2009

CalCoastNews on the distribution ‘no fly list’

County officials did not provide CalCoastNews the press release regarding the possible termination of David Edge and the appointment of Jeff Hamm. This is not uncommon. Because of this, the following e-mail was sent to County Counsel Warren Jensen:... (Continue reading)

Who’s running SLO County?

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County’s top two administrators are currently missing in action, and county employees have been ordered not to discuss their absences. Monday, a source told CalCoastNews that County Administrator David Edge had stepped down following allegations of... (Continue reading)

North County water plans sidetracked by bad counsel?

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Paso Robles officials may have been receiving less than stellar legal advice throughout the city’s lengthy process to secure a future water supply, a former mayor and new county supervisor suggested last week. Frank Mecham’s comments come on... (Continue reading)

Tribe’s casino pact with white men suspect

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN A secret, decade-long, eight-phase strategy by a group of local investors – including one notorious individual now under investigation for fraud – outlines plans for construction of a Indian gaming casino in San Luis Obispo... (Continue reading)

EFI judge slashes lawyer fees

By KAREN VELIE A federal bankruptcy judge slashed fee requests and ordered professionals working on the Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) bankruptcy to practice frugality in an attempt to protect assets for EFI investors at a hearing on Wednesday in Santa Barbara... (Continue reading)

Los Osos sewer project tainted by ’expired’ crime

By DANIEL BLACKBURN County planning commissioners Thursday will consider a proposal for construction of Los Osos’ contentious wastewater project, a mission now shadowed by a documented crime. Despite the existence of substantial evidence of unlawful backdating of key contract agreements, executed by... (Continue reading)

Atascadero man suspected of beastiality, producing child porn

By KAREN VELIE A multi-agency task force is investigating a subcontractor with the California Men’s Colony after discovering videos of the man having sexual relations with both a child and his dog, sources said. Suspecting the 49-year-old plumber of marijuana, narcotics, and... (Continue reading)

Grand Jury wants fix of sheriff’s evidence lockers

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Property room policies and procedures followed by sheriff’s deputies are “lax” in some instances, and the 2008-09 San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury has recommended updates and monitoring of those facilities. CalCoastNews reported in December 2008 that problems existed... (Continue reading)

Ambushed by SLO law and order

By KAREN VELIE A Morro Bay man wrongly accused of two robberies now attributed to the notorious and just-captured “Sleeves Bandit” remains in county jail as San Luis Obispo police and district attorney’s officials seek a graceful exit from a potentially... (Continue reading)

Hurst’s Miller alleges Shores brothers defrauded investors

By KAREN VELIE Prominent North County developer Jimmie Shores says he doesn’t have to repay a $700,000 hard-money loan because his brother, Ronnie Shores, stole the money, while Hurst Financial President Jay Miller, maintains the Shores are trying to defraud investors. “I... (Continue reading)