Daily Briefs


Four California men charged with aiding Islamic jihad

The United States Attorney in Los Angeles has charged four Southern California men with conspiring with Al-Qai’da terrorists and plotting to kill Americans. An FBI investigation alleges that the four men, two American citizens and two lawful residents, planned to... (Continue reading)

Seven dogs die in pet resort fire

Seven dogs died in an early morning fire Monday at Thousand Hills Pet Resort outside of San Luis Obispo. [KSBY] The fire burned three kennels at the Buckley Road ranch around 6 a.m. killing the dogs inside. Thousand Hills Pet... (Continue reading)

Federal judge accused of financial conflicts of interest

A federal judge for the Central District of California in Los Angeles has issued three key rulings over a four-year period that favored companies in which he owned stock, a California Watch analysis has found. Judges are required to make... (Continue reading)

Wal-Mart attacks union on planned Black Friday strike

As a looming labor strike on Black Friday threatens sales, Wal-Mart has filed a complaint against the union it claims is organizing the disruption. Wal-Mart accused the United Food and Commercial Workers of trying to force the retail giant into... (Continue reading)

SLO County employment spurred by tourism

The number of people employed in San Luis Obispo County has risen over the past year prompted heavily by the local tourism industry, according to a report released Friday by the California Employment Development Department. County residents who make a... (Continue reading)

Gay marriage more acceptable to blacks

A majority of African Americans in this country now support gay marriage, a shift in attitude from just four years ago, according to the head of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Ben Jealous. (San Francisco... (Continue reading)

SLO finance boss departing

Charles Bourbeau, director of finance and information technology for the city of San Luis Obispo, has resigned his post. Bourbeau told CalCoastNews Friday he will be leaving Dec. 7 due to health problems. “There are some big [fiscal] issues coming... (Continue reading)

Gibson had affair with legislative aide

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson admitted to having an affair with his legislative aide and said he plans to seek a divorce from his wife. [SLO Tribune] Gibson said the affair with Legislative Assistant Cherie Aispuro had lasted... (Continue reading)

Ruling leaves Wal-Mart more vulnerable to CEQA suits

Wal-Mart may now face lawsuits for using the initiative process to sidestep the California Environmental Quality Act due to a state appellate court ruling. [California Watch] The retail giant, which currently faces a CEQA suit for its newly approved Atascadero... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles Pasolivo olive ranch sold

A Newport Beach family has purchased the Pasolivo olive oil business and its surrounding 131 ranch in Paso Robles, with the proceeds slated to help pay the victims of hard money lenders Karen Guth and Joshua Yaguda. [Tribune] Though the... (Continue reading)