Karen Velie
Karen Velie lives in San Luis Obispo County.
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Hill and Arnold lead in race for campaign contributions
By JOSH FRIEDMAN and KAREN VELIE With a majority on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors up for grabs, the eight candidates running for three seats are raking in cash, collecting endorsements and fervently campaigning. Leading in the fundraising race, District 3 Supervisor Adam Hill has raised more money for his reelection campaign […]... (Continue Reading)
FEMA rejects John Wallace’s request for disaster funds
By KAREN VELIE The Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected John Wallace’s appeal to reconsider its denial of disaster funds to cover invoices to his company the Wallace Group, according to a Jan. 14 letter from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. In 2010, Wallace’s mismanagement of the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation plant and […]... (Continue Reading)
No Hill in Avila Beach, debate civil
By KAREN VELIE The Avila Beach Community Center was packed during Thursday night’s San Luis Obispo County District 3 supervisor debate, the first of the political season. The debate was unmoderated, without time limits and included only questions from members of the audience. Sitting Supervisor Adam Hill made a big show of skipping the debate, […]... (Continue Reading)
Insurance carrier claims hostility in Arroyo Grande
By KAREN VELIE The California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) is claiming that comments critical of the Arroyo Grande city manager could be deemed hostile and lead to financial risks for the city, according to a Dec. 21 letter to the Arroyo Grande City Council from the JPIA. The comments by two public officials were […]... (Continue Reading)
Is Adam Hill crying wolf?
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill says he’s getting death threats and as a result is being protected by the sheriff’s department. Hill has sent multiple emails describing the threats and posting photos of sheriff’s department vehicles parked on a street. But, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Commander Stuart MacDonald said […]... (Continue Reading)
Atascadero planner mocks the public on Twitter
By KAREN VELIE Over the past four years, an Atascadero planner has made a series of negative comments on Twitter about people who speak during public meetings, the homeless, old people, churches and several public officials he calls teabaggers. These tweets are regularly made during the work day or while Alfredo Castillo is attending public […]... (Continue Reading)
Is PB Companies rebranding following Petetit’s arrest?
By KAREN VELIE PB Companies, a business marred by allegations of financial mismanagement and criminal actions against a principal owner, appears to be attempting to change its image and its name. Since its inception in 2012, PB Company partners John Belsher and Ryan Petetit have been in court over multiple financial controversies because of failures […]... (Continue Reading)
Disturbing details revealed in Paso Robles killing
By KAREN VELIE An argument over the size of a medical marijuana growing operation took place before the shooting death of 34-year-old Benjamin Derrel Terra on Nov. 14. Sheriff’s deputies arrested Nicole Honair Luxor, 61, in connection with the killing after a roughly 9-hour standoff. Luxor and Terra had agreed to run a medical marijuana […]... (Continue Reading)
Los Osos general manager’s days appear to be numbered
By KAREN VELIE Following a review of Los Osos Community Services District General Manager Kathy Kivley’s performance and an investigation into misappropriation of funds, Kivley spoke with legal counsel and quickly left the Dec. 3 board meeting. A CalCoastNews’s analysis of district payroll found Kivley has been collecting pay for more administrative leave days than […]... (Continue Reading)
More details emerge in developer assault case
By KAREN VELIE An alleged violent assault on the girlfriend of a prominent San Luis Obispo County developer included smashing the victim’s head through a window and holding her in a closet against her will, sources said. More details emerged Monday as to what occurred during the Nov. 22 domestic violence incident that sent a 23-year-old […]... (Continue Reading)
