Daily Briefs


Money’s tight, just like Matosantos

This state’s financial problems are staggering, and apparently so was the finance director. Ana Matosantos, who heads the state’s Finance Department, was arrested early Friday for DUI after Sacramento police noticed her car weaving near the Capitol. Her 2004 Acura... (Continue reading)

Oceano opposes proposed dune regulations

The Oceano Community Services District voted 4-0 to send a letter to county air regulators opposing proposed rules that place fines on the state for not improving air quality at the dunes. [Tribune] Board members voiced concerns over the effect... (Continue reading)

Local nurse is the overtime pay champ of California

A nurse at the California Men’s Colony (CMC) in San Luis Obispo earned $269,810 last year by tripling her regular pay with overtime hours. [Bloomberg] Jean Keller got more overtime in 2010 than any other state employee. In all, California’s... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles gangs, civic concern growing

Residents of Paso Robles and other North County communities are keenly aware of a growing gang presence in their neighborhoods, but many public officials continue to pretend nothing is wrong. [NewTimes] In recent weeks, law enforcement agencies have banded together... (Continue reading)

Governor targets fat public pensions

A higher retirement age and a less benevolent pension system await new state workers in the future if a plan to be unveiled Thursday by Gov. Jerry Brown succeeds. Brown also will be targeting the purchase by current state employees... (Continue reading)

Cal Poly boss pay lawsuit bounced

A Los Angeles judge tossed a lawsuit Tuesday contending new Cal Poly president Jeffery Armstrong was higher than allowed by law. The lawsuit, filed by Lillian Taiz, president of the California Faculty Association, alleged that Armstrong’s $380,000 annual compensation was... (Continue reading)

PG&E gas line ruptures during pressure test

A major PG&E gas transmission line ruptured during a pressure test Monday south of Bakersfield as the utility was planning to boost gas levels on the pipeline to meet winter demand. [SF Chronicle] The 34-inch transmission line that runs from... (Continue reading)

Lawsuit filed over Cal Poly president’s salary

UPDATE:  The lawsuit filed by Lillian Taiz was dismissed today by a judge in Los Angeles Superior Court. ORIGINAL STORY: A lawsuit against the California State University (CSU) system has been filed in Los Angeles, claiming that administrators broke the state’s... (Continue reading)

Rand retracts controversial marijuana and crime study

The Rand Corp. on Monday retracted a controversial report on crime around Los Angeles medical marijuana clinics after discovering major flaws in the study’s methodology. [LA Times] The Santa Monica research institution, one of the most prestigious in the nation,... (Continue reading)

Woman, 74, seriously beaten

A 74-year-old California Valley woman was allegedly beaten by her former boyfriend so severely Sunday that she had to be airlifted to a hospital, authorities said. After receiving a 911 call, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a... (Continue reading)