Daily Briefs


New tax-hike plan touted

A Berkeley Democrat’s effort to alter the way California assesses taxes for many state taxpayers faces an uncertain future, needing two-thirds of the Assembly to back it. Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner has introduced legislation to disallow the use of net operating... (Continue reading)

Chief’s charges against Paso Robles officer dismissed

Charges levied against a Paso Robles police officer for allegedly accessing DMV records by former chief of police Lisa Solomon-Chitty were dismissed earlier this month. Prosecutors asked San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge John Trice to dismiss the four... (Continue reading)

Fourth Arroyo Grande cross burner sentenced to jail

The fourth defendant accused of committing a hate crime against a black teen in Arroyo Grande last year was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Wednesday. San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Jacquelyn Duffy sentenced Jeremiah Leo “Smurf” Hernandez,... (Continue reading)

Atascadero Walmart approved

By KAREN VELIE Following more than two hours of public comment, the Atascadero City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve the construction of a Walmart and another shopping center dubbed the Annex near the intersection of El Camino Real... (Continue reading)

Former Cal Poly coach Stevenson dead at 54

Jon Stevenson, a former Cal Poly volleyball coach who left the campus after being accused of sexual harassment and unprofessional conduct, has died. He was 54. [Tribune] Stevenson, who lived in Pismo Beach, was found dead Sunday in Van Nuys.... (Continue reading)

Oceano attempting to muffle public comment

Oceano Community Services District Board members will vote Wednesday on whether to  limit public speaker comments to six minutes per meeting in what has been labeled an attempt to create orderly meetings. District attorney Molly Thurmond is also suggesting that... (Continue reading)

George R. Hearst Jr. dead at 84

George R. Hearst Jr. died Monday after falling ill at his Paso Robles home in June. Hearst, 84, was chairman of the board of the Hearst Corp., and died of complications of a stroke at Stanford University Medical Center in... (Continue reading)

Slain officer’s family files lawsuit

The family of the Santa Maria police officer shot while on duty has filed a suit against the city and the officer who shot Alberto Covarrubias Jr. [KCOY] When two officers attempted to arrest officer Alberto Covarrubias in January for... (Continue reading)

Wrong way driver busted

A Nipomo man driving a Nissan Rogue was arrested Sunday after officers stopped him while traveling north on southbound Highway 101. California Highway Patrol officers stopped Ramon J. Ramos, 21, at 4:41 a.m. after he had driven from Santa Maria... (Continue reading)

Nipomo man charged with illegal pig butchering

A Nipomo man is charged with illegally butchering pigs at his home on the 1400 block of Camino Caballo. Mariscal Amezcua, 62, is a facing five counts of violating the California Food and Agriculture Code. The former Santa Maria High... (Continue reading)