SanLuisObispo.com: State

California unemployment rate rises to 6.9 percent

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:31 PDT

California's unemployment rate reached 6.9 percent in June, matching its highest level in nearly five years as more job losses in construction and manufacturing hammered the economy, state officials said Friday.

The June figure increased from 5.3 percent a year ago and from 6.8 percent in May, the Employment Development Department said.

The number of Californians out of work rose by 19,000 people last month to 1.28 million.

Exec pay soars at Sierra

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:00 PDT

Salaries and other compensation for several senior executives at Sierra Pacific Resources more than doubled over five years, exceeding recommendations from an expert hired by the company, according to the attorney general's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

The compensation for former CEO and Chairman Walt Higgins, for example, was $4.9 million for the 12 months ending in mid-2007, up from $1.5 million five years earlier, according to Phil Williamson, an analyst with the bureau.

Williamson analyzed the pay level of utility executives in written testimony filed in a rate case for Sierra Pacific Power Co. of Reno. Las Vegas-based Nevada Power Co., like the Reno company, is a subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources, and the same arguments could be raised in a December rate case filing for Nevada Power.

Former Sacramento staffer accused of taking bribes

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:40 PDT

A former Sacramento Utilities Department employee is charged with taking bribes from a Bay Area scrap dealer.

Authorities say Kenneth John Guerard accepted a large storage container for his classic cars and a $100 gift card from Home Depot.

The city fired Guerard in February for allegedly selling city-owned property. He was responsible for ordering supplies and overseeing the city's utilities storeroom.

Welfare cuts being considered

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:40 PDT

As a souring economy makes life tougher for growing numbers of poor Nevadans, the state is preparing to cut back on the services designed to help them.

The proposed changes would yank some people out of programs faster, punish others for longer periods when they don't keep promises, and make children and other family members pay when heads of household don't follow the rules.

Nevada officials say cuts in the food stamp and welfare programs are needed because of shrinking federal reserves and state funds. They add that increased demand for those services is making the situation worse.

Poll: California voters oppose gay marriage ban

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:40 PDT

More California voters say they would oppose a November ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage in the state's constitution than would support it, according to a survey released Friday.

The Field Poll found that 51 percent of likely voters say they would vote against Proposition 8, while 42 percent say they would vote for it.

The poll shows a turnaround from 2000, when 61 percent of voters cast ballots in favor Proposition 22, which strengthened the state's 1978 one-man, one-woman marriage law with the words "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

Suspect in quadruple Calif. murders skipped parole

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:40 PDT

Butte County's district attorney says a 28-year-old man suspected of killing his girlfriend and her two toddlers was wanted by police for skipping parole.

Butte County sheriff's deputies say Samuel Gonzalez killed himself with a shotgun after the slayings Wednesday.

Gonzalez had twice spent time in prison, once for burglary and once for having a knife and drug paraphernalia.

Spears granted additional visitation with boys

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:25 PDT

An attorney for Britney Spears says an agreement has been reached that grants the singer more visits with her children.

Attorneys for Spears and ex-husband Kevin Federline met with a Los Angeles Superior Court commissioner in closed chambers Friday morning. A court spokesman says no formal settlement has been filed.

Spears' attorney, Laura Wasser, says the agreement will give Spears more time with her young boys, Sean Preston and Jayden James. While Federline still has full custody, Wasser says Spears may get expanded rights by the end of the year.

Free-meals tax ruling stands

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:25 PDT

The Nevada Supreme Court says it won't reconsider its ruling in a case that could lead to as much as $150 million in refunds in state and local taxes to casinos and restaurants.

The case involved a tax refund sought by the Sparks Nugget for "comped" meals provided for free to employees and some patrons. The state could be liable for as much as a third of the refund total. Local governments and school districts would be liable for the rest.

Ben Kieckhefer, spokesman for Gov. Jim Gibbons, said the state Taxation Department is reviewing its options with the attorney general's office as a result of the court order on Thursday.

