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Curiosity and controversy over wave potential power arise

Written on 9 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 24 comments

California’s Central Coast has the second largest wave potential power in the nation, falling second only to the state of Alaska, according to a new study conducted by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). [MontereyCountyWeekly] Atmocean Incorporated founder Phil Kithil... (Continue reading)

Santa Maria police officer admitted illicit relationship

Written on 8 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 19 comments

At a contentious Santa Maria City Council meeting, the police chief said prior to the shooting death of Officer Albert Covarrubias Jr., the department taped the officer admitting he had sexual contact with a 17-year-old girl. [KSBY] On Tuesday night,... (Continue reading)

Court cancels gay marriage ban

Written on 8 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 13 comments

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled California’s ban on same-sex marriages unconstitutional Tuesday, saying the ban “lessens the status and human dignity” of gays. The court allowed time for proponents of the ban to... (Continue reading)

Support for chief swells

Written on 8 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 203 comments

A majority of speakers at last night’s Paso Robles City Council meeting voiced  support for Police Chief Lisa Solomon amidst allegations of retaliation and sexual misconduct leveled by a half dozen current and former employees. Prior to opening the council... (Continue reading)

SLO firefighters reach agreement with city

Written on 7 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 16 comments

After six months of negotiations, the San Luis Obispo City Firefighters Local 3523 and the city reached a tentative agreement late Monday evening. City officials and union negotiators agreed on a four-year-contract that upon adoption will back date to Jan.... (Continue reading)

Christmas Day murderer ruled legally insane

Written on 7 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 24 comments

A San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge ruled that Andrew Downs was legally insane when he shot and killed two sisters in Santa Margarita on Christmas Day in 2010. [Tribune] During Downs’ trial, doctors for both the defense and... (Continue reading)

Templeton child molester sentenced to 16 years

Written on 7 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 6 comments

A San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge sentenced Donald Baker to 16 years in prison on Monday for sex crimes against two children now ages 12 and 15. Baker had avoided sentencing for more than a month claiming he... (Continue reading)

Cuesta College closure unlikely

Written on 6 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

UPDATE: Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo is under an order by its accreditation commission to produce an exit plan for closure of the college by Oct. 15. Last week, the Commission for Community and Junior Colleges sent Cuesta College an... (Continue reading)

Feds nix plan for Medi-Cal co-pays

Written on 6 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

An effort by the Gov. Jerry Brown’s administration to raise nearly $300 million through Medi-Cal co-payments has been quashed by federal officials. [Sacramento Bee] The unprecedented state plan was to assess a pay-per-visit fee for low-income Medi-Cal patients, and to... (Continue reading)

Simultaneous protests for Paso Robles

Written on 6 Feb, 2012 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 33 comments

Two separate but parallel demonstrations Tuesday in Paso Robles will highlight perceived mismanagement by top city and school officials. Teachers will be a rally at Paso Robles School District board’s 6 p.m. meeting at district headquarters, 800 Niblick Road, to... (Continue reading)