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December, 2011

Study lists California pensions’ shortfall at $500 billion

Written on 14 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 21 comments

California’s three largest pension systems are on the hook for $500 billion beyond their current ability to pay retirees, according to a study released Tuesday by Stanford University Professor and former Democratic Assemblyman Joe Nation and a student researcher. [SacramentoBee]... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria police officers shot each other

Written on 13 Dec, 2011 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 107 comments

The only bullets fired in Thursday’s fusillade killing a 24-year-old Santa Maria man and wounding two officers came from police weapons. A local newspaper initially reported that the fatally wounded man, Samyr Ceballos, started a shootout. “Never once did I... (Continue reading)

SLO city salary cuts: $0.00

Written on 13 Dec, 2011 in Featured, Opinion | 15 comments

OPINION By KEVIN RICE A recent public relations blitz from the city of San Luis Obispo lauded $807,000 in compensation reductions voluntarily taken by top management. Our local spoon-fed media then dutifully regurgitated the numbers put forth by the city... (Continue reading)

Detective on the hook for faulty SWAT team raid

Written on 13 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 29 comments

The 9th Circuit Court ruled Friday a Santa Maria couple can sue the detective whose faulty warrant led to a SWAT team storming their home in search of their son who was already in jail. [CourthouseNewsService] The Santa Maria Police... (Continue reading)

Feds accuse local hospitals of overcharging

Written on 12 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 19 comments

Catholic Healthcare West paid $875,564 to the United States to settle allegations that certain of its affiliate hospitals, including French Hospital in San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital, overcharged Medicare during a period of almost a decade, United... (Continue reading)

Part-time legislature amendment proposed

Written on 12 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 16 comments

Would California fare better with a part-time legislature? [SacramentoBee] That’s the central question at the core of a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce both the lawmaking body’s time in Sacramento and the pay for members. First-term Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, (R-Bakersfield) ... (Continue reading)

California’s battling tax hike initiatives

Written on 12 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 10 comments

Californians overwhelmingly support raising taxes to support public education, but three such competing initiatives could be defeated because of voter confusion. [LosAngelesTimes] Funding for California’s public school system ranks 42nd among states in student spending. In addition, university students face... (Continue reading)

Armed Robbery at San Luis Obispo Subway

Written on 12 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 23 comments

San Luis Obispo police are looking for a man who allegedly held up a Subway restaurant at gunpoint Saturday evening. [KCOY] At about 10 p.m., the robber wearing a nylon stocking mask entered the Marsh Street store, took out a... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria bank robbery suspect arrested

Written on 12 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 9 comments

Law enforcement officers arrested a 45-year-old Santa Maria man on Sunday for allegedly robbing the Rabobank on North Broadway on Thursday. [KSBY] Officers took James Welbaum  into custody without incident in the area of Main and Pine streets in Santa... (Continue reading)

Take time off from politics, and bake something for those you love

Written on 12 Dec, 2011 in Discovered | 2 comments

By ROGER FREBERG Here we are in the midst of the holiday season. Most people who bake from scratch measure this season from the first thought of a Thanksgiving Turkey and Pumpkin Pie to the last chip and dip at... (Continue reading)