2010

Community colleges hit by stalled budget

California is the only state to not pass a budget this year and, starting Thursday, the state community college system is scheduled to be the latest victim. [California Watch] Without a signed budget, state Controller John Chiang said his office... (Continue reading)

Grover Beach Summer Concert Series, event photos

By AIMEE VASQUEZ Folks were in for a relaxing afternoon in the big grassy commons of the Ramona Garden Park this Sunday. This week’s Sizzlin’ Summer Concert Series in Grover Beach featured the soulful, rollicking music of the Guy Budd... (Continue reading)

Zac Efron gets the LA Times treatment

Arroyo Grande’s Zac Efron gets the star treatment on the eve of his first attempt at a commercially dramatic movie role in “Charlie St. Cloud.” [LA Times] The young actor grew up in Arroyo Grande and graduated from AGHS. His... (Continue reading)

Day Trip: Chumash Casino

By DAVID CONGALTON A group of us hopped on the bus and went down to Chumash Casino today, what the casino p.r. types down in Santa Ynez playfully call “Win Country.” It can happen. We were inside the building less... (Continue reading)

Battle over air quality and the dunes headed to the Board of Supervisors

San Luis Obispo County moves forward with plans to improve air quality on the Nipomo mesa by approving an agreement with the State Parks earlier today. [KSBY] The agreement creates a technical committee and a management oversight committee. Both are... (Continue reading)

Charges dropped against man charged with manslaughter

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney dropped charges of manslaughter against John Norris, the San Miguel man accused of shooting his wife in July 2009. [KSBY] Officials charged Norris with involuntary manslaughter in Tasha Norris’ death last July. Last... (Continue reading)

Fires rip through Kern County

Two fast-moving wildfires in Kern County Tuesday destroyed more than 30 homes and threatened an additional 150 structures about ten miles southeast of Tehachapi. [Los Angeles Times] About 200 firefighters were called out Tuesday afternoon to battle the West fire... (Continue reading)

Federal investigation into Atascadero shifts into high gear

Federal agents from several agencies including the FBI and FEMA were in the city of Atascadero a few weeks ago asking questions about the Printery – the city’s former youth center - and searching through records related to the alleged... (Continue reading)

California emergency room wait now four hours and 34 minutes

Visiting a California hospital emergency room last year meant waiting an average of four hours and 34 minutes–two minutes longer than in 2008 and 27 minutes longer than the national average. [California Watch] California ranks 40th in the U.S. for... (Continue reading)

Maldonado pays off $100,000 tax lien

Lt. Governor Abel Maldonado’s family business in Santa Maria paid $111,146 in back taxes Monday, following press reports of tax liens against the Central Coast Republican who is running for re-election. [LA Times] Maldonado’s campaign manager released a copy of... (Continue reading)