Daily Briefs


100,000 California jobs added in February

California added 100,000 new jobs in February, the highest monthly increase since the current record system began in 1990. By contrast, only 700 new jobs were created in January. [LA Times] The increase of 96,500 jobs was the largest month-over-month... (Continue reading)

Costa Mesa pink slips entire fire department

As part of a plan to solve a looming pension crisis and budget gap by outsourcing services, Costa Mesa officials handed pink slips to their entire fire department. [NewYorkTimes] Almost half of the city’s workers were told late last week... (Continue reading)

Environmental coalition rejects Gibson for Coastal Commission

A coalition of 10 statewide environmental and coastal advocacy groups researched and interviewed five of the seven nominees for the Coastal Commission and put their support behind a Ventura and a Santa Barbara County public official while recommending that Gov.... (Continue reading)

Weather forecast for Wednesday March 23

A 999 millibar low pressure system currently spinning off Cape Mendocino will remain nearly stationary over the next 48 hours. The associated cold front will passed over Diablo Canyon this morning at about 9 a.m. with periods of moderate rain and... (Continue reading)

Two schizophrenic murder suspects competent to stand trial

Two schizophrenic men who murdered multiple people have been found competent to stand trial. On Christmas night, Andrew Downs, 20, allegedly shot and killed sisters Kathy Yeager and Beverly Reilly in Santa Margarita. During a ten hour period, he is... (Continue reading)

South San Luis Obispo County beaches under health advisory

The San Luis Obispo County Department of Environmental Health Services issued a health advisory that warns swimmers high levels of bacteria at several south county beaches may cause “human illness.” Officials posted warnings at Old Port Beach, Avila Beach, Shell... (Continue reading)

Blakeslee blasts PG&E for disregarding risk at Diablo

Sen. Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo), a geophysicist with a doctorate in earthquake studies, asked PG&E on Monday to suspend its efforts to renew licenses until it has completed earthquake studies suggested by the California Energy Commission. [BayCitizen] PG&E is... (Continue reading)

Family coping with cross burning

Following the discovery of an 11-foot cross burning outside their home on Friday at 12:30 a.m., a mother and her African-American daughter say they are fearful in their own home and are planning to move. When the daughter and a friend... (Continue reading)

Man shot at popular San Miguel bar

UPDATE: The San Luis Obispo Sheriff”s department said they made a mistake on the location of the shooting. It occurred at the Elkhorn Bar at 1263 Mission Street, not the Ranch Bar. ORIGINAL: A man was shot early Sunday morning... (Continue reading)

Weather forecast for Sunday March 20

Clearing from the west this evening is produced a spectacular sunset. However, cold and unstable air moving in from the west will produce numerous rain showers tonight through Monday afternoon. Current snow levels are near 3,500 to 4,000 feet north to... (Continue reading)