Uncovered SLO


Wallace Group no-bid contract on lame duck agenda

By KAREN VELIE Arroyo Grande Mayor Tony Ferrara is slated to give a no-bid contract to two engineering firms for consulting services before he gives up power over the city’s agenda and council. Tuesday’s Arroyo Grande City Council meeting marks... (Continue reading)

Kelly Gearhart gets another reprieve

By KAREN VELIE The sentencing hearing for former Atascadero developer Kelly Gearhart has been extended from Dec. 29 to Feb. 23. Gearhart faces a statutory maximum of 50 years in federal prison for defrauding investors out of more than $100... (Continue reading)

Cal Poly agrees to disclose records following lawsuit

By KAREN VELIE Amid a lawsuit against the campus, officials at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo agreed Thursday to release records about the university’s preparation in the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease on campus.... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande manager on paid administrative leave

By DANIEL BLACKBURN The Arroyo Grande City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to place embattled Arroyo Grande City Manager Steve Adams on paid administrative leave after reviewing an investigation into an alleged sex scandal. The order takes place immediately, and Adams... (Continue reading)

Write-in Jim Hill wins Arroyo Grande mayor’s seat

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Amid allegations of poor leadership and abuse of power, write-in candidate Jim Hill has scored a stunning victory in the Arroyo Grande mayor’s seat, trumping incumbent Tony Ferrara by 95 votes, according to unofficial... (Continue reading)

Professor sues Cal Poly over flu preparedness secrecy

By KAREN VELIE A California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo journalism professor has filed an open records suit against the university. Bill Loving, professor and editor of CalCoastNews, is suing to get records about the university’s preparation in the... (Continue reading)

A.G. manager Adams’ job on line again

by DANIEL BLACKBURN A special 6 p.m. meeting of the Arroyo Grande City Council Wednesday will feature the possible dismissal, discipline, or release of embattled City Manager Steve Adams, as well as the unveiling of the results of an independent... (Continue reading)

Officer accused of lying to a judge

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN A member of the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force is under investigation for allegedly lying in a search warrant affidavit in order to gain access to a San Miguel man’s home... (Continue reading)

Adam Hill lobbies SLO Council members

By KAREN VELIE The day before San Luis Obispo City Council members are scheduled to make a decision on disciplining Councilman John Ashbaugh for violation of the state’s open meeting law, San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill lobbied the... (Continue reading)

Sanitation district mounting lawsuit against the state

By KAREN VELIE The South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District Board voted unanimously Wednesday to file a lawsuit against the state over a $1.1 million fine in a fight that has already cost ratepayers over $750,000. In 2010, issues... (Continue reading)