September, 2012

State earners’ income steady

The average household income among Californians rose only slightly last year, but the rates of both poverty-level income earners and those without medical insurance were nearly tops in the nation. That’s the finding of a new report from the U.S.... (Continue reading)

Morro Bay surfer Dustin Ray dead at 39

Morro Bay professional surfer Dustin Christopher Ray, also known as “D-Ray,” passed away last week at the age of 39. The official cause of death for this local surfer who was known to struggle with substance abuse is yet to... (Continue reading)

Salmonella prompts cantaloupe recall

Cantaloupe samples from a Fresno-based company have been found to be contaminated with salmonella and a 21 state recall has been initiated, according to DFI Marketing Inc. On Thursday, DFI Marketing Inc. said the U.S. Department of Agriculture found salmonella... (Continue reading)

Is lying to lawmen illegal?

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Can a conversation with law enforcement be hazardous to your freedom? It all depends on an interpretation of your honesty. Police officials in Atascadero said field officers have been arresting people for lying to them. The admission... (Continue reading)

Central Coast otters battle climate change

Sea otters are now being touted for helping to fight global warming, according to a pair of scientists from UC Santa Cruz. [MercuryNews] The reasoning is really fairly simple: kelp removes carbon from the environment, sea urchins are ravenous creatures... (Continue reading)

California’s uninsured increasing in numbers

California’s uninsured population is among the nation’s highest at 19.7 percent and continuing to increase, according to a new Census Bureau report. Even though nationally the number of those without medical insurance fell from 16.3 percent to 15.7 percent in... (Continue reading)

Dick Mason signs off from KPRL

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE Please see correction at bottom of article. After five years of hosting Sound Off, Dick Mason is leaving Paso Robles-based KPRL amid discord with the station’s owner over an alleged political agenda. Mason is... (Continue reading)

Sierra Vista doctor killed in bicycle accident

The bicyclist who died after being hit by a semi-truck Wednesday morning in San Luis Obispo was Dr. Damian Horstman. Candy Markwith, the CEO of Sierra Vista regional Medial Center, provided the following statement: “It is with great sadness that... (Continue reading)

Bicyclist killed in semi-truck accident

A bicyclist died after being hit by a semi-truck Wednesday morning in San Luis Obispo. The fatal collision occurred near the corner of Higuera and Ontario Streets on the outskirts of town. California Highway Patrol officials are not releasing further... (Continue reading)

PG&E’s pending assault on the sea and gray whales

OPINION By ROGER CLEARY Some say, short of thermonuclear war, PG&E’s Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, with its radioactive, spent fuel posing a toxic hazard lasting longer than we Homo sapiens have populated this planet presents the biggest threat to... (Continue reading)