Daily Briefs


Cal Poly freshman dies from undetermined illness

A freshman Cal Poly student died earlier this week in the Los Angeles area following a bout with an undisclosed illness, the university announced Wednesday. Luke Fradin was a business administration student from Hidden Hills, located on the western edge... (Continue reading)

First Santa Barbara County resident dies of the coronavirus

Santa Barbara County Public Health officials announced the first reported death from the coronavirus on Wednesday, while the county’s total number of confirmed cases increased to 111. The deceased was a North County resident in their 60s, who had underlying... (Continue reading)

League of California Cities seeks Public Records Act suspension

The League of California Cities asked Gov. Gavin Newsom last week to partially suspend the state’s Public Records Act, a move that has drawn rebuke from transparency and press freedom organizations. [Press Democrat] California’s Public Records Act requires agencies to... (Continue reading)

Officers nab Morro Bay burglar, two still missing

A Santa Maria man is in custody, while two other suspects remain at large following a string of vehicle burglaries last month in Morro Bay and the suspects alleged fraudulent use of credit cards. On March 22 at about 7... (Continue reading)

Are the numbers of new SLO County coronavirus cases leveling?

San Luis Obispo County’s attempts to control the spread of the coronavirus appear to be working, with the virus continuing a slow uptick in newly infected individuals. With the three additional cases reported today, 80 residents have tested positive since... (Continue reading)

Two more Santa Barbara County deputies contract coronavirus

Shortly after two Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies tested positive for the coronavirus, another two deputies did as well, including one who works in the county jail. A relative of one of the infected deputies has also tested positive for... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach teen batters Vons security guard

A 16-year-old thief used a bottle of alcohol to assault a Vons market security guard in Grover Beach Monday afternoon, according to the city’s police department. The juvenile robber managed to get away after the assault but was caught later... (Continue reading)

SLO County coronavirus cases increase to 77, many recovered

More than two weeks after the first coronavirus case was confirmed in San Luis Obispo County, 77 residents have tested positive. Of those, 35 percent have recovered. Contractors have started work on a “step down site” at Cal Poly, for... (Continue reading)

Oceano fire tax headed for a recount

The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s Office will conduct a recount of ballots  cast for and against the Oceano fire tax initiative, which narrowly failed to pass. Measure A-20 was supported by 66.12 percent of voters, while 33.88 percent voted against... (Continue reading)

Two Santa Barbara County deputies test positive for coronavirus

Two Santa Barbara County Sheriff deputies recently tested positive for the coronavirus. Both deputies are recovering at home. The first deputy who tested positive, last patrolled the Santa Maria area on March 21. The next day, he fell ill, experiencing... (Continue reading)