Daily Briefs


Santa Barbara courthouse closed during bomb scare

In response to an unattended bag, authorities evacuated several hundred people on Friday from the county courthouse in downtown Santa Barbara, and called the bomb squad out to the scene. [Cal Coast Times] Just before 9 a.m. a visitor at... (Continue reading)

Semi truck bursts in flames on highway 101

A semi truck caught on fire on Highway 101 near Camp Roberts Friday morning, creating a dangerous situation because of nearby power lines. [Cal Coast Times] The truck fire broke out at about 6:10 a.m., one mile south of Camp... (Continue reading)

Small earthquake shakes Templeton

A 3.3 magnitude earthquake centered about five miles west of Templeton shook parts of North County Thursday night. [Cal Coast Times] At 10:22 p.m., the earthquake occurred at a depth of three miles. The epicenter of the earthquake was less... (Continue reading)

California population growth slows to record low levels

California’s population growth rate fell to a record low in 2018, according to the state Department of Finance. [Cal Coast Times] The state’s population grew by .47 percent last year, the slowest growth rate in California history. California added 186,807... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande man receives two life sentences for attempted murder

A San Luis Obispo judge sentenced an Arroyo Grande man to two life sentences on Wednesday for stabbing and beating both his wife and his aunt through marriage, but the defendant could get out of prison after spending a little... (Continue reading)

Oregon freezes cannabis production amid glut, black market sales

Amid a massive surplus of cannabis, Oregon lawmakers and regulators hope to adjust supply and demand through a temporary freeze on marijuana production. [Cal Coast Times] The Oregon Senate voted 18-10 on Monday in favor of a bill to freeze... (Continue reading)

Thieves pillage Atascadero gas station, video

Three masked men broke into an Atascadero gas station early Wednesday morning and stole several items, including tobacco products and candy. At about 4 a.m., the thieves broke into the Chevron station at 8955 Montecito Avenue and stole about $2,000... (Continue reading)

Suspect allegedly lured Santa Maria girl into minivan, sexually assaulted her

A 50-year-old man, who has possibly committed a string of sexual assaults, lured an underage girl into a minivan while she was walking to school and then sexually assaulted her, according to the Santa Maria Police Department. [Cal Coast Times]... (Continue reading)

Goleta man threatens victim with a replica samurai sword

A 38-year-old Goleta man threatened a person outside McDonald’s with a replica samurai sword Tuesday evening, prompting a manhunt that temporarily resulted in train traffic being halted and residents being ordered to shelter in place, according to the Santa Barbara... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo recognized for excessive noise

Loud music, noisy motorcycles, drunks spilling onto the sidewalks at bar time, rowdy behavior on Hiquera Street. Downtown San Luis Obispo can be a rather noisy place. And now Noise Free America has recognized San Luis Obispo with its Noisy... (Continue reading)