Uncovered SLO


South County billing dispute erupts with allegation of racism

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Amid a discussion on a multi-month billing dispute that is pitting South County cities Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach against the Oceano Community Services District, an elected official stormed out of a board meeting, alleging she was... (Continue reading)

Haggen laying off dozens of workers, union filing grievances

By KAREN VELIE Haggen, a Washington-based chain of grocery stores that recently purchased 83 new stores in California, has laid off dozens of Central Coast workers in the past few days while other employees were moved from full-time to part-time... (Continue reading)

APCD loses another round on dust rule

By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution District (APCD) lost another round Wednesday when the court sided with Friends of the Oceano Dunes and vacated a previous order that supported the dust rule. In Nov. 2011, the... (Continue reading)

Gibson’s attack on geologist creates dust up

By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson has used his sway to possibly jeopardize the job of a state geologist who is critical of the Oceano Dunes dust rule, a move that has drawn rebuke from three... (Continue reading)

Lacey Fowler resists arrest, swings at a police officer

By KAREN VELIE A former Cuesta College human resources analyst who was wanted on several failure to appear arrest warrants — in addition to charges of burglary and forgery — is facing an additional charge after she attempted to punch... (Continue reading)

Lacey Fowler on the lam, continues crime spree

Correction: Lacey Fowler’s bail is currently set at $400,000 according to court documents and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office. By KAREN VELIE While dodging warrants for her arrest, former Cuesta College human resources analyst Lacey Fowler allegedly... (Continue reading)

County planners okay medical pot dispensary

By DANIEL BLACKBURN The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission approved a use permit allowing establishment of a Nipomo medical marijuana dispensary on Thursday. Following a three-hour hearing, the commission voted 3-1 to move the long-debated Ethnobotanica facility onto a... (Continue reading)

UPS driver goes postal

By KAREN VELIE A UPS driver delivered more than a package to an assisted living facility in Atascadero in late May. The driver also kicked a small dog before assaulting the dog’s owner. On May 28, Tim Paulsen arrived for... (Continue reading)

Kelly Gearhart appeals guilty plea, sentencing

By KAREN VELIE Former Atascadero developer Kelly Gearhart plead guilty to money laundering and wire fraud, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison last week, and Monday he filed a notice of appeal. According to the notice, Gearhart plans... (Continue reading)

Arrest warrant issued for former Cuesta College analyst

By KAREN VELIE An arrest warrant has been filed against a former Cuesta College human resources analyst for failing to show up for an arraignment hearing at San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Monday morning. Lacey Fowler is facing three... (Continue reading)