Daily Briefs


Former Cal Fire SLO captain sentenced to 90 days in jail

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A judge sentenced a former San Luis Obispo County Cal Fire captain on Wednesday to 90 days in jail for a sexual battery conviction. James Peter Thomas, 59, groped a 37-year-old female coworker in 2020.  In May... (Continue reading)

Plane crashes into Santa Ynez vineyard, pilot suffers major injuries

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A small plane crashed into a Santa Ynez vineyard on Wednesday, leaving the pilot with major injuries. Shortly before 5 p.m., the single-engine plane went down on the Gainey Estate Vineyards property adjacent to Santa Ynez Airport,... (Continue reading)

Fire in California Valley burns more than 300 acres

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A fire along Highway 58 in California Valley burned more than 300 acres on Wednesday. Shortly before noon, a citizen reported the blaze burning near the 8000 block of Highway 58 in California Valley, according to Cal... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara moves forward with proposed sales tax increase

By KAREN VELIE With a looming $7.1 million budget deficit, which is likely to increase to $10 million, the Santa Barbara City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday to direct staff to create a resolution to place a sales tax increase... (Continue reading)

Bear wanders into downtown San Luis Obispo backyard

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A bear wandered into a downtown San Luis Obispo backyard Tuesday morning, before authorities tracked the animal down and relocated it. Shortly before 6 a.m., San Luis Obispo police began receiving calls about a bear near the... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande man killed in crash in rural Pismo Beach

By KAREN VELIE A 26-year-old Arroyo Grande man was killed in a crash in rural Pismo Beach on Monday evening, according to the CHP. Shortly after 9 p.m., the man was driving a motorcycle westbound on Price Canyon Road near... (Continue reading)

Man arrested for setting his house on fire in Orcutt

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man for intentionally setting his house on fire in Orcutt on Monday.  Shortly after 11 a.m., a witness reported a man was breaking out the windows of a home in... (Continue reading)

Avila Beach man allegedly attempted to kill a homeless person

By KAREN VELIE A 28-year-old Avila Beach man is in jail after he allegedly attempted to kill a homeless man in Santa Maria early Sunday morning. Shortly after 7 a.m., officers responded to reports of an injured person in a... (Continue reading)

Resident reportedly sets San Miguel house on fire in alleged suicide attempt

  By JOSH FRIEDMAN The occupant of a San Miguel home allegedly set his house on fire in what is believed to have been a suicide attempt on Monday, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. Shortly before... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach police investigating apparent shooting

  By JOSH FRIEDMAN Grover Beach police are investigating a Saturday night shooting in the South County city. Shortly before 10 p.m., a witness reported hearing shots in the area of S. 16th Street and Mentone Avenue near the park.... (Continue reading)