Devastating fire destroys property in Creston
By KAREN VELIE A devastating fire in Creston on Saturday afternoon destroyed a barn with a second story apartment, five cars, two trucks, a tractor, a motorcycle, a water tank and a well leaving the residential property temporarily without a source of water. And like many current policies, the property...
Baby mongoose lemur’s public debut at zoo in Atascadero
By KAREN VELIE The City of Atascadero and the Central Coast Zoo announced Wednesday the public debut of a special new resident, Koba, a baby mongoose lemur born on July 4. Koba, named after a traditional peanut dessert in Madagascar, is now starting to explore the habitat and can be...
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 stolen vehicle near Grand Avenue and 13th Street. He attempted...
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 Facebook. “With improved staffing levels, we’re seeing the impact that...
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 to a report of a burglary at a cannabis farm...
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 29 after learning he had posed as a luxury car...
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 charged with attempted murder. While surfing is a male dominated...
