Daily Briefs


Forward spread of Madre Fire in SLO County stopped

By KAREN VELIE Firefighters halted the spread of the Madre Fire burning in San Luis Obispo County. The fire, which scorched 70,786, is 74% contained. “No areas of growth along the perimeter,” according to Los Padres National Forest Service. “Isolate... (Continue reading)

SLO County deputies seek help identifying burglary suspects

By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help identifying several thieves and a vehicle involved in a burglary in Shandon on July 1. On the afternoon of July 1, deputies responded to a... (Continue reading)

Businessman challenges Paulding for SLO County supervisor seat

By KAREN VELIE Local businessman and community leader Adam Verdin announced this week his candidacy for the San Luis Obispo County supervisor seat currently held by Jimmy Paulding. During his announcement speech, Verdin spoke of the importance of affordable housing... (Continue reading)

Justice Department sues California for violating the rights of female athletes

By KAREN VELIE The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against California to force compliance of Title IX and to protect female student athletes from unfair competition and reckless endangerment from male participation on female high-school sports teams. The complaint... (Continue reading)

Man charged with domestic violence following standoff in Paso Robles

By KAREN VELIE A Paso Robles man is in jail after he battered his girlfriend and then barricaded himself inside a residence on the 800 block of Golden Meadow Drive. Shortly before 6 p.m., a caller reported an in-progress domestic... (Continue reading)

Forward spread of Madre Fire stopped, Highway 166 reopens

By KAREN VELIE With cooler temperatures and reduced winds, firefighters were able to stop the forward spread of the Madre Fire burning in San Luis Obispo County. Highway 166 reopened on Tuesday evening. The Madre Fire has scorched 80,610 acres... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande police holding DUI checkpoint Friday night

By KAREN VELIE Arroyo Grande police plan to conduct a DUI checkpoint in the South County city at an undisclosed location on Friday evening from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Officers select the DUI checkpoint location based on a history... (Continue reading)

Firefighters battle Madre Fire before higher winds and heat return

By KAREN VELIE More than 1,500 firefighters are working to increase containment of the Madre Fire burning in San Luis Obispo County as warmer and winder conditions are slated to return on Wednesday through Thursday. Propelled primarily by heavy winds,... (Continue reading)

Man shot, killed in Santa Maria

By KAREN VELIE The Santa Maria Police Department is investigating the death of a man who was shot and killed on July 4. Shortly after 11 p.m., a caller reported a shooting in the 300 block of West Lolita Lane.... (Continue reading)

California rejects Trump administration demand to ban trans athletes

By KAREN VELIE California Department of Education officials on Monday rejected the Trump administration’s demand that the state ban transgender athletes from girl’s sports. On June 25, the Trump administration announced that the California Department of Education had violated civil... (Continue reading)