2014

California Democrats trying to slow impact of cap and trade

Citing concern over rising gas prices, a group of Democratic California lawmakers are pushing a bill that would delay requiring oil refineries to buy carbon credits under the state’s cap and trade system. [LA Times] California’s cap and trade system,... (Continue reading)

State audit finds Hill skirting campaign finance law

By JOSH FRIEDMAN An audit conducted by the California Franchise Tax Board has revealed that San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill failed to properly disclose nearly $70,000 in campaign expenditures during his most recent run for office. The California... (Continue reading)

Californians facing $500 a day water fines

After very few Californians listened to Gov. Jerry Brown plea to conserve water, the state is poised to slap water wasters with fines of up to $500 a day. [Mercury News] The state Water Resources Control Board is set to... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles man sentenced to 14 years for child molestation

A 70-year-old Paso Robles man has received a 14-year prison sentence for molesting three child relatives. Leonard Ray Franklin pleaded guilty in April to two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a minor under age 14 and one count of... (Continue reading)

New candidate running for Arroyo Grande council

Longtime Arroyo Grande resident Barbara Harmon announced this week that she is running for a city council seat. Harmon has lived in Arroyo Grande for nearly 30 years and has served on the city’s architectural review committee since December 2013.... (Continue reading)

Covello quitting the DA’s office

By JOSH FRIEDMAN and KAREN VELIE A little more than a month after losing his bid to become San Luis Obispo County’s top prosecutor, Tim Covello is stepping down from his position with the district attorney’s office. Covello, who is... (Continue reading)

Appellate court approves of Atasacadero Walmart

The California Second District Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling that the city of Atascadero complied with environmental laws in its approval of the construction of a Walmart superstore. In June 2012, the Atascadero City Council approved the construction... (Continue reading)

Deputies find panga at San Simeon State Beach

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies discovered a panga boat at San Simeon State Beach early Wednesday morning. Deputies did not find any drugs, though, nor did they identify any suspects. They discovered the panga around 2:50 a.m. Wednesday. The... (Continue reading)

Immigrant detention center expanding in Southern California

U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) is adding beds to the largest immigrant detention center in Southern California. [LA Times] The detention center in the high desert town of Adelanto, 40 miles north of San Bernardino, currently has the capacity... (Continue reading)

Atascadero woman attacks Obama protesters

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Claiming she was defending President Barack Obama from an unwarranted attack, an Atascadero woman pepper sprayed a group of peaceful protestors on Monday afternoon. Atascadero police then charged the woman with two counts of battery. During the... (Continue reading)