Daily Briefs


SEC charges Santa Barbara company with fraud

The Securities and Exchange Commission charged a Santa Barbara based stock promoter last week with fraudulently raising nearly $3.5 million from investors purportedly to purchase Facebook and Twitter shares prior to their initial public offerings (IPOs). The SEC alleges that... (Continue reading)

Californians get 900 new laws

On New Year’s Day California will have 900 new laws including one that allows drivers licenses for undocumented workers and several that help protect against online bullying. Here are some of the new laws: Law against posting private nude photos... (Continue reading)

Cambria emergency water project behind schedule

The Cambria Community Services District did not meet its target date of earlier this week to launch its $9 million emergency water supply project. [Tribune] CSD workers are nearing completion of a water treatment plant and supply system that will... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria man arrested for murdering mother

A Santa Maria man is accused of murdering his mother, whose body turned up in the Orange County city of La Habra in July. [KEYT] Authorities arrested Gabriel Espinoza Tuesday at his Santa Maria home. In July, a man found... (Continue reading)

San Miguel residents killed in Christmas Eve crash

The California Highway Patrol has identified four people from San Miguel as the victims of a fatal crash on Highway 101 near Paso Robles Wednesday evening. The collision occurred when a semi-truck attempted to turn left into the San Paso... (Continue reading)

Four die in Christmas Eve crash near Paso Robles

Four people died following a collision between a minivan and semi-truck Wednesday evening on Highway 101 near Paso Robles. [KSBY] The crash occurred when the semi tried to turn left into the San Paso truck stop by crossing the southbound... (Continue reading)

Orcutt youth football president arrested for embezzlement

The former president of the Orcutt Youth Football League is accused of embezzling more than $20,000 from the organization. [KEYT] Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Tyrome Lee, 35, after determining that he issued unauthorized checks, falsified invoices and embezzled... (Continue reading)

Avila Beach man busted for child porn

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s detectives arrested an Avila Beach man on Tuesday for allegedly possessing child pornography. Shortly before 9 a.m., detectives with the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement team searched the home of 48-year-old... (Continue reading)

Cow hits car on Highway 101 in Atascadero

A cow reportedly survived a collision with a car on Highway 101 in Atascadero on Tuesday morning. [Tribune] The California Highway Patrol received a report of the incident at 6:50 a.m. The vehicle and animal collided in the southbound lane... (Continue reading)

Pedestrian killed in Los Osos identified

The California Highway Patrol has identified a pedestrian killed Sunday evening in Los Osos as 65-year-old San Luis Obispo resident Mauricio Cardenas. Shortly after 6 p.m., Cardenas was attempting to cross Los Osos Valley Road near Palomino Drive. A vehicle... (Continue reading)