Daily Briefs


Father receives year in prison for illegal campaign donations

An 83-year-old La Palma man was sentenced today to 12 months and a day in prison for making illegal campaign contributions to his son’s bid for U.S. Congress, according to acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. In 2010 and 2012,... (Continue reading)

SLO County resident tests positive for West Nile Virus

A San Luis Obispo County resident has tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to the county public health department. The positive test marks the first confirmed case of a person in the county contracting the virus since 2009. Health... (Continue reading)

Another water main breaks in downtown SLO

For the second time in the past three months a water main ruptured in downtown San Luis Obispo. A water main break Wednesday afternoon flooded the 1300 block of Chorro Street. Around 4:30 p.m., flooding began on Chorro Street between... (Continue reading)

North County men arrested for drugs and guns

Atascadero police arrested three North County men who were traveling in a car with several guns, about $10,000 worth of narcotics, cash and ammunition. On Monday, an Atascadero police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on northbound Highway... (Continue reading)

SLO County supervisors extend oak tree, reservoir ordinances

The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to extend a temporary regulation that prohibits the removal of oak trees without a permit. In a separate unanimous vote, the supervisors extended an ordinance that aims to protect... (Continue reading)

Chimney Fire burns 30 SLO County homes

Following a destructive day, the Chimney Fire scorching North County near Lake Nacimiento has destroyed 30 homes. The blaze has also burned 10 outbuilding-type structures and damaged six other structures, according to Cal Fire. As of Wednesday morning, the Chimney... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande teacher accused of having sex with a student

An Arroyo Grande teacher was charged Tuesday with allegedly having sex with a student. Prosecutors charged Tara Stumph, 36, with five offenses — intercourse with a minor, oral copulation of a minor and three counts of misdemeanor child molestation. The... (Continue reading)

California bill would make prosecutorial misconduct a felony

Prosecutors will face felony charges for withholding or falsifying evidence if a bill that is currently making its way through the California Legislature becomes law. The bill calls for punishments of up to three years in prison for prosecutorial misconduct.... (Continue reading)

Man arrested for starting devastating California wildfire

Authorities have arrested a Northern California man for starting the Clayton Fire, which has burned 4,000 acres and more than 175 structures in Lake County. The alleged arsonist is also accused of starting numerous other fires in the Northern California... (Continue reading)

Cal Poly offering more transgender housing

Transgender students and their supporters can now live together starting the moment they arrive on the Cal Poly campus. By expanding the university’s transgender housing program, Cal Poly officials met one of the demands issued by a protest group that... (Continue reading)