June, 2015

Ruptured oil pipeline badly corroded

The pipeline that ruptured near Refugio State Beach in the early afternoon on May 19 had extensive external corrosion, according to a government report released June 3. Investigators with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration found a 6... (Continue reading)

Child abuse alleged at boot camp in SLO County

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office is investigating allegations that Southern California law enforcement officers physically abused several minors last month at a boot camp held at Camp San Luis Obispo. From May 17 to 24, the Huntington Park... (Continue reading)

SLO Council approves raise for Dietrick, bonus for Lichtig

San Luis Obispo City Council voted 4-1 on Tuesday to give City Manager Katie Lichtig a cash bonus and City Attorney Christine Dietrick her fourth raise in four years. Dan Carpenter dissented. The council also granted Lichtig a car allowance... (Continue reading)

SLO council votes unanimously for Styrofoam ban

The San Luis Obispo City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to place a ban on Styrofoam food and drink containers. [Tribune] The ordinance will prohibit restaurants from giving Styrofoam containers to customers. It will also ban the retail sale of Styrofoam... (Continue reading)

Victims chastise Kelly Gearhart at hearing

By KAREN VELIE Former North County developer Kelly Gearhart sat stone-faced Monday as eight of his financial fraud victims told a federal judge in Los Angeles how Gearhart showed no mercy for the elderly victims he preyed upon. Each of... (Continue reading)

Neverland ranch could be yours for $100 million

The longtime home of deceased pop star Michael Jackson is on the market and priced at $100 million. [LA Times] Formerly known as Neverland Ranch, the 2,700-acre property in Northern Santa Barbara County has a 12,000 square foot Normandy style... (Continue reading)

Atascadero superintendent retiring

The superintendent of the Atascadero Unified School District is retiring this month after four years on the job. [Tribune] Deborah Bowers will retire on June 30. As superintendent, she oversees the education of more than 4,700 students and the operation... (Continue reading)

California Senate endorses minimum wage hike

The California Senate voted Monday in favor of a bill that would raise the state’s minimum wage each of the next two years. [Sacramento Bee] Senate Bill 3 would bump the minimum wage to $11 in 2016 and $13 in... (Continue reading)

Bill prohibits retaliation against homeless sleeping in cars

A bill that would protect homeless people sleeping in their cars from harassment, removal from their vehicles and civil and criminal penalties in California made a key step forward on Monday. Assembly Bill 718, authored by Democratic Assemblyman Kansen Chu... (Continue reading)

Could a tsunami swamp California?

A Southern California geologist is warning of the possibility of a tsunami slamming into Los Angeles and wreaking havoc on California’s coastline. [NBC News] Mark Legg, the lead author of a newly published study, says offshore faults are capable of... (Continue reading)