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Fire raises questions about transmission line safety

Written on 11 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 3 comments

As investigators search for clues to Thursday night’s devastating San Bruno fire, questions are being raised about the safety of natural gas transmission lines maintained by PG&E. [LA Times] Four people were killed, dozens were injured, and 37 homes were... (Continue reading)

Final cost of special election: $750,000

Written on 11 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | One comment

The special state Senate elections from last June and August will end up costing San Luis Obispo County $750,000. [Tribune] County Clerk-Recorder Julie Rodewald says the cost of the election to replace Abel Maldonado does not include the four other... (Continue reading)

This week’s dumbest criminal

Written on 10 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 8 comments

This weeks dumbest offender award goes to a man who was arrested for attempting to sneak some marijuana through security at the Hart Senate Office Building. [Politico] Marcus Stanley, an economic adviser to Sen. Barbara Boxer, had worked on the... (Continue reading)

53 homes lost in Bay Area fire

Written on 10 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 5 comments

A natural gas line explosion Thursday night in San Bruno killed three people and sparked an inferno that quickly destroyed 53 homes. [San Francisco Chronicle] Fueled by the wind, the blaze jumped from house to house near Skyline Blvd, west... (Continue reading)

Cortez denies having second pension

Written on 9 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 10 comments

The Cortez for Sheriff campaign issued a statement Thursday night, denying that candidate Joe Cortez has more than one pension. “Let me set the record straight. Cortez has one pension,” said Cortez campaign manager John Allen of Paso Robles. “That... (Continue reading)

Settlement made in Cal Poly hazing suit

Written on 9 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 2 comments

The parents of a Cal Poly student who died during a fraternity hazing agreed to a $500,000 settlement with a former Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity member . Carson Starkey, 18, from Austin, Texas, died of alcohol poisoning after a Sigma... (Continue reading)

Fire at Exploration Station in Grover Beach

Written on 9 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | No comments

A fire at the back of the Exploration Station in Grover Beach spread to a small building owned by Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church before fire fighters could contain the blaze. [SantaMariaTimes] Firefighters from the Five Cities Fire Authority suspect... (Continue reading)

Four states mounting legal assault on California

Written on 9 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 5 comments

The attorney generals from at least four states are planning to sue if California’s Global Warming Solutions Act survives a challenge at the ballot box in November. [CaliforniaWatch] The attorneys generals of Alabama, Nebraska, Texas and North Dakota have been... (Continue reading)

Woman charged with death of CHP officer on meth

Written on 8 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 23 comments

The woman who hit and killed a CHP officer in June was charged with vehicular manslaughter after tests revealed she had a high level of methamphetamine in her system at the time of the accident. [Tribune] Kaylee Ann Weisenberg, 22,... (Continue reading)

Jailhouse sex: Inmates get condom machines

Written on 8 Sep, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 7 comments

Here’s a first (we think):  Authorities have installed 16 condom machines for use by the 750 prisoners at the San Francisco County Jail’s San Bruno lockup. [San Francisco Chronicle] Even though sex between the inmates is illegal, the condom dispensers... (Continue reading)