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Cities crack down on disabled parking abuse

Written on 4 Jan, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 15 comments

A new state law that took effect Jan. 1 allows cities to crack down on California drivers claiming to be disabled by displaying a fake, borrowed, or stolen blue parking tag. [San Francisco Chronicle] Cities can now charge anywhere between... (Continue reading)

Brrrrr! Why we live in California

Written on 3 Jan, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 2 comments

If you need a reminder as to why you live in California, despite the high property taxes and the huge budget deficit, check out today’s national weather map. [Plymouth State Weather Center] 13 degrees in Chicago, 13 below in Omaha,... (Continue reading)

California faces more budget cuts in 2010

Written on 3 Jan, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 6 comments

California heads in to 2010 facing a nearly $21 billion shortfall during the next 18 months, despite a wave of deep spending cuts. [Associated Press] Pick an issue. Any issue. Class enrollment will swell. Public colleges will raises fees and... (Continue reading)

Survivor of 1906 S.F. earthquake dies

Written on 2 Jan, 2010 in Daily Briefs | No comments

The oldest survivor of the historic 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire died earlier this week. Jeanette Scola Trapani, 107, passed away at her home in El Dorado Hills from pneumonia. A third-generation San Franciscan, Trapani was born on Telegraph... (Continue reading)

PG&E facing customer revolt

Written on 2 Jan, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 13 comments

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) has halted installation of the so-called “smart utility meter” in Bakersfield after hundreds of customers complained that the readings weren’t accurate.  [Bloomberg News] The meters, designed as the centerpiece of the Obama administration’s push to... (Continue reading)

New state laws take effect today

Written on 1 Jan, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 6 comments

In with the New Year comes hundreds of new laws out of Sacramento, covering everything from plastic surgery, to trans fats, to controls over paparazzi. [Los Angeles Times] Lawmakers also added two new statewide days of recognition: March 30, in... (Continue reading)

DUI driver slams into SLO home

Written on 1 Jan, 2010 in Daily Briefs | 2 comments

A natural gas line was severed and several homes were evacuated just before midnight Thursday, following a traffic collision in the 200 block of Luneta, off Foothill, in San Luis Obispo. Police officers arrested Elliot Jacob, 21, for DUI, after... (Continue reading)

GPS device designed for illegal immigrants

Written on 30 Dec, 2009 in Daily Briefs | 3 comments

A new cell phone device, developed by two professors at the University of California San Diego, is being offered to help illegal immigrants crossing the desert into the U.S. find water and also hear encouraging poetry.  [San Francisco Chronicle] The... (Continue reading)

Dunes activists plan new campaign

Written on 29 Dec, 2009 in Daily Briefs | No comments

Citizens for a Vehicle Free Nipomo Dunes (CVFND) plan to mount a door-to-door campaign across the Nipomo Mesa in January. CVFND spokesperson Dr. Nell Langford said that volunteers will be urging residents to attend the next county Health Commission meeting,... (Continue reading)

“Red Sharpie” bank robber arrested

Written on 23 Dec, 2009 in Daily Briefs | No comments

Law enforcement officials today announced the arrest of a man alleged to be the “Red Sharpie” bank robber, suspected in a string of bank robberies on the Central Coast and in southern California. Anthony William Frisco, 44, who recently resided... (Continue reading)