Deputies arrest wanted man in Santa Maria
By KAREN VELIE Following a four-hour standoff, deputies arrested a man wanted for robbery, brandishing a weapon, criminal threats, assault with a deadly weapon, and carjacking in Santa Maria on Wednesday. Shortly before noon, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies tracked 30-year-old Victor Manuel Ayala Sanchez to a residence in the...
Ice agents arrest another criminal immigrant outside SLO County courthouse
By KAREN VELIE Amid false rumors of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in San Luis Obispo County, agents detained a second undocumented immigrant with a violent criminal history outside the county courthouse in SLO. Following a July 31 hearing over a probation violation, Omar Catalan Estrada was leaving the courthouse...
Firefighters increase containment of Gifford Fire
By KAREN VELIE The Gifford Fire burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties has destroyed four structures, scorched 125,272 acres and injured 10 people, according to a Wednesday morning update. The blaze is currently 37% contained. Throughout Tuesday night, crews carried out back-fire operations in the Garcia Wilderness...
Two of Arroyo Grande teen’s murderers released from prison
By KAREN VELIE After 30 years in prison, two of the three men convicted of murdering Arroyo Grande High School freshman Elyse Pahler as part of a satanic ritual have been released. Royce Casey and Jacob Delashumutt, who as teenagers killed 15-year-old Pahler, were granted parole and released from prison.The...
Crews start back fires to stop Gifford Fire
By KAREN VELIE The Gifford Fire burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties has destroyed four structures, scorched 125,272 acres and injured 10 people, according to a Tuesday evening update. The blaze is currently 37% contained. On Tuesday afternoon, crews began back-fire operations in the Garcia Wilderness area....
Vehicle crashes into apartment complex in San Luis Obispo
By KAREN VELIE A red SUV crashed into an apartment complex in San Luis Obispo on Sunday morning. Shortly before 10:30 a.m., the red SUV struck a silver sedan at the intersection of Los Osos Valley Road and Royal Way. The red SUV then veered into a nearby apartment complex. The apartment...
Motorcyclist killed in crash in Santa Ynez
By KAREN VELIE A motorcyclist was killed in a single vehicle crash in Santa Ynez on Sunday evening, according to the CHP. Shortly after 5:30 p.m., a caller reported a motorcycle crash on Canada Este Road. CHP officers, Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office deputies and American Medical Response personnel responded to...
