Daily Briefs


FPPC investigating Oceano director Austin for conflicts of interests

The state’s Fair Political Practices Commission has mounted an investigation into Oceano Community Services District Director Linda Austin concerning conflict of interest allegations. In a written complaint, activist Julie Tacker accused Austin of voting on multiple projects that could financially... (Continue reading)

Inmate escapes San Luis Obispo County Jail

A San Luis Obispo County Jail inmate briefly escaped Wednesday evening but was caught a short time afterwards in San Miguel, according to a sheriff’s press release. [Cal Coast Times] Between 9 p.m. and 10:40 p.m., 20-year-old Timothy Powers of... (Continue reading)

See what climbs out of this car window in California, video

Might this serve as a warning not to leave food in the car? Recently, a bear managed to get inside a Subaru Outback in Carnelian Bay near Lake Tahoe. The bear destroyed the interior of the SUV so badly that... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach council moves ahead with train station expansion project

The Grover Beach City Council approved construction contracts Tuesday for an approximately $3 million expansion of the train station in the South County city. [Cal Coast Times] For years, Grover Beach officials have discussed renovating the Amtrak train station, which... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles considering $26 million conference center

An approximately $26 million conference center could be coming soon to the grounds of the California Mid-State Fair. [Cal Coast Times] The city of Paso Robles, the Paso Robles Event Center and Travel Paso, the city’s tourism marketing organization, are... (Continue reading)

1,500 acre fire scorches Camp Roberts

A fire broke out at Camp Roberts on Wednesday and burned about 1,500 acres, about one year following a similar blaze at the National Guard post. [Cal Coast Times] The 1,500 acre blaze, which official have dubbed the Yankee Fire,... (Continue reading)

Lynn Compton wins race, loses restraining order

Lynn Compton has continued to hold a lead over Jimmy Paulding in the race for the San Luis Obispo County District 4 supervisor seat, according to the latest count reported Wednesday. Compton has 9,183 votes to Paulding’s 9,128 votes. [Cal... (Continue reading)

Oceano woman given probation over crash that killed triathlete

An Oceano woman who struck and killed a champion triathlete while allegedly talking on the phone and driving has avoided jail time following a plea agreement with prosecutors. On July 14, 2016, Lisa Smith’s car drifted onto the shoulder of... (Continue reading)

SLO County supervisors spar over oil well ban ballot measure

An initiative that would ban new oil wells in unincorporated parts of San Luis Obispo County will appear on this November’s ballot, following a contentious decision by the County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. [Cal Coast Times] The ballot measure,... (Continue reading)

Man stabbed to death at Santa Maria senior living park

With the Marilyn Pharis murder trial ongoing in Santa Maria, another elderly person was killed Tuesday night in the crime-plagued northern Santa Barbara County city. [Cal Coast Times] Shortly before 11 p.m., an unknown suspect or suspects stabbed Thomas Dutart,... (Continue reading)