Uncovered SLO


Did Grover Beach unlawfully reject recall petitions?

By KAREN VELIE A citizens group in Grover Beach filed a lawsuit Friday accusing the city clerk of unlawfully rejecting their legally-compliant recall petitions for Mayor Karen Bright and councilmen Daniel Rushing and Zach Zimmerman. “In a blatant violation of... (Continue reading)

Federal prosecutor attends SLO County developers’ fraud trial

By KAREN VELIE During the last day of a civil trial in which two San Luis Obispo County developers are fighting allegations of fraud, a federal prosecutor observed the hearing. Both defendants in the case, John Belsher and Ryan Wright,... (Continue reading)

Judge denies injunction, SLO County closing homeless parking site

Homeless parking site

By KAREN VELIE A federal judge on Wednesday denied a request to block the closure of a safe parking site off Highway 1 near the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office for an additional six months. The site is slated... (Continue reading)

Why has Paso Robles refunded less than 3% of illicit parking charges?

By KAREN VELIE After agreeing their downtown paid parking program was not legally set up, the Paso Robles City Council announced plans to refund parking tickets given during a 12 month period. Even so, most people have not been paid... (Continue reading)

Under pressure, Grover Beach quits recycled water project

By KAREN VELIE Rejecting staff recommendations, the Grover Beach City Council on Monday agreed to quit a controversial water recycling project and stop funding Central Coast Blue. In response to years of drought, in 2016, the cities of Pismo Beach,... (Continue reading)

This week’s San Luis Obispo County government meetings

By CalCoastNews staff The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors will meet at 9 a.m. on April 23 in the Board Chambers. The board is expected to officially appoint Matthew Pontes as the county’s administrative officer. Pontes is slated... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo County administrator’s history of embezzlement

By KAREN VELIE The man selected to serve as San Luis Obispo County’s administrative officer was previously found guilty of felony embezzlement, an approximately 30-year-old conviction. Regardless, the SLO County Board of Supervisors is slated to officially appoint Matthew Pontes... (Continue reading)

Paavo Ogren quits Oceano Community Services District, no notice

By KAREN VELIE After leading the agency for three and a half months, the head of the Oceano Community Services District quit several hours after showing up for work today. This is the third time Paavo Ogren has suddenly quit... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles rejects paid parking referendum, claims deficiencies

By KAREN VELIE The Paso Robles city clerk has rejected the petition to put a referendum on the November ballot to repeal an ordinance permitting paid parking in the downtown area. Several signature gatherers met on Wednesday with City Manager... (Continue reading)

Cuesta College settles whistleblower lawsuit

By KAREN VELIE Cuesta College will pay more than $70,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging retaliation against a whistleblower who came forward alleging misappropriation of public resources, according to sources involved in the case. Filed late last year, the lawsuit... (Continue reading)