Daily Briefs


Chimney Fire approaching full containment

After burning for nearly a month, the Chimney Fire in northern San Luis Obispo County and southern Monterey County is approaching full containment. The Chimney Fire is 97 percent contained, as of Monday morning, and fire officials expect to achieve... (Continue reading)

Thieves snatching catalytic converters in Santa Barbara County

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that thieves are targeting vehicles’ catalytic converters, which the crooks break down to obtain precious metals. Thieves then sell the metals, which include platinum, palladium and rhodium. Catalytic converters are emissions-control... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles police arrest man with heroin, stolen checkbook

Following a traffic stop last week, Paso Robles police returned a stolen checkbook to a person whose car was burglarized. During the incident, officers arrested a Paso Robles man who was allegedly in possession of stolen goods, as well as... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach woman killed in Arroyo Grande crash

A 27-year-old Grover Beach woman died in a crash in Arroyo Grande early Saturday morning, according to the CHP. At about 2:15 a.m., the woman was driving her 1996 Volkswagen south on Corbett Canyon Road near Royal Oak Place when... (Continue reading)

Child rapist shoots two officers at the Fresno County Jail

A convicted child rapist shot two Fresno County Sheriff’s correctional officers in a jail lobby on Saturday afternoon. Both officers are in critical condition. Shortly before 9 a.m., Thong Vang, 37, arrived at the Fresno County Jail allegedly to visit... (Continue reading)

New construction down in SLO County

By Sierra 2 the Sea publisher John Lindt New home construction and commercial building activity in San Luis Obispo County has slowed dramatically during the first eight month of 2016, according to Construction Monitor. This year, builders received 295 permits... (Continue reading)

Reward offered in search for sea otter killer

A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the capture of person or persons responsible for fatally shooting three sea otters off the Central Coast. In mid-August, the bodies of two juvenile males and one adult male otter... (Continue reading)

Cold case probe leads to arrest for 1988 Montecito murder

Twenty-eight years following the murder of a 46-year-old Montecito man, cold case detectives used DNA evidence to identify the suspect. Detectives then located the man inside a Florida jail. Larry Lon Lee, 52, is now facing extradition to Santa Barbara... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach hit-and-run leads to drug bust

After causing an accident in a Grover Beach shopping center parking lot and then fleeing, a Shell Beach man was arrested for selling prescription pills. A Clovis man who was also in the vehicle was arrested as well. Around 6:12... (Continue reading)

Lawsuit alleges PG&E contractor caused 51-acre fire

Two employees of a PG&E subcontractor caused a 51-acre fire that burned a hillside and multiple groves of large trees belonging to a North County family, according to a lawsuit filed against the utility and the contractor. [Tribune] On Nov.... (Continue reading)