Uncovered SLO


Details of superintendent’s relationship with student released

Superintendent Dean Smith agreed to resign rather than face termination for an inappropriate relationship with a former student. An investigation funded by the San Miguel School Board resulted in charges for terminating Smith, 55. The investigation found that Smith had utilized his... (Continue reading)

County tax assessor’s actions under scrutiny

San Luis Obispo County Assessor Tom Bordonaro is arguably the most politically connected officeholder on the Central Coast -- and its most controversial. Bordonaro, 50, of Paso Robles, is a former two-term state assemblyman, failed Congressional candidate, and the current chairman... (Continue reading)

Are nonprofit hospitals profiting?

In these tough economic times, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, which was losing money a few years ago, is now raking in more than $6 million a year in profits, according to a CalCoastNews analysis of data... (Continue reading)

Firm angling for Los Osos project fails the smell test in New Orleans

The engineering firm on track to be San Luis Obispo County’s choice to oversee the multi-million-dollar Los Osos wastewater project is the subject of a new scathing report by the inspector general of New Orleans. [Times-Picayune] The 28-page report claims... (Continue reading)

School secretary arrested for assaulting niece’s romantic rival

A San Miguel school secretary and two of her family members have been arrested for allegedly assaulting a pregnant teen in front of the victim’s two-year-old son, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department said. All three defendants in the case,... (Continue reading)

Federal action against Heritage Oaks Bank

Federal regulators have banned the parent company of Paso Robles-based Heritage Oaks Bank from paying dividends or incurring debt as part of a written agreement the company and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco signed on Monday. As part of... (Continue reading)

Ashburn admits to being gay

Republican state Senator Roy Ashburn admitted on a Bakersfield talk radio show Monday morning that he is gay. [Huffington Post] On the Inga Barks talk show, Ashburn said, “I’m gay. Those are the words that have been difficult for me... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande teacher takes students to nude beach

An Arroyo Grande High School photography teacher allegedly took four students on an unapproved field trip to a local nude beach, and now some parents are upset. “I think it was bizarre,” said one parent who asked to remain unnamed because... (Continue reading)

Is Cal Poly ignoring endowments?

At a time when the College of Engineering at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo is mired in as much as a $1-million operating budget deficit, the popular college, which attracts more than its share of generous donations,... (Continue reading)

On call contracts: physician convenience trumps patient care?

Based on a dozen interviews and other material, CalCoastNews has learned that numerous local physicians are threatening patient care in San Luis Obispo County by not showing for emergencies even though they’re paid to be “on call” at local medical... (Continue reading)