Daily Briefs


Court bars Gearhart tax sale

An Ohio court barred the San Luis Obispo County tax collector from selling former North County developer Kelly Gearhart’s properties at auction during a hearing on Monday. As of June 6, Gearhart, his wife Tamara Gearhart, and several of their... (Continue reading)

Mammoth Lakes files bankruptcy

The Town Council of Mammoth Lakes Town voted unanimously on Monday to approve a bankruptcy filing, less than a month after Stockton filed for bankruptcy protection. The council said it was the only option it had left after its largest... (Continue reading)

Atheists cry foul over Pismo Beach City Council’s Christian invocations

Pismo Beach’s City Council may find itself in court if it continues to allow Christian laden invocations to lead its supposed secular meetings. Members of Atheists United of San Luis Obispo have repeatedly asked the Pismo Beach City Council to... (Continue reading)

Indestructible tomatoes explained

Consumers have known for years that tomatoes from the grocer often taste bland, have bad texture, and can be as hard as baseballs. And while it is no mystery that the fruit was the result of scientific tinkering to create... (Continue reading)

Arnold was not Maldonado’s special guest

Republican Congressional candidate Abel Maldonado was enticing supporters to attend a Friday fundraiser in Pismo Beach with the promise of a “special guest,” prompting his Democratic opponent, incumbent Rep. Lois Capps, to report the surprise guest was likely former California... (Continue reading)

Body found in ocean off Pismo Beach

Two men paddle boarding in the pacific ocean near Pismo Beach discovered the body of a 34-year-old man floating in the water on Sunday at 11:20 a.m. Jonathan Blankeship of Pismo Beach is thought to have fallen off an ocean-side... (Continue reading)

Oceano employee’s claim leads to changes

Shortly after receiving a claim for wrongful termination that detailed a supervisor’s porn use, Oceano district officials placed the supervisor on leave and changed the status of all district employees from tenured to at will. In December, Oceano Community Services... (Continue reading)

Rally to save Atascadero tree mural

Friends of the Tree Mural, a group of people supporting a mural on the ARTery in Atascadero, are planning a rally on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 5890 Traffic Way. Atascadero’s Design Review Committee has asked the... (Continue reading)

Teacher sex bill succumbs

A plan to streamline and simplify the process for firing teachers guilty of sex, drugs or violence involving children died in an Assembly committee this week, victim of vigorous opposition from the California Teachers Association. (Sacramento Bee) The measure by... (Continue reading)

New tax-hike plan touted

A Berkeley Democrat’s effort to alter the way California assesses taxes for many state taxpayers faces an uncertain future, needing two-thirds of the Assembly to back it. Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner has introduced legislation to disallow the use of net operating... (Continue reading)