Mattel's 2Q profit falls sharply, but tops view

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:15 PDT

Mattel Inc. said Friday its second-quarter profit fell by nearly half as higher costs offset strong sales of toys related to summer movies like "Kung Fu Panda" and the latest Batman film and the benefit from the weaker dollar.

The results still beat Wall Street's expectations. That, combined with Mattel's legal victory in a case against the maker of Bratz dolls, sent the shares soaring nearly 12 percent. The company also said it may raise prices again this spring.

Mattel, which makes Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price toys, said quarterly profit dropped 48 percent to $11.8 million, or 3 cents per share, from $22.8 million, or 6 cents per share, a year ago.

Google shares fall after disappointing earnings

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:00 PDT

Google Inc. shares tumbled more than 9 percent by midday Friday after the Internet search leader's second-quarter earnings missed analysts' expectations.

Management said economic turmoil in the United States and parts of Europe appears to be causing consumers to click less frequently on the ads that generate virtually all its profits.

That unnerved already jittery investors, although Google managers said they expect the Mountain View-based company will thrive even if the economy weakens further.

Ex-Guns N' Roses drummer arrested in Los Angeles

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:03 PDT

Former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler has been arrested for alleged drug possession in Hollywood.

Los Angeles police spokesman Richard French says the 43-year-old Adler was arrested around 4 a.m. Friday by officers called to a home where a man reportedly was creating a disturbance and refusing to leave.

Adler was booked for investigation of possessing narcotics, being under the influence and for an outstanding warrant.

Bush surveys record-breaking Calif. wildfires

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:58 PDT

President Bush offered federal help and encouragement to some of the 25,000 firefighters working under a blazing sun to contain wildfires that make up the single largest fire event ever recorded in California.

"I always come to make sure the federal government is coordinating closely with the state government," Bush said Thursday . "I know Gov. Schwarzenegger well enough to say that if we weren't, he'd let me know."

Since a huge lightning storm on June 21, more than 2,000 separate fires have ignited across California, ravaging nearly 1,413 square miles. Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in 12 counties affected by the wildfires and has called in the California National Guard to help.

Sheriff and tribe renew law enforcement pact

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:48 PDT

The sheriff's department will continue law enforcement duties on the San Manuel reservation.

The casino-rich San Manuel Band of Mission Indians says a news conference is planned Wednesday to announced renewal of its protection agreement with San Bernardino County.

Sheriff's deputies are assigned patrol duties on the small Highland reservation. The tribe, which has its own security force, pays for the county law enforcement help.

Long delays after train hits body in Inland Empire

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:53 PDT

A freight train struck a man in San Bernardino County early Friday, forcing cancellation of morning commuter trains for hours, authorities said.

A BNSF train hit the unidentified man just after midnight in the community of Grand Terrace but it is unclear whether he was already dead before he was struck, county sheriff's spokesman Arden Wiltshire said.

The train immediately stopped. No injuries are reported.

Two human West Nile first in OC this year

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:28 PDT

Two men who recently donated blood tested positive for West Nile virus, the first known human cases of the mosquito-borne virus in Orange County this year.

The county Health Care Agency says the 23-year-old man and 41-year-old man do not have any symptoms of illness. The names and hometowns of the men aren't being released.

There were 10 human cases of West Nile virus in Orange County last year.

AMD shares fall after CEO steps down, weak 2Q

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:23 PDT

Shares of Advanced Micro Devices Inc. fell at the market open Friday, a day after the chip maker reported the departure of Chief Executive Hector Ruiz and reported a wider second-quarter loss than analysts expected.

The shares lost 40 cents, or 7.8 percent, to $4.90 shortly after the opening bell. The stock has ranged from $4.53 to $16.19 over the past year.

Under Ruiz's leadership, AMD rose to challenge larger rival Intel Corp. as never before in AMD's nearly 40-year history.