July, 2013

Arroyo Grande Council recognizes officer harassment injuries

The Arroyo Grande City Council agreed on July 9 to recognize that police officer Michelle Cota suffered psychological injuries while on the job. [NewTimes] As a result of the council vote, Cota will be able to retire and collect bi-weekly... (Continue reading)

Adam Ant to play Fremont Theater in SLO

By COLIN JONES Eighties new wave icon Adam Ant will make a rare San Luis Obispo appearance when he plays the historic Fremont Theater, on Sept. 18, CalCoastNews has learned. Both as leader of Adam and the Ants and a... (Continue reading)

Homeland Security secretary named University of California president

Janet Napolitano, the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security and former governor of Arizona, has been selected as the next president of the University of California system. [LATimes] Napolitano’s appointment is the first time in its 145-year history the 10-campus system... (Continue reading)

Murdered Santa Maria man owed drug taxes

Santa Barbara County Grand Jury transcripts suggest that a Santa Maria gang brutally murdered and tortured 28-year-old Anthony Ibarra over a drug tax debt. [KEYT] Gang members tortured and killed Ibarra on March 17 at a residence on West Donovan... (Continue reading)

Gov. Brown signs business incentive bill

Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation on Thursday revamping an economic program in an effort to encourage manufacturing and job growth in California. [MercuryNews] Brown initially objected to continuing the business incentives calling the program outdated and inefficient but later compromise... (Continue reading)

Solar homes in state multiplying

Home solar systems were installed by California homeowners at a record rate last year, with the equipment generating a total of 391 megawatts of electricity, according to data released by the government. (San Francisco Chronicle) A rebate program for solar... (Continue reading)

Men’s Colony inmates join statewide hunger strike

Inmates at the California Men’s Colony have joined a statewide hunger strike over the treatment of prisoners, just as state officials are trying to convince the U.S. Supreme Court that prison conditions have improved. The California Department of Corrections and... (Continue reading)

Republican gubernatorial candidate brings his roadshow to Atascadero

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Most observers of California politics expect Governor Jerry Brown to remain in office for yet another term. Republican Assemblyman Tim Donnelly does not. Though Donnelly is most known for bringing a loaded gun into an airport and... (Continue reading)

Twin Maras born at the Atascadero Zoo

The Charles Paddock Zoo announced the unexpected birth of twin baby Maras on July 6. Maras, or Patagonian Cavies, are small rodents native to South America. The twin’s birth came as a complete surprise to staff who had not noticed... (Continue reading)

FEMA disallows $2.7 million in Atascadero relief funds

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is asking the city of Atascadero to return $2.7 million in funding it received illicitly following the 2003 San Simeon Earthquake. In April 2012, nearly eight years after the San Simeon Earthquake damaged the... (Continue reading)