Uncovered SLO


Rob Rossi files suit against ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66

By KAREN VELIE Rob Rossi, an owner of the more than 14,000 acre Santa Margarita Ranch, filed a lawsuit against ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 on Friday for allegedly operating a pipeline that has contaminated a portion of the ranch. Phillips... (Continue reading)

SLO City manager and attorney to get bonuses

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo City staff is recommending the council vote Tuesday to give City Manager Katie Lichtig and City Attorney Christine Dietrick $5,000 retention bonuses, Dietrick’s fifth bonus or raise in five years. Staff based the requests... (Continue reading)

Arnold, Hill, Peschong lead campaign contribution battles

Note: Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin posted his campaign finance disclosure after this story was posted. The story has been updated to include Martin’s campaign contributions. By JOSH FRIEDMAN A clear fundraising leader has emerged in each of the three... (Continue reading)

Cambria general manager’s raise scrapped, for now

By KAREN VELIE Amid growing outrage, the Cambria Community Services District will not be voting Thursday to approve a contract giving the district’s general manager a 38 percent pay increase. The agenda change appears to be prompted by public complaints... (Continue reading)

Cal Poly gives TV deal to president’s friend

By KAREN VELIE (Editor’s note: In the interest of transparency, readers should know that Cal Coast News editor Bill Loving is a tenured professor in the journalism department at Cal Poly. A recording of an interview with Cal Poly President... (Continue reading)

Cambria general manager to get a 38 percent pay increase

By KAREN VELIE Less then two months after the implementation of a 116 percent water and sewer rate increase, the Cambria Community Services District is planning to approve a set of staggered pay hikes of 38 percent for its general... (Continue reading)

Local nonprofits plagued by financial irregularities

By JOSH FRIEDMAN and KAREN VELIE Two politically-connected nonprofits in San Luis Obispo County have broken federal or state laws, failed to report revenue and refused to comply with financial disclosure rules. The president and founder of one of the... (Continue reading)

Los Osos penalized for under reporting wages

By KAREN VELIE The Los Osos Community Services District owes fines and interest for under-reporting almost $100,000 in wages during the past two years. The penalties are a result of “quarterly and annual payroll reports not being filed or being... (Continue reading)

Politicians call foul over deceptive ads

By KAREN VELIE Several Central Coast politicians are calling foul to this years barrage of deceptive political ads. In the race for Congress, a politician is accused of placing ads that exaggerate his accomplishments, while in the race for San... (Continue reading)

Are Seitz’s days numbered in Los Osos?

By KAREN VELIE The Los Osos Community Services District is considering parting ways with longtime district legal counsel Shipsey & Seitz. In 1998, Shipsey & Seitz was first hired to represent the district during its formation. However, in the past... (Continue reading)