Daily Briefs


L.A. doctor gets five years in bike rage case

An emergency room physician was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday for assaulting two bicyclists in Los Angeles by driving in front of them and slamming on his brakes. [Los Angeles Times] Christopher Thompson, 60, was arrested on... (Continue reading)

6.5 quake rattles northern California

A strong earthquake, measuring 6.5 in magnitude, hit Eureka, in northern California, Saturday afternoon. [Los Angeles Times] Power lines snapped throughout the region, disrupting power. One shopping mall was evacuated. However, law enforcement officials report no loss of life, and... (Continue reading)

How did your favorite radio station do?

Ratings are in and the favorite San Luis Obispo radio stations, in order, are: (1) country favorite KKJG, (2) KWWV, playing rhythmic Top 40, (3) KURQ, “New Rock 104” (tied), (3) KSTT, soft rock (tied) and (3) KIQO, oldies music... (Continue reading)

The PG&E – Israeli Connection

Protesters in the Bay Area have recently mounted a guerrilla campaign to draw attention  to the relationship between Pacific Gas and Electric, and the Israeli company Solel. PG&E signed a 25-year contract with Solel to develop the Mojave Solar Park... (Continue reading)

Oceano Dunes Off-roaders: In their own words

It is always interesting to see how our county is perceived by the outsider. Case in point: Those who flock from all over California to the Oceano Dunes where they partake in their mechanized mayhem. A correspondent for a publication... (Continue reading)

Art Clokey – creator of Gumby – dies at 88

Art Clokey, the creator of the clay-animation cultural icon Gumby, died Friday at his Los Osos home at the age of 88. [Los Angeles Times] The Gumby character first debuted on the “Howdy Doody Show” in 1955, which quickly led... (Continue reading)

UCLA study: Legalizing undocumented immigrants helps the economy

A new study out of UCLA suggests that comprehensive immigration reform would add an estimated $1.5 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product over the next ten years. [Los Angeles Times] The report, authored by UCLA associate professor Raul Hinojosa–Ojeda,... (Continue reading)

Man charged with injuring pedestrian and DUI

A 39-year-old San Luis Obispo man is behind bars after police say he drove his Toyota 4Runner into a parked sedan that lurched forward and trapped a pedestrian sitting on the rear of a van parked on Augusta, at 10:05... (Continue reading)

Memorial set for Anne McMahon

A public celebration of the life of Anne McMahon will take place on Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Santa Margarita Ranch. The well-known environmental activist and former journalist died last month after battling cancer. Friends and family are invited to... (Continue reading)

Karl Rove coming to UCSB

Controversial political guru Karl Rove is confirmed to speak at UCSB next month. Rove, largely credited with transforming George W. Bush’s political career as governor of Texas, and later as the 43rd President of the United States, will speak on... (Continue reading)