Daily Briefs


State pension reform envisioned

Public employees’ pensions will be reformed by the legislature before the next state budget is adopted, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg predicted today. [Sacramento Bee] “We are committed to getting pension reform done,” said the Upper House leader, downplaying... (Continue reading)

Eleven people rescued from SLO elevator

San Luis Obispo city firefighters rescued eleven people who were stuck inside the Palm Street parking structure elevator on Thursday evening. [KCOY] Around 7 p.m., the elevator became stuck. Firefighters point to an excessive amount of weight in the elevator... (Continue reading)

Man arrested for child pornography umpired girls’ softball

An Atascadero man arrested Tuesday for possessing child pornography worked as an umpire for Atascadero Girls’ Softball, board members confirmed today. Girls from 6-years-old to 18-years-old play softball as part of the Atascadero league. While several board members confirmed Andrew... (Continue reading)

Atascadero man arrested for child pornography

FBI agents arrested an Atascadero man on Tuesday for receipt and possession of child pornography. Andrew Guy Pratt, 47, allegedly received and downloaded child pornography videos from September through November. The Films were of men having sexual activities with girls... (Continue reading)

Cuesta College employees sue over alleged sexual harassment

Four women filed suit in December against a Cuesta College faculty chair, the college and several campus officials claiming ongoing sexual harassment and the college’s failure to respond to complaints. [Tribune] Three claimants contend Don Norton, Cuesta’s division chair of... (Continue reading)

Curiosity and controversy over wave potential power arise

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

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

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

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

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)