Daily Briefs


Big money backs reshaped tax system

A $10 billion tax increase for Californians is the objective of a ensemble of billionaires and political insiders seeking to place an initiative on the Nov. 2012 ballot. Proposing an answer to the state’s constricting finances, a group calling itself... (Continue reading)

Woman killed in Shell Beach

A woman crossing westbound on Shell Beach Road near the Cliff’s Resort was struck by a car and killed Saturday night at about 6:50 p.m. in Pismo Beach. Emergency personnel transported the woman to Arroyo Grande Community Hospital where she... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles man wins $78 million lottery

An 82-year-old Paso Robles man claimed the $78 million jackpot won with a ticket he purchased at the 1 Stop at 703 Spring Street in Paso Robles, lottery officials said in a statement. “Charles Hairston is a laid back kinda... (Continue reading)

Oceano teen killed in drive-by shooting

The 17-year-old shot in the head Thursday night by a drive-by shooter in Oceano died at a local hospital this morning. At about 6:30 p.m., a drive-by shooter shot Gabriel Salgado, 17, of Oceano and an unnamed 14-year-old on the... (Continue reading)

Anti-gay marriage ban backers win one

Supporters of this state’s anti-gay marriage prohibition will be allowed to defend the ban in court after the California Supreme Court ruled unanimously in their favor Thursday. A legal challenge to Proposition 8, passed by voters in 2008, was halted... (Continue reading)

Two shot in Oceano drive by shooting

A drive by shooter shot two teens in Oceano at about 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in the 1700 block of 21st Street. Deputies are investigating the shooting as a gang related incident, Both victims were originally transported to Arroyo Grande... (Continue reading)

Air pollution control board approves Oceano dunes rule

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District voted 7-4 with one abstention to approve a new regulation that requires state parks to reduce particulate matter blowing from the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area or face fines of... (Continue reading)

SLO Council approves $760,000 downtown renovation

The San Luis Obispo City Council approved a $761,500 renovation project of a two-block stretch of Higuera Street downtown to be started next year. By a 3-2 vote Tuesday, the Council awarded a $646,000 contract to the Madonna Construction Company to... (Continue reading)

CSU raises tuition 9% amid student protests

California State University trustees voted to raise tuition by 9 percent on Wednesday, while outside the system’s Long Beach headquarters CSU police violently clashed with protesters. [SanFranciscoChronicle] Police used pepper spray on student protesters. In the end, a glass entry... (Continue reading)

Transient attempts to burn Virgin Mary statue

A transient allegedly attempted to burn a statue of the Virgin Mary at the San Luis Obispo Mission shortly after morning mass on Tuesday. Surveillance video shows Daniel Pettigrew, 24, trying to start a fire at the base of the... (Continue reading)