Daily Briefs


Date a student, lose pension?

Teachers who get involved in relationships with high school students, even those 18 and over, would be stripped of their retirement benefits if a bill introduced by a Modesto lawmaker succeeds. [SacramentoBee] Republican Assemblywoman Kristen Olsen introduced the legislation after... (Continue reading)

Car crashes into building, two injured

One man is in critical condition and another man is seriously injured after the car they were driving crashed into the Pacific Coast Center on Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo on Monday at about 8:20 p.m. Allegedly driving at... (Continue reading)

Cross burning defendants offered plea agreements

The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s office offered plea agreements to the four defendants accused of committing a hate crime against a black teen in Arroyo Grande last year. [Tribune] On March 18, 2011, Jason Kahn, 36, Jeremiah Hernandez,... (Continue reading)

Free legal help for San Luis Obispo homeless

In an attempt to help homeless subjected to heavy fines from San Luis Obispo police for sleeping in their vehicles, attorneys Stew Jenkins and Saro Rizzo are working pro bono to stop what they see as illegal enforcement. At the... (Continue reading)

California lawmakers salaries highest in nation

Despite years of pay cuts spurred by the budget crisis, California legislator’ salaries remain the highest in the nation. [SacramentoBee] California lawmakers lead the nation with base pay at $95,291, trailed by Pennsylvania, $82,026, and New York, $79,500.  On Friday,... (Continue reading)

Purse snatcher stabs man in San Luis Obispo

Late Friday night, a 24-year-old man attempting to help a San Luis Obispo woman battle a purse snatcher was stabbed in the upper body, police said. Elizabeth Key and Christopher Sebastian were walking along Madonna Road near Los Osos Valley... (Continue reading)

Missing Paso Robles teen found

A 13-year-old girl who ran away last weekend has been found safe and returned home to her father in Paso Robles. Paso Robles police working in conjunction with Kern County Sheriff’s deputies discovered Siera Tharp in Ridgecrest at the home... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles teachers’ paychecks slashed

Teachers in the Paso Robles School District will absorb a big paycheck hit this summer after agreeing to help balance the district’s stressed budget. Teachers’ union president Jim Lynette said a cut of 9.72 percent over the next two years will... (Continue reading)

Deputy sues sheriff’s department for retaliation

A former San Luis Obispo County Sheriff deputy says in a lawsuit that he was retaliated against and eventually terminated after he reported multiple abuses of policy by department heads. Dale Strobridge filed the civil suit March 13 in San... (Continue reading)

Cambria man suspected of sexual abuse of a child

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff deputies arrested a Cambria man twice this month for charges of sexual assault of a child and domestic violence. Deputies first arrested  Enrique Merlos, 45, on March 8 for allegedly committing numerous sex crimes involving... (Continue reading)