Daily Briefs


Free Christmas dinner offered by Brad’s

Brad’s Restaurant in Pismo Beach is opening its doors on Christmas Day from 1 to 6 p.m. to provide a holiday dinner for those in need. A traditional Christmas meal including turkey, ham and all the trimmings, will be served.... (Continue reading)

Cal Poly grad killed in family shooting

A grandmother and her daughter, a Cal Poly graduate, chose death for themselves and two children rather than temporarily allowing the children to be placed in the custody of her former husband’s sister. [Orange County Register] Elisabeth Fontaine, 38, had... (Continue reading)

Arnold’s approval hits new low

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s approval rating as governor has dropped to a new low, according to a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California. [Los Angeles Times] Voters, concerned by the economy and the state’s dismal finances, give the governor poor... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande Councilman Arnold arrested

Edward Arnold Jr., an Arroyo Grande City Council member, was arrested early Wednesday morning. A San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson said Arnold was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, and inflicting corporal injury on... (Continue reading)

Barry Bonds’ son busted in SLO

Barry Bonds’ son, who earlier this month was arrested for assaulting his mother, was issued an arrest warrant in San Luis Obispo County for failing to show up for an Aug. 13 court date. [MercuryNews] On July 9, San Luis... (Continue reading)

Jack LaLanne recovering from heart surgery

The Associated Press reports that fitness icon and Morro Bay resident Jack LaLanne underwent heart surgery in Los Angeles last week. The 95-year-old fitness pioneer is recuperating from heart valve surgery at his Morro Bay home and is expected to... (Continue reading)

Sarah Christie to resign from planning commission

EXCLUSIVE: Sources tell CalCoastNews to expect controversial San Luis Obispo County Planning Commissioner Sarah Christie to announce her resignation at Thursday morning’s scheduled meeting. Christie was originally appointed to the planning commission by 5th District county supervisor Jim Patterson following... (Continue reading)

Unequal pay for equal work continues

New U.S. Department of Labor statistics report that women in California who were full-time wage and salary workers had median weekly incomes of $738, or 87 percent of the $852 median for their male counterparts in 2008. Nationwide, women earned... (Continue reading)

Binge drinking shoots up among California teens

The San Jose Mercury News is reporting a disturbing trend: After dropping for decades, binge drinking among California teens is suddenly increasing at an alarming rate. Hard liquor has replaced beer as the alcohol that teens reach for, and vodka... (Continue reading)

Pot legalization headed for 2010 ballot

Supporters of a state initiative that would legalize marijuana in California claim they have collected enough signatures to ensure that it will be on the November 2010 ballot. According to the Los Angeles Times, the petition drive has collected more... (Continue reading)