Uncovered SLO


Former Oceano official facing punitive damages in harassment case

By KAREN VELIE A bitter row between former Oceano Community Services District Director Cynthia Replogle and several of her neighbors could leave the controversial public figure owing punitive damages, a judge ruled last week. While multiple neighbors, community and former... (Continue reading)

SLO High School officials buried sexual misconduct allegations for years

By KAREN VELIE A female San Luis Obispo High School trainer accused head basketball coach and history teacher Jeff Brandow of sexual misconduct nearly a decade ago, but officials squelched her complaint and the harassment allegedly continued. Despite the 2014... (Continue reading)

Coastal Commission overstepped authority on Oceano Dunes, judge rules

By KAREN VELIE The California Coastal Commission overstepped its authority when it voted to phase out off-road vehicle usage at the Oceano Dunes by 2025, according to a July 19 court ruling. The Coastal Commission also violated the law when... (Continue reading)

Former Cal Poly ROTC chair now facing criminal court-martial

By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office on Monday filed a motion asking the court to dismiss criminal charges against an Army Lt. Colonel arrested after his hidden camera was discovered in a dressing room in... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande woman’s prosecution leads to civil rights lawsuit

By KAREN VELIE After an Arroyo Grande woman was prosecuted for referring to herself as a doctor, three nurse practitioners filed a civil rights lawsuit in federal court challenging the law used in her prosecution. Even though Sarah Erny earned... (Continue reading)

SLO coach allegedly pursued underage student, left on the job

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo High School officials learned last October that their head basketball coach, who also taught history, allegedly sent inappropriate texts to an underage student and commented to her about breasts and buttocks during class, but... (Continue reading)

Human bones found during SLO County search, not Kyle Doan

By KAREN VELIE Adult human bones were found along the Salinas River amid an ongoing search for missing 5-year-old Kyle Doan, who was not located during the two-day search, said San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson. On July 7th... (Continue reading)

SLO High School’s former athletic director accused of sexual misconduct, on leave

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo High School’s head basketball coach and former athletic director, who also is a history teacher, was suspended from his duties and placed on administrative leave earlier this year amid allegations of sexual misconduct regarding... (Continue reading)

SLO County adopts budget with more than $5 million deficit

By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 last month, with Supervisor Debbie Arnold dissenting, to adopt a budget with a deficit of more than $5 million. During budget negotiations, Arnold argued that amid the... (Continue reading)

Pismo Beach accused of attempting to swindle developer

By KAREN VELIE Pismo Beach officials are accused of attempting to swindle a developer by overcharging for fees on one property, and then running off a buyer of another parcel the city wants to buy from the same developer at... (Continue reading)