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Wanted San Luis Obispo felon arrested in Grover Beach

By KAREN VELIE A wanted felon from San Luis Obispo is in jail after Grover Beach officers spotted him driving a stolen car through the south county beach city. Shortly after 4 p.m., a Grover Beach Patrol Officer located the... (Continue reading)

Crime is down in Grover Beach, arrests are up

By KAREN VELIE The Grover Beach Police Department announced Tuesday that crime is down in 2025 while arrests have increased. “We’re happy to report that so far this year, crime continues to drop in Grover Beach,” the department posted on... (Continue reading)

Distinctive footwear led to arrest of Carpinteria cannabis farm burglar

By KAREN VELIE Santa Barbara County sheriff deputies recently tracked down a Carpinteria cannabis farm burglar based on his distinctive footwear. Deputies arrested 58-year-old David Stephens, the owner of bright orange wrestling shoes, on Monday. On July 21, deputies responded... (Continue reading)

Santa Barbara County deputies find 38 victims tied to fraud scheme

By KAREN VELIE Santa Barbara County sheriff’s detectives have identified 33 additional victims tied to a fraud scheme by a man who claimed to be a senior executive with BMW. Detectives arrested 64-year-old Jonathan Tudor of West Hollywood on July... (Continue reading)

Paddleboarder attacks surfer in Morro Bay, charged with attempted murder

By KAREN VELIE During an altercation over a wave, a male paddleboarder allegedly attacked a female surfer in the waters off Morro Bay on Saturday, according to State Parks. While the surfer is recovering from the assault, the man is... (Continue reading)

Making friends with a bird in Cayucos

Editor’s Note: The following series, “Life in Radically Gentrifying Cayucos by the Sea,” to be posted biweekly includes the notes, thoughts, and opinions of an original American voice: author Dell Franklin.  Franklin’s memoir, “The ballplayer’s Son” and “Life on The... (Continue reading)

Man assaults woman in Atascadero, flees officers

By KAREN VELIE A 29-year-old man is in jail after he assaulted his girlfriend in Atascadero and then fled the scene. On Aug. 12, officers responded to a report of a domestic violence incident. Officers arrived to discover Ivan Sandoval-Farias... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande police holding DUI checkpoint Friday night

By KAREN VELIE Arroyo Grande police plan to conduct a DUI checkpoint in the South County city at an undisclosed location on Friday evening from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Officers select the DUI checkpoint location based on a history... (Continue reading)

Has Santa Barbara County’s cannabis dreams gone up in smoke?

By KAREN VELIE Following legalization, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors embraced the cannabis industry, which was projected to all but eliminate the illicit marijuana trade while generating significant tax revenue. But that’s not what happened. “The cannabis program... (Continue reading)

Fire destroys barn in Creston

By KAREN VELIE A fire destroyed a barn in Creston on Saturday afternoon, according to the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department. Shortly after 3 p.m., a caller reported a barn on fire at 3255 Ryan Road in Creston. Firefighters... (Continue reading)