Daily Briefs


It’s official, PG&E caused the Camp Fire

Cal Fire announced Wednesday that its investigators determined PG&E power lines caused the 2018 Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive blaze in state history. [Cal Coast Times] The Camp Fire killed 85 people in Northern California and destroyed much... (Continue reading)

Mother accused of snatching Santa Maria toddler

Santa Maria police are asking for help from the public in finding a 2-year-old boy who disappeared after his mother drove off with him. [Cal Coast Times] The father of two-year-old Robert David Laverdure, Jr. brought the child from Arizona... (Continue reading)

Atascadero to increase sewer rates by 19 percent

The city of Atascadero is planning on raising sewer rates for the first time in 25 years, following a decision by the city council Tuesday to endorse a 19 percent increase for the upcoming fiscal year, with potentially more rate... (Continue reading)

While fleeing police in Atascadero, suspect crashes into a tree

A man whom police are struggling to identify led officers on a chase in a stolen vehicle  on Tuesday. He then crashed into a tree, fled by foot, but was ultimately arrested. [Cal Coast Times] Shortly after 1 p.m., a... (Continue reading)

Man allegedly plundered Nipomo farm, sold avocados to restaurants

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff deputies arrested a 37-year-old man on Sunday for allegedly stealing avocados from a Nipomo farm. [Cal Coast Times] Christian Lara Medrano of Santa Maria allegedly pilfered avocados from the Suey Ranch on Bull Canyon Road.... (Continue reading)

Jury awards $2 billion in Roundup cancer case

A California jury awarded more than $2 billion to a couple who claimed they contracted cancer from using the weed killer Roundup. [NPR] The Alameda County jury awarded the more than $2 billion in damages in a verdict against Monsanto,... (Continue reading)

SLO film festival targeted amid outage over ‘racist’ movie

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Outrage over a movie in which a white man pretends to be a black female radio host drew allegations of racism and a response from the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, which social media users accused... (Continue reading)

Parent’s of deceased Cal Poly student call off picket of Laetitia Winery

The family of the Cal Poly student who was killed in a crash at a dangerous South County intersection has called off plans to picket outside Laetitia Winery this week, yet a boycott of the wine tasting destination is ongoing.... (Continue reading)

Grass fire ignites near Paso Robles apartment complex

A vegetation fire broke out Saturday afternoon near a Paso Robles apartment complex, but firefighters quickly contained the blaze. [Cal Coast Times] At about 2 p.m., the fire was spotted in the area of 1203 Alamo Creek Drive and near... (Continue reading)

Shell Beach fire displaces three families

A fire damaged a Shell Beach apartment building Saturday morning displacing three families, according to Cal Fire. [Cal Coast Times] Shortly after 9 a.m., witnesses reported a fire was burning at the multiple unit building on Coburn Lane near Shell... (Continue reading)