Daniel Blackburn
Daniel Blackburn is editor of KCCN.tv
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Tribune publisher Ray seeks new pastures
By DANIEL BLACKBURN Tribune president and publisher Bruce G. Ray has resigned effective Feb. 27, Executive Editor Sandy Duerr announced Saturday in a front-page story. The resignation comes as stocks in the Tribune’s parent corporation, the McClatchy Company, have plummeted to $2.63 a share this week, from $74 a share in 2005. The stock’s low […]... (Continue Reading)
Mecham’s abdication cheered, chided
By DANIEL BLACKBURN A bombshell announcement at Tuesday’s county supervisors’ board meeting has two of its members seething, two others grappling with their abrupt elevation to leadership stature, and its former chairman content with his unprecedented action. First District Supervisor Frank Mecham voluntarily relinquished his chairmanship — won only last month — to fellow board […]... (Continue Reading)
Jail population plummets, sheriff budget increases
By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Jail inmate numbers in San Luis Obispo County have dropped by more than 25 percent since last year following initial implementation of Prop. 47, but San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson’s spending continues to climb. Proposition 47 reduces the classification of most “nonserious and nonviolent property and drug […]... (Continue Reading)
SLO police chief travels on the family plan
By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN San Luis Obispo Police Chief Steve Gesell attended 13 conferences during 2014. Expense records show that some of the conferences turned into family trips and the city footed the bill. A two-month investigation by CalCoastNews has uncovered multiple violations of city policy and what appears to be abuses of […]... (Continue Reading)
Emails expose alleged misconduct by Arroyo Grande officials
Editor’s note: A video of Arroyo Grande Council Member Kristen Barneich noting her reasons for voting against an independent investigation into the July 3 incident is at the bottom of this story. By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE Several public officials in Arroyo Grande unsuccessfully instructed members of the city’s police force to take official […]... (Continue Reading)
Mayor Tony Ferrara resigns before term ends
By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN In an unusual move, Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara announced at Tuesday’s council meeting he intends to resign Friday at 5 p.m., three days before his term ends. The early resignation means that Mayor Pro Tem Jim Guthrie will serve through the weekend and pass the gavel to mayor-elect […]... (Continue Reading)
Arroyo Grande manager on paid administrative leave
By DANIEL BLACKBURN The Arroyo Grande City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to place embattled Arroyo Grande City Manager Steve Adams on paid administrative leave after reviewing an investigation into an alleged sex scandal. The order takes place immediately, and Adams will draw full pay until a new manager can be named. Following a closed session […]... (Continue Reading)
A bitter Ferrara lashes out at Hill
By DANIEL BLACKBURN Outgoing Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara is not going quietly into the night — he leveled a nasty and personal attack at write-in victor Jim Hill in comments to the Santa Maria Times Tuesday. “Mr. Hill did not have the courage to face me in a head-to-head race. Instead, he hid behind […]... (Continue Reading)
Write-in Jim Hill wins Arroyo Grande mayor’s seat
By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Amid allegations of poor leadership and abuse of power, write-in candidate Jim Hill has scored a stunning victory in the Arroyo Grande mayor’s seat, trumping incumbent Tony Ferrara by 95 votes, according to unofficial results released by the San Luis Obispo Clerk Recorder’s Office on Monday. Ferrara is newly […]... (Continue Reading)
A.G. manager Adams’ job on line again
by DANIEL BLACKBURN A special 6 p.m. meeting of the Arroyo Grande City Council Wednesday will feature the possible dismissal, discipline, or release of embattled City Manager Steve Adams, as well as the unveiling of the results of an independent investigation commissioned by the council. Chuck Hookstra of Ventura’s Sentra Group will make a public […]... (Continue Reading)
