Daily Briefs


Grants to illegal immigrant students could cost California $14.5 million

The California Dream Act, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Saturday, could cost the state $14.5 million a year in state grants to illegal immigrants. [LATimes] The California Department of Finance estimates 2,500 additional universities and community colleges students... (Continue reading)

Feds explain medical marijuana crackdown

Federal prosecutors announced Friday that they’re using property seizures and criminal charges to crack down on California’s commercial medical marijuana dispensaries. The top U.S. prosecutors in California said their enforcement effort “is aimed at curtailing the large, for-profit marijuana industry... (Continue reading)

Nursing assistants arrested for abusing patients

Santa Barbara Police arrested two men who worked as nursing assistants at the Central Coast Nursing Center following allegations of elder abuse that include sexual battery. [KCLU] Brian Michael Watt, 29, of Ventura, and Hugo Batalla Rendon, 32, of Santa Barbara were arrested in... (Continue reading)

Brown signs, unions smile

  Labor unions look to be the big winner in the aftermath of Gov. Jerry Brown’s signing Friday of a Democratic bill limiting next year’s initiatives and referendums to the November 2012 ballot. Democrats’ voter turnout is expected to be higher than... (Continue reading)

Feds fire up anti-pot campaign

A looming federal crackdown on legal pot dispensaries in California is emerging in the wake of shifting sentiments in the Obama Administration regarding the use and sale of medical marijuana. This latest move by the U.S. government appears to be... (Continue reading)

“Occupy Wall Street” continues in SLO

The increasingly popular “Occupy Wall Street” movement hit San Luis Obispo on Wednesday as about 50 protesters gathered near the intersections of Santa Rosa and Monterey streets to protest against income inequality and corporate greed. Many of the protesters plan to... (Continue reading)

Eight Occupy Santa Barbara protesters arrested

Santa Barbara Police officers arrested eight people on misdemeanor charges after they refused officers’ orders to leave De la Guerra Plaza on Tuesday evening. [Noozhawk] The Occupy Wall Street movement began on September 17. People are protesting corporate greed and inequality.... (Continue reading)

Cuesta College narrows presidential search to three

Three men, including one who lacks a Ph.D. or Ed.D., have been named as the finalists for the Cuesta College superintendent/president position. The three candidates will be featured in a public forum on Tuesday, Oct. 11 from noon to 3... (Continue reading)

Oceano man sentenced in tourist murder

The Oceano man who intentionally drove his car off Highway 101 in Pismo Beach killing two tourists has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Jerardo Iriarte, 19, was originally charged with two counts of murder for the... (Continue reading)

Elderly woman killed in collision near Lake Nacimiento

UPDATE: The California Highway Patrol identified the woman killed in the Monday morning crash on Nacimiento Lake Drive as 63-year-old Cynthia Huntsberger of Paso Robles. Alicia Kropp, 40, also of Paso Robles, was not injured in the collision. An elderly... (Continue reading)