Daily Briefs


Drug dog finds half ton of meth during Oxnard traffic stop

By JOSH FRIEDMAN An Oxnard Police Department K-9 detected a half ton of methamphetamine that was being smuggled in produce boxes last week. Police Officer Caston and K-9 Rocky were conducting a traffic stop of a vehicle in Oxnard when... (Continue reading)

Suspect in 30-year-old homicide arrested in Carpenteria

Santa Barbara County Sheriff deputies arrested a 70-year-old man in Carpenteria on Wednesday after discovering he is wanted for the murder of a man in San Francisco more than 30 years ago. On Nov. 5, 1990, then 40-year-old James Francis... (Continue reading)

SLO County resident tests positive for the UK coronavirus variant

Residents of both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties have tested positive for the UK variant of the coronavirus. The B.1.1.7 or UK variant of COVID-19 spreads more easily and causes more severe disease than other variants. “We are... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara councilwoman is top pick for Coastal Commission seat

Elected officials in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties have asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to appoint Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Meagan Harmon to represent the Central Coast on the California Coastal Commission. Harmon has served on the Santa... (Continue reading)

Atascadero State Hospital employee illicitly accessed medical records

By JOSH FRIEDMAN An information technology employee at Atascadero State Hospital improperly accessed health information, including coronavirus test results, belonging to more than 2,000 ASH patients and staffers. The employee accessed names, Covid-19 test results and health information related to... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo County home invasion robbery suspect arrested

The man accused of assaulting an elderly woman during a home invasion in rural San Luis Obispo last month was arrested in Virginia Beach earlier today. On the morning of Feb. 13, Johnny Jesse Roman Jr., 38, allegedly invaded a... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles appoints Greg Carpenter interim city manager

By JOSH FRIEDMAN With the selection of a new city manager taking longer than expected, the Paso Robles City Council voted Tuesday to hire an interim chief executive. Greg Carpenter will begin work as Paso Robles’s interim city manager on... (Continue reading)

Atascadero woman slapped with more than 10 years in prison for embezzlement

By JOSH FRIEDMAN An Atascadero woman who embezzled nearly $900,000 from a Creston construction company was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years and four months in state prison. Over a period of more than three years, Joy Noel Wilde, 43, stole... (Continue reading)

Firefighters extinguish blaze at popular restaurant in San Luis Obispo

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A fryer caught on fire at the Luna Red restaurant in downtown San Luis Obispo Tuesday morning, which then spread in the kitchen.  Staff attempted to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher, but were unsuccessful.... (Continue reading)

SLO County headed towards the COVID-19 orange tier

San Luis Obispo County could enter the less restrictive COVID-19 orange tier next week if new case rates do not increase, which would allow more businesses to reopen and increase occupancy for other sectors. In California’s orange tier, bars can... (Continue reading)