Daily Briefs


Arroyo Grande clerk beaten but staves off robbery, video

A robber punched a clerk at an Arroyo Grande AM/PM store, but neither he nor his accomplice managed to steal any cash. After the botched robbery, the suspects escaped and they remain on the loose. The clerk escaped the attack... (Continue reading)

Bus carrying farmworkers catches fire and crashes

A fiery bus with no one at the wheel rolled down a Santa Barbara County Highway and crashed into a ditch Thursday afternoon. Six people were injured and taken to the hospital, although only person suffered major injuries. [KEYT] Shortly... (Continue reading)

Who is spending what on California ballot measures?

A total of 17 statewide initiatives are on the November ballot, marking the most measures on a single ballot in California since March 2000. As of early August, donors have contributed almost $200 million to ballot measure campaigns. [LA Times]... (Continue reading)

Motel room standoff suspect sentenced to 14 years

A Nipomo man whom San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies spent two weeks searching for has received a 14-year prison sentence for attempted murder. The search for Richard Anthony Rodriguez included a 12-hour standoff with an empty motel room. On... (Continue reading)

Phony IRS agent targeting SLO County residents

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an IRS phone scam that is spreading locally. Sheriff’s officials received 11 reports over the last 10 days from people targeted by the scammer or scammers, the agency announced... (Continue reading)

SLO City Council field expands to six

A total of six candidates are now expected to run for two open San Luis Obispo City Council seats. Two council seats are up for grabs because Councilman John Ashbaugh is termed out and Councilman Dan Carpenter is running for... (Continue reading)

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)