Cops chase intoxicated driver into Pismo Beach

A high-speed chase ended with a crash early Thursday evening that backed up traffic in Pismo Beach.

Authorities say it all started just before 7 p.m. in Atascadero when multiple 911 calls were made about a driver who might be drunk.

Officers tried to stop the red pickup truck, but the driver took off. The chase that followed reached speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.

The chase started in San Luis Obispo and ended at the Pismo Beach Price Street exit.

Cannabis tax rate in SLO County increases to 8%

Cannabis operators in unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County must collect a tax of 8 percent starting July 1. 

In 2018, San Luis Obispo County voters approved the Cannabis Business Tax (CBT), which is applicable to cannabis businesses operating in the unincorporated areas of San Luis Obispo County. This voter-approved measure states that the cannabis tax rate increases by 2% each July 1st, up to a maximum of 10%, unless the Board of Supervisors votes to hold or reduce the tax rate.

Pismo Beach cracks down on short-term rentals amid complaints

Pismo Beach leaders are placing a moratorium on new short-term rental permits amid complaints for residents who say the occupants are a nuisance and don't follow local rules.

There are currently 28 STRs in the city, but residents continue to file complaints about noise and not following the rules. At its June 21 meeting, the City Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance to stop issuing STR permits until they can come up with more strict rules for enforcement.

Councilmember Sheila Blake said even the threat of high fines doesn't seem to solve the issue.

"I'd like to know where the hell we went wrong?" she said. "We got a great town here, and all of a sudden it's so attractive to everyone that they don't care how much they have to pay for a penalty. It happens everywhere. ... They will pay anything just to have use of the house."