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Uncovered SLO


Peppered, pounded, pizza shop owner seeks big SLO dough

Written on 17 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | One comment

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Posted 1/22/2008 San Luis Obispo businessman Jeff Milne, home after a long day baking and serving at his Babbo’s Pizzeria on Santa Rosa, was surprised when he looked through a window... (Continue reading)

San Luis Trust CEO says extensive exam routine.

Written on 16 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 4 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE San Luis Trust Bank’s (SLTB) chief executive officer believes that an ongoing bank exam is “routine” but insiders suggest the number of examiners is extraordinary. Brad Lyon, who also serves as president of the San Luis... (Continue reading)

Covert attack mounted on trauma center plan

Written on 12 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 13 comments

Physicians and officials at French and Arroyo Grande hospitals have mounted a concerted but furtive effort to halt plans for a trauma center. ... (Continue reading)

EFI investors, creditors planning participation

Written on 9 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 38 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN Investors, builders, and creditors misled by Paso Robles hard money lender Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) are forming a pair of “advisory” committees to participate in an upcoming series of bankruptcy hearings and related actions promising to be both... (Continue reading)

Where did Hurst’s Beacon Road money go?

Written on 9 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 9 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN and KAREN VELIE Investors wooed by Atascadero hard money lender Hurst Financial’s owner Jay Miller raised $414,000 of an apparent $485,000 loan to help fund a new North County commercial park, but learned within four months that only... (Continue reading)

Crowded women’s jail is big lawsuit threat

Written on 6 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 5 comments

By RON CRAWFORD A badly overcrowded women’s jail is the result of Sheriff's Department officials' penchant for punishment, a policy that poses for county taxpayers a distinct threat of costly litigation. Repeated warnings from successive San Luis Obispo County grand juries and... (Continue reading)

Cuesta College accreditation reaffirmed

Written on 4 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 2 comments

By KAREN VELIE Cuesta College officials learned Wednesday the institution has been removed from warning status and that its accreditation has been fully reaffirmed by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). “With all the changes we have made, we... (Continue reading)

Night Moves: EFI files fund Chapter 11

Written on 4 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 21 comments

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN Estate Financial Inc. (EFI) principals Karen Guth and Joshua Yaguda placed EFI’s Mortgage Fund LLC into voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a July 1 appearance in Santa Barbara’s Central District of California United States Bankruptcy... (Continue reading)

Aerial photos aid county planners enforcement

Written on 2 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 8 comments

By DANIEL BLACKBURN “They” are, indeed, watching. Cameras are peeking through the clouds above San Luis Obispo County, and some residents are finding them not only invasive, but expensive.... (Continue reading)

Bank’s own appraisal questions Gearhart loan

Written on 1 Jul, 2008 in Uncovered SLO | 7 comments

By KAREN VELIE and DANIEL BLACKBURN A million-dollar loan from Heritage Oaks Bank to North County developer Kelly Gearhart earlier this year was based on “erroneous” and questionable claims, according to the bank’s own appraisal. That appraisal was not received by bank... (Continue reading)