Daily Briefs


Californians may vote on cigarette tax hike

A coalition of health groups and California lawmakers is proposing an initiative to raise the state tobacco tax by $2 a pack. [LA Times] Democratic Senator Richard Pan has introduced a bill that would send the initiative to California voters.... (Continue reading)

Cuesta College rejects labor deal sought by unions

The Cuesta College Board of Trustees has unanimously rejected a proposed agreement that would have forced contractors to hire union workers or to pay extra for the use on non-union labor to construct campus renovation projects. In November, San Luis... (Continue reading)

Orcutt man offers teens sex, drugs, rock and roll

A 33-year-old Orcutt man is accused of hosting parties for and having sex with underage girls. [KEYT] Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives arrested Matthew Zigan at his home last Friday. Investigators say Zigan threw parties at the house for teenagers... (Continue reading)

Two charges dropped against Pismo Beach woman

The San Luis Obispo County District attorney agreed to drop charges of resisting arrest and battery of a police officer against a Pismo Beach woman as part of a plea deal. Andrea Hansen, 32, agreed to plead guilty to public... (Continue reading)

Man who posted genitalia online, arrested for sex crime

San Luis Obispo police arrested a 55-year-old man at a local hotel on Wednesday for intent to have sex with a minor. On Tuesday, a concerned citizen informed police of a Craigslist ad that asked “young girls” to meet for... (Continue reading)

Psychologists split over Atascadero killer’s sanity

Psychologists disagree over whether an Atascadero man was legally sane when he killed his neighbor. [KSBY] Last week, a San Luis Obispo County jury found Mark Andrews, 51, guilty of first degree murder. Andrews shot and killed Colleen Barga-Millbury, 52,... (Continue reading)

Oceano Dunes dust suit can go to trial

A group of Nipomo Mesa residents upset over air pollution have brought forward a lawsuit against the state and county that is worthy of trial, a local judge has ruled. The Mesa Community Alliance is suing California State Parks and... (Continue reading)

Speech disorder camp canceled after dispute with SLO County

A summer camp for Central Coast children with speech and language disorders has cancelled its 45th year of operation, following a dispute with the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education over a legal issue, according to a news release... (Continue reading)

Morro Bay attorney charged with embezzlement

A Morro Bay attorney was arrested Wednesday and charged with felony grand theft by embezzlement, according to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office. John Patrick Fennacy, 50, specializes in estate planning, was a former Morro Bay planning commissioner... (Continue reading)

Parkinson’s naval vessel now operational

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson has unveiled his 27-foot Defender Class boat that will allow sheriff’s personnel to step up their battle against drug smugglers frequenting local shores. Parkinson showed off the approximately $350,000 boat on Tuesday near... (Continue reading)