2012

Teacher-student sex bill sidelined

Democrats in the Assembly Public Safety Committee killed a proposal Tuesday that would have made sexual relationships and communications between teachers and students a felony — even when the participants are adults. [Sacramento Bee] Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) introduced her... (Continue reading)

Jim Patterson and the California Valley solar ranch

OPINION By ALEX ALEXIEV Fifth District Supervisor Jim Patterson has distributed a campaign brochure touting the fact that he “has led the effort” to approve two solar energy projects and “provide nearly 400 skilled worker positions” at the California Valley... (Continue reading)

Wine, weed, and a new buzz

Marijuana-laced wine may be coming to the Central Coast. In fact, it may already be here. [DailyBeast] While wine fermented with cannabis is nothing new — it gained a level of popularity in the 1980s — it appears to be... (Continue reading)

SLO County denies allegations in retaliation lawsuit

San Luis Obispo County officials said they are not liable for civil damages sought by a former sheriff deputy who contends he was retaliated against and eventually terminated after he reported multiple abuses of policy by department heads. In a... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles administrator accused of conflict of interest

The Paso Robles city administrative services director purchased a Chevy he asked the city council to approve for sale for about half of its Kelley Blue Book value prompting allegations of a conflict of interest and misuse of public... (Continue reading)

Atascadero’s liars and thieves $7.5 million rip off

OPINION By DAVID BROADWATER Not many locals were shocked to learn that Atascadero City officials allegedly fraudulently obtained and used $8 million in federal taxpayer money from FEMA, revealed by the recent release of its OIG (Office of Inspector General)... (Continue reading)

Violence increasing at California state mental hospitals

Assaults by patients at California’s state mental hospitals have escalated and confinements times have increased while  a costly federal effort to reduce heavy drugging and improper restraining failed to improve care and help patients control violent impulses. [LATimes] In 2006,... (Continue reading)

Cal Poly faculty to vote on strike

Faculty at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo will begin voting today on whether the faculty will grant their union, the California Faculty Association, the authority to call a strike, according to the association’s website. The end of mediation sets... (Continue reading)

Former Arroyo Grande teacher arrested for child sex

A former Arroyo Grande High School music teacher was arrested last week in Bakersfield and charged with two felony counts of child sex abuse. [BakersfieldNow] Luke Youngs, 34, is being charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child and lewd... (Continue reading)

Solomon costs taxpayers more than $300,000

Paso Robles city officials have already spent about $330,000 dealing with allegations of sexual and managerial misconduct by former police Chief Lisa Solomon. [Tribune] A cost that is likely to increase as the city battles lawsuits already filed or in... (Continue reading)