Daily Briefs


California’s worsening financial condition

Nearly nine in ten Californians, say the state is in bad economic times and don’t see things improving any time soon, according to a September 27 Field Poll. Half of California voters believe their financial condition is worse than last... (Continue reading)

Guns fired, pair arrested

Two Arroyo Grande men were arrested Sunday after sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of gunshots being fired at Lake Lopez. After deputies arrived at the scene, they found Michael Lynn Anthony Hardisty, 20, and James Ryan Johnson, 18, and... (Continue reading)

Memorial service set for Pastor Doug

Family and friends are organizing a public memorial service to honor a local man who lived longer with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) than anyone else in the entire country. Doug Carroll, 54, of San Luis Obispo, known to many... (Continue reading)

Local newspapers? Humbug, says America

Local newspapers don’t earn much respect from a majority of Americans, a new Pew Research Center survey reveals. Most of the 2,000 people interviewed for the survey said they wouldn’t miss their local paper if it disappeared.  They also said... (Continue reading)

Growing concerns over Nipomo groundwater levels

Nipomo’s groundwater basin remains at “potentially severe” water levels which could result in salt water intrusion, according to a recently released report. [SantaMariaTimes] Following the wet spring of 2010, the Nipomo Mesa Groundwater Basin rebounded slightly following three years of... (Continue reading)

Grocery union members approve new contract

Workers at Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons grocery stores ratify a new contract, bringing an end to labor negotiations that dragged on for more than eight months and brought tens of thousands of workers to the verge of a strike. [LATimes]... (Continue reading)

Little zoo with a big master plan

Atascadero’s Charles Paddock Zoo unveiled Ruscan the red panda to the public on Saturday. The panda arrived at the zoo 16 months ago, but money problems have kept him out of the public eye. The two-year-old panda will be living in... (Continue reading)

Man crashes stolen car into Templeton power pole

A 53-year-old man led California Highway Patrol officers on a chase through Templeton on Friday that ended when he struck a power pole on Township Road in his parents’ stolen car. [Tribune] Gregory Harrison’s parents informed officers that their white... (Continue reading)

New funding options unlikely for community colleges

A task force on California’s community colleges – formed in part to study alternative funding options – appears highly unlikely to recommend drastic changes in the way the state funds its community colleges. [CaliforniaWatch] Instead, the group’s draft recommendations focus... (Continue reading)

We still love Prop. 13: Field Poll

Californians still love their 33-year-old Prop. 13, the property tax reduction amendment, according to the results of the latest field poll released today. By more than two to one, voters told pollsters that they would vote to endorse the measure... (Continue reading)