Daily Briefs


Steve Ford to speak in Pismo Beach June 13

By CalCoastNews Staff Steve Ford, actor and youngest son of Gerald and Betty Ford, will deliver a public presentation Thursday, June 13, at 6 p.m. at the SeaCrest Hotel in Pismo Beach. Ford, a Cal Poly graduate and San Luis... (Continue reading)

Man killed in single vehicle crash in Orcutt

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A 40-year-old man died after crashing his car in Orcutt Thursday night. Shortly before 10 p.m., a caller the crash off of Highway 135 onto Rice Ranch Road. Responders pronounced the man, who was the solo occupant... (Continue reading)

Officers arrest attempted vehicle theft suspects after South County chase

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A man and a woman from Fresno allegedly attempted to steal a vehicle in Arroyo Grande on Wednesday, then led officers on a pursuit around South County before being caught. Shortly before 2 p.m., Arroyo Grande police... (Continue reading)

Parolee arrested after allegedly waving gun in the air in Grover Beach

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Grover Beach police officers arrested a parolee after he allegedly waved a gun in the air by an intersection in the South County city Thursday evening. At approximately 7:31 p.m., dispatchers sent Grover Beach officers to the... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach police release video of officer shooting, killing a man

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The Grover Beach Police Department has released video footage of an officer shooting and killing a man who threatened to shoot the policeman last month. In the footage, Aaron Edward Gardner, 41, of Independence, Missouri, claimed he... (Continue reading)

Former Cal Fire SLO captain sentenced to 90 days in jail

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A judge sentenced a former San Luis Obispo County Cal Fire captain on Wednesday to 90 days in jail for a sexual battery conviction. James Peter Thomas, 59, groped a 37-year-old female coworker in 2020.  In May... (Continue reading)

Plane crashes into Santa Ynez vineyard, pilot suffers major injuries

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A small plane crashed into a Santa Ynez vineyard on Wednesday, leaving the pilot with major injuries. Shortly before 5 p.m., the single-engine plane went down on the Gainey Estate Vineyards property adjacent to Santa Ynez Airport,... (Continue reading)

Fire in California Valley burns more than 300 acres

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A fire along Highway 58 in California Valley burned more than 300 acres on Wednesday. Shortly before noon, a citizen reported the blaze burning near the 8000 block of Highway 58 in California Valley, according to Cal... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara moves forward with proposed sales tax increase

By KAREN VELIE With a looming $7.1 million budget deficit, which is likely to increase to $10 million, the Santa Barbara City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday to direct staff to create a resolution to place a sales tax increase... (Continue reading)

Bear wanders into downtown San Luis Obispo backyard

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A bear wandered into a downtown San Luis Obispo backyard Tuesday morning, before authorities tracked the animal down and relocated it. Shortly before 6 a.m., San Luis Obispo police began receiving calls about a bear near the... (Continue reading)