Home  »  Archives

March, 2010

Californians smoke 16 million ounces of pot a year

Written on 11 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 24 comments

Here’s something that might keep Sheriff Pat Hedges awake at night: A new state report indicates that Californians smoke 16 million ounces of pot a year–that’s just less than one half-ounce a person for every resident in the state. [Sacramento... (Continue reading)

Steve Moss interview Part 2

Written on 10 Mar, 2010 in Screening Room | One comment

[youtube b1m83GaU9YY 425 344] Steve Moss was the editor, publisher, and founder of New Times. He also created the 55 Fiction short story contest, which developed an international literary following. Moss died in 2005, but his legacy lives on. We... (Continue reading)

PG&E spending millions on Prop 16

Written on 10 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 2 comments

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has already spent $15.5 million of its own money supporting Proposition 16 on the June ballot–and the utility may just spend another $10-$20 million before the election. [Capitol Weekly] Prop 16, which PG&E is pushing,... (Continue reading)

Conservative calls for Ashburn to resign

Written on 9 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 3 comments

Republican state Senator Roy Ashburn admitted in a radio interview on Monday that he is gay. Now one of the state’s most ardent conservatives is calling for him to resign. [Capitol Weekly] Randy Thommason, president of SaveCalifornia.com, wants Ashburn to... (Continue reading)

State sues Carlton Hotel

Written on 9 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 4 comments

The California Department of Industrial Relations is suing David Weyrich’s Carlton Hotel for labor violations, seeking at least $450,000 in lost wages and penalties. [Tribune] The lawsuit, filed Monday in Paso Robles’ Superior Court, details six labor code violations, involving... (Continue reading)

Federal action against Heritage Oaks Bank

Written on 9 Mar, 2010 in Uncovered SLO | 26 comments

Federal regulators have banned the parent company of Paso Robles-based Heritage Oaks Bank from paying dividends or incurring debt as part of a written agreement the company and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco signed on Monday. As part of... (Continue reading)

Napa wineries in foreclosure

Written on 9 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | No comments

The most expensive wines in the United States are produced in Napa, but the California grape enclave is taking a heavy economic crush. [San Francisco Chronicle] As many as 10 Napa wineries and vineyards will soon change hands in foreclosures... (Continue reading)

One-third of college faculty see their salaries dip

Written on 8 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | No comments

More than one third of college faculty nationwide took a pay cut this academic year, and overall faculty pay showed no salary increase, according to a new report. [Chronicle of Higher Education] The typical professor had received a pay raise... (Continue reading)

Ashburn admits to being gay

Written on 8 Mar, 2010 in Uncovered SLO | 37 comments

Republican state Senator Roy Ashburn admitted on a Bakersfield talk radio show Monday morning that he is gay. [Huffington Post] On the Inga Barks talk show, Ashburn said, “I’m gay. Those are the words that have been difficult for me... (Continue reading)

Atascadero teens busted for school yard drug dealing

Written on 8 Mar, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 2 comments

A group of Atascadero teens from three different schools are under investigation for possession of and dealing drugs on school grounds. [AtascaderoNews] The four students, two boys and two girls from Atascadero’s junior high school, the high school, and the... (Continue reading)