Daily Briefs


No needle now for Death Row club

There will be no state-sanctioned executions in California until 2013 because of a federal judge’s decision Thursday. [San Francisco Chronicle]    Executions have been delayed since 2006 by court order as lawyers argue the issue of California’s lethal injection procedures.... (Continue reading)

Pot shop approval budding?

San Luis Obispo County planning officials Thursday approved an application to open a medical marijuana collective in Oceano, but more authoritative opposition may be firing up. The 4-1 vote marked the second time the Planning Commission has approved such a... (Continue reading)

Sunpower reports huge loss

SunPower Corp., a solar power company that received a last-minute Department of Energy loan in September, announced today that it lost more than $370 million in its fiscal third quarter – more than double its second-quarter loss – and that... (Continue reading)

Gilbert Stork named Cuesta chief

Dr. Gilbert H. Stork, a former assistant football coach and teacher at Cuesta College, will be its new superintendent and president following a board of trustees decision announced this week. Stork has been interim boss at the college since Jan.... (Continue reading)

State students’ scores stagnate

California public school students lag far behind most of the nation, 2010 math and reading scores just released suggest. [SFGate] Only Mississippi and the District of Columbia turned in worse scores, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, better... (Continue reading)

Garden Street Terraces gain SLO council approval despite public outcry

The San Luis Obispo City Council approved with conditions the proposed 1.1- acre downtown development project called Garden Street Terraces, despite overwhelming public comment against the proposal. Submitted by Westpac Investments in 2006, the proposed project contains residential and commercial development,... (Continue reading)

$78 million lottery winner sold in Paso Robles

There was unbridled joy Wednesday at Paso Robles’ suddenly-most popular service station, 1-Stop Food and Convenience at 7th and Spring streets, as news of a $78 million lottery winner spread through the quiet downtown neighborhood. Although the big winner is... (Continue reading)

SunPower agrees to cease operations after 50 years

SunPower Corp. settled a dispute with a group of litigants battling against its San Luis Obispo County solar project by agreeing to close the plant down after 50 years of operation. The 250-megawatt proposed California Valley Solar Ranch plant will... (Continue reading)

Pismo Beach Council votes against dunes rule

The Pismo Beach Council rejected a proposed fugitive dust rule for the Ocean Dunes Vehicular Recreation Area because it determined the study the rule is based on appears flawed. On Tuesday, the council voted 4-0 to send a letter to the... (Continue reading)

High speed, high cost for rail system

A double-digit hike in costs of California’s proposed high speed rail project will be revealed in a report today. [SacramentoBee] Estimates now top $98 billion for the plan, which would eventually move passengers through the Central Valley between Southern California... (Continue reading)