Karen Velie
Karen Velie lives in San Luis Obispo County.
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Prominent SLO County developer arrested on assault charges
By KAREN VELIE Arroyo Grande police arrested a prominent local developer on Thanksgiving day in connection with an assault that allegedly caused serious bodily injury to a girlfriend, they said. Ryan Petetit, 28, is a principal in PB Companies, a real estate investment and development firm currently under fire for not paying subcontractors and for […]... (Continue Reading)
Hill won’t address questions; he’s changing addresses
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Adam Hill changed the mailing and work address for a consulting company he works for, the same day he received questions from CalCoastNews about inconsistencies between his financial disclosures and a developer’s documents organizing the consulting firm. The changes corrected inconsistencies in a filing made under penalty […]... (Continue Reading)
Rough waters continue for Ashley Madison cheaters
By KAREN VELIE Opening up his Earthlink account Monday, a San Luis Obispo based attorney found five threatening emails, each attempting to extort money because of the attorney’s participation on the hookup website Ashley Madison. The site, with a tagline that says “Life is short, have an affair,” claims it provides participants access to married […]... (Continue Reading)
San Luis Jazz Band leader pleads guilty to extortion
BY KAREN VELIE The leader of the San Luis Jazz Band plead guilty last month to three counts of extortion against his wife. Mitch Latting, 66, is scheduled to be sentenced by San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Jacquelyn Duffy on Dec. 8. Latting’s downhill spiral begin in late 2014 when his wife asked […]... (Continue Reading)
Spencer’s Fresh Markets top bidder on AG Haggen location
By KAREN VELIE Spencer’s Fresh Markets was the top bidder in a bankruptcy auction for the Arroyo Grande Haggen’s location, according to court documents. In total, 17 locations including the Arroyo Grande site were pulled from the auction because of lease issues between two Haggen entities, OPCO and PROPCO. Even so, the highest bidders are […]... (Continue Reading)
Arroyo Grande planning commissioner retains his seat
By KAREN VELIE The Arroyo Grande City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to retain John Mack on the Planning Commission following a conflict of interest complaint filed by developer Nick Tompkins. A vote that surprised most attendees at the meeting. Following an unanimously vote by the Planning Commission to reject Tompkins proposal for a residential and […]... (Continue Reading)
Laetitia winery development gaining approval
By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission indicated plans to approve a proposed residential development at the Laetitia Vineyard and Winery in South County if the applicant makes several plan changes. On Oct. 29, the commission voted 4-0 to instruct staff to come back in January with findings to support the commission’s […]... (Continue Reading)
Nipomo marijuana dispensary shot down
By KAREN VELIE The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Tuesday against a proposed medical marijuana dispensary in Nipomo. Supervisors Lynn Compton, Debbie Arnold and Frank Mecham voted against the facility primarily because of crime and traffic concerns. Supervisors Adam Hill and Bruce Gibson voted in favor of the project arguing that […]... (Continue Reading)
Are owners of Ethnobotanica just blowing smoke?
By KAREN VELIE The founder of a medical marijuana business attempting to open a dispensary in San Luis Obispo County has a lengthy criminal history, including a felony arrest and conviction for possession of a dangerous drug with intent to sell. Ethnobotanica is seeking to open a 2,500-square-foot medical marijuana dispensary at 2122 Hutton Road […]... (Continue Reading)
Judge John Trice accused of violating a divorce court order
By KAREN VELIE San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge John Trice is accused of failing to abide by a court order to provide part of his military retirement benefits to an ex-wife, according to a notice of formal proceedings from the California Commission on Judicial Performance Following an investigation, if allegations of serious misconduct […]... (Continue Reading)
