2011

CalPERS’ $11 million legal payment scrutinized

An $11 million bill for legal fees associated with an internal review of the California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) is drawing criticism. LATIMES CalPERS, the nation’s largest public pension fund which oversees $232 billion, paid a Washington, D.C. law... (Continue reading)

Treasurer worried about high-speed train funding

California’s top financial official is warning that the numbers are not penciling out for the proposed controversial 800-mile bullet train system. [California Watch] State Treasurer Bill Lockyer says that the $45 billion rail system is brimming with “unanswered questions: about... (Continue reading)

Equine herpes virus contained

The equine herpes virus, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that affected at least 22 horses in California since its outbreak in early May, appears to be contained, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. [CDFA] At... (Continue reading)

Black bear raids third San Luis Obispo chicken coop

A black bear with a history of eating backyard chickens in San Luis Obispo is facing the threat of euthanasia. [KCOY] On Sunday, during the bear’s fourth trip to SLO in less than two weeks, it broke into another chicken... (Continue reading)

Troubled Santa Lucia Bank makes buyout deal

San Luis Obispo headquartered Mission Community Bancorp announced today that it plans to acquire Santa Lucia Bank, a deal that if approved soon could save the struggling Atascadero based bank from further regulatory action. Backed by a private equity firm, the... (Continue reading)

Templeton husband and wife accused of child molestation

A Templeton husband and wife were arrested for the alleged repeated molestation of a male relative under the age of 14, according to a sheriff report. Donald Baker, the former nursing director of the intensive care unit at a Templeton hospital,... (Continue reading)

Testimony shines light on medical marijuana battle

A former Atascadero resident testified Thursday that large marijuana growers hide behind the cover of medical marijuana while growing hundreds of pounds of illegal weed to sell for big bucks on the black market. [NECN] “Everybody’s in this for money.... (Continue reading)

Suspected drunk driver kills bicyclist in Arroyo Grande

A man from England was killed Saturday night after a suspected drunk driver traveling at a high rate of speed lost control and crashed into the bicylist in Arroyo Grande. [KSBY] The driver, identified as 20-year-old Aaron Ceja of Nipomo... (Continue reading)

State will remove tracking devices from paroled gang members

California prison officials plan to remove GPS tracking devices from hundreds of paroled gang members in an effort to save money in the state’s troubled budget. [Sacramento Bee] The department of corrections will cut its monitoring program by more than... (Continue reading)

Defending our right to speak

OPINION By ROGER FREBERG When I first set about to write this article, I was reminded about the many situations in which our free expression of ideas can land us in hot water. Exercising your free speech is not without... (Continue reading)