Uncovered SLO


Does SLO County candidate Jim Dantona stand with or against big oil?

By KAREN VELIE While many coastal residents are opposed to having hundreds of acres of windmills off the coast of Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County supervisor candidate Jim Dantona argues wind energy is a non-issue while “big oil” is... (Continue reading)

Bike SLO County leader enters plea in child molestation case

By KAREN VELIE The former executive director of Bike SLO County pleaded no contest on Thursday to one count for molesting his 6-year-old step-granddaughter in a hot tub last year. As a result of his plea, Richard Ellison is facing... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo County attempts to rectify voter guide error

By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorders Office on Tuesday mailed out a list of endorsed candidates it wrongly omitted from voter guide pages to all registered voters in an attempt to correct its error. California law allows... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande water rates expected to increase because of lawsuit

By KAREN VELIE Most of south San Luis Obispo County is facing increased water rates because of an ongoing lawsuit over Lopez Lake water, with Arroyo Grande residents in line to pay the bulk of the costs in the fight... (Continue reading)

CalCoastNews reporter wins defamation case

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Jody Bernat’s defamation lawsuit against CalCoastNews reporter Karen Velie has been dismissed. San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Tana Coates issued a ruling Friday applying California’s anti-SLAPP law to end the case. “The anti-SLAPP statute enables... (Continue reading)

Search for Kristin Smart’s remains continues in Arroyo Grande

By KAREN VELIE Investigators continue on Friday to search for the remains of murder victim Kristin Smart at the Arroyo Grande home of the mother of her killer Paul Flores. Paul Flores murdered Smart during an attempted rape in 1996... (Continue reading)

Investigators search Susan Flores’ Arroyo Grande home for Kristin Smart evidence

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Investigators are currently serving a search warrant at the Arroyo Grande home of Susan Flores as part of an ongoing investigation in the Kristin Smart murder case, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. Early... (Continue reading)

Felon terrorizes San Luis Obispo neighborhood

By KAREN VELIE Neighbors near the airport in San Luis Obispo are living in fear of an alleged delusional felon who was arrested three times in less than three months for charges that include a naked burglary. Even so, less... (Continue reading)

More scrutiny for San Luis Obispo County political committee

By KAREN VELIE A political action committee that supports the reelection of San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Jimmy Paulding amended its disclosures to comply with election laws, an action that instead led to further scrutiny. Attorney Don Ernst and retired... (Continue reading)

Man who threatened SLO County official seeks plea agreement

By KAREN VELIE The man accused of planning to kill San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow is likely to be released from prison in less than a year because of a plea agreement. On Jan. 24, 2025, FBI... (Continue reading)