April, 2010

California home prices continue to rise

Home prices in California have continued to increase for the fifth month in a row adding up to a 14 percent increase from March 2009. [AssociatedPress] The medium price of a home has increased to$235,000 from $223,000 in 12 months, according... (Continue reading)

Roy Ashburn sentenced for DUI

State Sen. Roy Ashburn [R-Bakersfield] pleaded no contest to drunken driving charges on Wednesday and was immediately sentenced to two days in jail and three years’ probation. [Sacramento Bee] Ashburn, 55, was given credit for one day already served in... (Continue reading)

UC schools have a wait list of 10,700 applicants

Nearly 11,000 high school seniors statewide were offered a spot on one or more of the University of California’s controversial new waiting lists for admission. [Los Angeles Times] A spokesperson for the UC admissions office described 2010 as the most... (Continue reading)

Arnold’s attorney accuses city council of retaliation

Saying “it’s time to take the gloves off,” the attorney for Arroyo Grande city councilman Ed Arnold held a press conference Wednesday morning to reaffirm his client’s innocence and accuse other council members of “retaliation.” Ilan Funke-Bilu told reporters that... (Continue reading)

Atascadero prohibits medical marijuana dispensaries

The Atascadero City Council unanimously voted to ban medical marijuana dispensaries in their city at last night’s council meeting. [KSBY] City Attorney Brian Pierik made the recommendation to prohibit medical cannabis dispensaries. Pierik said dispensaries would bring problems such as... (Continue reading)

Federal district gets Indian-American judge

A history-making Indian-American federal judge will be sworn in today as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Central District of California, which includes San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara  counties. [LompocRecord] Vijay Chand Gandhi, 38, will be the first Indian-American... (Continue reading)

Brown to investigate Palin CSU appearance

California Attorney General Jerry Brown announced Tuesday that he will investigate the circumstances surrounding an upcoming campus appearance at CSU Stanislaus by Sarah Palin. [Attorney General’s Office] The investigation targets the privately-run University foundation and allegations that documents relating to... (Continue reading)

AG council considers asking Ed Arnold to resign

The Arroyo Grande City Council may ask Ed Arnold, their embattled colleague, to resign. [Tribune] Mayor Tony Ferrara, along with councilmen Jim Guthrie, Chuck Fellows, and Joe Costello, will decide at the April 27th council meeting whether to send a... (Continue reading)

Firestone Brewery wins six gold medals

Firestone Brewery in Paso Robles was the big winner in the Craft Brewers Conference in Chicago last weekend, bringing home six gold medals. [ChicagoTribune] Enjoying what what was touted as the largest beer pairing dinner ever, industry insiders sampled delicacies... (Continue reading)

Prop. 8 repeal fails to qualify for ballot

A ballot initiative designed to repeal Proposition 8, the anti-gay marriage measure, has failed to qualify for the November election. [Los Angeles Times] The deadline was Monday and the all-volunteer campaign came up short on qualifying signatures–694,000 were required for... (Continue reading)