2010

Alleged cockfight organizer claims discrimination

The Arroyo Grande man accused of hosting cockfighting on his property claims that he is a victim of discrimination. [KSBY] “I was born in this country, raised in this country, but it’s not equal,” Raymond Pinon Gutierrez said today. “All... (Continue reading)

Every war is a war against a child

BY DAWN ORTIZ-LEGG “Every war is a war against children.”  The elegant simplicity and hard truth of that statement is what made Howard Zinn a remarkable man. He embodied dissent in nearly every aspect of his life – as historian,... (Continue reading)

Bill allows churches to refuse to marry gays

A new bill is being introduced in Sacramento, protecting clergy and churches from legal consequences for refusing to perform same-sex marriages. [San Francisco Chronicle] Same-sex marriage is currently illegal in California, though that law is currently being challenged in court... (Continue reading)

Superintendent skips class to spend time with teenage girlfriend

Last week, taxpayers paid for the San Miguel Joint Union School District superintendent to attend a symposium in Monterey. However, Supt. Dean Smith apparently skipped some of the meetings to spend time with a teenager with whom he is allegedly... (Continue reading)

California Wine Train gets $54 million in stimulus $$$

Critics are pointing to the $54 million in federal stimulus money for the California Wine Train as “silly and short sighted,” and a waste of money. [California Watch] Sixteen times a week, the Wine Train transports tourists from Napa to... (Continue reading)

Steve Moss Interview

Steve Moss interview Part 1. [youtube J6BZMZ4VBRw 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... (Continue reading)

Deputies break up cock fight in Arroyo Grande

Acting on a tip, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies broke up a cock fight in Arroyo Grande Sunday morning, involving as many as 300 people. As officers arrived at 2109 Heidl Place around 10 a.m., the spectators began running... (Continue reading)

Controller: State will run out of cash before April

State Controller John Chiang warned Friday that California will run out of the cash needed to pay bills by April–unless Gov. Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders agree on nearly $9 billion in budget cuts. [Oakland Tribune] Those cuts are needed, Chiang... (Continue reading)

California cellphone law not making roads safer

The state law requiring drivers to use hands-free cellphones is not making California highways any safer, according to a new study. [Los Angeles Times] The Highway Loss Data Institute found that the rates of crashes before and after the 2008... (Continue reading)

Candidate for Nipomo’s dumbest criminal

A Nipomo man has been arrested after he left a grocery store receipt with a name on it at a burglary he had committed in Guadalupe. The victim arrived home as Jeremy Carlos Madrigal, 38, was driving away with her belongings... (Continue reading)