Daily Briefs


California Men’s Colony inmate escapes in prison van

An inmate escaped from the California Men’s Colony Tuesday morning, allegedly driving off in a prison van. [Cal Coast Times] Minimum-security inmate David Grey Hall, 26, was last seen at approximately 10 a.m. Shortly later, prison staffers determined during a... (Continue reading)

Police evacuate lobby after Arroyo Grande man brings suspicious package

Santa Maria police evacuated the lobby of their own station on Monday after an Arroyo Grande man arrived with a suspicious package that contained a powdery substance. [Cal Coast Times] Joseph Skoda, an Arroyo Grande resident and United States Air... (Continue reading)

Suspect attempts to abduct girl walking to school in Santa Maria

Santa Maria police are searching for a man who allegedly attempted to abduct a girl who was walking to school Monday morning. [Cal Coast Times] At about 9 a.m., the man was following the girl in a black truck, according... (Continue reading)

Yet another Arroyo Grande man convicted of arson

One day after a jury convicted an Arroyo Grande man of arson, another Arroyo Grande man pleaded no contest in a separate arson case last week. Both of the intentionally set fires occurred in the South County city. [Cal Coast... (Continue reading)

KSBY sold to Scripps in 15 station $521 million deal

E.W. Scripps Co. has agreed to pay $521 million to buy 15 stations including KSBY in San Luis Obispo from Cordillera Communications, the company announced Monday. The sale requires federal regulatory approval. [Cal Coast Times] If the acquisition is approved,... (Continue reading)

Opposing sides battle over language of California gas tax repeal

Proponents of Proposition 6, the initiative to repeal California’s gas tax, are sending out mailers to voters who they have dubbed ballot “corrections” in response to alleged misleading wording of the measure that could dampen support for it. Meanwhile, opponents... (Continue reading)

Three people injured in three-car crash in Nipomo

Three cars collided on Highway 101 in Nipomo Monday morning, leaving three people injured, according to Cal Fire. [Cal Coast Times] Shortly before 7 a.m., the collision occurred on Highway 101 northbound just north of Highway 166, officials said. Caltrans... (Continue reading)

Neighbor shoots Santa Maria father over toddlers making noise

Angry over noises coming from two young children in an upstairs apartment, a Santa maria man allegedly shot the children’s father on Saturday. [KCOY] Shortly before 2 p.m., the currently unnamed assailant began banging on the ceiling of his apartment... (Continue reading)

Central Coast Amber Alert for Washington girl taken by her mother

Authorities issued an Amber Alert across the Central Coast for a 4-year-old girl who was allegedly kidnapped by her mother in Vancouver, Washington. Esmeralda Lynn Lopez, 21, allegedly abducted her 4-year-old daughter during a supervised visit at a mall on... (Continue reading)

Teen arrested for threat against Cambria school

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a 15-year-old girl Friday who allegedly posted a threat on social media against Coast Union High School in Cambria. [Cal Coast Times] Sheriff’s officials describe the threat as general in nature and not... (Continue reading)