Daily Briefs


Arroyo Grande selects Matthew Downing as new city manager

By KAREN VELIE The Arroyo Grande City Council selected Matthew Downing to be its new top executive. Council members are expected to formally approve the hire on Dec. 12. Downing, currently Pismo Beach’s community development director, previously worked as a... (Continue reading)

Over 2,000 PG&E customers in Grover Beach without power

By KAREN VELIE More than 2,000 PG&E customers lost power in Grover Beach on Wednesday evening. Shortly after 7 p.m., 2,050 PG&E customers in Grover Beach lost power. PG&E estimates the power will be restored by 11 p.m. The cause... (Continue reading)

Overturned wood chipper halts Highway 101 traffic outside SLO

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A woodchipper that was being towed by a truck overturned on Highway 101 south of San Luis Obispo on Wednesday, blocking lanes and causing traffic to pile up. The truck went off the roadway at approximately 2:18... (Continue reading)

Atascadero City Council selects new police chief

By KAREN VELIE Atascadero City Manager Jim Lewis announced Wednesday he had selected Daniel B. Suttles to fill the chief of police position. On Dec. 12, the Atascadero City Council will have the final say on the proposed appointment. If... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles man charged with sexually assaulting a child

By KAREN VELIE Los Banos police officers arrested a Paso Robles man on Dec. 4 who is suspected of sexually assaulting a child under 14 years of age. Officers arrested 61-year-old Alfred Leroy Sweet on three charges of lewd acts... (Continue reading)

Righetti High teacher removed after photo shows inappropriate behavior

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A school resource officer removed a substitute teacher from the Righetti High School campus in Santa Maria on Friday after a photo circulated allegedly showing the teacher with his pants down and a Pringles can in front... (Continue reading)

Oceano board picks Paavo Ogren for interim general manager

By KAREN VELIE The Oceano Community Services District selected Paavo Ogren to serve as interim general manager during a closed session meeting on Monday. Amid refusals by several board members to abide by open meeting laws, both the district’s legal... (Continue reading)

Speakers critical of trans movement coming to Cal Poly, sparking controversy

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A pair of speakers who are critical of the transgender movement will speak at Cal Poly Tuesday evening at an event that is sparking controversy on the university campus. The conservative organization Turning Point USA is holding... (Continue reading)

San Simeon services district considers shutting down

By KAREN VELIE Following years of mismanagement, the San Simeon Community Services District Board is scheduled to discuss several options for shutting down the district at a board meeting on Thursday, according to the meeting agenda. Formed in 1961, the... (Continue reading)

Bicyclist hit and injured on street in Arroyo Grande

By KAREN VELIE A vehicle hit and injured a bicyclist on Fair Oaks Avenue in Arroyo Grande on Monday afternoon. According to police, a caller reported a vehicle struck a bicyclist on Fair Oaks Avenue near Valley Road. Officers arrived... (Continue reading)