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CalPERS’ $11 million legal payment scrutinized

Written on 28 Jun, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 3 comments

An $11 million bill for legal fees associated with an internal review of the California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) is drawing criticism. LATIMES CalPERS, the nation’s largest public pension fund which oversees $232 billion, paid a Washington, D.C. law... (Continue reading)

Treasurer worried about high-speed train funding

Written on 28 Jun, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 10 comments

California’s top financial official is warning that the numbers are not penciling out for the proposed controversial 800-mile bullet train system. [California Watch] State Treasurer Bill Lockyer says that the $45 billion rail system is brimming with “unanswered questions: about... (Continue reading)

Equine herpes virus contained

Written on 28 Jun, 2011 in Daily Briefs | One comment

The equine herpes virus, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that affected at least 22 horses in California since its outbreak in early May, appears to be contained, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. [CDFA] At... (Continue reading)

Black bear raids third San Luis Obispo chicken coop

Written on 28 Jun, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 10 comments

A black bear with a history of eating backyard chickens in San Luis Obispo is facing the threat of euthanasia. [KCOY] On Sunday, during the bear’s fourth trip to SLO in less than two weeks, it broke into another chicken... (Continue reading)

Troubled Santa Lucia Bank makes buyout deal

Written on 27 Jun, 2011 in Daily Briefs | One comment

San Luis Obispo headquartered Mission Community Bancorp announced today that it plans to acquire Santa Lucia Bank, a deal that if approved soon could save the struggling Atascadero based bank from further regulatory action. Backed by a private equity firm, the... (Continue reading)

Testimony shines light on medical marijuana battle

Written on 27 Jun, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 20 comments

A former Atascadero resident testified Thursday that large marijuana growers hide behind the cover of medical marijuana while growing hundreds of pounds of illegal weed to sell for big bucks on the black market. [NECN] “Everybody’s in this for money.... (Continue reading)

Suspected drunk driver kills bicyclist in Arroyo Grande

Written on 26 Jun, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 12 comments

A man from England was killed Saturday night after a suspected drunk driver traveling at a high rate of speed lost control and crashed into the bicylist in Arroyo Grande. [KSBY] The driver, identified as 20-year-old Aaron Ceja of Nipomo... (Continue reading)

State will remove tracking devices from paroled gang members

Written on 25 Jun, 2011 in Daily Briefs | 11 comments

California prison officials plan to remove GPS tracking devices from hundreds of paroled gang members in an effort to save money in the state’s troubled budget. [Sacramento Bee] The department of corrections will cut its monitoring program by more than... (Continue reading)

Dumb criminal of the month, child pornographer

Written on 24 Jun, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 8 comments

Our dumb criminal of the month award goes to a 31-year-old man who disclosed on his application to become a California Highway Patrol officer that he viewed child pornography on the Internet. As a result, CHP officials launched an investigation... (Continue reading)

Grand jury says Atascadero needs more transparency

Written on 24 Jun, 2011 in Daily Briefs, Featured | 9 comments

Atascadero’s handling of its $126,000 settlement with former Chief of Police James F. Mulhall “led to public confusion and complaints” about lack of transparency, according to a report released Thursday by the San Luis Obispo County grand jury. “There was... (Continue reading)