Uncovered SLO


Marijuana mogul evicts Old Town Market in Orcutt

By KAREN VELIE Orcutt’s iconic Old Town Market is closing, the tenants evicted by marijuana mogul Helios Dayspring, who recently purchased the building. After more than 70 years, locals will lose the only grocery store in Old Town Orcutt. They... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande manager’s resignation text revealed

By JOSH FRIEDMAN Typing eight words, two periods and hitting the send button was all it took for the city of Arroyo Grande’s top executive to resign in the midst of a pandemic and global economic downturn. A records request... (Continue reading)

SLO County supervisors to review suggested hemp ordinance

With the county’s temporary hemp ordinance slated to expire in June, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt a permanent hemp ordinance on Tuesday, during what is expected to be a contentious meeting. Unlike marijuana,... (Continue reading)

Hundreds of people protest in Paso Robles against Newsom’s orders

The day after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans to shutter all California beaches, which he later amended to only beaches in Orange County, about 500 people gathered in Paso Robles to protest the state’s ongoing shelter at home order. Amanda... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande city manager resigns suddenly

By KAREN VELIE Arroyo Grande Manager James Bergman resigned suddenly on Thursday. Bergman was hired in March 2017 for a yearly salary of $179,000 plus benefits. During an Arroyo Grande City Council meeting on Tuesday, city officials discussed a $1.2... (Continue reading)

Arroyo Grande to address $1.2 million budget shortfall

The Arroyo Grande City Council is slated to discuss implementing strategies to address a projected budget shortfall, related to the coronavirus, on Tuesday evening. Before the coronavirus shutdown, city officials were hoping a proposed sales tax increase would pay for... (Continue reading)

Fair Political Practices Commission counsels Supervisor Bruce Gibson

After a lengthy investigation into an allegation San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson violated conflict of interest laws, the Fair Political Practices Commission sent a letter advising Gibson he needs to update his understanding of the rules, and announcing... (Continue reading)

Oceano Community Services District reduces fiscal oversight

During a virtual meeting with low public attendance, on April 22 the Oceano Community Services District Board of Directors elected to reduce the number of people required to sign checks, from two to one: either the district’s general manager or... (Continue reading)

Congalton to revisit 2008 Kelly Gearhart interview

Kelly Gearhart lashed out against CalCoastNews reporters in 2008 on Dave Congalton’s KVEC radio talk show, saying reporters were wrong about the value of properties and legal requirements. During the same show, one of Gearhart’s bankers claimed that reporters had... (Continue reading)

Neighbors describe suspect Paul Flores as quiet, paranoid and smart

By JOSH FRIEDMAN and KAREN VELIE Approximately a dozen San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles county deputies descended Wednesday morning on the home of Paul Flores, a suspect in the 1996 disappearance of Cal Poly freshman Kristin Smart. Some neighbors... (Continue reading)