Karen Velie
Karen Velie lives in San Luis Obispo County.
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Nipomo neighbors in uproar over migrant housing
By KAREN VELIE A large strawberry grower in South County is seeking to move 112 or more foreign nationals into seven homes on Mad Place in Nipomo. A plan some neighbors are rallying against. Under the federal H-2A program, employers file petitions for foreign nationals to temporarily enter the United State to perform work that […]... (Continue Reading)
Does Petetit lawsuit reveal fraudulent business practices?
By KAREN VELIE A lawsuit filed earlier this year alleges PB Company principal Ryan Petetit fraudulently induced a Nipomo couple to lend him more than $240,000. The suit lists seven complaints including breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, and negligence. But there are other issues raised by the lawsuit, allegations that Petetit commingled investor funds, diverted […]... (Continue Reading)
Twisted road to the Paso Robles water basin vote
By KAREN VELIE Following their failed bid to form a Paso Robles water district, San Luis Obispo County supervisors Adam Hill and Bruce Gibson are wanting the state to take over management of the basin claiming county funds should not be used. A change in strategy as Hill and Gibson had previously battled to have […]... (Continue Reading)
Student’s suicide and allegations of bullying roil Paso Robles school district
By KAREN VELIE One child is dead and another has been pulled from a Paso Robles middle school amid allegations of bullying, harassment and physical assaults by students. Parents have taken to Facebook to discuss what some call a culture of bullying. “Lewis Middle School really needs to address their issues on bullying…and maybe think […]... (Continue Reading)
Former foster father pleads guilty to child rape
By KAREN VELIE A former foster father, who adopted three of his charges, faces 20 years to life in state prison after pleading guilty Thursday to raping a child under 14 years of age. The children were placed with the man after San Luis Obispo County officials concluded his Nipomo home was safer and more […]... (Continue Reading)
Allegations of intimidation and retaliation mar Congressional race
By KAREN VELIE With the June primary less then four months away, entrenched Democratic party leaders are backing Santa Barbara County Supervisor Salud Carbajal for the 24th District congressional seat while supporters of his chief Democratic rival, Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider, allege political intimidation. Shortly after Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) announced last spring that […]... (Continue Reading)
Judge rules: Atascadero sub-basin part of Paso Robles basin
By KAREN VELIE A Santa Clara County judge ruled Wednesday that the Atascadero sub-basin is part of the Paso Robles basin raising new questions regarding an offset ordinance and a proposed water district. In 2013, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors enacted an urgency ordinance, now a permanent ordinance, that limits water use […]... (Continue Reading)
Auditor rebuts John Wallace’s explanation
Editor’s Note: Carl Knudson’s addendum to his report on the past management practices of John Wallace is at the bottom of this article. By KAREN VELIE In response to former South County Sanitation District administrator John Wallace’s claim that a report by Knudson Investigations was flawed, Carl Knudson produced a Feb. 6 addendum to his […]... (Continue Reading)
John Wallace’s attorney threatens sanitation district
By KAREN VELIE An attorney for former South County Sanitation District administrator John Wallace asked the district board Wednesday to rescind their decision to send allegations of criminal malfeasance to multiple law enforcement agencies and then alleged the district faced legal liability if it did not cooperate. Two weeks ago, the board voted to send […]... (Continue Reading)
Atascadero Printery headed to tax auction
By KAREN VELIE Because of unpaid taxes, the historic Printery building in Atascadero is headed to a tax auction. Bidders for the Printery Building, located at 6351 Olmeda Avenue, will need to start with a minimum bid of $1.3 million to purchase the historic building, which includes the Assessed Value/Land Value and the total amount […]... (Continue Reading)
