Uncovered SLO


Lying in Trash trailer: Shedding light on SLO County misconduct

By Cal Coast Times Staff Seven years ago, a CalCoastNews article led to a lawsuit that forever reshaped the lives of its authors, their families, and its subjects. Following a $1.1 million judgement against CalCoastNews and reporters Karen Velie and... (Continue reading)

Morro Bay awards pot shop permit to political donor

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Following the lead of Grover Beach and San Luis Obispo, the city of Morro Bay has awarded one of its marijuana dispensary permits to Natural Healing Center, a business owned by local pot mogul Helios Dayspring, a... (Continue reading)

Battle over Grover Beach church exposes income tax issues

By KAREN VELIE The ongoing fight over the fate of the Bethel Baptist Church of Grover Beach has been complicated by an IRS decision to revoke the church’s nonprofit status. [Cal Coast Times] A former pastor and his executive staff... (Continue reading)

SLO developer sentenced to 270 days in jail for assault

Correction: Ryan Petetit’s four-year sentence was stayed and he is to serve 270 days in jail. By KAREN VELIE A San Luis Obispo County developer was sentenced Wednesday to four-years in prison for five felonies related to the violent assault... (Continue reading)

SLO County clerk recorder’s wife charged with embezzlement

The wife of San Luis Obispo County Clerk Recorder Tommy Gong was charged Monday with embezzling more than $32,000 from the Atascadero High School Band and Pageantry Booster Club, the District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday. [Cal Coast Times] Prosecutors... (Continue reading)

SLO County raises management salaries, cuts services

By JOSH FRIEDMAN At a time in which San Luis Obispo County government is tightening its belt, the county has a staffer who collects more than $500,000 a year in total pay, while another six employees receive more than $300,000... (Continue reading)

San Luis Obispo developer’s sentencing delayed a fourth time

By KAREN VELIE The sentencing of a developer with close ties to San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill was delayed again, this time to allow the court to consider Ryan Petetit’s sentencing suggestions. [Cal Coast Times] For the fourth... (Continue reading)

Coastal Commission wants to ban off-road vehicles from the Oceano Dunes

By JOSH FRIEDMAN The California Coastal Commission is considering settling the decades-long dispute over usage of the Oceano Dunes by the outright banning off-road vehicle riding on the South County beach. On July 11, the Coastal Commission plans to discuss... (Continue reading)

Templeton man agrees not to grow cannabis outdoors, plants 15 acres

By KAREN VELIE Shortly after negotiating an agreement not to grow cannabis outdoors for 20 years, the owners of an indoor marijuana grow in Templeton applied for and received a permit to grow 15 acres of industrial hemp, a cannabis... (Continue reading)

Kelly Gearhart’s sentence reduced five years

By KAREN VELIE Notorious North County developer Kelly Gearhart won a five-year sentence reduction on June 11. He is now scheduled for release on March 2, 2023. [Cal Coast Times] In July 2015, U.S. District Court Judge Otis Wright II... (Continue reading)