Swensen, 48, of Ventura today... (Continue reading)

Man stabbed in Santa Barbara, two people in jail

By KAREN VELIE During a late night fight in downtown Santa Barbara last week, a man was stabbed and critically wounded. Shortly after 2 a.m. on April 6, a caller reported a fight in the 3100 block of State Street.... (Continue reading)

DUI driver crashes in San Luis Obispo leading to road closures

By KAREN VELIE A suspected DUI driver crashed into a power pole in San Luis Obispo early Tuesday morning leading to road closures as PG&E worked to restore power in the area. Shortly before 1 a.m., a officer discovered a... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles police holding DUI checkpoint Saturday night

By KAREN VELIE Paso Robles police announced plan to conduct a DUI checkpoint in the city at an undisclosed location on Saturday evening from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The department selects the location based on the number of previous... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo homeless man wins $1 million off Lottery scratcher

By KAREN VELIE A homeless man won $1 million dollars on a California Lottery scratcher he bought at Sandy’s Deli-Liquor in San Luis Obispo last week. Dubbed a loyal customer, Wilson Samaan, the owner of the store, said he would... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo man facing child porn charges

By KAREN VELIE A 28-year-old San Luis Obispo man is facing three felony counts of child pornography after he was found to have more than 600 images portraying sexual sadism and masochism. Utilizing tips from online electronic service providers such... (Continue reading)

CHP officer crashes into drunk driver near Paso Robles

By KAREN VELIE A California Highway Patrol vehicle crashed into a sedan driven by a drunk driver who was attempting to cross Highway 101 at the Wellsona Road interchange on Sunday night, officer said. Shortly before 11 p.m., the male... (Continue reading)