Uncovered SLO


Shoplifter sues Paso Robles for police brutality

By KAREN VELIE A woman caught shoplifting has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Paso Robles, an officer, and the current and former chiefs of police, claiming her civil rights were violated during a 2010 arrest. It is... (Continue reading)

Gearharts want their wedding ring back

By KAREN VELIE Former north San Luis Obispo County developer Kelly Gearhart and his wife Tamara Gearhart have asked a federal bankruptcy court in Ohio to allow them to purchase her wedding ring back for $814. As the result of... (Continue reading)

Former Paso Robles officer claims retaliation

By DANIEL BLACKBURN A former Paso Robles police department veteran has filed a claim with the city alleging he was retaliated against by former chief Lisa Solomon-Chitty for his union activities. Such a claim, routinely dismissed by city officials, is... (Continue reading)

Supervisor campaigns to shut down CalCoastNews

By CALCOASTNEWS STAFF San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill has been using his elected position to bully advertisers and supporters of CalCoastNews (CCN) in a campaign to cripple the website. In several instances, Hill’s own emails, obtained by CCN,... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo cites self for derelict property

Story and photos by DANIEL BLACKBURN Weeds as tall as a human, torn window screens, crumbling chimney bricks and a collapsed fence and arbor made the ramshackle house at 466 Dana Street a prime candidate for a visit from San... (Continue reading)

South County administrator left district uninsured

By KAREN VELIE South County sanitation district administrator John Wallace’s failure to maintain errors and omissions insurance during a 2010 sewage spill could leave him financially responsible for a proposed $1.4 million fine. In late 2009, following reports of environmental... (Continue reading)

Dietrick slams judge’s ruling as judicial misinterpretation

By KAREN VELIE Frustrated by a judge’s ruling that bars San Luis Obispo police from ticketing homeless people sleeping in their vehicles, the city council Tuesday will consider an emergency ordinance seeking a way to continue the practice. City Attorney... (Continue reading)

Gearhart indicted, facing 300 years in federal prison

Update: Under the original story. Onetime Atascadero “Person of the Year” and prominent North County land developer Kelly Gearhart has been indicted by a federal grand jury and faces 16 charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering. Investigators... (Continue reading)

Mesa land sale offer on table

By DANIEL BLACKBURN A 17-acre parcel atop the Nipomo Mesa would make an ideal site to augment the region’s future water supply, perhaps with a desalting plant, says a prominent local businessman, but water officials appear lukewarm to the idea.... (Continue reading)

Oceano board squelches public comment

By KAREN VELIE The public comment period during last week’s Oceano Community Services District Board meeting was squelched after the board inaccurately determined rules barring elected officials from speaking about personnel issues also extended to members of the public. Public... (Continue reading)