Uncovered SLO


SLO firefighter accused of assault placed on leave

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo city administrators placed a firefighter who was arrested for allegedly beating a man unconscious at a local pub on unpaid administrative leave several months ago, city staff confirmed while refusing to provide the exact... (Continue reading)

Gearhart pleads not guilty to fraud

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Onetime Atascadero “Person of the Year” Kelly Gearhart pleaded not guilty to 16 charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering at his arraignment Monday at a federal court in Los Angeles. The... (Continue reading)

Paso Robles city officials manipulate election?

By DANIEL BLACKBURN EDITOR’S NOTE: See both versions of City Council candidate Jim Reed’s campaign statement at the bottom of this story. Jim Reed wanted to help initiate major changes in the way Paso Robles’ government is being managed, and... (Continue reading)

SLO homeless win big in ticketing battle

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo City Council agreed Thursday to dismiss all tickets given this year to homeless residents for sleeping in their vehicles. In April, attorneys Saro Rizzo and Stew Jenkins filed a lawsuit accusing the city of... (Continue reading)

Adam Hill’s chief aide departing

San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill’s administrative assistant Susan Devine is stepping down amid swirling allegations that the supervisor exploited government resources promoting his reelection campaign, and then mounted an attempt to destroy media groups reporting on his often... (Continue reading)

Worker shortage threatens state crops

By DANIEL BLACKBURN A plaintive, years-long cry from California farmers worried about an adequate supply of harvest laborers now is being heard statewide as the prediction – often scorned by critics — begins to materialize. And while the looming shortage... (Continue reading)

Bank accused of harassing Shell Beach couple

By KAREN VELIE Following years of allegedly being bombarded with no less than 75 collection calls a week, an elderly Shell Beach couple has filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase. Not long after JPMorgan Chase began servicing John and Anna... (Continue reading)

Sheriff’s department sex scandal lands three under investigation

CORRECTION: While senior deputy Todd Steeb and Pozdolski’s wife are under investigation, Sheriff Ian Parkinson placed only John Pozdolski on paid administrative leave. By KAREN VELIE An alleged affair between a senior San Luis Obispo County Sheriff deputy and a... (Continue reading)

North County Tea Party gaining strength

By DANIEL BLACKBURN There’s a big party brewing, but it’s not about dancing and cocktails — the issue at hand for members of the rapidly-growing North County Tea Party is nothing less than salvation of these United States. With its... (Continue reading)

Prominent architect challenges Marx for mayor seat

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo businessman Steve Barasch announced Tuesday he plans to run for mayor in November against incumbent Jan Marx. The founder and president of Barasch Architects and Associates, Barasch has been outspoken about the city’s fiscal... (Continue reading)