Daily Briefs


California ballot measure would force lawmakers to reveal lobbyist ties

  By JOSH FRIEDMAN A voter initiative that may appear on the ballot in California next year would overhaul the state’s Public Records Act, requiring unprecedented scrutiny into lobbying occurring at the Capitol, as well as more access to government... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles man sentenced to life in prison

By KAREN VELIE A Paso Robles repeat offender was sentenced to 77 years to life plus 41 years in prison for attempted robbery, robbery, carjacking and reckless evasion of a peace officer. In May, a San Luis Obispo County jury... (Continue reading)

Firefighters battle blaze behind businesses in Atascadero

By KAREN VELIE Atascadero firefighters quickly extinguished a fire burning behind a commercial buildings on Traffic Way on Tuesday afternoon. Shortly before 2 p.m., a caller reported the fire burning behind the Air Rite building at 5001 Traffic Way. Firefighters... (Continue reading)

Deputies stop Santa Barbara jail escape attempt

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s custody deputies thwarted an escape attempt at the county’s Main Jail on Monday night. Shortly before 9 p.m., deputies observed five unescorted inmates in an unauthorized area of the jail. The custody deputies... (Continue reading)

Syphilis rates rising in SLO County amid medication shortage

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Syphilis rates in San Luis Obispo County have spiked over the last decade, culminating with the county recording nearly 100 cases of the infection last year. In 2013, SLO County had a total of 22 diagnosed cases... (Continue reading)

Scam leads Ravine Waterpark to stop selling tickets online

By KAREN VELIE The Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles has stopped selling daily passes online because of an “exceptionally large amount of fraud.” Admission tickets are still available at the park. “Please be aware there is a scam going on... (Continue reading)

Fire near Creston has burned 100 acres, 60% contained

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The woodland fire that broke out Sunday along Highway 58 southeast of Creston has burned 100 acres and is 60% contained, as of Monday morning. Shortly before noon, a caller reported the blaze burning near the intersection... (Continue reading)

Fire near Creston burns 90 acres, 50% contained

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The woodland fire that broke out late Sunday morning along Highway 58 southeast of Creston has burned 90 acres. As of 7:30 p.m., the blaze is 50% contained, according to Cal Fire.  Shortly before noon, a caller... (Continue reading)

Fire burns 80 acres near Creston, spreading

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A woodland fire that broke out late Sunday morning is scorching an area along Highway 58 near Creston, northeast of Santa Margarita. Shortly before noon, a caller reported the fire burning near the intersection of Highway 58... (Continue reading)

Motorcyclist killed in head-on collision on Highway 166

By KAREN VELIE A motorcyclist was killed in a fiery, head-on collision on Highway 166 near Chimineas Ranch Road on Saturday evening. Shortly before 7 p.m., the motorcyclist crashed into a black Subaru Forester near the intersection of Chimineas Ranch... (Continue reading)