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Uncovered SLO


SLO County moves into the orange tier, with an exemption

Written on 27 Apr, 2021 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 13 comments

By KAREN VELIE SLO County has advanced into the coronavirus orange tier, even though case rates are up, because of an exemption granted by the state. Last week, SLO County health officials asked the state to grant the county an... (Continue reading)

Exclusive: Neighbors point to Flores’ yard as likely location of Kristin Smart’s body

Written on 26 Apr, 2021 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 34 comments

Editor’s Note: CalCoastNews reporters conducted multiple interviews with neighbors of Paul Flores over the past year. Several sources asked that their names not be disclosed in articles. By KAREN VELIE and JOSH FRIEDMAN Kristin Smart case investigators did not find... (Continue reading)

Bail reduced for suspect in the Kristin Smart murder case

Written on 21 Apr, 2021 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 5 comments

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Craig van Rooyen reduced bail for Ruben Flores from $250,000 to $50,000 on Wednesday afternoon, after prosecutors accused the 80-year-old man of knowing the location of Kristin Smart’s remains. Ruben... (Continue reading)

SLO County Board of Supervisors takes first step to split from waste agency

Written on 21 Apr, 2021 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 10 comments

By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors took the first step Tuesday to depart the Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) in a 3-2 vote along party lines. Supervisor John Peschong made a motion to have county... (Continue reading)

Conflict over union labor could cost Arroyo Grande reliable water source

Written on 20 Apr, 2021 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 15 comments

By KAREN VELIE After years of meetings, the cities of Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach agreed on plans for Central Coast Blue, a regional recycled water project set to bring a reliable water source to the Five Cities... (Continue reading)

Judge denies bail for Paul Flores, notes evidence of other sexual offenses

Written on 19 Apr, 2021 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 4 comments

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Craig van Rooyen ruled Monday that Paul Flores is to remain in jail without bail because of fact evidence supporting the murder charge and issues with public safety. Paul Flores... (Continue reading)

Surge in assaults on media, including in Paso Robles

Written on 18 Apr, 2021 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 30 comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Black Lives Matter protests picked up nationwide this week spurred by uproar over the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright by a Minnesota police officer, which occurred as the George Floyd murder trial was taking place nearby. Attacks... (Continue reading)

Lawsuit challenges Coastal Commission’s authority over the Oceano Dunes

Written on 17 Apr, 2021 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 19 comments

By KAREN VELIE Friends of the Oceano Dunes accuses the California Coastal Commission of violating environmental laws while claiming to be a lead agency when it is not, in a lawsuit filed Monday. The suit challenges the commission’s authority to... (Continue reading)

SLO County prosecutors have video evidence of Flores’ sexual assaults

Written on 16 Apr, 2021 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 14 comments

By JOSH FRIEDMAN and KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office disclosed their intent on Wednesday to provide the defense with video and audio evidence of sexual abuse Paul Flores allegedly committed before he was charged this... (Continue reading)

SLO County’s battle over polystyrene could shutter the IWMA

Written on 14 Apr, 2021 in Featured, Uncovered SLO | 16 comments

By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County’s waste agency voted Wednesday to continue the countywide polystyrene ban even though the majority of board members voted to end it, leading several agencies to voice their plans to leave the agency. Divided... (Continue reading)