Daily Briefs


ASH patient arrested for attacks on inmate, officer

Authorities arrested an Atascadero State Hospital patient Tuesday for assaulting both another patient and a hospital police officer. [Tribune] Montoya Nichols, 23, is accused of attacking another patient in an ASH dorm room just after 10 p.m. Monday. The victim... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles council to appoint member to vacant seat

The Paso Robles City Council is expected to fill a vacant seat by appointing a fifth council member at its upcoming meeting, rather than opting to hold a special election. [Tribune] Council member Steve Martin ran unopposed for mayor, and... (Continue reading)

Man who violently killed a co-worker paroled to SLO

After 30 years in Prison, a man who killed a co-worked then cut his heart out and put it in his pocket has been paroled to San Luis Obispo. [Fresno Bee] In 1984 Theodore LeLeaux Jr. was sentenced to 16... (Continue reading)

Truck explodes at Ventura County wastewater plant

A vacuum truck exploded at a Ventura County wastewater treatment plant early Tuesday morning, causing a mysterious chemical to shoot into the air sending 37 people to the hospital. [LA Times] The explosion occurred around 3:45 a.m. while workers were... (Continue reading)

Beating described in Paso Robles murder trial

A hired assailant who was allegedly paid to rough up a man on behalf of a jealous lover testified Wednesday in the trial of a Paso Robles woman charged with murder. [Tribune] Maria del Carmen Granados Fajardo, 50, is accused... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande’s mayor elect wants lawsuit abandoned

By KAREN VELIE Amid mounting legal costs, incoming Arroyo Grande Mayor Jim Hill asked the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District Board to immediately cease and desist legal action against the state. Two weeks ago, the sanitation district board... (Continue reading)

Six arrested at high school fight in Santa Maria

A lunchtime cat fight between two female students at Righetti High School in Santa Maria led to multiple brawls, six arrests and the lockdown of a nearby school Wednesday. [KEYT] Around 12:30 p.m., two female students began fighting in Righetti’s... (Continue reading)

Pismo Beach mayoral challenger vying for recount

A recount may be in order for the Pismo Beach mayoral race, which incumbent Shelly Higginbotham won by a margin of just two votes. Challenger Kevin Kreowski is vying for a recount, and a supporter of his has mounted an... (Continue reading)

Woman claims seizure, not intoxication, in Pismo Beach arrest

A Grover Beach woman has taken to crowdfunding to prove her innocence and convince live an online audiences that Pismo Beach police wrongfully arrested and assaulted her. [Tribune] Andrea Nicole Hansen, 32, says officers mistook her suffering several seizures for... (Continue reading)

Are potential jurors afraid of reprisal?

Santa Barbara County Superior Court has summoned 1,400 potential jurors for a Santa Maria torture-murder trial, but approximately 1,000 of those summoned did not show up to court. [KSBY] Jury selection began Monday in the trial of six defendants charged... (Continue reading)