Uncovered SLO


No buts about it: Inmate cell phone use up

By DANIEL BLACKBURN In agony from abdominal cramps, the California Men’s Colony (CMC) inmate was bent over groaning when correctional officers discovered him, and though initially reticent, the man finally confessed to smuggling. He had a contraband cell phone and its... (Continue reading)

Guth, Yaguda still stewing; more arrests hinted

By KAREN VELIE Prosecutors and defense attorneys today asked a judge to postpone arraignment and bail hearing for Estate Financial Inc. principles Karen Guth and Joshua Yaguda for the fourth time. San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Charles Crawford agreed to... (Continue reading)

EFI investor prospects dismal

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Investors in both the Estate Financial Mortgage Fund (EFMF) and Estate Financial Inc (EFI) received gloomy reports from trustees regarding recouping investments through the bankruptcy court. The bad news was contained in a letter sent... (Continue reading)

Length of deputies’ visit to sheriff differs

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE How long did sheriff’s deputies spend at the home of Sheriff Pat Hedges and his wife, Sandy Oneal-Hedges, following a reported domestic disturbance? Official reports vary from more than an hour, to just 15 minutes,... (Continue reading)

Home prices continue to tumble

By KAREN VELIE Combinations of short sales and foreclosures due to unaffordable mortgage payments, as well as hard money lending schemes, are propelling an incredibly rapid deceleration of San Luis Obispo County home prices. Throughout the area, homes are selling for as... (Continue reading)

War of the Hedges

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Sheriff deputies responded Monday to a domestic disturbance call at the North County home of Sheriff Pat Hedges and his wife, Sandy Oneal-Hedges, according to the sheriff’s log. Sandy Oneal-Hedges called 911 at 5:36 p.m.... (Continue reading)

The day this news site’s world stood still

By THE EDITORS On a warm afternoon last August, this news site nearly died. It is only because of a considerable confluence of coincidental events, and perhaps some kind of divine intervention, that we are here today to report the events... (Continue reading)

Heritage Oaks Bank files big foreclosures

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Heritage Oaks Bank has filed foreclosure notices against developer Kelly Gearhart’s Vista Del Hombre project, as well as Karen Guth and Joshua Yaguda’s Pasolivio Olive Ranch. Bank officials did so despite a state move on all... (Continue reading)

ESTATE FINANCIAL UPDATE: Conflicts of interest?

By KAREN VELIE Several key players in a hard money lender’s federal bankruptcy proceedings have apparent conflicts of interest, a situation which may further complicate investors’ efforts to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in lost assets. Trustees appointed by the Santa... (Continue reading)

BULLETIN: $8 million claim hits Paso water plans

A group of North County residents has filed a claim against the city of Paso Robles to recover $8 million in water and sewer fees they say has been improperly levied against property owners and ratepayers for the past six... (Continue reading)