Daily Briefs


SLO County women’s jail project $3.3 million over budget

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors approved a $1.1 million cost overrun on the ongoing expansion of the women’s jail on Tuesday. Builders have also fallen one year behind schedule on the project. [Tribune] Previously, the supervisors approved... (Continue reading)

Morro Bay drops plan to outsource its police

Following outcry from residents, the Morro Bay City Council unanimously voted down a proposal to outsource law enforcement duties to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. The city had considered disbanding its police department after a consultant suggested contracting... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria insurance agent charged with fraud and theft

A Santa Maria insurance agent charged with nine felony counts including embezzlement and grand theft is scheduled for arraignment Wednesday in the Santa Maria Division Courthouse Melissa Grimmesey, 42, a former licensed insurance agent employed as a customer service representative... (Continue reading)

Heidi Harmon challenges Marx in SLO mayoral race

Environmental activist Heidi Harmon is planning on challenging fellow Democrat San Luis Obispo Mayor Jan Marx in the November election. Marx has held the mayoral seat since 2010. Harmon describes herself as an experienced community organizer, climate change activist and... (Continue reading)

Is free speech a defense against corruption in California?

The California Supreme Court ruled Monday that votes cast by elected officials constitute protected free speech. In the decision, the state’s high court sided with former city council members who allegedly voted for a garbage hauling contract in exchange for... (Continue reading)

Thief targeting off-road bikes in Paso Robles

A motorcycle thief or thieves has snatched four off-road bikes from Paso Robles homes over the last two weeks. One of the victims witnessed a thief stealing his motorbike, but neither he, nor the police, succeeded in catching the suspect.... (Continue reading)

Soberanes Fire scorches more than 60,000 acres

The Soberanes Fire in Monterey County grew to more than 64,000 acres by Monday morning and is 45 percent contained. The fire has claimed one life, injured three others and destroyed 57 homes and 11 other structures. The blaze broke out July 29 from... (Continue reading)

Gun rights group sues California over censored blog post

A Second Amendment rights group claims to be defending First Amendment rights in a lawsuit it has filed against the California Legislature’s legal counsel. The dispute surrounds a censored blog post that contained the home addresses of lawmakers who recently... (Continue reading)

Lompoc man arrested for shooting, standoff

Lompoc police arrested a man Saturday after he shot another man in the face with a pellet gun and then barricaded himself in a residence. Shortly after 3 p.m., officers responding to a report of gunshots in the 500 block... (Continue reading)

Man seriously injured in Oceano stabbing

One man is in the hospital and another is in jail after a stabbing Saturday night in Oceano. Shortly before 11 p.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to the 2100 block of Vista Street in Oceano and discovered a 40-year-old stabbing victim... (Continue reading)