Blakeslee resurrects bill limiting gifts from lobbyists

State Sen. Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo, is resurrecting a version of a bill that was killed earlier this year limiting gifts legislators can receive from lobbyists. [TheCalifornian.com] He is co-authoring the bipartisan SB 50 with Sen. Lou Correa, a... (Continue reading)

Gangs clash at the California Men’s Colony

A riot involving 120 inmates and two prison gangs occurred Wednesday morning at the California Men’s Colony West Facility in San Luis Obispo County. The riot, which took place around 10:15 a.m., consisted of fighting between the Surenos and the Paisas.... (Continue reading)

Emails reveal Hill’s battle with COLAB and Blakeslee

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill’s continuing battle with state Senator Sam Blakeslee and the Coalition for Labor, Agriculture and Business (COLAB) came to light Tuesday following the release of emails under a California Public Records Act request by... (Continue reading)

New vaccine law takes effect

A new California law that requires middle and high school students to be vaccinated against whooping cough takes effect July 1—a regulation that intends to help curb an outbreak of the highly contagious disease. All students entering 7th through 12th grades... (Continue reading)

Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown, event photos

Willie Nelson capped off a country music festival for the ages Saturday at Pozo Saloon. Thought to be the largest single-day concert in San Luis Obispo County history, Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown featured 16 artists spanning eight hours and three... (Continue reading)

Unusually swift river currents, inexperience lead to Kern River drownings

As summer vacationers and warmer temperatures increase, river enthusiasts are being warned to use extreme caution in and around the Kern River. Two bodies were retrieved and several rescues made last weekend as rescue crews battled raging waters from a... (Continue reading)

Retired educators receive more than $100,000 annually

As public pension reform takes center stage in Sacramento, the number of newly retired school administrators earning more than $100,000 a year jumped 650 percent between 2005 and 2011. [Sacramento Bee] Six-figure payouts to retired educators increased from 700 to... (Continue reading)

Black bear: Shoot to kill

Department of Fish and Game officials have decided that a black bear, the subject of repeated sightings around San Luis Drive, needs to be caught and euthanized. [KSBY] A resident on Andrews Street, who claims the bear has been a... (Continue reading)

CalPERS’ $11 million legal payment scrutinized

An $11 million bill for legal fees associated with an internal review of the California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CalPERS) is drawing criticism. LATIMES CalPERS, the nation’s largest public pension fund which oversees $232 billion, paid a Washington, D.C. law... (Continue reading)

Treasurer worried about high-speed train funding

California’s top financial official is warning that the numbers are not penciling out for the proposed controversial 800-mile bullet train system. [California Watch] State Treasurer Bill Lockyer says that the $45 billion rail system is brimming with “unanswered questions: about... (Continue reading)