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Legal theft of vehicles will cease

Written on 27 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 59 comments

A new law taking effect Jan. 1 will prohibit law enforcement from confiscating and towing vehicles of unlicensed drivers stopped at DUI checkpoints. [AssociatedPress] The controversial practice has resulted in the taking  of thousands of vehicles and placing them in... (Continue reading)

Business lobby tops labor lobby

Written on 26 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

Business won the  lobbying wars in Sacramento this past year, knocking off more potentially pesky legislative proposals than any other special interest group under the dome. [CaliforniaWatch] Between labor, business and others, interest groups spent more than $216 million for... (Continue reading)

Rural fire fees due soon

Written on 23 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 46 comments

In little more than a week, thousands of San Luis Obispo County rural residents will be nailed by a $150 “fire prevention fee” levied by the state of California and criticized by opponents as unnecessary and illegal. [SFChronicle] Gov. Jerry... (Continue reading)

Peace officers buying and selling assault weapons

Written on 22 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 47 comments

California peace officers have bought more than 7,600 assault weapons that are outlawed for civilians in the decade since state lawmakers allowed the practice, according to data obtained by the Associated Press after it was revealed that federal authorities are... (Continue reading)

Don’t steal in front of cops

Written on 22 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 9 comments

A “bad idea” led to the arrest early Saturday of two men allegedly stealing ornaments from the Capitol Christmas tree, said California Highway Patrol officials. [SacramentoBee] A passing CHP officer saw people acting suspiciously around the tree, located on the... (Continue reading)

Countrywide Financial’s $335 million racial discrimination settlement

Written on 22 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 5 comments

Countrywide Financial agreed to pay a $335 million settlement for allegedly engaging in a widespread practice of discrimination against qualified Hispanic and African-American  borrowers from 2004 through 2008. The Department of Justice Wednesday filed its largest residential fair lending settlement... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande shop owner arrested in sting operation

Written on 21 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 10 comments

Deputies arrested an Arroyo Grande smoke shop owner after he allegedly sold alcohol and drug paraphernalia to a San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s department decoy during a sting operation on Friday. Ghanem Ayass, 52, the owner of Mr. Smokes on Halcyon... (Continue reading)

Jogger fights off attack

Written on 21 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 64 comments

A woman jogger attacked Tuesday morning on Vachell Lane near the San Luis Obispo city limits escaped serious injury after she aggressively fought off her assailant. Sheriff’s officials said the woman, who was not identified, was running alone about 7... (Continue reading)

Web-based political party emerging

Written on 20 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 27 comments

An online nominating “convention” will seek to select an alternative presidential candidate through a unique campaign being prepared by a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group, Americans Elect, for California’s November ballot. [SacramentoBee] The group’s plan is to bypass the traditional caucus... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande police officer alleges sexual harassment

Written on 20 Dec, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 14 comments

Contentious claims of a culture of sexual discrimination and harassment have resulted in the first of three proposed lawsuits against the city of Arroyo Grande, its police department and Chief Steve Annibali winding its way through the system. Arroyo Grande police... (Continue reading)