Daily Briefs


Pismo Beach man arrested following standoff

After an alleged attempted burglary and assault, a Pismo Beach man barricaded himself in a neighbors’ apartment for hours, before surrendering to police. Shortly before 10 a.m., 46-year-old Lucas Rose allegedly entered a neighbors’ apartment, went into one of the... (Continue reading)

Walmart settles with SLO County in price gouging case

Walmart agreed Friday to pay $9,000 to San Luis Obispo County after violating price gouging prohibitions during the pandemic. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order 0n April 3, 2020, prohibiting the sale of medical or emergency supplies that a... (Continue reading)

Illegal firework partially amputates person’s hand in Morro Bay

By JOSH FRIEDMAN An illegal firework, shot off a boat in Morro Bay Thursday night, partially amputated a person’s hand, according to the city’s fire department. At about 11:30 p.m., the person shot the firework off a 60-foot fishing boat... (Continue reading)

West Nile virus kills SLO County resident

A resident of San Luis Obispo County recently died from complications of West Nile virus, the first reported death from the virus in California in 2021. Investigators believe the individual became infected with West Nile virus during travel to an... (Continue reading)

Second hit-and-run driver charged for Paso Robles man’s death

By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo County prosecutors on Thursday charged a driver with felony hit-and-run causing death for allegedly striking and killing a pedestrian in Paso Robles who had already been hit by another vehicle, then fleeing the scene.... (Continue reading)

Jury finds Oceano man guilty of raping 16-year-old girl

BY JOSH FRIEDMAN A San Luis Obispo County jury convicted a 38-year-old Oceano man of raping a 16-year-old girl whom he was supposed protect. Joshua Delante Wheeler sexually abused the teen between May 15, 2019 and March 7, 2020. Wheeler... (Continue reading)

Former SLO County deputy pleads not guilty to child sexual abuse

By KAREN VELIE A former San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s correctional deputy pled not guilty on Thursday to nine counts of child sexual abuse. James Peter Storton, 63, is charged with eight felony counts of child sexual abuse concerning multiple... (Continue reading)

Judge will not silence Smart family’s Arroyo Grande attorney

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge on Wednesday denied a request by Paul Flores to issue an order barring the civil attorney for Kristin Smart’s family from discussing the case publicly. In criminal court, Paul... (Continue reading)

Five officer involved fatal shootings in SLO County in 13 months

By JOSH FRIEDMAN In the span of a little more than a year, San Luis Obispo County has had five fatal officer-involved shootings. Authorities shot and killed the suspect in each of the shootings. Collectively, the shootings also resulted in... (Continue reading)

Fire at auto wrecking yard in rural Arroyo Grande

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Two vehicles burned in a fire at an auto wrecking yard in rural Arroyo Grande Wednesday morning. At about 11 a.m., a caller reported a fire burning at R & R Auto Wrecking located at 738 Sheridan... (Continue reading)