Daily Briefs


California Men’s Colony hit with 43 new coronavirus cases

The coronavirus outbreak at the California Men’s Colony (CMC) has worsened significantly, with 43 inmates testing positive for the virus over the past two weeks. At the end of April, eight inmates and one prison staffer had tested positive for... (Continue reading)

Pond fire destroys 1 home, damages another

The Pond Fire destroyed one home, damaged a second home, ruined 13 outbuildings, and scorched 2,005 acres in rural Santa Margarita and Creston, according to a Tuesday morning Cal Fire press release. Firefighters have reached 78 percent contained. Overnight humidity... (Continue reading)

SLO County coronavirus cases surpass 1,900

San Luis Obispo County reported 109 new coronavirus cases and one death during the past three days, according to the county health departments reports released on Monday. Of the 1,902 confirmed coronavirus cases in SLO County, 1,553 individuals have recovered,... (Continue reading)

Crash ignites fire at gourmet food shop in Cambria

A pickup truck crashed into both a Cambria gourmet food shop and a gas line Saturday afternoon, sparking a fire that possibly destroyed the building in which the business is located. The truck crashed into A Matter of Taste, a... (Continue reading)

Pond Fire reaches 2,005 acres, 60 percent containment

The Pond Fire, burning in rural Santa Margarita and Creston, has scorched 2,005 acres and is 60 percent contained, according to a Monday morning Cal Fire press release. The fire also destroyed two structures. In anticipation of elevated winds and... (Continue reading)

Evacuations ordered, Pond Fire burns1550 acres and two structures

The Pond Fire, located in rural Santa Margarita and Creston, has burned 1,550 acres and two structures, according to Cal Fire on Sunday morning. The fire is currently 10 percent contained. San Luis Obispo County has ordered people to evacuate... (Continue reading)

Pond Fire burns 400 acres in rural Santa Margarita

A fast moving fire burning off Highway 58 in rural Santa Margarita has grown to more than 400 acres. At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Pond Fire was spotted burning near the 3400 block of Kattacreek Road. Cal Fire... (Continue reading)

SLO County’s Dan Dow responds to questions about prosecuting worshipers

In response to questions from Tribune reporter Matt Fountain about why San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said he would not prosecute people for singing in houses of worship, Dow provided his answers to CalCoastNews for the community... (Continue reading)

Cornavirus death toll in San Luis Obispo County reaches 15

A 100-year-old resident of a nursing home is the 15 San Luis Obispo County resident to lose their life to the coronavirus, while California surpasses 500,000 confirmed cases of virus. During the past two days, there were 73 newly confirmed... (Continue reading)

Retired Santa Barbara County officer accused of embezzlement

Retired Santa Barbara County Deputy Probation Officer Manuel Edward Torres, 63, was arrested in Santa Maria on Wednesday for  allegedly embezzling more than $500,000 from the probation officers union he led for 20 years. In 2019, the Santa Barbara County... (Continue reading)