September, 2011

Growing concerns over Nipomo groundwater levels

Nipomo’s groundwater basin remains at “potentially severe” water levels which could result in salt water intrusion, according to a recently released report. [SantaMariaTimes] Following the wet spring of 2010, the Nipomo Mesa Groundwater Basin rebounded slightly following three years of... (Continue reading)

Grocery union members approve new contract

Workers at Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons grocery stores ratify a new contract, bringing an end to labor negotiations that dragged on for more than eight months and brought tens of thousands of workers to the verge of a strike. [LATimes]... (Continue reading)

Woman’s Legacy Fund Luncheon, event photos

The San Luis Obispo 9th Annual Women’s Legacy Fund Luncheon at the Embassy Suites focused on this year’s health grant program. The group’s mission is to build a permanent endowment to support programs and projects of local organizations that address... (Continue reading)

Little zoo with a big master plan

Atascadero’s Charles Paddock Zoo unveiled Ruscan the red panda to the public on Saturday. The panda arrived at the zoo 16 months ago, but money problems have kept him out of the public eye. The two-year-old panda will be living in... (Continue reading)

Weekend spotlight: Ode to Tomatoes

By CRISTIN POWERS Autumn, the time for the harvest, warm apple cider, succulent roast turkeys and freshly baked pumpkin pies, has arrived along with an array of fun festivities. Start the season off right by attending the 74th annual Arroyo... (Continue reading)

Man crashes stolen car into Templeton power pole

A 53-year-old man led California Highway Patrol officers on a chase through Templeton on Friday that ended when he struck a power pole on Township Road in his parents’ stolen car. [Tribune] Gregory Harrison’s parents informed officers that their white... (Continue reading)

New funding options unlikely for community colleges

A task force on California’s community colleges – formed in part to study alternative funding options – appears highly unlikely to recommend drastic changes in the way the state funds its community colleges. [CaliforniaWatch] Instead, the group’s draft recommendations focus... (Continue reading)

Heritage Oaks Bank loans ‘fed the monster’

An appellate court denied Heritage Oaks Bank's latest attempt to obtain assets of Estate Financial Principal Karen Guth, noting that the bank’s actions had harmed investors. Earlier this month, the Second District Court of Appeals upheld a San Luis Obispo County... (Continue reading)

We still love Prop. 13: Field Poll

Californians still love their 33-year-old Prop. 13, the property tax reduction amendment, according to the results of the latest field poll released today. By more than two to one, voters told pollsters that they would vote to endorse the measure... (Continue reading)

Off-roader federal land policies under scrutiny

Increased regulation of off-road vehicle use on forest lands got roasted this week at a congressional hearing in Sacramento, setting the stage for a GOP-led legislative effort to open more land to grazing and mining, and banning future national monuments.... (Continue reading)