Daily Briefs


Firefighters rescue hiker who fell 30 feet in Cambria

By KAREN VELIE Firefighters rescued a hiker who fell 30 feet off a cliff at the Cambria’s Fiscalini Ranch Preserve on Sunday. Shortly before 3 p.m., a caller reported the hiker had fallen from the cliff. Multiple agencies, including Cal... (Continue reading)

Trial begins for Atascadero man accused of raping underage girls

By KAREN VELIE A trial started last week for Nate Abate, an Atascadero man accused of raping multiple underage girls, while his friend and alleged accomplice remains on the run. The trial started Friday with opening statements. Prosecutors charged Abate,... (Continue reading)

Young man killed in crash in rural San Luis Obispo

By KAREN VELIE A 20-year-old man was killed in a single vehicle crash in rural San Luis Obispo on Saturday morning, according to the CHP. Shortly after 11 a.m., Carlos Cordon Rios, 21, was headed southbound on O’Connor Way north... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria facing $21 million budget deficit

By KAREN VELIE With costs outpacing revenues, Santa Maria is struggling with a $21 million budget deficit. The city is considering raising taxes and cutting expenditures. The primary cost driver is increased salary and benefits for city staff, according to... (Continue reading)

Nearly 3,000 PG&E customers lose power in Atascadero, Templeton

By KAREN VELIE Nearly 3,000 PG&E customers lost power in Atascadero and Templeton on Friday morning. At 5.26 a.m., 2,915 PG&E customers lost power from Highway 41 in Atascadero to just south of Vineyard Drive in Templeton. Witnesses report hearing... (Continue reading)

Templeton CHP seeks help finding highway vandal

By KAREN VELIE The Templeton California Highway Patrol is seeking the public’s help in finding the vandal or vandals who splatter paint on Highway 46 in the Vineyard Drive area. Officers are seeking information on the vandal who tossed paint... (Continue reading)

Jury convicts Morro Bay man of threatening girlfriend

By KAREN VELIE A jury this week found a 45-year-old Morro Bay man guilty of making criminal threats against his former girlfriend. From Dec. 31, 2023 through Jan. 6, 2024, Eric Douglas Zentzis left over 50 voicemails and sent multiple... (Continue reading)

Nearly 2,000 PG&E customers lose power in San Luis Obispo County

By KAREN VELIE Nearly 3,000 PG&E customers lost power in San Luis Obispo County on Thursday afternoon. At 2:39 p.m., 2,989 PG&E customers lost power from northern San Luis Obispo through southern Santa Margarita. By 4: p.m., PG&E restored power... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara County reports inmate hit head, died

By KAREN VELIE The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department reported today that a 40-year-old inmate died from brain trauma after having a seizure and hitting his head on the ground last month. The coroner found Antonio Alvarado Orozco of Santa... (Continue reading)

CHP seeks help finding Nipomo hit-and-run driver

By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo CHP is seeking the public’s help to solve a hit-and-run crash in Nipomo on Sept. 17. Shortly before 7:30 p.m., a motorcycle and vehicle a vehicle collided on Tefft Street near Highway 101.... (Continue reading)