Daily Briefs


Salmonella contamination prompts yogurt covered pretzels recall

By KAREN VELIE Yogurt covered pretzels samples from a California-based company have been found to be contaminated with Salmonella and a recall has been initiated, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Western Mixers Produce & Nuts of Ontario... (Continue reading)

Suspects arrested for conspiring to smuggle drugs into Central Coast jail

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two suspects on Tuesday for conspiring to smuggle drugs into one of the county’s jail facilities. Investigators from theTodd Road Jail Classification Unit and the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Unit... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach wants help finding hit-and-run driver

By KAREN VELIE Grover Beach police officers are asking for the public’s help finding the hit-and-run driver who seriously injured a bicyclist late Saturday night. Shortly after 11 p.m., a car owned by William Ryan Dacosse hit a 31-year-old bicyclist... (Continue reading)

Here are San Luis Obispo County’s latest rain totals, reservoir levels

By KAREN VELIE Multiple storms have left San Luis Obispo County with some of the highest precipitation totals for this time of year in decades. In addition, back-to-back wet years have replenished local and state reservoirs. For example, Lopez Lake... (Continue reading)

Two defendants sentenced for animal cruelty in Santa Barbara County

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office announced Friday that two defendants were sentenced to jail in separate animal cruelty cases. [KCOY] David George Brown, 47, pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty stemming from abusive behavior patterns... (Continue reading)

California considering bill limiting self-checkout at grocery, drug stores

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A California bill reportedly aimed at preventing shoplifting could significantly restrict the use of self-checkout kiosks at large grocery and drug stores and lead to higher prices. Senate Bill 1446, introduced by state Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas in... (Continue reading)

Central Coast house sitters busted for credit card theft, other crimes

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three suspects last week for a series of crimes they allegedly committed, including credit card theft, at a Central Coast home that at least one of the individuals was hired to... (Continue reading)

Firefighters rescue fisherman off Gaviota Beach

By KAREN VELIE Santa Barbara County Fire Department personnel rescued a fisherman off Gavota Beach on Friday. The man had spent several hours in the cold Pacific Ocean prior to his rescue. In the morning hours, the 72-year-old victim, who... (Continue reading)

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to slash 10,000 jobs, reduce state deficit

By KAREN VELIE California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans Friday to reduce the state’s budget deficit by slashing 10,000 vacant jobs and cutting spending. Through his revised budget proposal, Newsom plans to close both this year’s remaining $27.6 billion budget... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria police ask for help locating missing man

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The Santa Maria Police Department Detective Bureau is asking the public for help locating a missing 66-year-old man. Christopher Rocco was last seen at his home on night of April 26. The following day, his vehicle was... (Continue reading)