Josh Friedman
Writer Josh Friedman may or may not live in San Luis Obispo County.
The "Continue Reading" links open in a new window or tab.
SLO County’s disappearing budget surplus
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Less than six months after the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors awarded extra pay to all employees after staff claimed a $30 million budget surplus, the county is running in a deficit. The county is currently facing a budget gap of nearly $9 million, due largely to mishandling of employee […]... (Continue Reading)
Democrats losing membership in SLO County
By JOSH FRIEDMAN and KAREN VELIE As the Republican Party loses ground in California and risks losing statewide competitiveness, it is the Democratic Party that is suffering the greater erosion in San Luis Obispo County. Since 2009, the Democratic Party has lost 7,394 voters, a decline of 13.1 percent in SLO County, according to statistics […]... (Continue Reading)
San Luis Obispo County leads California in bike deaths
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Motor vehicle crashes are a frequent sight for many California motorists, but state roads are also plagued with bicycle collisions, and the Central Coast is a leading contributor to the problem, data from the California Highway Patrol shows. In 2014, five bicyclists died in San Luis Obispo County crashes, the CHP reported. […]... (Continue Reading)
Lenny Jones accused of kidnapping and sexual assault
By KAREN VELIE and JOSH FRIEDMAN UPDATE: Lenny Jones’ bail has been increased from $500,000 to $1 million. ORIGINAL: Arroyo Grande’s 2014 Citizen of the Year was arrested Monday for allegedly kidnapping, penetrating with a foreign object, and molesting two girls under 14 years of age. The alleged molestation took place while the girls were […]... (Continue Reading)
Gibson attempted to ax the public from water debate
By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson attempted to push forward a vote on a hotly contested water use ordinance during a Feb. 17 poorly attended board of supervisors hearing on planning department priorities. Throughout this month, the board has wavered back and forth on whether or not to extend a temporary […]... (Continue Reading)
Mitchum sues Capps over TV ad
By JOSH FRIEDMAN The recent Republican challenger to Central Coast Congresswoman Lois Capps has filed suit against her, alleging that the Democratic Rep. defamed him in a television ad that altered the outcome of last year’s election. Capps defeated Chris Mitchum in the November election by fewer than 8,000 votes and by a margin of […]... (Continue Reading)
Board of Supervisors to rule on Santa Margarita quarry
By JOSH FRIEDMAN The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will choose whether or not to let two Santa Margarita residents construct a rock quarry on the outskirts of their town. Project applicants Mike Cole and Steve Souza are appealing a county planning commission ruling against their project, attorney Sophie Treder told CalCoastNews. Trader […]... (Continue Reading)
Hill blasts Mecham; then the two agree on vote
By JOSH FRIEDMAN A week after San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Frank Mecham removed his fellow board member Adam Hill from a leadership position, Hill lashed out at Mecham during a discussion on water use regulations. Despite receiving the verbal lashing, Mecham ultimately sided with Hill Tuesday. Mecham agreed to reconsider a vote he cast […]... (Continue Reading)
Hill ousted; Arnold, Compton take leadership
By JOSH FRIEDMAN Amid allegations of sexism and a good old boys’ club, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Frank Mecham stepped down as board chairman in order to promote Supervisor Debbie Arnold to chair and Supervisor Lynn Compton to vice chair. The move slates Compton to become board chairman in 2016. Hill previously was in […]... (Continue Reading)
Are APCD employees underpaid?
By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo County Air Control District employees, most of whom receive six-figure pay and benefit packages, are due for salary increases, following a board decision Wednesday. During a closed session hearing, the APCD voiced approval for awarding district employees cost of living increases to their pay for the current and next […]... (Continue Reading)
