The Walking Co. files Chapter 11
Playing a game of chicken with some high-profile mall magnates, Santa Barbara-based shoe retailer The Walking Co. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, citing untenable leases it signed during what company leaders called a “high water mark for retail space.” The Walking Co., formerly known as Big Dogs, said the move came about because it Read More →
Baker to leave Cal Poly
Warren J. Baker, president of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, is retiring after more than 30 years of heading the university. Baker’s retirement becomes effective when his replacement is named in mid-2010, the school said in a release. Baker will continue to teach part time and assist with science, technology, engineering and mathematics Read More →
Amgen approves $5 billion stock repurchase
Thousand Oaks-based biotech firm Amgen said Dec. 7 that its board of directors has authorized the firm to buy back as much as $5 billion in stock. Amgen has $1.2 billion of potential stock repurchases under its previous buyback program. Companies often buy back stock to boost share prices or earnings per share. Amgen’s shares Read More →
Onnen becomes Goleta's new mayor
Erin Onnen and Margaret Connell on Dec. 2 respectively became Goleta’s new mayor and mayor pro tempore. Onnen replaces Roger Aceves and will hold the position until December 2010. Onnen, Aceves and Connell serve on the Goleta City Council. The council rotates the mayor post to a different member each year. In his acceptance speech, Read More →
PG&E asks for 20 more years at Diablo Canyon
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said Nov. 24 that it will seek federal approval to keep its Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant running until 2045. The plant’s two reactors produce enough electricity to power about 3 million California homes each year, the company said in a release. The reactors’ current federal operating licenses are set Read More →
Breaking news: Weyrich auction postponed
UPDATE: The auctioning off of San Luis Obispo businessman David Weyrich’s properties on York Mountain Road near Templeton and Los Ranchos Road near San Luis Obispo was postponed Friday morning — at the beneficiaries’ request — until Tuesday Nov. 24. • Click here to read the previous story and check the Nov. 27 print issue Read More →
Pacific Capital shares up 35 percent
Shares of Pacific Capital Bancorp soared 35 percent in unusually heavy trading on Nov. 18 as the stock closed at 91 cents. Volume was more than 2 million shares compared with the normal 1.3 million shares daily. No news was announced, but as earlier reported, the region’s largest banking company has been seeking a buyer Read More →
