Uncovered SLO


Battle takes shape over SLO sales tax renewal

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The San Luis Obispo city sales tax initiative has a new name, and campaigns have kicked off both for and against the measure. Previously known as Measure Y, San Luis Obispo’s half-cent sales tax has taken on... (Continue reading)

Parkinson’s Navy

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Sheriff Ian Parkinson told San Luis Obispo County Supervisors in April that he needed an extra half million dollars to buy and operate a 27-foot Defender Class response boat to tow drug smuggling boats,... (Continue reading)

APCD ordered back into court over dust rule

By JOSH FRIEDMAN A California appellate court rejected an agreement Tuesday that could have settled the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District’s legal battle over its controversial Oceano Dunes dust rule. Adopted by the APCD board in 2011,... (Continue reading)

SLO County policy changes under fire

By JOSH FRIEDMAN San Luis Obispo County planners are attempting to strengthen a highly contested section of the county general plan that allows officials to restrict private land and water use in times of drought and other resource shortages. The... (Continue reading)

County pension liability tops $346 million

By DANIEL BLACKBURN San Luis Obispo County employees’ pension plan has a $346 million unfunded liability, a matter of concern to the Grand Jury because of its breathtaking size and the suggestion that officials may have tried to camouflage the... (Continue reading)

Wallace’s continuing costs to South County residents

By KAREN VELIE Even though John Wallace is no longer the administrator of the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District, district ratepayers continue to cover the costs of his mismanagement. In 2013, following the states determination that a 2010... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande commissioner accused of conflict of interest

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The lead architect of a proposed housing development in Arroyo Grande is a member of the city’s planning commission, a scenario, critics allege, that creates an ethical conflict of interest. Randy Russom, an architect with RRM Design,... (Continue reading)

Cal Poly radio station at risk after sexually explicit fundraiser

By CCN STAFF KCPR FM, Cal Poly’s student-run radio station, could be sold away from the campus following a fundraising promotion in which two student DJs offered to sell photos of their genitals in return for cash donations. For $20... (Continue reading)

State Bar temporarily disbars Paso Robles attorney

By KAREN VELIE Following multiple complaints of professional misconduct, the State Bar of California ordered Paso Robles attorney Dale Gustin’s license to practice law inactive on June 30. Gustin’s latest issue stems from allegations he was threatening criminal prosecution against... (Continue reading)

State audit finds Hill skirting campaign finance law

By JOSH FRIEDMAN An audit conducted by the California Franchise Tax Board has revealed that San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill failed to properly disclose nearly $70,000 in campaign expenditures during his most recent run for office. The California... (Continue reading)