2009

Rancher chooses jail over displacing homeless

Rancher Dan De Vaul was led away in handcuffs this morning after electing to go to jail, rather than accept Judge John Trice's offer of five years of probation. De Vaul, who instead will serve up to 90 days in... (Continue reading)

No rest for the weary

Caltrans officials remind drivers that a year-long renovation of the Hwy. 46 Shandon Roadside Rest Area is scheduled to begin Dec. 1. The rest stop will be completely closed for the duration of the project. According to Caltrans spokesperson Jim... (Continue reading)

Update: DeVaul taken into custody

Developing: Dan DeVaul was handcuffed and taken into custody this morning after refusing terms of probation offered by Judge John Trice. Details will be posted throughout the afternoon by CalCoastNews.... (Continue reading)

Another California crisis

The San Jose Mercury News reports a bit of sobering news to kick off the week: cash-strapped California now will likely finish 2009 with its unemployment insurance fund $7.4 billion in the red.  The state fund has already been bailed... (Continue reading)

Facebook friends: Pastor Doug

BY DAVID CONGALTON (One in an occasional series where CCN readers meet some of my Facebook Friends) These have been a tough few weeks for Doug Carroll of San Luis Obispo. He’s battled progressive MS for a decade now and... (Continue reading)

Banker accused of stealing from children

A 40-year-old Heritage Oaks Bank employee admitted to stealing $24,400 from a youth soccer account and transferring the funds to a personal account. [Tribune] The youth soccer group treasurer and bank employee, Douglas Smith, admitted the theft in an e-mail... (Continue reading)

SLO case of meningitis identified

Monday Update: Public health officials announced Monday morning that the student with bacterial meningitis was an unidentified Cuesta College student. County public health officials have diagnosed a 19-year-old college student with having bacterial meningitis and “strongly suspect” he may have... (Continue reading)

Marijuana plant seizures skyrocket

State officials report a staggering rise in the number of marijuana plants seized during this year’s growing season in California. Law enforcement agencies seized 4.4 million plants during the 2009 growing season which is a huge increase over the 2.9... (Continue reading)

How cold can PG&E be?

The number of low-income households across California shut off by Pacific Gas & Electric after they fell behind on paying their utility bills jumped 75 percent according to a new state report released this week. The San Francisco Chronicle has... (Continue reading)

Our Story with Robert Howard Bruce: The Ether Rapist

BY ROBERT SACHS Last week, a serial rapist, Robert Howard Bruce, was arrested in Pueblo, Colorado. What had appeared at first to be a case of a local Peeping Tom going a step too far by trying to bomb a... (Continue reading)