Daily Briefs


Firefighters battle house fire in Nipomo

By KAREN VELIE A fire destroyed an attached garage and a vehicle and damaged a home in Nipomo on Saturday afternoon, according to Cal Fire. Shortly after 1:30 p.m., a caller reported a fire at a home at on the... (Continue reading)

Gifford Fire more than 90% contained, firefighter reductions

By KAREN VELIE The Gifford Fire burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties is now 91% contained with some firefighters headed home, according to the Sunday evening update. There are currently 3,047 firefighters and other personnel battling the... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo County child molester wanted by the FBI

By KAREN VELIE A convicted child molester from San Luis Obispo is wanted by the FBI, according to a Los Angeles FBI Facebook post on Friday. Between the years of 1997 and 2000, Erik Kristian Moller was entrusted to care... (Continue reading)

SLO County gas prices remain steady, find lowest costs

By KAREN VELIE Gas prices stayed steady with the average price for a gallon of gas in San Luis Obispo County remaining at $4.86 a gallon last week, according to figures from AAA. In California, the average price for a... (Continue reading)

Cannabis business to pay $620,000 over environmental violations

By KAREN VELIE A cannabis company located near Buelton has agreed to pay a $620,000 settlement for violating environmental regulations regarding diesel generators, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors filed an environmental protection lawsuit against Central... (Continue reading)

Gifford Fire nearly 70% contained, 132,605 acres burned

By KAREN VELIE There was no increase in the acreage burned by the Gifford Fire on Friday. The fire is currently 69% containment. Burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, the fire has scorched 132,605 acres, destroyed five... (Continue reading)

Valley fever case rising in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties

By KAREN VELIE California health officials report huge increases in valley fever cases in both San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties from 2023 to 2024, according to the California Department of Public Health. San Luis Obispo County cases increased... (Continue reading)

Teen crushes golf tournament at Hunter Ranch in Paso Robles

By KAREN VELIE A 13-year-old won her first American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) championship tournament on Thursday at the Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles. Kelly Zhang from Hillsborough, California claimed the girl’s title finishing 10-under par. Richard Ding,... (Continue reading)

Losses in Government jobs, jump in SLO County unemployment rates

By KAREN VELIE After half a year of falling unemployment, rates skyrocketed in San Luis Obispo County in July to 5.2%, the state Employment Development Department reported Friday. While unemployment numbers climb, the size of the county workforce is increased... (Continue reading)

Gifford Fire scorches over 132,600 acres, another firefighter injured

By KAREN VELIE The Gifford Fire burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties has scorched 132,605 acres, destroyed five structures and injured 12 people, according to a Thursday evening update. The fire is currently 51% containment. Firefighters completed... (Continue reading)