2012

Spending soars on state ballot measures

The top 10 donors to California’s November ballot measures have already spent a total of more than $150 million on the various campaigns [California Watch]. Major donors include politically opposed siblings, a 91-year-old billionaire and a teachers union that has... (Continue reading)

Number two reactor down at Diablo

The number two reactor at Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant shut down Thursday afternoon due to an electrical disturbance. [KCOY] The disturbance occurred at around 12:08 p.m., and it automatically triggered a shutdown of the reactor. Reactor one, however, remains... (Continue reading)

SLO police again accused of hassling the homeless

EDITOR’S NOTE: See San Luis Obispo City Council candidate Matt Strzepec’s accounting of alleged police harassment of the homeless at the bottom of this story. By KAREN VELIE A former San Luis Obispo City Council candidate has reentered the race... (Continue reading)

Oakland tackles fed marijuana busters

While community leaders in this county exploit every possible method to shutter medical marijuana dispensaries and delivery systems, the city of Oakland is setting legal precedent by suing federal pot enforcers for their aggressive repression. (San Francisco Chronicle) The action... (Continue reading)

Fleeing parolee leads deputies on wild chase

A parolee driving a stolen car fled from law enforcement officers Wednesday evening in Pismo Beach led to a multi-agency chase that ended in a Grover Beach backyard. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office sought Leon Clowers III Wednesday... (Continue reading)

Gang members arrested for attempted murder and torture

Santa Maria police arrested two gang members Wednesday for attempting to murder and torture of a man in June [KSBY]. Simon Gutierrez and Johnny Lugo stabbed the man, also a gang member, on North Broadway in Santa Maria, police said.... (Continue reading)

Sheriff offering $500 for sex offender

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is offering $500 for information leading to the arrest of a convicted sex offender who failed to register and appear in court. Matthew James Booker, 37, previously a resident of Templeton, committed lewd... (Continue reading)

Mysterious man behind anti-Muslim film to appear in court

A California man credited with producing an anti-Muslim film that has led to violent protests across the Middle East will appear in court Wednesday for arraignment on probation violation charges. Mark Basseley Youssef, who claims to have written the script... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande bans mobile pot shops

The Arroyo Grande City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ban mobile medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. [KCOY] In 2008, Arroyo Grande adopted an ordinance banning brick and mortar dispensaries only. Following a San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury report... (Continue reading)

A new Paso Robles chief just like the old chief?

By DANIEL BLACKBURN A six-person Paso Robles “citizens’ committee” advising in the selection of the city’s next chief of police includes the man whose recommendation led to the eventual appointment of  disgraced Lisa Solomon-Chitty as the city’s first female chief... (Continue reading)