Josh Friedman
Writer Josh Friedman may or may not live in San Luis Obispo County.
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No trial for SLO doctor arrested for narcotics abuses after DA fails to arraign her in time
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A judge dismissed on Monday the felony charges against a San Luis Obispo doctor accused of running a prescription drug pill mill after prosecutors failed to arraign her in time and the statute of limitations expired. [Cal Coast News] In response to a complaint to the California Medical Board that Dr. Atsuko […]... (Continue Reading)
Strike ends, San Luis Obispo County signals fiscal troubles ahead
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Following the first strike in San Luis Obispo County government history, officials are not planning on any further salary negotiations for the current fiscal year. Early next year, the county will discuss increases in pay for the 2019/2020 fiscal year. [Cal Coast Times] The county also announced a projected budget shortfall of […]... (Continue Reading)
Are striking SLO County workers exaggerating their financial struggles?
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A group of striking San Luis Obispo County government workers claimed Tuesday they do not make livable wages, yet many, if not most, of the employees currently on strike collect between $50,000 and $100,000 in annual pay plus five-digit benefit packages. [Cal Coast Times] On Tuesday, the first day of a three-day […]... (Continue Reading)
Paso Robles superintendent slated to receive more than $200,000 in severance pay
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Despite departing the school district with depleted reserves and an approximately $3 million shortfall over the next couple years, outgoing Paso Robles Superintendent Chris Williams could receive more than $200,000 in severance pay. [Cal Coast Times] Last week, less than four months after the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District board approved […]... (Continue Reading)
Strike looms in SLO County, what are both sides claiming?
Correction: The article initially stated SLOCEA’s demands would cost the county an estimated $2.86 million in the current fiscal year and an estimated $3.94 million in annual ongoing costs. However, those are merely the costs of the pay structure that has already been implemented. By JOSH FRIEDMAN As about half of the San Luis Obispo […]... (Continue Reading)
Phony attorney allegedly scammed Santa Maria farmworkers
By JOSH FRIEDMAN An unlicensed legal consultant pretending to be an attorney allegedly scammed immigrant farmworkers on the Central Coast, resulting in two individuals paying a combined total of $12,000 in legal fees, only to have deportation proceedings initiated against them. [Cal Coast Times] The California State Bar announced Friday it obtained an order from […]... (Continue Reading)
Why were violent Paso Robles bank robbery suspects released?
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Two of the three suspects arrested for robbing Chase Bank in Paso Robles last week have been let out of jail, and San Luis Obispo County prosecutors have yet to file charges against any of the men. [Cal Coast Times] As first noted in a Tribune report, the SLO County DA’s Office […]... (Continue Reading)
San Luis Obispo psychiatrist penalized for patient suicide
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A practicing psychiatrist, who is the president and CEO of a San Luis Obispo psychiatric practice, has for the second time been placed on probation by the California Medical Board after one of his patients committed suicide. Douglas Murphy, a licensed medical doctor, is the president and CEO of Pacific Psychiatry, located […]... (Continue Reading)
SLO County vote count continues as election officials come under fire
By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo County election officials finished last week with still more than 34,000 ballots to be counted, as well as with an apparent error that could force a redo of an entire community services district vote. However, SLO County’s high-profile races are now close to being decided. [Cal Coast Times] Following […]... (Continue Reading)
Key local races to watch in SLO County
By JOSH FRIEDMAN While it may not amount to “Judgement Day,” as the 2018 midterms have been dubbed by some media, Election Day in San Luis Obispo County does consist of several competitive mayoral and council races, as well as a heavily funded battle over a proposal to ban fracking and new oil wells. [Cal […]... (Continue Reading)
